This past week our faculty and staff met after school to meet as a professional learning community. As part of this discussion we revisited a document we drafted some time ago entitled the BORROMEO WAY. This document includes expected behaviors and guidelines for various spaces in the school, as well as times of the school day. While the behaviors listed seem somewhat self explanatory, we have found over time that more and more of our kiddos need reminders in the areas of basic manners, kindness and respect. We love all of our Saint Charles Borromeo students and are blessed to guide them on their academic journey each day. While these academic lessons include reminders and practice in the areas of treating others with kindness, showing respect to teachers and acting as the best version of themselves even when no one is looking, these lessons are best learned when reinforced consistently between home and school in a myriad of settings. Please and thank you are magic words and in the words of Mother Teresa, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

Wishing you continued blessings,

Dr. Voelkl

THANK YOU to all of our families for your patience and flexibility when closures and / or changes to the schedule are necessary due to winter weather. These decisions are rarely easy to make and NEVER please all of the people all of the time. There are a myriad of factors that go into making these decisions. Represented within our students population are approximately 10 different zip codes ranging from deep St. Charles County to St. Louis County. In addition to our students our teachers travel from a wide range of municipalities on both sides of the river. Looking simply at road conditions closest to Saint Charles Borromeo does not account for these variables. Beyond road conditions we have to ensure that parking lots, school entrances, walkways etc. are clear of snow and ice hazards. While we do contract some of our plow work, we are of course at their mercy. We also consider staff shortages, instructional programming for the day and, and, and... Alas, school closure decisions are not a perfect science. They are made after consultation with a large group of local school administrators, review of various weather forecasts and late night / early morning conversations. As with any decision made we will always due our best to keep everyone's safety and best interests at heart.

As we continue through this winter season the potential for additional weather awaits. When schools plan and develop their annual calendars they design them to ensure that the number of days and minutes of instruction meet the requirements of the department of education. While we do ensure that there are extra minutes and days built in, it is not traditional to include upwards of 5 or 6 winter weather / snow days. If it becomes necessary to announce another snow or ice day we will move to a plan for virtual / at home instruction. This format will NOT look like day long instruction in real time via zoom. Rather, it will include assigned tasks and work for the students to complete in order to allow for continuity of learning as well as some access to teachers for guidance and instruction. A one size fits all approach does not work when planning for 5 year olds through 14 year olds. The week ahead could be a bumpy one...please stay tuned for additional information from classroom teachers, and THANK YOU in advance for continuing to pack your patience!

Yum Yum! NJHS is selling donuts for Fat Tuesday. Complete the attached form, send money to school in an envelope with each child’s first and last name, grade, and teacher by FEBRUARY 25.

Be sure to put the order in on time.

Order will be placed on Feb. 25.

Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4FI8fHhcbCUbfHyVP88uKvQ_BKbgwav7AbK5v0517M-fKQA/viewform?usp=sf_link

PLEASE see the flyer linked below for details related to this year's FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE. Registration and payments can be turned in to the main office. THANK YOU in advance to our organizers!

THANK YOU for your continued support of our Dine Out Nights! See the flyer below for additional details and information!!!

SCB is participating in the Kids Heart Challenge to benefit the American Heart Association. The challenge runs from Feb. 21st thru Mar. 14th. Our school goal is to try and raise $5000 and has at least 18 kids complete Finn's mission. Your child should have come home with additional details and information last week. THANK YOU in advance for your support!

Just a quick reminder, if you are coming in to volunteer in the Cafe, please park on a side street or in the tree lot as we use the top lot for recess. Thank you for your understanding. Additionally, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pull all the way onto either the upper lot or bottom lot when picking up children at dismissal. The routines and procedures we have in place for these times of day are 100% designed to ensure the safety of all. THANK YOU for your continued help in this matter.

Fish Fry Volunteers
Our weekly Lenten Fish Fry is returning this year! To have a successful series of events, we need a TON of volunteers! THANK YOU to everyone who has already signed up to assist. Our slots continue to fill up quickly. We are also in needs of LOTS of delicious desserts. These can be dropped off earlier in the day in the parish office or at dismissal in the Cafe...

Below are dates for specific grade levels ~

Week of March 4: Grades 6, 7, 8

Week of March 11: Grades PreK, K, 1, 2

Week of March 18: Grades 3, 4, 5

Week of March 25: Grades 6, 7, 8

Week of April 1: Grades PreK, K, 1, 2

Week of April 8: Grades 3, 4, 5

https://bit.ly/22fishfryvolunteers

If you have any additional questions, please email Tammy Buehler at scbfishfry@gmail.com.

A message from Fr. Eddie,

We understand that there is great interest in, and many questions about, All Things New.

In just over two weeks, the members of Borromeo will have their first chance to contribute information for the Diocese to consider as it undertakes this strategic plan.

Starting on March 2 (Ash Wednesday), each member of our community will be given the opportunity to complete a survey called the Disciple Maker Index (DMI). The window for responding to the DMI will only last about four weeks, until April 4.

