Mrs. Mulvanerty's Update

Greetings, SKS!!!

Happy Sunday!

What a fantastic week it’s been! As you will see from the highlights below, students have been out and about for field trips galore, and the students have returned buzzing with excitement and new experiences. I was also out this week at a conference for principals, and I'm excited to bring back some of the new ideas I've learned to SKS!

As we head into the day today, we have another big event to look forward to—Stewardship Sunday! I want to personally invite you and your family to 9:30 AM Mass. Afterward, join us for the Parish Coffee—always a great way to catch up with friends, make new ones, and enjoy some treats!

Speaking of treats… Halloween is creeping up fast! 🎃 As you start your costume shopping (or maybe you’re already on it!), please make sure to follow our school’s costume guidelines below, so we can keep things fun, appropriate, and safe for everyone.

This Friday, First Grade will be hosting their annual Saints Presentation at 9am! We will be on a Mass schedule that day. First grade parents: you may take individual photos of your saints AFTER students are dismissed. I look forward to seeing you there!

One more exciting announcement: we have two new SKS team members!

1. Kristen Mulvaney is back in the house! Kristen is joining Lauren McCracken in Learning Support and will be focusing her time specifically with our middle school students one day a week. We are thrilled to have her back!

2. Helen Moran will be joining us as p/t school nurse on Mondays and Tuesdays. We are still seeking an additional job share for the remaining three days. Please continue to spread the word! Special thanks to Tina Rogers who has been volunteering her time in the nurse's office as we continue our search.

For more info about upcoming events, keep scrolling! In the meantime, I wish you a fabulous week ahead!

G.B.Y.*

Jeanne Mulvanerty

*GOD BLESS YOU!!

As our annual Stewardship Appeal approaches, take a moment to be grateful for all that God has provided: home, family, friends, the St. Katharine of Siena community. Please consider sharing your gifts with SKS so the parish can continue to provide the ministries, services and faith opportunities that make this a vibrant place to gather and worship God.

Being able to pass the Catholic faith and sacraments to our children is a wonderful blessing from God. The 2025 Confirmation candidates will be recognized at the 9:30AM Mass. Join us for a parish coffee hosted by Religious Education after the 9:30AM Mass where you can greet the confirmandi and SKS's newest members to welcome them to their new spiritual home! Faithful Families will have a children's service project for new parishioners when they register at SKS.

Parents! Please note the date change on our High School Information Night, which will now be October 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be virtual and will be hosted by Jen Loftus and Jackie Sevag. See our flyer for more details and Zoom link.

Spooky season is just around the corner, and we’re excited to see all the creative and fun Halloween costumes in our annual Halloweenathon! To make sure everyone has an enjoyable and inclusive experience, the following are a few costume guidelines:

1. Keep it Inclusive! 👫 We love seeing characters from all walks of life, but let’s avoid costumes that could be hurtful or disrespectful to others’ cultures, races, or religions. Let's also be inclusive of others in our classrooms. Our school values kindness and respect, and we want everyone to feel celebrated.

2. Stay School-Appropriate! 🍎 Costumes should be comfortable, fun, and appropriate for a school setting. Nothing too scary, too gory, or too revealing. Remember, we’ve got little ones in the crowd!

3. No Masks or Weapons! 😷 For safety reasons, please leave masks and toy weapons at home. We want to see all your smiling faces.

4. No blow up Costumes! 💨 Also for safety reasons -- we've seen injuries with these in the past.

5. Keep the Magic Alive! 🌟 Encourage creativity, whether it’s dressing up as your favorite book character, an animal, or a hero. We love when students think outside the box!

Let’s make this Halloween full of fun, joy, and St. Katharine’s spirit!

The seventh grade will be working on their annual service project, benefitting Case for Smiles. Students will sew soft, colorful pillowcases for hospitalized children, and they will also assemble gift boxes for siblings.

To raise money for this project, 7th graders will:

1. Sell raffle tickets for baskets - orders forms are due Friday, October 25

2. Have a popsicle sale on Wednesday and Thursday during recess ($1)

3. Promote our Dress down day on October 23 ($1)

Mrs. Loftus, Mrs. Dewbrew and all seventh grade students are grateful for your support!

The parents' social is coming up on November 9! Don't miss this great opportunity to meet fellow SKS parents and support the Home and School. We look forward to seeing you there!

The 4th annual Trunk or Treat is coming up and all are welcome to join us for the spooktacular party! Please click here to sign up to host a trunk and please click here to sign up your trick-or-treater!

Mr. Munch is outside the front office and ready for any candy you can spare to help out the trunks – please fill him up!

Celebrate the holy day of All Saints day! Mass begins at 12:10pm, and afterwards, the Home and School will host a pizza party in the parish center! To RSVP for the event, click here! Special thanks to Kate Mallach and Home and School for organizing!

If the answer is YES, then you should attend the October 21 webinar about EITC. Learn how to redirect your state tax dollars to support our students and receive a 90% tax credit! Can't make 10/21? There are more opportunities in November and December! Click the QR code for more info.

This looks interesting! Come on out to learn more about your temperament and how you can work towards being a better spouse, parent, friend, employee and Catholic.

Thank you for your generous contributions! Your donations in the amount of $2,000 will be used to help fund St. Francis of Assisi School after their recent fire.

This week in Mrs. Grimley's 7th grade science class, Dr. Duncan spoke about his jobs as Head Villanova Team Doctor and Orthopedic Specialist at Rothman. This visit enhanced student learning about the skeletal and muscular systems.

For more announcements about SKS activities and clubs, CYO, and parish activities, click here!

October 21 High School Information Night

October 22 Monthly School Mass Prepared by 8th Grade

October 25 1st Grade Saints Presentation

October 27 Family Mass, Trunk or Treat

October 29 Middle School Youth Group

October 31 Halloweenathon

November 1 All Saints Day: No School - Mass at 12:10 followed by Holy Pizza Party

November 5 MS Youth Group

November 7 Admissions Open House

November 8 SKS Got Talent Show

November 9 Fall Social