Dear Bluejay Families,

As we transition into November, I want to express my gratitude for the support you provide to our school community. Your involvement—through your time, prayers, and financial contributions—is not only appreciated, but also the very foundation that enables us to create a nurturing environment where our students can thrive.

This month, we unite in remembrance of the souls in purgatory with the St. Gertrude prayer. Let us take a moment to pray together, acknowledging the importance of our shared faith:

“Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.”

As we continue to move through the school year, I also want to remind you that each of your students has access to Hallow. This is a free prayer app that students can use on their laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Students can use the school email and password to log in, access thousands of hours of spiritual content, and participate in prayer challenges to help them support and grow their faith lives.

As we approach the end of Daylight Saving Time, please remember to turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 3. This is an excellent opportunity for all of us to reflect on our time and how we can make the most of it, both in our daily lives and spiritual practices.

I’d like to congratulate our female fall athletes who have completed their seasons. Your dedication and perseverance have made us proud. You exemplify what it means to be a Bluejay, and we celebrate your accomplishments together.

In addition, I wish the best of luck to our football team as they continue to the second round of State Football playoffs on Friday.

The excitement continues as One Act is kicking off! Best of luck to all participants in this year’s performance. Your hard work and creativity shine brightly, and I am eager to see your talents take center stage.

This is a quick reminder for our high school families that we have switched to a semester grading model. This means you will not see separate second-quarter grades; instead, students will receive a grade that reflects their performance over the entire semester. This change will provide a more accurate picture of student progress and learning.

Again, thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school community. Together, we foster an environment where our students can grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

Yours in Christ,

Justin Wardyn

Twenty-five House of Kolbe members hosted their annual Halloween Extravaganza on Sunday in the Activity Center. Approximately 75 little trick or treaters took part in the fun and games.

A wide variety of characters roamed the halls of Guardian Angels Central Catholic on Halloween...

From left, Dominic Johnson, Hayden Throener and Shelby Perchal.

From left, Marie Wardyn, Anna Meiergerd, Bailey Gerths and Hannah Roede.

Front, from left, Mackenzie Steffen, Kensi Rolf; back row - Zoe Toline, Quinn Dinslage, Jaelyn Grimm, Greeley Marr, Emma Bradley, Molly Bracht and Blair Hagedorn.

From left, Candela Abellan Aloza, Madi Thiele, Amiah Dirkschneider, Alaina Eames, and Paisley Skoda.

Mrs. Stokely's and Mrs. Baumert's Pre-K classes trick-or-treated the high school classrooms.

The winter concession stand shifts have ALL been filled - AWESOME job!

Parents and students - click the link below to see the time slot(s) for which you or your student have signed up to work.

Members of the 2024-2025 GACC cheer team include, from left: Addison Baumert, Joelle Peatrowsky, Grace Hunzeker, Kennedy Baumert, Elizabeth Hasemann, Jessa Luebbert, Candela Abellan Alloza, and Marie Wardyn.

On Wednesday, November 6, students may wear their Life Runner t-shirts with uniform bottoms.

November

1 Holy Day - NO SCHOOL

6 Life Runners t-shirt day

13 "Purified" and "Gender" Talks, 6 p.m. in the Activity Center

16 SPA Paper Trailer

20 Edge, 7-8:30 p.m., enter through the WEST cafeteria doors

27 Grandparents Mass, 10:30 a.m.

27 Noon Dismissal

28 Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

29 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

December

11 Washington, D.C. informational meeting, 6:30 p.m., High School classroom

13 Staff Professional Development/School of Faith - NO SCHOOL

18 Christmas Program, 6:30 p.m.

19 Finals - Noon Dismissal

20 Finals - Noon Dismissal

21 SPA Paper Trailer

23 - 31 Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL

The tickets are FREE. To reserve your ticket, use the QR code on the poster and it automatically does it. If you register through the GACC website, you will need to enter the code "westpoint".

