Enrollment Opening Soon/Active Parishioner Status

Enrollment for the upcoming school year will open soon. As you prepare, please be sure to complete and submit your Time and Talent (Parish Stewardship) form. Completion of this form is required to be considered an active parish family.  Please take a look at the ministries guide, which lists the many available opportunities in our parish. This also applies to families that have students at Helias. 

An active parish family is one that:

• Is registered in the parish
• Regularly participates in Mass and the Sacraments
• Sacrificially tithes to the parish
• Is involved in parish activities and ministries, as noted on the annual Parish Stewardship form

Catholic Schools Week Information - Jan. 24 - Jan. 31

Pilgrims of HOPE

Jan. 30th Friday: Faith, Knowledge and Service in Our Staff

• Dress like your future career. Dress Down rules apply. Job accessories can be worn but cannot include weapons or anything inappropriate.
• Pilgrims of HOPE on Parade: Students who choose to dress like their favorite career can participate in a parade around the inside of the school. More information will be coming home soon.
• All specials, MAP, classes will be in the gym so wear tennis shoes.
• 1:30 Dismissal Day 

Jan. 31st Saturday: Faith, Knowledge and Service in Our Graduates

• Closing Mass at St. Peter at 4:30 p.m.  
• Students in grades 2-8 are invited to sing with the choir. Select students will participate in various other ministries. Please meet Mrs. Stuckenschneider in the choir loft by 4:15.

Monday Feb. 2 will be COSMIC Dress Down Day rescheduled from last Monday

• “Be a Pilgrim of HOPE and shine bright, wear white!” Cosmic Dress Down
• Cosmic Volleyball 5-8th, Cosmic Dodgeball 2nd-4th and Glow Dance PK-1st
• Grade level Service Learning projects.
• Unhealthy snacks may be purchased for $.75 or bring your own unhealthy snack.

Alumni Recognition Award :Honoring Rhonda Shimmens (Class of 1974)

St. Peter Catholic School is proud to recognize Rhonda Shimmens, Class of 1974, as our Alumni Recognition Award recipient. A lifelong member of the St. Peter Parish and School community, Rhonda’s connection to St. Peter spans more than six decades. She attended St. Peter Grade School, graduated from Helias Catholic High School, and later raised her own family in the faith, sending her three children through St. Peter and now joyfully watching six grandchildren continue that tradition. Her life reflects a deep and abiding commitment to Catholic education, faith, and service.

Rhonda has quietly and faithfully served St. Peter Parish and School in countless ways over the years, volunteering with the Giving Tree, parish meals, school functions, fundraisers, and wherever help was needed. Beyond St. Peter, her generous spirit extends throughout the Jefferson City community through service with organizations such as United Way, Dreams to Reality, March of Dimes, and SSM Health. She gives of herself not for recognition, but out of genuine compassion and love for others, making a lasting impact on both parish and community life.

Professionally, Rhonda devoted more than 43 years to St. Mary’s Hospital, earning a reputation as a wonderful nurse.  Her extraordinary career was honored with the inaugural DAISY Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019, and in 2023, the Rhonda Shimmens Scholarship was established in her name to support continuing education for nurses and healthcare professionals. Rhonda’s resilience, joy, and positive spirit continue to inspire all who know her. She will be recognized at the 4:30 p.m. Mass during Catholic Schools Week, as we celebrate a life that truly embodies faith, service, leadership, and perseverance.

Big Bucks Dinner and Auction Fundraiser

Big Bucks is a fun Dinner and Live/Silent Auction benefiting St. Peter Catholic School! Enjoy a night of dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions, games, and a chance to win $10,000!

We are looking for families who would be willing to donate their time or treasure to our event to help make it the best year yet! A letter was sent home with your student with ways to donate and support!

We appreciate all of our families at St. Peter Catholic School and look forward to being able to donate back to such a wonderful place for our students to learn and grow!

If you have any questions or want to donate please reach out to kgenenbacher@stpeterjc.org

Bringing Clean Water and Education to Uganda

This past July, Dr. Gayle Trachsel and her daughter traveled to Uganda with the Mission Office of the Diocese of Jefferson City. The group included diocesan administrators and the school superintendent, all united in a shared mission to open one of the schools we helped fundraise for last year. Our Diocese is blessed to have four priests from Uganda serving here, strengthening the connection between our communities.

During the trip, Dr. Trachsel witnessed firsthand the profound challenges many families face, particularly the urgent need for clean drinking water and access to education.