Data collected through the DMI will be key to the decisions made later. Therefore, it is important that as many people as possible complete the DMI.

Over the next two weeks, we will use our social media accounts to provide more information on the DMI, and the All Things New process.

In the meantime, if you want more information, or if you’d like to view Archbishop Rozanski’s video regarding All Things New, click here: https://allthingsnew.archstl.org/.

We also have a committee of parishioners who will usher our parish through this process. You can contact them at any time with questions or for more information:

Fr. Eddie Godefroid: frgodefroid@borromeoparish.com, 636-946-1893
Barb Bott: bjbott@msn.com, 636-947-3939
Mary Lee Hardy: mleehardy50@gmail.com, 314-229-5370

Jaime Romero: himerolo@gmail.com, 636-284-6182 (bilingual/bilingüe)
Ann Tollefson: aktollefson@gmail.com, 314-608-4615
Paul Woody: paulfwoody@gmail.com, 636-359-0769

As a faith-based organization, we are mission-driven and mindful of our Catholic identity. Together, we strive to not only build community but further build the kingdom God. The purpose of the Board is to advise the Pastor and Principal in making policy for parish educational programs. Through this rich collaboration, we enhance the academic and overall experience that each child receives. We are still accepting applications for open positions on the School Board.

https://forms.gle/Xc1pNeco3acACErJ9

Join us on our upcoming CRHP Retreats:

Men's: Feb. 19-20 POSTPONED!!!

Women's: March 5-6

Are you looking to grow spiritually? Would you like to grow in your relationship with God? Could you use some time for renewal in your life?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, consider joining us for our upcoming CRHP retreats! Even if you have attended before, come again for a weekend of renewal!

For more information or to sign up, go to borromeoparish.com/crhp, fill out a form in the vestibule, or contact Jonathan Ewanio (jonathan.ewanio@gmail.com) or Madie Young (madeline.c.young@gmail.com).

Thank you to our Athletic Association for their continued support of our CYC sports program At this time they are STILL looking for a new Referee Coordinator and Volleyball Coordinator. For more information regarding this opportunity to serve our community please contact Mike Murray ad murrayamp2@yahoo.com. These roles are essential to the continued success of our school run athletic programs.

TROOP 351 Trivia Night

The Boy Scout Troop 351 is hosting their annual Trivia Night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cottleville on Saturday, 05 March 2022. Doors open at 6pm and trivia starts at 7pm. Please come out and support the Boy Scouts of St. Charles Borromeo. This fundraiser supports troop activities and events throughout the year. The cost is $160 per table (8 seats), so get your team together, come on out. It is sure to be a night of fun and laughter going for a good cause. Please bring your own snacks, and the K of C Hall will have complimentary beer, soda and water. Please contact Katie Willenberg (kwillenberg303@gmail.com) if you have any questions and to RSVP.

There are a few different options available to families to assist with tuition costs. The Today and Tomorrow foundation flyer was sent to families last week. The original flyer can be found below for those who might have missed it. There are also tuition grants available through the parish. These grants can ONLY be applied after one has already applied for assistance through the archdiocese. This letter is also linked below. Again, please let us know if you have any questions related to these opportunities.

Deadline for applications is February 28th!

Please find a copy of our 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR pictured and attached below. We have pulled out some important dates for you to assist with any future planning. One item of note / change from previous years' calendars. Every third Wednesday is marked with an aqua blue square to indicate a 2:15 dismissal for all students. Students who cannot be picked up at this time will be able to stay and care will be provided free of charge. Any students remaining after 3:00 pm will be filtered into our BASK program and BASK rates will apply. This time will be utilized by teachers to work in Professional Learning Communities to further their growth as instructional leaders.

We will be sharing the final version of our 2022-2023 school year calendar shortly. For planning purposes please the following important dates ~

First Day of School...................AUGUST 16 - NOON DISMISSAL

Fall Break..................................OCTOBER 24 - 31

Christmas Break...................... DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 2

Spring Break.............................MARCH 20 - MARCH 24

Last Day of School...................MAY 26

We will continue to operate our before BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL KIDS program for the upcoming school year. We will accept BASK enrollment forms for the new school year when school enrollment opens. The form for enrolling in the program is included below. All paperwork can be turned into the main office. While this information is not typically sent out until closer to the start of the new school year, we wanted to provide a complete financial picture sooner than later for those families potentially in need of this care. All families and students are welcome to register for our BASK program at any time throughout the school year. If you have a high school or college aged student who is interested in working in our BASK program we are always looking for new responsible employees as well!

We are continuing with Mask Optional protocols at this time...

• Please send in 2 masks in a zip lock back with your child's name on it to keep at school.
• Masks may be used at the discretion of the teacher (group activities that require students to be close to each other)
• If there are 3% of the student body out with COVID, masks will be mandatory for 5 days- parents will be notified.
  
• COVID number emails will continue to be sent out daily.

