The Messenger
A Publication of St. Gabriel the Archangel School 7/17/2024
Dear Fabulous Families -
Happy Summer! Yes. It is still summer, but I wanted to send out a few reminders and share our new staff members who will be joining us in the fall. We are blessed to be fully staffed which allows us to start working with our new staff members already and getting them oriented to St. Gabriel.
You’ll see the phrase “Follow me.” at the top of this newsletter. This is our theme for the year. Jesus says this multiple times in the Bible to various people in different situations. Jesus continues to invite us to follow him. We will be working this year to explore this command from Jesus as a school community.
We look forward to seeing all of our students and families at the 10:00 am Mass on August 11 for "Blessing of the Backpacks" Students are encouraged to bring their backpacks for a special blessing for the school year. Families are invited to come over to school afterward, 11-12:30, to meet their teacher, drop off school supplies, enjoy a donut, see old friends and meet new ones!
If you are a new family and wish to volunteer at any time during the school year, please go through the Protecting God's Children training. Information is below.
Read through the newsletter, make note of important items, and then go back to enjoying summer for a few more weeks!
Reminder: Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to Mrs. McEnery by noon on Monday. Graphics should be a jpg or png. In the subject line, please put "Newsletter".
Tonya McEnery
Principal
Jenn Schmitt
Assistant Principal
Welcome to St. Gabriel! Meet Our New Staff Members!
Nurse Dawson
I am a proud Catholic and grew up in Columbia Missouri and St. Louis Missouri before my family moved to Jefferson County where I attended Our Lady Queen of Peace School in House Springs.
My first degree was in communications/journalism from Washington University. My second degree is from Barnes Jewish College of Nursing where I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. My hobbies include reading historical fiction, singing, hiking, and volunteering with the Sierra Club.
I am excited to use my time and talent at St. Gabriel's community to serve the faculty, staff and families in my nursing role.
(Nurse Dawson will primarily be stationed at St. Gabriel, but will also help out at St. Raphael the Archangel.)
2nd Grade - Mrs. Kremer
Hi, I am Faith Kremer. My husband Josh and I have been parishioners at St Gabriel's for nearly 12 years and have two sons, Ollie (5th grade) and Jack (2nd).
I am so excited to be teaching second grade this year at St. Gabriel's, and looking forward to a special year celebrating the sacraments!
3rd Grade - Ms. Smith
My name is Perpetua Smith, and I am thrilled to be starting my teaching career at Saint Gabriel’s this year as a third grade teacher. I am currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis in special education at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis.
Additionally, I am excited to share that I am engaged and planning to get married in December.
I feel incredibly blessed and excited about the journey ahead!
5th Grade ELA - Ms. Hannan
My name is Kate Hannan. I am returning to St Gabe's after leaving when my daughter was born. She is now at Bishop Dubourg where one of my St Gabe's students is now her teacher; what a small world!
I am excited to be able to share my love of reading, writing and exploring literature with grade 5. This job is an unexpected gift, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the faculty, get to know the families and be part of the community again.
7th / 8th Grade Social Studies - Mr. Bartholomew
Hi, my name is Vinny Bartholomew and I will be the new 7/8 grade Social Studies Teacher at St. Gabriel. I enjoy playing tennis; spending time with my fiancé, Nicole, who teaches first grade; playing with our two dogs, Vixen and Teddy; and cheering on St. Louis City SC.
I am excited to get to know the St. Gabriel students and community. See you in the fall!
Band - Mr. Unnerstall
Mr. Unnerstall is going into his 7th year of teaching music and band. He moved to South City in 2012 and is excited to become a part of the St. Gabriel community!
He loves performing saxophone and percussion in his jazz and rock bands, as well as running, reading and playing video games in his free time.
(Note: We originally hired Dr. Grant Unnerstall in the spring. Since that time, he was offered a position as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Studies at St. Louis Community College-Meramec. Thankfully, Dr. Unnerstall had a brother, Mr. Unnerstall, who is also a band director and was looking for a position. Imagine two band directors in one family! It's kind of like the VonTrapp Family! God provided. We hired Mr. Unnerstall. And the band will continue to play!)
Paraprofessional - Ms. Monk
I’m excited to bring Southern charm from Atlanta to St. Louis.
I love nature, crafting, and I am life-long learner at heart!
(Note: Ms. Monk will be supporting our students who have learning differences.)
A few staffing notes...
We are excited that Mrs. Whited who taught 6th Grade last year decided to stay with us and teach 4th Grade this upcoming school year.
There will be two 8th Grade sections next year. Ms. Brady will teach her regular ELA and will pick up 8th Grade Religion.
Mrs. Panus (STEM Teacher) will pick up 7th Grade Religion. (She already has her religious certification.)
Order Your Fall School Supplies
School supply shopping made easy!
School supply shopping made easy!
Click the below link or scan the qr code to order your school supplies today! Orders ship directly to your house. Be sure to select next years grade level/s! Contact Molly Roell if you have any questions, mollyroell@me.com or 314-803-2236
https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=55723
Uniform Information
From: Just Me Apparel, Our Uniform Supplier
- Because schools have a unique plaid that is special to them, skirts and jumpers need to be ordered ahead of time. There are only a few factories that still make our plaid. It is hard to guarantee that these items will be readily available off the rack when August arrives, so ordering should be done as soon as possible if you missed the spring fitting.
