Monday Memo

My name is Katie Weaver and I will be the new principal at St. Susanna for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This will be my fifth year at St. Susanna. I have taught middle school math and literature and served as assistant principal. I feel blessed to continue my career as part of this wonderful school community.

My family moved here from South Dakota 8 years ago and belong to St. Susanna Parish. I have three kids; Andrew will be a senior this year, Cooper will be a junior, and Natalie will be starting middle school. My husband works for the National Federation of High Schools as the Director of Arts and Sports. Our kids keep us busy with track, orchestra, band, gymnastics, and numerous other activities.

The school office summer hours are M-Th, 9-2. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Have a great summer!

Dear parents,

Mrs. Abdoulaye will continue to be in charge of FACTS, tuition, and financial aid for the school year. She is out of the office in June but will resume work in July. Feel free to email her any time. jabdoulaye@saintsusanna.com

Payment Options:

• FACTS Payment Plan: Families who have a FACTS account and who owe a balance have already been billed through FACTS. You should have received an email with next year’s payment plan. If you would like to pay your balance in FACTs, please log in and create a payment plan at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3FXLZ
• Pay in Full: All families who wish to pay in full must do so by July 15th. A 3 percent discount is available to non-Choice Scholarship families who pay tuition in full. Choice families may also choose to pay their balance in full. You have two options for paying your bill in full:
• Online at www.saintsusannaschool.com/pay Enter the amount due for your children in the “Designated Fund” category and add your students’ names.
• By check at Saint Susanna School. Please place your check in an envelope and leave with Ms. Cody or place in the dropbox next to her window in the school entryway. You can also mail your check to us at 1212 E Main Street, Plainfield, IN 46168
• Choice awards are subject to the submission of the household’s 2023 tax return and meeting program requirements. I have processed awards for most families who have submitted their paperwork. You have received this paperwork via Dropbox Sign. I will be processing awards for families that include an incoming kindergartener and those who have yet to submit their tax returns during July and August. The Choice Scholarship submission deadline is September 1st.
  

My name is Ms. Lindley and I am excited to be the new assistant principal at St. Susanna School.

God gave me a heart of compassion and service. I am happy to have fulfilled that gift in education for over the last 30 plus years. I am so grateful to share my joy, love and passion as an educator at such an amazing educational institute as St. Susanna.

While born and raised a farm girl in a typical small Indiana town, I have called Hendricks County my home for the last thirty years. I received my elementary and special education degree from Indiana University and my Master’s degree from Butler University in School Administration. I taught special education, general education and was an assistant principal at Avon Community School Corporation for many years, went on to become a charter school principal and then audited charter schools for Ball State University. The last eleven years I devoted myself to the classroom at MSDLT and enjoyed teaching grades 2 through 6. My true love is being a mom! I have a 25 year old daughter and a 19 year old son and I’m very proud of their accomplishments!

I look forward to meeting everyone this coming school year!

I grew up in Charleston, Illinois and will be moving to the Indianapolis area this summer after getting married! I am very excited to be joining St. Susana as a 5th grade teacher along with Mrs. Carlson!

I graduated from Indiana State University in the spring of 2023 with my Bachelor's in Education. I have previously taught one year in a 6th grade classroom in Charleston, Illinois.

My goal at St. Susanna is to show students how fun learning is as well as helping them grow in their faith while I grow in my own as well!

My name is Courtney Bex. I graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in December 2021 (who are also the Spartans!) This will be my third year working within the Archdiocese’s Schools! I was previously a pre-K assistant teacher and second-grade teacher. My husband and I recently welcomed our first baby, Siena Ann Bex, in April. I am so excited to join the St. Susanna family as a third-grade teacher working alongside Mrs. Rodebaugh! As my college said, “Once a Spartan, always a Spartan!”

• Reese Brock - attending Trade School to become an Electrician

• Harparneet Jessica Kaur - attending Butler University to study Exploratory Studies/Pre-Law

• Isabella Mendoza - Honors - attending Arizona State University to study Psychology & Criminal Justice

• Elizabeth Rhoderick - High Honors - attending the University of Tampa to study Business Management

• Regan Ring - High Honors - attending Indiana University to study Business

• Zuriel Vazquez - High Honors - attending Purdue University to study Mechanical Engineering

• Jonathan Schmidt - will be attending the Electrical Training Institute

We hope that everyone has a wonderful summer!!

Thank you,

Jamie Liston

Director of Admissions

Cardinal Ritter High School

(317) 924-4333 ext 426

Mrs. Mejean is holding an art camp the week of June 24th and art lessons that start June 12th.

Art camp is 5 days from 9-11:30 with a cost of $150 which includes all materials. In art camp, students will make a tiled serving tray, a resin plaque, a string light, and a paint palette clock.

