Halo Notes

To our Saints families,

Our students, faculty, and staff celebrated both Catholic Schools Week and Teacher Appreciation Week last week, and we are thankful for your support and generosity in making it a special occasion for everyone. In addition to recognizing both St. Louis Catholic High School and our Partner Schools, we are currently in the process of accepting new applications for incoming students and having our current students complete re-enrollment.

If you know of any families discerning the decision to enroll their child at St. Louis Catholic, please encourage them to step inside our campus and see how our Saints thrive daily. New applications are being accepted until February 28, and the deadline for our current families to complete re-enrollment is March 14. There is an Incoming New Student Parent Meeting tonight at 5:30pm in the Pavilion, and this is a great opportunity to get an overview of student course planning and upcoming dates of significance. We have several financial aid and scholarship opportunities for families seeking assistance.

In reflecting on the Catholic Schools Week series offered on the Hallow app, it was shared that in his 2012 address to Catholic educators, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that “Catholic education is a fundamental building block of a virtuous society.” Our students are the leaders of our future, and when our children receive an education that is Christ-centered, our society can grow in faith for generations to come.

Thank you for your continuous commitment to St. Louis Catholic High School!

Fara McKinley ‘90

Director of Admissions

Planning for the 2025-2026 school year is underway! Please see our UPDATED Admissions Timeline for added dates and deadlines. The High School Placement Test is on Saturday, March 22, at SLCHS from 8:00am-noon, and testing is mandatory for all NEW incoming students.

Detailed information will be announced as we get closer to date. For questions please contact Fara McKinley '90, Director of Admissions, at 337-436-7275

Folds of Honor offers scholarships to children of disabled veterans to attend private schools for grades K-12. The application window opened on February 1, 2025 and closes April 6, 2025. The website to apply is www.foldsofhonor.org. Students can receive up to $5,000 per academic year, and the money will be paid directly to the school.

The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program will begin accepting online student applications on March 1 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program will replace the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP). LSP students will receive priority access to LA GATOR but must submit an application when the portal opens on March 1. To ensure a smooth transition, the LDOE will provide additional resources for LSP families, including a dedicated webinar and application guidance materials. Families currently participating in LSP who have not been receiving updates about LA GATOR from their school and the LDOE are encouraged to contact the call center at 225-422-1538 or via email at help.la@withodyssey.com.

For the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, the LA Department of Education has partnered with Odyssey, an experienced technology provider, to launch and manage the program. Odyssey will assist in the onboarding process, application verification, and host the online marketplace where families will manage their scholarship accounts. Additional program information is available at the LA GATOR Scholarship Program page. Sign-up for the LA GATOR Newsletter to receive program updates as they come available.

The School Choice Application opened on February 3, 2025, and closes on March 7, 2025. For questions about the application process, please contact studentscholarships@la.gov for assistance. You may also visit the website.

Families are encouraged to schedule vacations that coincide with school holidays. Any absence for a trip or vacation must be prearranged with the school administration and is not guaranteed to be excused. Please review the attendance policies in Section IV (p. 19-22) of the handbook.

Progress Reports for the third quarter will be emailed tomorrow. Please review your student's progress by checking FACTS. If you have any questions, reach out to the teacher.

Using students' PSAT/NMSQT results from last fall, AP Potential generates rosters of students who are likely to score a 3 or higher on a given AP Exam. These students who were identified by AP Potential will receive a letter in the mail soon. Click here to read more (https://appotential.collegeboard.org/).

Counselors will visit with all students in the month of February to go over the 2025-2026 Course Planning Guide and how to request classes for the next school year.

Freshman Year Student Meetings with Counselors:
2/11/2025 - OLQH at 10:20am, SMCS @ 12:40am, OLS @ 2pm
2/12/2025 - OLI @ 12:30pm
2/13/2025 - ICCS @ 2:30pm

Senior & Junior Year Student Meetings with Counselors:
Week of 2/17/2025 in Social Studies Classes

Sophomore Year Student Meetings with Counselors:
Week of 2/24/2025 in Social Studies Classes

Any students interested in taking a dual enrollment course next year are required to attend a mandatory informational meeting with McNeese on Monday, February 17 during house time in the Pavilion.

Any students going into 11th and 12th grade next year that are interested in taking dual enrollment courses have to attend a meeting with McNeese on February 17 during house time in the Pavilion. ⁠Please fill out this form to confirm your attendance by February 13.

Saints Wrestling did a great job at the 12th Annual Jesse James Southwest Shoutout at Sulphur High School on February 1, 2025. Competing for the Saints were: Seniors - Finn Gage and Grant Habetz; Juniors - Austin Burton and Stewart Whitley; Sophomores - Reece Campbell and Ryder Chance; and Freshmen - Caliber Byler, Andrew "Ray" Huang, Cash Monroe, and Sam Williamson. Habetz (138) and Campbell (144) took second place in their respective weight classes. Burton placed third at 120. Whitley (157) and Williamson (150) scored fourth place finishes.

Saints Wrestlers will be busy in these last few days before the State Tournament starts on Thursday, February 14. On Thursday, February 6, the team will travel to Rosepine for a tri-dual meet with Rosepine High School and St. Edmund Catholic High School. Then, on Saturday, February 8, the team will celebrate Senior Day at the Lake Charles College Prep Trailblazer Showdown at LCCP, 2801 Power Center Parkway. Wrestling starts at 10 am.

Sweethearts tryouts for the 2025-2026 school year will be held at the McNeese Rec from 3:30-5 on March 26-28, and at 9:00 on March 29.

Please complete the Prom Date and Participation Forms required to participate.

Order your 2025 yearbook today at Jostens.com. Also, purchase an ad to highlight a student or business.

Yearbooks are on sale. If you purchase a 2025 yearbook, you are invited to a Crust pizza party on March 27. Senior ads are due by Feb. 28.

Make your student's yearbook even more special by adding their name and personal icons to the cover or including an ad. Contact Mrs. Core with questions or concerns.

Interested in travelling to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria this summer! Experience culture and tradition of these Alpine countries! Reach out to Coach Yoder for more information!

The next Parent Guild meeting will be held on February 19, 2025 at noon at the Ave Maria Hall across from Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Lunch will be provided. Bring a friend and learn about the new and exciting things happening at St. Louis Catholic.

Below are the fish fry dates at the Cathedral. Their Catholic Daughters (Lady of the Lake Court #695) will also be selling cookies at each fish fry event, and the proceeds will be donated to the St. Louis Catholic Capital Campaign.

Dates for Fish Fry & Cookie Sales: (4:30 - 6:00 pm)
Friday, March 7, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Friday, March 18, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025

This is a great fundraiser that promotes the Catholic Daughter Motto of Unity and Charity. All proceeds from the sale of cookies in 2025 will be for the St. Louis Catholic High School Capital Campaign.

Donations of cookies are accepted as well. This is a great way for the Saint Louis Community to support their own rebuilding.

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OUR FOUR PILLARS:

Wonder - Identity - Community - Service

Email: saintsmail@slchs.org
Website: www.slchs.org
Location: 1620 Bank Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-436-7275
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slchssaints
Twitter: @slchs_saints