
Mustang Memo
A Newsletter for Saint Ann School Families
January 26, 2025
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Reflection
- Notes from the Admissions Office
- Letter to Parents
- Home & School Association Notes
- Student Life Notes
- Mark Your Calendars!
Our Spiritual Theme
Our Spiritual Theme: We Walk by Faith
January Focus: We Walk by Faith... in Fortitude
Spiritual Reflection by Miss Sheila O'Callaghan
Sunday, January 26, is the third Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is also the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week is a great week of celebration. You can find the highlights of the week in the Mustang Memo.
Remember that winter can be harsh. Cold winds blow. For us winter seems long, but for the poor it is the hardest time of the year. We must also remember and pray for the people who became victims of wildfires in California. The Mission money is going to Catholic Charities to help the people of California.
On Tuesday, January 27, we remember Saint Angela Merici. Angela was an Italian woman who founded the Ursuline Community. Angela lived more than 500 years ago. At that time in history only boys could go to school. However, Angela decided to teach girls also. Angela’s wise spirit can help us celebrate Catholic Schools Week.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church, is remembered on January 28. Thomas had a difficult life. He saw his little sister killed by lightning. He was abandoned by his parents. His classmates called him a “dumb ox”. He was a monk, but his fellow monks made fun of him. At first, the books he wrote were condemned by the church. However, Thomas continued to work hard, to pray deeply and love God with his whole heart. Later, people understood how powerful his ideas were. Now, students all over the world study his work. Thomas is the patron of students and schools.
Saint John Bosco, Priest, is remembered on January 31. He was interested in the education of boys, especially boys in the inner city. He wanted them to have training in a trade so they could get good jobs. He organized a religious order of teachers. His favorite saint was Francis de Sales. So John Bosco called his order “Salesians”.
There are many beautiful ideas on the bulletin boards throughout our school. Choose one and Walk by Faith.
Please pray for the sick, especially Fr. Mink, Mrs. Miriam Harris, Oliver Conaty, and all the sick of our parish. Please continue to pray for Maureen Engelbert. Pray also for our Armed Forces and First Responders.
Notes from the Admissions Office
Applications and all required documentation for the 2025-2026 school year must be received by FACTS no later than January 31, 2025. Tuition assistance through the Diocese of Wilmington is provided to children attending Grades K-12. Families currently receiving tuition assistance from the diocese must reapply. Assistance is not automatically renewed from year to year. 2023 W2 statements are accepted. A family does not need to wait for the 2024 W2 statement. Award notifications will begin as of March 1, 2025. Families seeking tuition assistance from St. Ann School directly will only be considered after first completing this Vision for the Future application.
Letter to Parents
Parents, I'd like to share a letter with you at the outset of Catholic Schools Week to express my gratitude for your dedication to our community and to share some general good news about our students' accomplishments and growth to come.
Happy Catholic Schools Week!
Home & School Association Notes
Trivia Night for Adults – Next Saturday!
It's not too late to register! Join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia and camaraderie in support of our school community! Test your knowledge and compete with friends while enjoying beer and soft drinks (included in your ticket price). Bring your own dinner, get creative with your table theme, and be ready to win big with our 50/50 raffle (cash only).
🗓 **When:** February 1
🕕 **Doors open:** 6:00pm | **Trivia starts:** 7:00pm
💵 **Tickets:** $30 per person | $210 for a table of 8
🍺 **Beer & soft drinks provided**
🍕 **Bring your own dinner or snacks**
🎉 **Table themes encouraged!**
Get your tickets today and join the fun!
Register Here and Payment Here
Keep an eye on the school’s Facebook and Instagram.... Trivia questions will be posted at random. If you are the first person to answer correctly on social media, you can claim a prize on trivia night! Must be in attendance to claim your prize!
Father-Daughter Dance
Join us for a magical evening filled with fun, music, and memories!
The Father-Daughter Dance will be held on February 22nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
🎶 What's Included:
DJ playing your favorite tunes
A delicious buffet dinner
A fun photo booth to capture special moments
Cost: $35 per person
Bring your dancing shoes and your smiles – this is an event you won't want to miss! 💃🕺
Student Life Notes
Congratulations, Classroom Spelling Bee Champions!
This week, the classroom spelling bee champions will participate in the SAS School Spelling Bee!
3rd Grade - Abby N.
4th Grade - Lincoln B.
5th Grade - Neil T.
6th Grade - Ben H.
7th Grade - Hillary H.
8th Grade - Phoebe K.
We wish them L-U-C-K!
Knitting Club Now Open to 4th-8th Graders!