- For pricing or sizing questions, please visit the website at www.justmeapparel.com or call them at 636-391-3551. You can order on line or by phone throughout the school year and they will make weekly deliveries to the school!
This is the perfect time to double-check to make sure clothes fit properly. Skirts, jumpers , and shorts should be at least finger-tip length. Many students may have outgrown their uniform from last year.
Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment Training
- Important - All volunteers need to successfully complete the mandated Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children/Safe Environment Training. Before signing up for lunch duty/recess duty, field trips, etc., volunteers must have this completed. Please use the following link to find the complete information from the church website: mandated training information. Please direct questions to our parish secretary and Child Safety Coordinator, Eileen Garavaglia, at 314-353-6303 Ext. 110 or garavagliae@stgabrielstl.org.
Religious Education Information and Resources
Looking ahead 2024-2025:
Second Grade
First Reconciliation
Thursday, October 17th-Parent Mtg. 6:30 pm in church
Thursday, November 21st- First Reconciliation at 6:30 pm
First Eucharist
Wednesday, March 26th- First Communion Parent Mtg. 6:30 pm in church
Sunday, May 4th- 1st Communion, 2pm Mass
Confirmation
September 18th, Wednesday, Confirmation Parent Mtg. 6:30 pm in church
October 23rd, Wednesday, Sponsor Mtg. 6:30 pm-Cafeteria and North wing classrooms
Confirmation Mass -February 20, 2025
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Come pray with us!
Deborah DaLay
Coordinator of Religious Education
PFA Uniform Swap - Mark Your Calendars!
Calendar Dates for 2023-2024
Dates below are subject to change and additional days will be added as we continue to plan for the year. Dates are also posted on the Google calendar located on our website.
2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
August
11- Blessing of Backpacks @ 10:00 am Mass
11 - Meet the Teacher & Donut Sunday - After Mass, 11:00 - 12:30 pm
12- K-4 Start School (Noon Dismissal)
12- 8th Grade Leadership Training (All 8th Graders), 9:00-11:30 am
13- K-8 Start School (Noon Dismissal)
14- Full Day
15- No School: Feast of the Assumption
20- Back to School Night / Curriculum Night for Grades K-4, 6:30pm, Gym
21- Back to School Night / Curriculum Night for Grades 5-8, 6:30pm, Gym
September
2- No School: Labor Day
13- Planning & Collaboration (Noon
Dismissal)
13-14 - St. Raphael's Picnic (Updated)
15- 6th Grade Bible Mass, 10am Mass
16-20- ITBS for 8th Grade
CogAT for 4, 6, 8
18- Confirmation Parent Meeting, 6:30pm
19- Blizzards for K-4
20- Blizzards for 5-8
21- Run for the Hills
29- Feast of the Archangels
October
2- Blessing of the Pets, 3:15
3- Parent/Teacher Conferences 1-7pm
4- Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:30am-12
5- St. Gabriel School Picnic
7- No School: Professional Development
17- First Reconciliation Parent Meeting,
6:30pm
23- Confirmation Sponsor Meeting, 6:30p
November
1- No School: All Saints’ Day
15- End of 1st Trimester
15- Planning & Collaboration (Noon
Dismissal)
17- 8th Grade Confirmation Commitment
Mass
21- First Reconciliation, 6:30pm
27-29- Thanksgiving Holidays
December
11- Vocal Concert, 7pm
12- Band Concert, 7pm
15- 5th Grade Family Mass
20- Christmas Parties, 11:05
20-Christmas Break Begins (Noon
Dismissal)
23-January 3, 2025 - Christmas Break
January
6- Classes Resume
12- 4th & 5th Grade Family Mass (NEW)
15- American Heart Association Fundraiser
Begins
20- No School: MLK Day
26-31- Catholic Schools Week
26- Open House
27- Spelling Bee, 2:05pm
31- Noon Dismissal
February
7- End of American Heart Association
Fundraiser
8 - Auction
9- 2nd & 3rd Grade Family Mass (NEW)
14- End of 2nd Trimester
14- Valentine’s Day Parties, 11:05am
14- Planning & Collaboration (Noon
Dismissal)
17- No School: Presidents’ Day
20 - 8th Grade Confirmation
25- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences,
3:30-7pm
27- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences,
3:30-7pm
28- Noon Dismissal
March
5- Ash Wednesday
7- Stations of the Cross
8 - Auction
14- Stations of the Cross
17-21- Spring Break
26- First Communion Parent Meeting,
6:30pm
28- Stations of the Cross
April
4- Planning & Collaboration (Noon
Dismissal)
13 - Kindergarten & First Grade Family Mass (NEW)
17- No School: Holy Thursday
18- No School: Good Friday
20- Easter Sunday
21- No School: Easter Monday
23-25 - 6th Grade Camp
May
2- 2nd Grade Jesus Day
4- First Communion, 2pm
5- 2nd Grade Only, No School
6-7- Art Fair
6- Vocal Concert, 7pm
7- Band Concert, 7pm
9- Noon Dismissal: Field Day
15- May Crowning
15- 8th Grade - Last Day
16- 8th Grade Mystery Trip
16- 7th Grade Leadership Day
20- 8th Grade Graduation, 6pm
23- Noon Dismissal: Last Day of School
2024-2025 Calendar At--a-Glance - You can download and print off, but be sure to check back for updates.