THANK YOU again to all who have continued to support us on our COVID journey. While we would LOVE to say that those reaching out with symptoms of runny noses and mild sore throats are suffering from spring colds that is simply not the case. In our experience most of these symptoms have resulted in a positive COVID case. We want our kiddos in school and need staff to teach them. Continuing to monitor symptoms and returning when they have subsided will allow us to do so.

If you have received your COVID vaccine and want it to be documented in our FACTS system please send records to Nurse Quarando at nurse@borromeoschool.com. Please note this is not a requirement.

Please remember to bring water bottles to school, we are going through a lot of cups recently.

We have also had A LOT of students coming to the office to get just a bit of vaseline for their super chapped lips. A bit of chapstick in the morning prior to coming to school may help a bit!

THANK YOU to everyone who continues to turn in their BASK and CAFE payments. BASK payments can be made via check made out to St. Charles Borromeo and turned in to the school office. CAFE payments can be made via check made out to St. Charles Borromeo or via paypal to @fsccafe. For any questions related to bask please email bask@borromeoschool.com. For any questions related to Cafe bills please email cafe@borromeoschool.com.

We are grateful for ALL OF OUR Cafe helpers. Our first session (11:00-12:00) is a slower pace with K-3 students and is mostly helping open items, pass out disposable silverware and condiments, help kiddos stand in line patiently for recess, and help wipe off tables. The second session (12:00-1:00) is a much faster pace yet has lots of kiddos 4-8 grade in and out of the Cafe in less than an hour. This is mostly monitoring/walking the room and helping wipe off tables. Thank you in advance and thank you to those who have helped in the past and continue to help!

Sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084fada628a0fd0-bobcat

Feb: Snack Attack: Rice Krispie Treats, Ind. Cheez-its, 6 pack Cracker sandwiches, Pudding, Ind. Cookie Packages, Pudding Cups

Mar: Be Cheesy: Mac N Cheese boxes

Apr: It's What For Breakfast: Full Size Boxes of Cereal

May: Grains For Brains: NutriGrain Breakfast Bars, Granola Bars

We are excited to give you the opportunity to purchase additional items from our on-line Spirit Wear store!

*Foobadap is experiencing shortages and longer shipment times for their inventory, so orders might be slightly delayed. Foobadap appreciates your patronage and patience.

https://borromeo21-22.itemorder.com/sale

The password is: borromeo

The store never closes but order cut offs are the 1st and 15th of every month. School Delivery will then be after the 8th and 22nd of every month.

If you have any items you would like to see added to our collection PLEASE let us know so tht we can work with our spirt wear reps to offer them.

For the Beckemeier Family as Conway continues on his journey to heal and recover.

For all the members of our SCB family who have lost loved ones in recent weeks.

For all those suffering from and continuing to heal from COVID, especially members of our Saint Charles School families.

For all the members of our United Stated military who continue to serve our country.

For all of the quiet intentions held in the hearts of the members of our St. Charles Borromeo Community.

Please share your prayer requests with us so that we can add them to our weekly bulletin.

THANK YOU to our maintenance team and Father Eddie for their efforts to ensure our entry ways were safe and clear for all of our students and staff during our recent bouts of winter weather.

THANK YOU to all of our families for their patience and support during last week's snow days.

THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has reached out or added their name to our CAFE helpers sign up. While not the most glorious of jobs it is truly appreciated.

THANK YOU to all who continue to support us in our COVID journey as we strive to keep our school community healthy.

THANK YOU to all who have given of their time, talent or treasure to help Saint Charles Borromeo continue to grow and thrive.

THANK YOU to all who have donated to and continue to our Mini Vinnies this year.

* Feb. 23rd - Dine Out Night - Mattingly's

* March 4th - NOON DISMISSAL

* March 21st - March 25th - Spring Break

* March 28th - Incoming Kindergarten Screening - NO SCHOOL for current Kindergarten

* April 29th - Field Day

* May 1st - 8th Grade Confirmation Practice 5:00 PM

* May 4th - 8th Grade Confirmation

* May 9th - May 12th - Middle School Camp Week

* May 19th - 8th Grade Last Day of School

* May 20th - 8th Grade Graduation 7:00 pm

* May 27th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Dr. Jacklyn Voelkl - Principal

principal@borromeoschool.com

Mrs. Michelle Winkler - Assistant Principal

michellewinkler@borromeoschool.com

Mrs. Angela Schneider - Office Manager

office@borromeoschool.com

Mrs. Casey Quarando - Nurse

nurse@borromeoschool.com

Fr. Eddie Godefroid- Associate Pastor

frgodefroid@borromeoparish.com

Mrs. Megan Ambrose - Counselor

mambrose@ccstl.org

Mrs. Monica Barnes - Accountant

MonicaBarnes@archstl.com

Mr. Luan Nguyen

SCBTech@borromeoschool.com

Email: jackievoelkl@borromeoschool.com
Website: www.borromeoschool.com
Location: 431 Decatur Street, Saint Charles, MO, USA
Phone: 636-946-2713
Facebook: facebook.com/St.CharlesBorromeoSchool