FAMILY CONNECTION | January 7, 2021
Dear Students,
I want to share some thoughts about the events that transpired in our nation’s Capital yesterday and to ask a favor of each of you.

Regardless of who you personally supported in this past election or who won or lost, yesterday wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about our country, our process of government, and preserving our way of life as Americans. What began as a protest, quickly turned into violence and destruction. People were killed and many more were injured. Those tasked with protecting our Capitol were physically attacked and our elected officials feared for their lives…it was a sad day for our country.

Each school day, after we pray together, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. And, since the Pledge is something that we say every day, we may tend to absently mouth the words, rather than thinking about what we’re actually saying. We may be considering the things that may or may not happen throughout the day: school work, a test, meeting up with friends, getting ready for practice, or what’s for dinner that evening.

Today, as you recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I ask that you really think about the words that you’re speaking. It’s very title tells you a lot about it: A “pledge” is defined as a promise, a vow, swearing an oath, and giving your word. “Allegiance” is about your loyalty, commitment, and faithfulness. Pay close attention to the last few lines in which we say, “…one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Those words are really important, because they literally mean that no matter the circumstances or differences that we may experience as citizens of this country, we are a united people, pledging that despite those differences, we will never be divided.

It’s not a guarantee that disagreements will never happen, but at the end of the discussion or the disagreement, we will come together as one people and one nation. Today, let’s think about our Pledge and come together in prayer for our Nation.

Blessings,
Rick Davis ’79
President
Grades and Schedules
Grades for first semester are available in Blackbaud along with second semester schedules. If a student needs to make a schedule change for second semester, he must contact his counselor by tomorrow, January 8. Course changes are limited due to class sizes.
Second Semester Schedule
We will alternate Lion Days and Eagle Days on some Fridays in the second semester to give upperclassmen more time on campus.

  • Friday, January 8 | EAGLE DAY, Grades 11-12 on campus, Grades 9-10 online
  • Monday, January 11 | LION DAY, Grades 11-12 online, Grades 9-10 on campus
  • Tuesday, January 12 | EAGLE DAY, Grades 11-12 on campus, Grades 9-10 online
  • Wednesday, January 13 | LION DAY, Grades 11-12 online, Grades 9-10 on campus
  • Thursday, January 14 | EAGLE DAY, Grades 11-12 on campus, Grades 9-10 online
  • Friday, January 15 | LION DAY, Grades 11-12 online, Grades 9-10 on campus
Visit our School Calendar for the latest information as schedules are subject to change.
Back-to-School Night
Our virtual Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, January 13. Teachers will host 15-minute presentations via Zoom. Follow your student's second semester schedule, found in Blackbaud, in selecting each teacher's hyperlink. All links will be posted on our website and activated at the scheduled times.
Back-to-School Schedule
  • A Period | 6-6:15 pm
  • B Period | 6:15-6:30 pm
  • C Period | 6:30-6:45 pm
  • D Period | 6:45-7 pm
If you would like to schedule a meeting with your student's Learning Consultant or Counselor, please email them to coordinate a time.
NO SCHOOL
There is no school on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
Scholarship Applications Due
Vianney is blessed to offer 20 named scholarships, all with varying criteria. Families must submit an application by Friday, January 15, to be considered for scholarships and financial aid grants in the 2021-2022 school year. Families receiving a renewable scholarship, who continue to meet all criteria, do not need to reapply.
Academic Support
If a student requires additional academic support, we offer the following resources:
  • Homework Hotel | Monday-Thursday from 2:50-3:50 pm in the Media Center
  • Math Tutoring | Tuesday and Wednesday until 4 pm in Room 208
  • Griffin Assist | 7:45-8:10 am when a student is on campus and 2:10-2:40 pm when a student is online or on campus
Student Counseling Group
We are partnering with Saint Louis Counseling to host a free counseling group for our students. Topics will include coping with stress, anxiety, grief, loss, and any additional concerns students share. The 30-minute weekly sessions begin Monday, January 25, during Afternoon Griffin Assist. We can make accommodations for students who are off campus on Mondays with a few spots still left. Please contact Katie Holman at kholman@vianney.com if your student is interested in participating.
Service Hours
This school year, we will accept service hours performed for family and friends in addition to hours served at charitable organizations and Vianney. All completed service hours must be submitted for verification through Helper Helper.

  • Sophomores and Juniors have until January 31, 2021 to complete their service hour requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. 
  • Freshmen have until the first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year to complete their 20 hours of service.

Please contact Kevin Becvar at kbecvar@vianney.com if you have any questions.
Be a Griffin for a Day
Our Admissions Team invites boys in grades 5 and 6 to Be a Griffin for a Day this Presidents' Day, February 15, from 8 am to 12:30 pm. This free event includes lunch and t-shirt.
Join us for a virtual Trivia Night Saturday, January 16, at 7 pm. The cost is $15 per player with the event open to ALL, including students! Registration is due Friday, January 15.
Even if you cannot attend, consider purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets for $20 each. The winner will be announced Monday, January 18.
VIRTUAL Night of the Griffin
There are a number of ways you can support our virtual auction on Saturday, February 13, including donations via Amazon and Target.
Griffin Guys and Gals Raffles
Enter the Griffin Guys Raffle for a chance to win a Traeger Pro 780 or the Griffin Gals Raffle for a chance to win a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Bag. Tickets are available online; one for $50 or three for $100.
The Traeger Pro 780 pellet grill is valued at $1,070.
The 12.6 x 11.4 x 6.7 inch Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Bag is valued at $1,500.
Want two FREE raffle tickets?
  • Purchase an item on one of our registries by Friday, January 15
  • Donate a gift card worth $25 or more and deliver it to our front desk by Friday, January 15
If a student experienced any COVID symptoms over Christmas Break or was exposed to COVID, please notify our school nurse at nurse@vianney.com. She will help develop a timeline for the student to safely return to campus. Tracking COVID-19 cases in our community also allows us to make informed decisions for the entire community.
ACC Registration & Tuition
During January, Juniors and Seniors enrolled in Advanced College Credit (ACC) courses may register with select universities (SLU, UMSL, Drury, MO State) to earn college credit. Our faculty will provide the instructions, but the universities insist that each student register himself. There have been several cases of parents inadvertently registering themselves instead of their student. A student may need parents to provide information like his Social Security number. Tuition bills not collected as part of registration will likely be sent to the student by mail or email. Look for the bill, usually due in April.  

If you have questions, please contact Dennis Matreci at 314-965-4853 ext 116 or dmatreci@vianney.com.
ACT Prep Course  
If you would like to prepare for the February or March ACT, Sarah Kheriaty is hosting courses beginning this month. It is $350 per student with a $50 discount if a sibling previously took her course.
Lacrosse Registration
Lacrosse has a mandatory meeting for all players and at least one parent/guardian Thursday, January 28, at 7 pm in the Field House. Contact Coach Nate Stein at nstein@vianney.com or Pat Breheny at patbreheny@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Always visit our Athletics Calendar for the latest information as dates and times are subject to change.
MARIANIST MOMENT
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
“One of the surest means for re-establishing religion soon in France is that of missions, above all if they are done by missionaries who combine light and exactness with true zeal. This group of good workers who have brought so many back to God has not been extinguished among us. There are many virtuous ecclesiastics who would be very fit for this kind of ministry.”
In Memoriam
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rob Will '09 and all of our dearly departed.

We invite you to submit prayer requests, including any special intentions.