Art lessons are on Wednesdays and run from 10-11:30 or 4-5:30 with a cost of $25 for each class including all materials. Students do projects more of their choosing rather than the set projects in camp. Lessons will not be held the week of June 24th and July 4th. They will end July 17th and fall art lessons will start again in September.

If you have signed up for lessons or camp, they will be held at Mrs. Mejean's home art studio at 1756 Water Oak Way, Avon. To get to the studio, go to the right of the small garage and you'll see the door to the studio.

If you'd like to sign up or want more information, Mrs. Mejean's cell is 317-997-6783 and home email is denisedavemejean@gmail.com.

Spartan Families,

Cross Country sign-up deadline is July 15th, 2024 St Sue CYO Registration

Summer Fun Runs begin Saturday, June 1st. Fun Runs begin at 8:30 am every Saturday at the Amphitheater on the backside of Hummel Park. Come be part of the 50-mile club with your friends this Summer! Kids and Parents are encouraged to participate together in Saturday Fun Runs as well as regular season practices once the 2024 Fall Semester begins.

The Spartan Cross-Country Team is preparing to enter its 10th season! Cross-Country is not just for distance runners at St. Susanna. Our program is designed for all students interested in personal fitness (we have many runners who use the CC Program to get in shape for other sports). Spartan Cross-Country Team members will learn how to properly warm up (stretching), proper running form, strength training, how to cool down after a workout as well as proper diet to get the most out of a workout. Our mission is to help instruct the Spartan Student Athletes so they can be fit for life. If you are worried that running is not fun we have that covered as well. We have candy relays once a week and Frigid Frog Awards for the most improved male and female runner after each Cross-Country Meet. We are planning a Home Meet this year as well!

Cross Country is open to 3rd - 8th graders as a CYO Sport with a $75 registration fee. Summer Fun Runs and the regular season of cross country are open to 1st and 2nd graders as well, though they will not have official times at all meets nor can they compete in the city championships. Registration for 1st and 2nd graders is $30.

We are welcoming a female Coach this year, Jaime Mullen. We are excited to have her and her family as part of the Cross Country family. She is a great role model!

If anyone has questions about the Spartan Cross-Country Program they can contact Coach Adam Harty via email: hartya@gmail.com or phone: 317-509-7413.

Go Spartans!

The Saint Susanna Backyard Bash will be August 9 - 10, 2024. Setup for this celebration requires using our campus, therefore, some slight adjustments have been made to the 24-25 calendar. The full calendar is in the files at the end of this newsletter. The changes include moving the first day of school to Monday, August 5th; scheduling a 1:20 PM dismissal with NO EDM on Thursday, August 8th, and no school on Friday, August 9th.

This summer the Archdiocese of Indianapolis will host a National Eucharistic Congress from July 17 - 21st at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. This gathering will include visitors from all over the country, including four groups of pilgrims who will have traveled from the north, south, east, and west, converging on Indianapolis by mid-July. These pilgrims are mostly college students who are mostly walking, sometimes riding, over two months to reach the Congress.

The group traveling from the west will reach Saint Susanna on July 14th. The parish is planning an arrival reception and dinner on the night of the 14th. On July 15th, we will join the pilgrims for morning mass at 8:00 AM and a period of outdoor adoration in front of the church immediately after mass. They will then continue their pilgrimage with their next stops at St. Joseph's and St. Anthony's. We are also invited to accompany them on their journey to St. Joseph's.

What can you do to support the pilgrims and share in their journey?

• Ask your students about the pilgrim they have adopted as a class. Each of our students has a prayer card for a pilgrim and we are praying for them as they start the journey next week.
• Check out the interactive map with your child to see where the pilgrims are on the journey to Indianapolis.
• Join the parish for dinner on July 14th to welcome the pilgrims to Saint Susanna.
• Join us for mass and/or adoration on the morning of July 15th to pray for the pilgrims and all who are gathering at the Congress.

Supply lists for the 24-25 school year are available on our website. You can order your child's supplies through First Day School Supplies or you can purchase them on your own. First Day orders are due by July 1st.

The state of Indiana provides free summer meals to children 18 and younger through the Summer Food Service Program. These meals are provided to any child, regardless of free/reduced lunch status. This website is updated at the end of May each year.

To find a location, parents can

• Visit the website at https://www.in.gov/doe/nutrition/meal-site-information/. This website includes a searchable list of sites, program rules, and additional resources.
• To find a site near you, text “summer meals” or “verano” to (914) 342-7744 or call USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8- HAMBRE
  

1. To apply for a Choice Scholarship in K-8: send a copy of your 2022 1040 tax return to Mrs. Abdoulaye. You can drop off a physical copy at the office or email the document to her at jabdoulaye@saintsusanna.com. You can block out your family’s social security numbers prior to sending the form. The first page of the 1040 form shows household members and adjusted gross income; this page is required.

