FAMILY CONNECTION | November 19, 2020
Our Student Council Officers have chosen to work as equals in this unprecedented year by not identifying a single individual as President. Joey Lyon '21 explains, "It takes away the thought of who has more 'authority' on Student Council. It lets us work together to achieve the same goals."  
Upperclassmen Schedule
Juniors and Seniors attend all classes ONLINE through tomorrow, November 20,
returning to campus for IN-PERSON classes both Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24. Students can resume athletics and other school activities on Saturday, November 21 through Wednesday, November 25. Look for additional information from your coaches and club moderators.

Underclassmen Schedule
Freshmen and Sophomores continue their hybrid schedule through tomorrow, November 22, but attend classes ONLINE both Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24. Students continue athletics and other school activities through Wednesday, November 25. Look for additional information from your coaches and club moderators.

Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break begins Wednesday, November 25. Athletics and other school activities are suspended Thanksgiving, November 26, through Sunday, December 6. ALL students resume classes ONLINE Monday through Friday, November 30 through December 4, to help reduce the spread of COVID after the holiday.

Hybrid Schedule
We have a modified hybrid schedule Monday, December 7, through Friday, December 11.
  • Freshmen and Sophomores on campus Monday and Wednesday and online Tuesday and Thursday
  • Juniors and Seniors on campus Tuesday and Thursday and online Monday and Wednesday
  • NO CLASSES Friday, December 11, for students to connect with teachers and prepare for finals
When to Report Absences
If a student remains home for any reason on a day his class is scheduled to be on campus, please contact the Main Office at 314-965-4853 ext 100 to report it. Otherwise, the student will be marked as an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE even if he is attending his classes online that day. Just notifying his teachers is NOT sufficient as the Main Office still needs confirmation from a parent or guardian.
November 10 Electrical Outage
Our apologies for the unexpected closure of campus on Tuesday, November 10. The culprit, affectionately named "Volt" by President Rick Davis '79, was a mouse who had chewed through a powerline. #RIP
Second Semester Schedules
Students should review their second semester schedules in Blackbaud. If there are errors or you want to request a schedule change, please contact your counselor as soon as possible. Due to class sizes and maintaining social distancing, alternative course options are limited.
Freshman Class Meeting
The Class of 2024 has a mandatory class meeting from 2:15 to 2:40 pm tomorrow, November 20.
Griffin Assist
Griffin Assist is available before and after school for academic support plus Mass, class meetings, and other activities. ALL students should attend from 7:45-8:10 am and 2:10-2:40 pm if requested by a teacher or scheduled on our school calendar. Students should NOT leave for after-school activities like jobs or practices until 2:40 pm with families asked to plan accordingly.
Toy Drive
COVID will not keep us from honoring this holiday tradition--especially as the need is greater than ever. This year's interclass competition asks our Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors to purchase toys online for Whole Kids Outreach with bragging rights for the class that donates the most money. The competition runs December 3-8 but you can preview items on the gift registry now.
Blood Drive
We are partnering with Mercy Hospital St. Louis at 615 S. New Ballas for this year's Advent Blood Drive. Call Mercy at 314-251-4483 to make your appointment for Thursday, December 3, 9 am-6 pm or Friday, December 4, 8 am-3 pm. Every donor receives a $5 Amazon gift card.
Giving Tuesday
Make your gift by December 1, Giving Tuesday, to help your class win the challenge. To celebrate Vianney’s 60th anniversary, make a gift or pledge of $600 or more marked Parent Giving Challenge or Giving Tuesday and receive a commemorative engraved brick on our new patio adjacent to the Media Center.
Already made your gift?
  • If your gift was $600 or more, you will be contacted about your commemorative brick.
  • If your gift was less than $600, add to your original donation to qualify for a commemorative brick.

PARENT GIVING
  • Class of 2021 is 32%
  • Class of 2022 is 41%
  • Class of 2023 is 51%
  • Class of 2024 is 55%

Please join us on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram to share our Giving Tuesday message using #GriffinsGive!
VIRTUAL Night of the Griffin
Save the date for our virtual auction on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

Volunteer Shoppers
We need volunteers to help shop for gift basket items for the auction. Please contact Trisha Pekarik at trisha.pekarik@gmail.com to arrange for your stipend and start shopping those holiday deals for us.
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support St. John Vianney High School every time you shop--at no additional cost to you. It is the same price for you with the bonus that Amazon donates a portion of your purchase price to Vianney!
The Griffin Gear Store is open Saturday, December 5, from 9 am to 1 pm for holiday shoppers.
Poinsettia Sale
The Alumni Moms are holding their annual Poinsettia Sale. Please download and submit your order form by Friday, November 27. Pickup is Thursday, December 3, from 11 am to 3 pm in the Commons.
Student Mental Health
CHADS Coalition for Mental Health is partnering with our school counselors to present the following for our students:
  • November 19 | Healthy Coping Skills in Mr. Shipp's Sophomore Theology Classes
  • November 30 | Suicide Prevention & College Resources in Mr. Stein's Senior Civics Classes
  • December 7 | Suicide Prevention & College Resources in Mr. Matreci's Junior/Senior Theology Class
Counseling Groups for Students
Our school counselors are looking into starting groups at Vianney for our students coping with grief and loss and for those coping with stress and anxiety. If your student is interested in participating in a counseling group, please contact Katie Holman at kholman@vianney.com. 
Senior Quilt Square
The quilt square deadline has been extended to Monday, December 7. Blank squares were sent in Senior Packets at the start of the school year with instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Hackett at 314-965-4853 ext 147 or lhackett@vianney.com to celebrate this senior class tradition.
ACT & PSAT Results
We are mailing home the results of the Practice ACT for Juniors who took the exam October 16. All Juniors take the official ACT at school on March 2. PSAT results will be available in mid-December.
ACT Prep Course  
If you would like to prepare for the February or March ACT, Sarah Kheriaty is hosting courses beginning in January. It is $350 per student with a $50 discount if a sibling previously took her course.
A+ Program
Seniors working toward the A+ scholarship need only complete 25 hours of mentoring or tutoring this school year. Contact Dennis Matreci at dmatreci@vianney.com on how to complete this requirement.
Faculty Mariah Kiser shares how her AP Macroeconomics course connects her students to real-world experiences.

Faculty Focus introduces you to members of our faculty to learn what inspires them to teach.
MARIANIST MOMENT
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
“No material good is so precious as peace.”
We invite you to submit prayer requests, including any special intentions.