HOLY CHILDHOOD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

As another fruitful academic year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings and achievements that have graced our school community. It's been a journey filled with growth, learning, and unwavering faith.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated faculty and staff who have nurtured, guided, and inspired our students each day. Your commitment to academic excellence and spiritual development has truly made a difference in the lives of our children.

To our beloved students, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and kindness. Your eagerness to learn and your compassionate spirits are a testament to the values we hold dear as a Catholic school community.

To our parents and guardians, thank you for your unwavering support and partnership. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us each day.

As we look ahead to the summer months, may this time of rest and renewal rejuvenate our spirits and strengthen our bonds as a school family. Let us continue to uphold the values of love, compassion, and service that define us as a Catholic community.

Wishing you all a safe and joyous summer vacation. We look forward to the blessings that the new school year will bring.

For next year, we felt it was important for our teachers and staff to rally around a common theme and follow a common virtue for next year. We wish for this practice to continue for years to come with different themes and virtues each year.

Theme ideas and the Virtues were voted upon by staff and next year's 8th grade.

Our theme for next year: LIGHT

Our virtue for next year: RESPECT

YOU WILL SEE THIS FAITH-DRIVEN JOURNEY THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR! WE WILL BE TAKING THE THEME AND APPLYING IT TO OUR GROWTH MINDSET.

Before you go and purchase those nice Stanley Cups for next year (or Yeti's, or whatever). We will be having a new water bottle policy for next year:

Only clear plastic bottles (the cheap ones you purchase at a gas station) will be allowed in our classrooms. The reason for this change:

1. Dropping these metal or hard plastic bottles causes a major distraction.

2. There was soda and Gatorade found in some of our cups this year.

*Personal water bottles being allowed in classrooms was a decision made during the Covid years because children were not allowed to use the water fountain. Plastic water bottles are still allowed in the classrooms and can still be refilled in our water stations.

It's possible that some of you received a FACTs tuition report for payment already for next school year 2024-2025. This was done inadvertently and we apologize for the inconvenience. I know that some of you were concerned as you have applied for a HCS Scholarship as well.

Please note, that we are aware of the situation and are in the process of rectifying. Thank you for your understanding.

Mrs. Mykale Elbe will be providing sports physicals for HCS students here at school on June 10 from 1:00 - 3:30 PM (10-12 minute increments).

Items to know:

1. These physicals are ATHLETIC PHYSICALS ONLY. They will not meet the requirement for physicals for students entering: 4 - 8th grade.

2. The physical form below must be brought with you to the physical and needs to be signed by a parent.

3. Cost of the physical is $25 (make payable to HCS).

**Contact the HCS office to sign up for a time slot.

This summer, the Diocese is kicking off a new program to minister to single Catholic mothers, of all ages. This group will meet monthly or bi-monthly for fellowship, formation, and mentoring. They are hosting a meet and greet on Friday, July 19, at Bicentennial Park in Belleville, with formal groups to begin this fall. I am sending this to you specifically because you may know moms in your communities, schools, and PSR that might enjoy this support. It’s not just for moms with small children … sometimes the children might be grown, and in that case, those moms can help mentor the younger moms, so please consider them, as well.

Please pass on this flyer to every family in your organization if you can, because they can help spread the word. But please send it intentionally to those single moms that you know, and invite them personally … or if you send me their name, I can invite them.

Molly King

Director

Life, Marriage and Family

Phone: 618-722-5048

Mobile: 618-977-0420

Email: mking@diobelle.org

What you see in the picture above is a spot where a sample of our parking lot was taken. (Drilled, core removed, then filled). Why is this being done?

In a few weeks, our parking lot is going to be repaved and repainted! Looking sharp and new for next year!

A lot has happened with the garden over the past few days. it is really starting to take shape!!

With that being said, our plans for over the summer.

1. Go onto to Facebook and "Follow" or "Join".

2. Instead of using SignupGenious as our working documentation, we ask that you simply post on the FB page what you would like to do sometime during the summer. For example:

*My family and I will water the plants on Friday, May 31.

OR

*My son and I will pull some weeds around the corn tomorrow (June 6)

3. Remember, none of this is required from any student or family. Our hopes are that, if you are able to get out to the garden you do so as a family; even if it's for only 15 minutes or so.

4. If you see anything that might need attending to at the garden, do not hesitate to post on FB.

5. And, as always, if you have any questions, do hesitate to contact school!

2 quick items:

1. Please make sure you check your student's lunch account and have his/her balance paid before the end of the school year.

2. Again, please remember the availability of tuition scholarships for our students.

Contact us if you have any questions!!

We will be having our IXL Incentive again this summer. Please see the attachment for more information. Students will have information on how to go about working towards their incentives next week! Remember, this will only apply to students who are enrolled for 24-25.

**We are doing things a little different this summer. Therefore, there are a few extra buttons to press and items to change. I will be sending out the information in the next few weeks on how to complete the program if your child chooses.

Apaches Athletic Banquet TONIGHT BEGINNING AT 6:00 (Dinner) & 6:30 (Awards)

AND MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS TO HCS GRADUATES:

One big item is the need for a math teacher at the middle school for next year. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them reach out to the school.

Thank you!

Our Annual HCS Apaches Scramble will be Saturday, September 7 at the Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course, Okawville.

It is a great day for fun, fellowship, and FORE!!!

The Lost and Found table from the cafeteria downstairs is being brought up to the lobby. If you think your child has lost anything, please stop by at your convenience to check it out.

**ALL ITEMS WILL EITHER BE DONATED OUR PUT IN OUR UNIFORM CLOSET.

Please take a look at our 2024-2025 school calendar. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Beginning June 3, school office hours will be Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. We will be closed on Fridays. We still encourage you to contact the school first if you need to come up to the office. (618-566-2922).

The office will be closed from Tuesday, July 9 to Friday, July 19.

Our first day of the 2024-2025 school year will be Thursday, August 15. This is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have a ½ day (10:50 Dismissal).

**Don't miss the 24-25 school calendar attachment above in the newsletter.