2. To apply for preschool, prekindergarten, or additional financial aid for K-8 students: If your child is not eligible for a Choice Scholarship OR if you are seeking financial aid above and beyond that granted by Choice, we have a limited amount of additional financial aid available. This aid is available for our preschool and prekindergarten students as well. You must apply via our FACTS Grant and Aid platform for this aid at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3FXLZ A fee will apply for the application. The deadline for financial aid is June 1, 2023. Award decisions will be sent to families in early June.

Each year, the state of Indiana increases the maximum household income allowed to qualify for Choice. Please see below for this year's eligibility requirements.

Indiana has also finalized award amounts for the 23-24 school year. Some of our families will see this school year's scholarship increase as a result. I am working through each scholarship account to rectify any tuition owed. These increased scholarship funds will be applied to this year's balances, lunch, or EDM accounts owed, or credited toward next year's tuition.

The state will use this year's finalized awards as the estimated awards for the fall of 2024. For example, families who live in Plainfield School District will see next year's estimated award increase from $5,912 to $6,265.13. See the table below for this year's finalized and next year's estimated award amounts by home school district.

While it is not required to send in treats for your child's birthday, we want to accommodate those who do. When sending birthday treats, please observe the following guidelines:

• Consult with the classroom teacher beforehand to secure a date that works for her and to learn about any classroom allergies
• Send store-bought, individual treats with an ingredient label. Homemade treats cannot be served. Treats cannot contain peanuts or tree nuts of any kind.
• We will not be passing out treat bags to students or other party favors.

In order for our cafeteria to be self-sufficient, we must receive regular and timely payments from those who participate in the hot lunch program. As such, I have updated our lunch policies accordingly. Please see below for the excerpt from the attached Student Parent Handbook:

• For any student with a negative cafeteria balance, the student will continue to be eligible for a hot or cold lunch and milk; however, they will not be eligible for extra servings or any a la carte items including bottled water, until the account is brought positive. Students are always welcome to bring their own refillable water bottles to lunch with them.

• Preferred: www.myschoolbucks.com Payments made through MySchoolBucks credit to a student’s account automatically and accounts are updated without delay. Previously setup accounts will continue to work throughout your child’s time at Saint Susanna. Accounts can be set up with the lunch number that will come home in your child’s back-to-school packet. This system also shows parents all of the charges and credits to a student’s account.
• Alternate Method of Payment: Payments made outside of the MySchoolBucks system are subject to delay in crediting your student’s lunch account: 1) Online via www.saintsusanna.com/pay 2) Check sent via backpack mail to Mrs. Carson’s attention clearly describing the amounts to be applied to each student account. Do not send cash.

All volunteers must have a background check and completed safe environment training through the Archdiocese's Safe Parish system. All volunteers' background checks are monitored quarterly. All volunteers must be registered in the Safe Parish system before they can volunteer. Instructions for registering and training are in the newsletter each week (see below).

In order to volunteer in our school building during the day or attend field trips as a chaperone, you must have current safe environment training on file with us. This requirement includes safe environment training and a basic background check through the Archdiocese.

To obtain a new training and background check:

1. Go to the website www.archindysafeparish.org
2. Create an account.
3. You will need a passcode in order to create an account. The passcode is Archindy2021
4. Complete the background check for school or parish VOLUNTEER and select Saint Susanna as a recipient of your information.
5. Complete the training video and questions.

Please allow up to two weeks for this process to be completed.

The service hour tracking form can be found here and a copy will be sent home in the back-to-school packets. We ask that each family complete five service hours this school year. These hours can be completed during school or parish events.

Box Tops for Education

Here’s how it works:

• Step 1: Download the new Box Tops App (iTunes or Google Play) – it’s free
• Step 2: Create a username and connect it to your child’s school
• Step 3: Scan your grocery store receipt. Items with the new Box Tops label will be automatically credited to your school

Does this mean I should stop sending in my paper Box Tops that I have already clipped? No! Continue to send those to the school!

Kroger Community Rewards

Information on the Kroger Community Rewards program can be found here on their website or under the "rewards" tab in your Kroger app. You will need to search for the exact name of our organization as SAINT SUSANNAS SCHOOL PTP . From there, you can link your Kroger card with our organization and a portion of your spending at Kroger will come to us.

St. Susanna Catholic School's mission is to provide a Christ-centered, quality education that prepares and inspires its students to excel as they progress in their scholastic careers. Based on Catholic teachings, our students and staff exemplify the value of faith, service, love, and respect in all situations and with all people.

Email: jabdoulaye@saintsusanna.com
Website: www.saintsusannaschool.com
Location: 1212 East Main Street, Plainfield, IN, USA
Phone: 317-839-3713
Facebook: facebook.com/stsusannaschool