On Wednesday, November 13, Guardian Angels Central Catholic will host a Double Feature Event with Jason Evert featuring two talks: "Purified" and "Gender & the Theology of Your Body." The presentations are FREE, but a ticket is required to attend. Scan the QR code in the poster above to receive your ticket.

This family-based event invites parents, teens, and all adults to learn about God’s plan for love, and to consider what is the meaning of sex, gender, and the human body? It combines two of Jason Evert’s presentations, "Purified" and "Gender & the Theology of Your Body," with a time of prayer and adoration for everyone, as well as with the sacrament of Reconciliation available.

Free resources will be distributed to every attendee, so that every member of the family can take items home to help them discover how their body as a man or woman reveals their identity and calling, and to live a life of purity.

Quest brings freshmen and sophomores together and invites them to "search for" and "seek out" a deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves, others and God. Quest is given by a team of youths and adults. It is an exciting mixture of fun and faith in a climate where they can learn and thrive in their Christian faith. Download the brochure below for more information.

Who: High School Freshmen and Sophomores

When: November 23-24, 2024

Where: Tintern Retreat & Resource Center, Oakdale, NE

Cost: $50 ($10 non-refundable fee)

To apply, download below the Application, Parental Consent, Medical Matters and Code of Behavior forms below. Send the completed forms and $50 fee to: Quest, c/o Chelsea Preister, 45349 Ann Street, Cornlea, NE 68642.

The GACC Fine Arts Fundraising Festival of Virtual Games is back and LIVE on Facebook! Last year, the Festival of Virtual Games raised more than $4,000 for our Fine Arts programs, and our first four games this past week raised more than $700.

To get in on the fun, and play to win some great prizes, go to Facebook and search "GACC Fine Arts Fundraising," then click the button to "Join Group."

• Anyone age 18 and older in the United States can participate in the fundraiser. You can conveniently invite ALL your family and friends - no matter where they live in the U.S. - to play fun virtual games that benefit our school and give them a chance to win great prizes!

• Each virtual game offers a limited number of bids to win the specific prize for that game. The bid price is different for each game. Each virtual game is open until all the bids are purchased (details for each game are posted with that game).

• All proceeds benefit the GACC Fine Arts programs, including Band, Speech, One Act, Musical, and Art. If you have any questions, or want to donate a prize for the fundraiser, contact Charissa Steffensmeier at 402-380-9871.

This week's cartoon was created by Emerson Baumert.

• Register by November 8 for the December 14 ACT® Test. Seniors, for most colleges, this is the last score they will accept. If you need a waiver to pay the fee, see Mrs. K.
• On Monday, November 4, online class registration opens for Northeast for Spring Semester. Mrs. K will register the juniors during Theology first hour, and work with the seniors second hour. Students who are in P2T first and second hours should see Mrs. K on Monday if they want to sign up for any online classes. Thirty-four percent of U.S. students take college courses in high school. Students completing college courses in high school are substantially more likely to graduate high school, go to college, and stay in college and complete a degree, often in less time than their non-participating peers.

Did you know children whose parents are State Employees may qualify for 100% of their tuition to be paid at Northeast, Southeast, Metro and other Nebraska Community Colleges? More information can be found here:

Applications are open now for the U.S. Department of State's FULL scholarships for U.S. high school students to study abroad!

Is your child considering enrolling in the John Deere Technician Program at Southeast Community College, Milford, Nebraska OR Lake Area Technician College, Watertown, South Dakota, and seeking sponsorship from Platte Valley Equipment? If so, they should consider applying for the Sam Christensen Legacy Memorial Scholarship. Click the link below for more information and to apply by November 30, 2024.

These group visit days provide the opportunity to explore our health care programs through hands-on activities. Take a tour of campus and meet our faculty, staff and current students.

• November 8 - Lincloln - 1-4 p.m.

Find out what Northeast has to offer if you're looking to start your career or work toward an advanced degree. Visit with Joni Cassidy on Tuesday, November 12 at 12:45 p.m. in Mr. Lammli's room.

