Mustang Memo

• Spiritual Reflection
• Staffing Announcement
• Home & School Association Notes
• Student Life Notes
  
• Mark Your Calendars!

Our Spiritual Theme: We Walk by Faith

February Focus: We Walk by Faith... in Knowledge

Matthew 14: 22-33

Spiritual Reflection by Miss Sheila O'Callaghan

We have now come to the end of the second week of February. It brought us enough cold weather and snow. We need a taste of spring right now. Of course, God in his love, mercy and compassion will send us some sunny days.

Sunday, February 16, is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

On Monday, February 17, we remember the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, also called the Servants of Mary. They had a special feeling for the seven sorrowful events in Mary’s life.

The 17th of February is also Presidents’ Day and Family Day in Canada.

The memorial of Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, is on February 21. Peter’s parents died when he was young, so he was raised by older brothers. He went to live in a monastery. The Pope asked him to become a bishop. He was a very good bishop, but he missed the peace and quiet of the monastery, so the Pope allowed him to return.

February 22, is the feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle. It is an interesting name. At one time there was only one chair. For example, the bench of the judge, the throne of the queen, or the cathedra of a bishop. Whoever was going to guide the meeting sat in the chair. The feast of the chair of Saint Peter is about the unity of the church. Peter became the bishop of Rome and the leader among the bishops of the early church. Pope Francis is the bishop of Rome today. Let us pray for him.

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 and the Straight family. Pray also pray for our Armed Forces and First Responders.

Goodbye to SAS Technology Coordinator

Due to health reasons, Mrs. Dawn Alvord will be leaving the position of Technology Coordinator at St. Ann School as of February 21, 2025. We owe her a debt of gratitude for helping our school navigate technology learning tools during the COVID era and for strategically planning for the implementation of high-quality, effective tech solutions to enhance teaching and learning in the future. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Alvord for her hard work and wishing her all the best as she moves on.

New Tech Team: Education & Technology Professionals, LLC

We are pleased to contract the services of Mr. Lucas Ostrowski and his team at Education & Technology Professionals who will be stepping in to provide IT support and maintenance services for the students and staff at St. Ann School. ETP staff have already begun their full-time work in our school for a smooth transition, ensuring continuity in this area.

Good Tech News

We are grateful that the collaboration of Mrs. Alvord and Mr. Ostrowski has already helped us to solve the recent tech challenge of interrupted domain service. I am happy to announce that original staff email accounts - @thesaintannschool.org - have been restored and are receiving email. Thank you for your patience and flexibility in using the temporary emails with an @stannwilmington.com address. No worries - if you forget and attempt to reach staff at the temporary email accounts, such emails will be routed to the correct inbox.

The Father-Daughter Dance Is Almost Here!

Join us on February 22nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for a magical evening filled with fun, music, and memories!

Cost: $35 per person

🎶 What's Included:

• DJ playing your favorite tunes

• A delicious buffet dinner

• A fun photo booth to capture special moments

Register Here and Payment Here

🌸 Corsages for Sale – Only $5! 🌸

Make your daughter’s Father-Daughter Dance even more special with a beautiful faux flower corsage! For just $5, you can give her a keepsake that she’ll cherish forever. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance and love to this unforgettable night.

Order yours today and let’s make this dance one to remember! 💖

Order Here

STAR Testing Make-up Tests This Week

Due to last week's inclement weather and resulting delayed opening, some classes have rescheduled STAR testing for this week. Teachers in grades K-5 can relay the new schedule which bests suits their classroom testing needs. Middle School students will take the STAR Math test on Wednesday 2/19.

Parent reports will be shared along with T2 report cards, during the week of March 10.

SAS Students Shine in Scholastic Writing Awards

St. Ann School is proud to announce that students from the 7th and 8th grades won 31 writing awards in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition, Delaware Writing Region!

Founded in 1923, Scholastic has empowered the minds of young people for over a century. Students are encouraged to submit their writing pieces in several different categories including Poetry, Science Fiction, and Personal Memoirs. The award categories are: Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention.

St. Ann students won 1 Gold Key, 8 Silver Keys, and 22 Honorable Mentions. Since 2021, St. Ann Students have won 72 awards! We congratulate the hard work and their well-developed writing skills and creativity under the direction of Mrs. Marilynne Dickinson, Middle School Language Arts Teacher.

Gold Key

Sebastian G. - The Need for Speed

Silver Key

Lucy B. - Love Is Through Actions, Not Words

Sebastian G. - The Trespasser

Phoebe K. - The Day The World Went Silent

Zachary L. - The Duality of Man

Declan P. - India vs. China: More than a War

Shawn T. - Blank Mind

Juliet V. - Crumbling Christmas

Casper W. - The Greatest Party Ever

Honorable Mentions

Leo A. - The Life of a Philly Fan

David B. - Happy Place

David B. - Large Rain Drops

Jillian B. - The Move

Mia C. - Mia Carrow

Ethan D. - The Friend I Lost

Lucy D. - The Twisted Coffee Shop Mystery

Hillary H. - God is Good

Phoebe K. - Summer Sun

Kallen K. - The Game

Molly K. - Remembering Someone I Never Knew

Marco M. - The Duality of the Sky

Liam N. - A Cold Future

Liam N. - The Ghost Diver

Luke N. - A Pianist’s Journey: Exploring Harmony and Overcoming Obstacles

Olivia O. - The Empty Gymnasium

Declan P. - The Removal

Camilla S. - Our Last Shot

Charlie S. - Forgotten Past and Temporary Future

Casper W. - Johan

Charlotte W. - Growing Up and Growing Out

For more information about the Scholastic Award Program go to: https://www.artandwriting.org

Band Classes on Friday 2/21

Godspell Jr. Stage Crew: Last Call!

We are looking for middle schoolers to serve on the SAS Theater team for this year's production of Godspell Jr.

Jobs include:

• Stage runners (helping actors transition backstage to stage)
• Lights (spotlight, stage lights)
• Sets and prop managers (move sets and manage props for actors)
• Slide managers (sit on stage with laptop and control projections that change with scenes)
• Curtain (opening and closing curtain)
• Costuming, make-up, hair stylists
• Ushers (ticket takers, hand out programs)

Important Dates:

• Stage crew will be required to join practices from March 1 through production (weekend of March 28).
• Interested students can sign up via email: MAURYA.CROSSEN@amexgbt.com

Middle School Trivia Night!

Students in 6th - 8th grade are invited by Student Council to Middle School Trivia Night on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Ann School. This fun-filled evening will be hosted by Mr. Klous and Mr. Kane and will feature exciting trivia challenges, great company, and delicious refreshments.

The cost is $15 per student, which includes pizza, snacks, and drinks.

All proceeds will go toward a new mustang mascot!

Register using this Google Form.

Please make payment using the Payment Page.

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!

• 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 & Middle School Trivia Night

• March 3: No School, Diocesan Professional Development Day

• March 5: Ash Wednesday, School Mass

• Week of March 10: T2 Report Cards Distributed

• March 11-14: Restaurant Night Fundraiser at Goober's

• March 15: Science Olympiad Competition

• March 21: No School for Students, Faculty Retreat

• March 28: $1 Casual Day to support the missions & Godspell Jr. Theater Production

School Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am -3:30 pm

The Catholic Schools Office has released a general calendar overview for the 2025-26 school year. Now, St. Ann School will work to set the details of our local needs in coordination with St. Ann Parish. Once that calendar is approved by the Catholic Schools Office, we will publish it for families. This process is usually completed in May.

Here are some important dates which we can share: