Dear Fabulous Families -

Thanks for your flexibility today as we had our first AMI Day. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate the rest of the season; although, Punxsutawney Phil has said otherwise. Please make sure you have signed off on your child's AMI form and that their work is turned in by Friday to count for attendance.

Valentine's Day - Valentine's Day is Friday. (It is also a noon dismissal day.) Students in grades K-5 will have Valentine Parties and middle school has a student vs. staff dodgeball game brewing.

Students are welcome to have a Valentine Add-on Day (shirts, tights, jewelry, etc. added on to the uniform).

Registration - Thank you to everyone who has registered and paid the registration fee. If you did not pay by credit card, please send in your check. It looks like we have enough Kindergarten students to have three classes with a few openings left. Anyone know of a great Kindergarten teacher? Send them our way!

From last week: Nurse Opening - Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, Nurse Dawson has submitted her letter of resignation, so we are looking for a new nurse. She is graciously working two days per week until we find someone. Please see this nurse job description and pass it along to anyone who might be interested. Ideally, we are looking for someone to work 9-2:00 pm. A cover letter, resume, and references should be sent to Principal Tonya McEnery at tmcenery@stgab.org.

Coming home in the Wednesday yellow envelope:

Parish directories will be coming home tomorrow in the backpack, if you ordered one.

Reminder: Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to Mrs. McEnery and Ms. Schmitt by noon on Monday. Graphics should be a jpg or png. In the subject line, please put "Newsletter".

Tonya McEnery

Principal

Jenn Schmitt

Assistant Principal

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Each year it is our responsibility, as a caring Catholic community, to provide a curriculum that teaches the students appropriate boundaries and personal safety. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires the Archdiocese of St. Louis to ensure that all children in both day school and parish school of religion programs receive information that allows them

to participate in their own personal safety.

The curriculum, “Safe Touch,” is taught by a specially trained educator and is age appropriate. The lessons focus on safety in a non-threatening manner and will be delivered during SEL class by either Ms. Callison or Ms. Schmitt. The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with safety tools they can use immediately. In addition, resources from Netsmartz.org may be utilized throughout the year by classroom teachers. Netsmartz.org is a free educational resource for educators and parents that

provides helpful information, games, videos, and activities that reinforce technology safety in an age-appropriate and fun manner.

The Safe Touch curriculum was developed in partnership with West County Psychological Associates, the Archdiocesan Child Safety Committee, as well as educators and school administrators. This year the curriculum has been updated to include sex trafficking and to provide more information for you as the parent. It is our hope that you take an active role to review the

materials that you will be receiving at home. Please continue to reinforce these ideas and rules by asking your child questions, actively monitoring your child’s online behaviors, and participating in any activities that may be sent home.

If you have any questions or would like to preview the materials prior to the curriculum being presented, please contact your child’s teacher. You may also choose to “opt out” your child if you prefer that they receive the information from you at home. An “opt out” form will be provided and must be signed and returned. A parent curriculum will be provided that you can review

with your child.

Your child(ren) will receive the Safe Touch curriculum the week of February 24-28.

The St. Gabriel Building Bright Futures Campaign is still working to achieve our $5.5M goal, and we have an additional opportunity to support the Campaign and fill your home with a beautiful aroma at the same time. Urban Candle on Hampton has custom-created a St. Gabriel's past-present-future themed line of candles honoring the Campaign, with proceeds going towards our goal. You can purchase your unique, limited-availability candle today HERE. Or click on this QR code:

The interior design of the Center for Innovative Learning will feature God’s Seven Days of Creation throughout the building, in murals and works of art illustrating God’s grand design of our world. God's creative masterpiece will inspire our students to create, to collaborate, and to make great things in the beautiful new educational spaces.

In each of seven areas of the building, there will be a hallway mural and framed artwork in the classroom, featuring Day One through Day Seven of God’s Creation Story. With this inspirational art, there are 14 different Memorial opportunities,with prices ranging from $10,000-20,000.

To introduce visitors to this Creation theme in the Center for Innovative Learning, the entry hallway near the chapel will feature an elaborate and beautiful wall mural with artwork from all seven days. This Creation Story Mural is available as a memorial for $40,000.

The Creation Story works of art are the perfect opportunity to memorialize your family, a deceased family member, or a favorite nun, priest or teacher. Pooling of funds with family members, friends, and neighbors is welcomed! Also keep in mind that your pledge can be fulfilled over three to five years.

If you would like to make your pledge towards a memorial, please submit a Memorial Naming Opportunities for The Center for Innovative Learning Form with your wishes and also make your pledge official by Pledging your Donation.

Ticket sales are now open for the Gabe’s Gala on March 8th. Don’t miss out on the greatest party of the year to support St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic School. To purchase your tickets and find out more about this year’s event visit

https://aesbid.com/ELP/GABRIEL25/Tickets

WINE and WHISKEY donations needed for bottle pull at this year’s auction. If you have a bottle (or bottles) to donate please reach out to Alicia Zamminer (azamminer@gmail.com) to coordinate. Thanks for your support!!

Parents have the opportunity to volunteer at school by helping with lunch and recess duties. All volunteers must go through the Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training requirement.

• Please do not sign up for a position if you have not completed Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training. Information on this is posted below. .
• The following links are for the first trimester.
• Please only sign up for one spot to give others the chance to volunteer.