Dates for 9-12th Grade Students: Nov. 13, Feb. 12, Apr. 23

Dates for 7-8th Grade Students: Nov. 20, Mar. 12, Apr. 16

Students are invited to join a camp at the University of Nebraska at Kearney from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. to learn about health sciences, professions in healthcare, UNK scholarships, and other opportunities. There is no cost to attend. Students may come with their school or health science club. Camps will have no more than 50 students.

For questions, reach out to Sara Bruner at 308-865-8144 or bruners@unk.edu.

Is your junior or senior child considering UNK? Here are some visit days:

• Loper Preview Days - Nov. 15
• UNK Science Day - Nov. 26

Share your idea for making a difference and earn a $1,000 scholarship. This is your chance to tackle a challenge and make your mark! Submit your 2-minute video to share your idea - big or small - and earn a $1,000 scholarship.

This competition is open to students in grades 6-11.

Eight winners will be selected to:

• Recieve a "Change Maker" $1,000 Scholarship to be applied when you come to UNL
• Personalized campus visit (in-person or remote)
• Lunch with the Dean of CASNR
• CASNR Team will visit your classroom (in-person or remote) to regonize the Change Maker Winner
• CASNR media feature of the Change Maker

The video needs to address one or more of the following Grand Challenges:

• Feeding the World
• Water for the Future
• New Energy
• Climate and the Future
• Biodiversity, Sustainability and Environment
• Health
• Engaging Diverse Communities
• Developing Tomorrow's Leaders

Contest opens December 1, 2024 -- Deadline is noon on February 1, 2025.

Application Fee Waiver Aug. 1–Nov.1

Our application for admission is open! First-year students from Nebraska can use the code "HUSKER" to apply for free through November 1. Students who apply for admission by Nov. 1 will be notified of their scholarship awards on Feb. 12. Seniors are encouraged to consider applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for Fall 2025!

Nebraska is test-optional for admission and test-preferred for full scholarship consideration. We encourage students to take the ACT/SAT and submit their test score to maximize their scholarship consideration. Click the link below to apply to UNL.

Expanded Student Visit Opportunities

The best way for students to get a preview of all they can accomplish at Nebraska is to experience it for themselves! During a visit, they will see the spots on campus where they'll spend time studying, living, collaborating, building friendships and making core memories. Plus, they'll learn more about student involvement opportunities and important admission, scholarship and financial aid information.

Husker Weekdays are available Monday-Friday. This option allows students to tour campus with a current Husker and meet with a representative from the college of their choice.

Red Letter Days allow students to tour campus with a current Husker, eat lunch in a dining center, learn about engagement opportunities and explore resources for success

• November 1
• November 15

Northeast Community College is hosting Hawk Visit Days once a month this year! This year's dates include morning sessions only (9:30 am - 11:15 am/11:45 am if eating in the cafeteria).

Each session will include a tour of campus and our residence halls, a student panel, a Next Steps presentation, and lunch in our Hawks Point dining hall!

Registration is limited to 150 students per day on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Walter Scott, Jr. Pathway Scholarship supports students pursuing up to a two-year degree in approved skilled and technical fields of study. This scholarship covers full tuition and fees, plus room and board for up to four consecutive semesters. Download the .pdf below for more information.

EducationQuest puts out very informative videos and webinars that can help you understand the process. Plus, lucky viewers will win scholarships for watching.

EducationQuest will host virtual events throughout the fall semester focused on financial aid and college planning. Financial Aid Program webinar attendees will have a chance to win one of six $500 scholarships!

Webinars require advance registration. All times are Central.

October

2 Webinar: Financial Aid Program at 6:30 p.m.

16 YouTube Livestream: Scholarships…How to Score Big! at 7 p.m.

Watch at this link: https://educationquest.org/events/?utm_source=Professionals&utm_campaign=ef71b45fce-counselor_bulletin&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-ef71b45fce-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=ef71b45fce&mc_eid=03d02f5b9f

Email: justin.wardyn@gaccbluejays.org
Website: www.gaccbluejays.org
Location: 419 East Decatur St., West Point, NE 68788