The Defender
January 12, 2024
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear St. Michael Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safely sheltered and warm. This has been a wild week of weather, and I want to thank you for your support as we navigate what’s best for our students, families, teachers, and staff. On Tuesday, Brian Rutledge, SMA facilities manager, and his crew did an amazing job clearing the snow and ice to prepare for our students and staff to safely return to school. Thank you, Brian and crew, for your hard work! It was a big reason we were able to return to school on Wednesday.
Today’s weather events were much trickier to predict. The Johnson County Archdiocese principals work together to make decisions on days like these, and the recommendation of the committee was to cancel school due to uncertain weather conditions. We make the best decision we can with the information we have at the time. I can assure you that we don't make these decisions lightly and have the safety of our families and staff at the center of our decisions.
In two weeks, we will celebrate our Catholic school with Catholic Schools Week! This is a wonderful time of celebration to show our appreciation for St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School and to promote its excellence to potential families. Please plan to join us for our Open House on January 28 between 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bring your family to check out the latest learning going on in our school, take a tour to see new update, and check out some of the new technology purchased for students and staff.
We would love to welcome our parishioners to come and see what’s happening at SMA. We are extending an invitation to all school families, parishioners, guests, and potential new families! We love our school and want to share the love and joy with our entire SMA community. All are welcome. We’ll have DONUTS!
As a reminder, here are the themes for each day of Catholic Schools Week:
· Jan. 28 – Sunday – Celebrating our Parish – Open House from 9:30-12:30
· Jan. 29 – Monday – Celebrating our Parents and Volunteers – Living Rosary at 2:30
· Jan. 30 – Tuesday – Celebrating our Priests and Religious – Eucharistic Procession at 2:30
· Jan. 31 – Wednesday – Celebrating our Faculty and Staff – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
· Feb. 1 – Thursday – Celebrating our Students – Spirit Day/School Colors and 8th gr. vs. staff volleyball game 1:30
· Feb. 2 – Friday – Celebrating our Families – Near and Dear Day at 8:15 with Mass and activities in the school after
Please watch for an email next week with more details about activities for Catholic Schools Week.
On Monday, January 15, our school will join the nation in honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. This serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of love, understanding, and unity in building a just society. Together, as a community rooted in faith, we can continue to build a society that reflects the love and justice exemplified by Dr. King.
May God bless you and your families and keep you safe always!
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Catholic Schools Week
Student Volunteers Needed
We have many opportunities for students to show pride in their school at Mass leading up to CSW.
Please click here to sign your students up to help at Masses on January 27 and January 28.SAVE THE DATE - Near and Dear Day
Friday, Feb. 2 is our celebration of Near and Dear Day. Fliers were sent home in backpacks today. If backpack mail didn't arrive at your home, please click here for the information. We'd like to have an idea of how many guests will join us to plan for Mass seating and reception food/drinks.
After School Care is up and running!
We have had a great start to our After Care Program. Starting in January, there will be a part time option. They are currently accepting new enrollments. Please click here to register. For questions about the program please call Brittney Lewis at 660-232-0878.
Cyber Safety Resources
During our last Parent Formation Night: Building the Domestic Church, we hosted two speakers on the topic of keeping kids safe on the internet and when using technology. Our speakers were from the Sunflower House and the FBI. They shared many great resources and examples during their presentation and were kind enough to share some of the documents/resources with us. Please click on this link to be directed to those resources.
Watch the newsletter for more opportunities next semester to engage in this and similar discussions.
Uniform Code Reminders
- All boys’ hair must be cut above their ears and collar. Hair should not hang down in their eyes or hang over their ears.
- The length of all girls’ skirts and jumpers must be at the knee. Skirt/jumper length should not hit anywhere on the thigh.
- After Thanksgiving, all boys are to wear long pants. Shorts are not permitted again until after spring break.
Please help your children practice the virtues of respect, responsibility, obedience, and modesty by complying fully with our school’s uniform code. The uniform code is a condition of attendance.
Drop Off Reminder
It is safer for students to exit from the driver's side back seat whenever possible so that children exit curbside. Please help us keep all kids safe by having your students exit the car curbside.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
♥️ VSL Updates ♥️
All parents are asked to prayerfully consider participation, which varies to fit your schedule or interests. Please go to the VSL website and be sure to scroll through the TABS AT THE TOP.
VSL daytime volunteer and coordination options include:
Evening, weekend and at-home options include:
- Christ Light Award for Staff 2024
- Lenten Season Lead: New this year! Work with Sr. Lucia to help families incorporate the Lenten season in the domestic church.
- Memorial Garden
Let's start the year fresh with renewed excitement! Volunteers are the backbone of our thriving school. There is a role for everyone.
Save the Date
Please save the date - ♥️ Tuesday, February 13 ♥️ - for our St. Valentine's Day parties. ALL CLASSES need multiple parents to assist in snacks and activities. The students really look forward to these parties and parent support is crucial. Room parents will be reaching out with individual class sign ups!
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
Parish News
Knights of Columbus Annual Free Throw Contest
Come show off your basketball skills at the 2024 Knights of Columbus annual Free Throw Championship on Jan 25. The event is open to all boys and girls age 9-14, as of Jan 1. The gym opens at 3:30 p.m. and the event runs from 4 p.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m. Winners of each age/gender division receive a prize and advance to the District contest. We strongly recommend each participant complete the entry form in advance. For more information, contact Steve Hopfinger at 913-530-7164. Entry form can be found here.
DB CLASS AUCTION ITEMS
Every year each class contributes an auction item to DB. We're asking parents to consider something different and change to hosting a class activity. Tickets to the event will be sold at DB. Are you interested in helping out? Have a good idea for a class activity? Fill out this form to get started. Or reach out to Jocelyn Gaddy (Jocelyn.gaddie@gmail.com) or Erin Jurado (erin.jurado@gmail.com) with any questions.
⭐ Defenders' Ball 2024 is just over a month away! Get those tickets now! Don't have a group of 8? No worries! Use the "special requests" tab on your ticket to list grades of your kids, CHRP group, etc and the DB team will find a great group for you! Buy your tickets here!
⭐ Trivia Night is next weekend! You don't need a table of 8 to participate. Come join the fun! Trivia Night tickets here!
⭐ Donations for the Wine and Whiskey Pull! The next time you're at the store grab a few extra bottles and help the cause! You can donate bottles of wine, whiskey, or both! Drop your bottles off in the parish office. Please reach out to Kristi Starr or Jackie Walker if you want to help out!
⭐ Introducing new Fixed Price Parties! These events are for kids, adults, and sometimes both! Many of these are listed on the ticketing site already so start marking your calendars. Tickets for these will go on sale January 10th!
⭐ Are you willing to help?? Volunteers are needed with set-up for the event and the night of! Please reach out to Kristal Ronnebaum (620-786-5039) if you are willing to help!
⭐ Follow us on social media! We'll be posting videos of our LIVE auction items and much more!