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for recess volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-52834478-recess

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for cafeteria volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-51700775-cafeteria

The St. Gabriel Building Bright Futures Campaign is getting closer to reaching our $5.5M goal, but we aren't there yet! Here is an additional opportunity to support the Campaign and enjoy a delicious pizza dinner or lunch at the same time. JJ Twigs on Hampton is graciously hosting a "dine out fundraiser" for the Campaign. So make your pizza party plans for Tuesday, February 18th! On that day at JJ Twigs, 10% of all sales all day long (open 12-9pm) will go towards the Building Bright Futures Campaign.

• Important - All volunteers need to successfully complete the mandated Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children/Safe Environment Training. Before signing up for lunch duty/recess duty, field trips, etc., volunteers must have this completed. Please use the following link to find the complete information from the church website: mandated training information. Please direct questions to our parish secretary and Child Safety Coordinator, Eileen Garavaglia, at 314-353-6303 Ext. 110 or garavagliae@stgabrielstl.org.

Dear Parents,

Thanks to our Augustine House leaders for sponsoring a "Soup"er Bowl Collection.

One Can, One Vote! Vote for the Chiefs or the Eagles. The cans will be donated to support people in need who are served by Claver House. These neighbors often lack access to healthy food. Please be generous. Bring donations to school by this Thursday.

https://www.claverhousestl.org/

.

We look forward to our 2nd and 3rd grade Family Mass this coming Sunday, February 9th at 10 am.

Please keep our 8th grade class in your prayers as they continue their preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Prayer of Saint Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.

From the USCCB site:

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/catholic-social-teaching-poster-for-children-digital.pdf

The students are so proud when they have parts at Mass. We hope you can join us whenever you are able. See below for the school day Mass Schedule.

School Masses

Tuesdays- 1-4 Attends

2/11 1M

2/18 4W

2/25 4H Baptism Mass

3/4 3S

3/11 3P

3/25 3B

Wednesdays- 5-8 Attends

2/12 6W

2/19 5W Baptism Mass

2/26 5P

3/5 8M-Ash Wednesday-All School

3/12 8B

3/26 7L

Thursdays- All School Attends

2/6 Augustine House

2/13 2K

2/20 2G

2/27 2A

3/6 5-8th Level Mass 5H

3/13 Patrick House

3/27 1K

Looking ahead 2024-2025:

Family Mass Schedule-Mass is at 10:00 am

2nd and 3rd Grade- February 9th

K and 1st Grade- April 13th

Second Grade

First Eucharist

First Communion Parent Mtg.- Wednesday, March 26th- 6:30 pm in church

Sunday, May 4th- 1st Communion, 2pm Mass

Confirmation

Confirmation Day of Reflection- February 18, 2025

Confirmation Mass -February 20, 2025 at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church at 7 pm

Prayer Resource:

The School Sisters of Notre Dame have a virtual prayer space to pray for peace.

SSND Prayer Room: Open on Fridays from 9am- 9pm Central Time.

https://ssnd.org/ssnd-virtual-prayer-room/

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Come pray with us!

Deborah DaLay

Coordinator of Religious Education

Dates below are subject to change and additional days will be added as we continue to plan for the year. Dates are also posted on the Google calendar located on our website.

2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

February

14- End of 2nd Trimester

14- Valentine’s Day Parties, 11:05am

14- Planning & Collaboration (Noon

Dismissal)

17- No School: Presidents’ Day

20 - 8th Grade Confirmation

21 - 8th Grade Only Off School (After Confirmation)

25- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

27- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

28- Noon Dismissal

March

5- Ash Wednesday

6- 4th Grade Field Trip to LinkUp (Updated)

7- Stations of the Cross

8 - Auction

14- Stations of the Cross

17-21- Spring Break

24- 8th Grade Field Trip to Holocaust Museum (Updated)

26- First Communion Parent Meeting,

6:30pm

28- Stations of the Cross

April

4- Planning & Collaboration (Noon

Dismissal)

13 - Kindergarten & First Grade Family Mass (NEW)

17- No School: Holy Thursday

18- No School: Good Friday

20- Easter Sunday

21- No School: Easter Monday

23-25 - 6th Grade Camp

25-27 - AYM Luke 18 Retreat for 8th Graders

May

2- 2nd Grade Jesus Day

4- First Communion, 2pm

5- 2nd Grade Only, No School

6-7- Art Fair

6- Vocal Concert (Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grade students, and Honor Choir), 7pm

7- Band Concert, 7pm

9- Noon Dismissal: Field Day

15- May Crowning

15- 8th Grade - Last Day

16- 8th Grade Mystery Trip

16- 7th Grade Leadership Day

20- 8th Grade Graduation, 6pm

23- Noon Dismissal: Last Day of School

Totus Tuus Registration is now open!

Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program led by college-age missionaries and seminarians from across Missouri who are dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship through Confession, Mass, and Adoration. This is also an opportunity for junior high and high school teens to volunteer during the day program (service hours will be verified for those needing them) and/or attend the evening program. DATE: Monday, July 7th - Friday, July 11th, 2025 TIME: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | The Day Program is for students entering grades 1 - 6 in August (75 student maximum) LOCATION: St. Gabriel School COST: Cost for the week is $40 for one child; $60 for two children; $80 for three or more children. NOTE: The evening program is for students entering grades 7 - 12 in August, and is Sunday, July 6th - Thursday, July 10th, 2025 at 7pm. This is free of charge and there is no registration; teens just show up. CONTACTS: Faith Kremer, fkremer@stgab.org OR Sarah Henderson, hendersons@stgabrielstl.org

Click here to register

https://www.stgabrielstl.org/Worship-and-Formation/Youth-Group

https://goraisedough.com/buy/2590