Dear Parents and Families,

September is a month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, a title given to Mary for her suffering alongside Christ. During this month, let's take this time to pray with our families to Mary—even a simple act, like saying an extra Hail Mary as a family.

Reminder - for all planned absences, including appointments, students need to turn in a sign-out sheet to the office at least one day before their absence. The sheet should list the specific periods they will miss, along with teacher and parent signatures.

On the first Friday of the month, we will celebrate an all-school K-12 Mass, followed by a day of Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and Benediction. We understand that this schedule may be an inconvenience for some. However, it is designed to ensure that all students who wish to participate in adoration and reconciliation have the opportunity to do so. If we can accommodate everyone's needs before 3:30 p.m., we will adjust the dismissal time accordingly in the future.

Thank you for turning in your forms. This paperwork is not just a formality but a crucial part of our commitment to everyone's safety, access to necessary tools, and a smooth school operation.

I am thrilled about this school year. Our growing enrollment is a testament to our amazing staff and the dedicated volunteers who contribute to Guardian Angels Central Catholic's success. Your support is invaluable, and I am genuinely grateful to have my own children as part of this beautiful community. Let's go Jays!

Yours in Christ,

Justin Wardyn

GACC High School Principal

The 3rd Annual GACC Jay Run will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Neligh Park in West Point. This annual event is fun for students, and is also a fundraiser to support on-going maintenance for the Activity Center and athletic fields.

Our fundraising goal for this year's Jay Run is $20,000. We are again using a web-based fundraising system that makes it much easier for you to request pledges from your family and friends, and for them to make secure credit card donations online. October 1 is the final day for online donations and paper pledge forms to be turned in and counted toward prizes.

Please download the pdf below for complete information on HOW TO DONATE, prizes and race day schedule.

If you have family members who would prefer to donate using a paper pledge form, instead of donating on-line, download the .pdf below for a paper pledge form. ALL paper forms need to be returned to the school office by October 1.

Reminder to Junior Class Parents - The Junior Class Retreat permission slips MUST be returned by Monday, September 9.

Members of the 2024 GACC cross country team are, from left, Grady Schmid, Paisley Skoda, Caleb Ridder and Isaac Wooldrik. Photo Courtesy of Mike O'Brien/West Point News.

The GACC cross country team has two meets under their belts already. "It’s our third year, and even though we’re a young program, we have our sites set on a return to State in October," said GACC Cross Country Coach Novia Kaup. "They work hard and reap the rewards on race day. We are small, but we are speedy and work hard to represent the tenacity and pride of Bluejay Nation every time we toe the line!" added Coach Kaup.

In an aim to help students increase their literacy and love for Scripture, and provide as many opportunities as possible to practice Godly living, the Archdiocese is introducing Friendzy. This whole-school program teaches life skills to our students with an emphasis on building strong, healthy and Godly friendships. Elementary students will get this in their classrooms, Mrs. Hagemann will be working with the junior high students, and Mrs. Kreikemeier with be engaging with the Freshmen.

The Friendzy program provides simple, memorable ways for our students to learn and practice God's design for friendship. Every month, we will introduce one Catchphrase and two corresponding Key Verses for students to learn and practice. Each week in class, we will spend 20-40 minutes focusing on the Catchphrase and Key Verses with activities, games, and group discussions.

• September Catchphrase: We Need Each Other
• Key Verses: "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone.'" - Genesis 2:18

"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up!" - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

• Goal: To create a culture of building up versus tearing down.

September

11 Junior Retreat at Calvin Crest, Fremont

25 Sophmore Retreat at River Crest, Fremont

16-20 Homecoming Week

18 No School - Archdiocese Staff Development

21 SPA Paper Trailer, 8-10 a.m.

25 Edge, 7-8:30 p.m.

25 SPA Drive Thru Supper, GACC cafeteria

October

2 - Staff School of Faith -NOON DISMISSAL

2 Jay Run

2 Grs. PS - 12 wear Life Runner Tshirts with uniform bottoms

9 K-12 Parent Teacher Conference - NO SCHOOL

10-11 Fall Break - NO SCHOOL

14 2nd Quarter begins

19 SPA Paper Trailer, 8-10 a.m.

23 Freshman Retreat at St. Leo's, Snyder

29 PS - 12 Picture Retakes

30 Edge, 7-8:30 p.m.

Starting on Wednesday, October 2, students may wear their Life Runner t-shirts on the first Wednesday of the month, with uniform bottoms.

Chase Smith, middle, measures Jaxson Brunsing's arm during a problem-solving activity for Chase's Anatomy and Physiology class. Also pictured is Cody Hass (seated).

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.

Northeast Community College, West Point campus, is offering a Driver's Education Class during October. Classes will be held on Saturdays or Sundays. Download the entry form below for more information.

Student-designed cartoons are back! This week's funny was created by Emma Cohee.

• Digital Solutions of Norfolk will provide proofs with online ordering code via email prior to ordering. There is an opportunity to do a retake if you are not satisfied.
• ALL ORDERS must be completed online through Digital Solutions.
• Order DUE DATE will be listed on your proof.
• You can order for ALL of your children on the same online order (Preschool - 12).
• Family Plan: The family plan no longer exists. However, families can request a hardship by speaking with Celina Hall at Digital Solutions.
• Photo re-take day is October 29.
• Please contact Digital Solutions directly with questions at 402-844-0004.

GACC has moved to a new text and email notification system called Flocknote for the 2024-2025 school year. It has replaced the School Beacon (2Hoots Message). Students are already signed up, but parents, grandparents and extended family will need to sign up for Flocknote notifications. If you have not signed up for Flocknote, please click the link below for information on how to sign up.

Looking for a couple creative, fun, caring high school students to work at St. Paul's After School Care program. Please contact Mrs. Quick at 402-372-2355.

Parents - Please click on the links below to sign up to take admission for one or more of the home games. Your help is greatly appreciated!

There are extra 2023-2024 yearbooks for sale. The cost is $65. See Mrs. Thoene if you would like to purchase one.

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).

• Tuesday, September 17, 2024

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024

• Thursday, November 21, 2024

• Tuesday, February 20, 2025

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025

• Thursday, April 1, 2025

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.

** Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 **

9:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

**Hawk Visit Day - Applied Technology Focus **

This Hawk Visit Day will focus on the Applied Technology programs with lab tours led by faculty and current students. Limited space available.

Sept. 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The UNK Health Careers Fair, one of the largest at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, will be an exceptional event for high school students to discover career possibilities in healthcare and the opportunities at UNK. It’s FREE, so plan ahead and mark your calendar!

Click the link 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.

September

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

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

18 Spanish Webinar: Financial Aid Program at 6:30 p.m.

20 Webinar: Financial Aid Program at 1 p.m.

23 Spanish Webinar: Financial Aid Program at 6:30 p.m.

25 YouTube Livestream: Your Senior To-Do List at 7 p.m.

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

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.

Application Fee Waiver Aug. 1–Nov.1

The 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 November 1 will be notified of their scholarship awards on February 12. Encourage your rising seniors to consider applying to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for Fall 2025! They have the option to apply to all three of the Universities through the one application. If they want to go to UNK, the code is "Lopers." UNO hasn't given out a code yet.

Nebraska Universities are test-optional for admission and test-preferred for full scholarship consideration. I encourage students to take the ACT/SAT and submit their test score to maximize their scholarship consideration. Without an ACT, odds are against receiving a Presidents or Regents Scholarship.

Please click the link below for important technology information for parents and students.

Learning and Leading Through Christ

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