Perfectly timed this winter season, students are welcome to register for the knitting club! Space is limited; registration will occur on a first come-first served basis!
Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45 pm, January 29-February 19
Middle School Students are preparing for Midterm Exams which take place during the first week of February, according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday 2/5: Math Exam
- Thursday 2/6: ELA Exam
Morning classes will be one hour in length on these dates. Teachers will share detailed information, including a study guide, study plan, and list of approved support materials permitted for use during the exam period with students.
Catholic Schools Week - January 25-31, 2025
St. Ann School celebrates our mission of faith, academic excellence, and community service this week! Please join us in beginning with a prayer:
Almighty Father,
You sent forth your Son as a beacon of hope for all people. As Teacher, he has given us the prime example of the importance of education. As disciples, we look to him for inspiration and strength.
Thank you for the many sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who have dedicated their lives in service to our Catholic schools. Thank you for the teachers and administrators who sustain our schools today. Thank you for the parents who have given support and witness to the importance of Catholic education in their daily lives. Thank you for the students who work hard to further their education.
Bless St. Ann School and the many people who advance our mission. May our building be a home for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others. May our community always support one another and exhibit hospitality to newcomers. Fill our minds with knowledge and wisdom. May our understanding of the world help us to grow in appreciation for it. Fill our hearts with gladness. May we always turn to you in times of need. Fill our hands with the tools we need to serve others. May we show them your unceasing love through our actions.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
St. John Neumann, pray for us.
St. Ann, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Catholic Schools Week Daily Themes
Saturday 1/25 & Sunday 1/26 - Celebrating Our Parish
Monday 1/27 - Celebrating Our Community
Tuesday 1/28 - Celebrating Our Students
Wednesday 1/29 - Celebrating our Nation
Thursday 1/30 - Celebrating Vocations
Friday 1/31 - Celebrating Faculty, Staff, & Volunteers
Saturday 2/1 - Celebrating Our Families
Day of Giving
Our 24-hour Day of Giving to St. Ann School begins at noon on Tuesday, January 28th. We hope to raise $25,000 for 2025!
This year we encourage you to ask your employer to match your gift - doubling your donation. We are also seeking donors who will match current gifts! Please share the word those whom you know in our our parish and local communities who may like to support our Catholic school.
Visit https://www.thesaintannschool.org/dayofgiving2025 to make a lasting impact. St. Ann School is thankful for your continued support.
Gift Drive for the Sister of St. Francis, Founders of St. Ann School
Please help us show our appreciation for the Sisters of St. Francis as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week! Donations are welcome in the main office.
Huntington - HSPT Test Prep We invite 7th graders at St Ann to join us after school and prepare for the upcoming placement exams! Huntington tutors will present 1-hour sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays to focus on developing the skills needed this spring. Meet in the Advanced Math Room for all 8 sessions from Feb 11 through Mar 6. Advantages of small group workshop:: Try Test-Taking Strategies Learn to Solve Sample Questions Review of Test Format + Pacing
Huntington's trained instructors will improve your student’s skills, confidence, and accuracy. All materials will be provided; homework will be required between sessions; bring notebook + pencil
Tuition for 4 weeks (8-hour course) = $100
Candise Leonard-Schmidling
Center Director
Huntington Learning Center
3615 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
O: 302.478.4343 | T: 302.438.7828 | C: 302.766.1786
WilmingtonDE@HLCmail.com | HuntingtonHelps.com | Facebook | Twitter
SAS Students Invited to Enter Catholic Youth Chess Tournament
The Knights of Columbus have provided registration information for students wishing to participate in the March 22 Chess Tournament. Entry costs $15 per player (if registered by March 8). Entries are only accepted by mail. Below you can find an electronic copy of the registration form; hard copies are available in the main office!
Mark Your Calendars!
January 26-31: Catholic Schools Week
January 27: 8th Grade Student & Parent Potluck Dinner, 6:00-7:30 pm
February 1: HSA Trivia Night, 6:00 pm
February 3: HSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
February 5 & 6: Middle School Midterms
February 10 - 13: Renaissance STAR Testing, Round 3
February 12: Math League Meet
February 13: Half-Day for Students, 11:45 am dismissal - NO After Care
February 14: No School for Students; Faculty Retreat
February 17: Presidents Day Holiday; No School
February 22: Father-Daughter Dance, 5 pm
February 28: T2 Ends, $1 Casual Day to support the missions
March 3: No School, Diocesan Professional Development Day
March 5: Ash Wednesday, School Mass
March 15: Science Olympiad Competition
School Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am -3:30 pm