In Uganda, families often rely on jerrycans to transport water. Tragically, many of these containers previously held toxic chemicals, contaminating the water and frequently causing serious illness or even death. To address this life-threatening issue, the Mission will distribute five-gallon water backpacks that provide a safe and practical way to carry clean water. Each backpack costs just $10, making even a small donation truly life-saving.

Dr. Trachsel also observed another heartbreaking reality: children without school uniforms are not permitted to attend school. A single uniform, also costing around $10, opens the door to education, opportunity, and hope.

Moved by this need, Madilyn Trachsel, a St. Peter graduate and Helias Catholic High School graduate, organized a fundraiser to provide school uniforms for children in Uganda. Madilyn will return to Uganda this March with the Diocese of Jefferson City Mission Office, along with Paige Bartow, a teacher’s aide at St. Peter, to continue this important work. For every TYJ T-shirt purchased, $10 is donated directly toward a school uniform, one shirt equals one uniform. St Peter students may wear this shirt as spirit wear. 

Together, through clean water and education, we can change lives. Your generosity,whether through a $10 donation for a water backpack or purchasing a $20.00 T-shirt to support school uniforms, brings health, hope, and opportunity to children and families in Uganda.

How to Help:

• Purchase a T-shirt: Visit the school store at https://stores.inksoft.com/st_peter_saints/shop/home
• Donate for clean water: Send cash or check in an envelope marked “Water Bags.”

Thank you for helping us make a lasting difference.

ASC is having a Mardi Gras Party! Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. It’s the last day before Lent begins…and the last chance to feast and celebrate before the 40-day season of fasting and reflection. There are lots of fun activities planned, including a photo booth. If anyone has props you could donate or lend us, we’d be grateful.Thanks!

REMINDERS: If your children will NOT be in Aftercare, especially if you take your

children after an assembly or class party, I need an email letting me know. Sending one email that includes all teachers, attendance and myself keeps us all on the same page. Please check the Lost & Found shelves when you pick up your children. Thanks!

To reach ASC, please email, Betsy Bartow at bbartow@stpeterjc.org or call (573) 636-8922 ext.129.

Music Teacher – 2026–2027 School Year

St. Peter Interparish School is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Music Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. The ideal candidate will foster a love of music through engaging lessons, performances, and liturgical participation. Responsibilities include teaching general music to elementary and middle school students, directing programs, and collaborating with staff to support our faith-based learning environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Education 
• Missouri teaching certification (or eligibility)
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Start Date: August 2026

1st Grade Teacher – 2026–2027 School Year

St. Peter Interparish School is accepting applications for a 1st Grade Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. We are seeking a caring, faith-filled educator dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual growth. The successful candidate will create a nurturing classroom environment that promotes curiosity, cooperation, and a love of learning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education
• Missouri teaching certification (or eligibility)
• Commitment to Catholic education 



Start Date: August 2026

It is that time of year when the weather can affect our school day. Below is the policy/procedure from the handbook, which is provided as a refresher.

Inclement Weather

a) When weather conditions make it necessary to close school, the cancellation or snow schedule will be announced by local/social media. Those who subscribe to our texting service will be notified via text of any cancellations or early dismissals.

b) Due to extreme weather, it may be necessary to dismiss school and after-care early. Local/social media will announce the closing time. An email will be sent to all parents, and a notification will be sent via text to all subscribers to the school texting service. Telephoning the school jams the telephone lines and is to be avoided.

c) On early dismissal days due to inclement weather, K-8 children are dismissed to the big flat for pick-up. Students not picked up 20 minutes after dismissal will report to the school office.

d) There is NO after-school care on all early release days. If inclement weather is forecasted, parents are to stay tuned to the local and social media during the day, as After-School Care may need to be dismissed early if the weather hits after 3:05 PM.

The link to sign up for text alerts is posted at the bottom of this newsletter and on our web page for anyone who has not already signed up.

Quick Reference Guide to the Diocese of Jefferson City Stewardship Model

Catholic Stewardship Renewal/Time and Talent Form

TO BE AN “ACTIVE” CATHOLIC STEWARD MEANS:

• To Pray: that is, attend Mass faithfully in the parish on weekends and Holy Days.
• To Participate: that is, to use one’s time and talents to strengthen the parish community and advance the Gospel.
• To Sacrificially Give: that is, pledge and remain current on a tithe of financial first fruits to support the life and ministries of the parish. The goal is 8% to the parish and 2% to other worthy charities.

St. Peter Catholic School

314 West High Street

Jefferson City, MO 65101