HALO NOTES

We’ve had a great start to the school year, and incredible things are happening at SLCHS. Our STEM initiative is thriving with the addition of two courses, AP Computer Science Principles and Introduction to Engineering Design. This exciting program enhances students’ technical skills while cultivating teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership qualities. We’re in our second year of our college application and exploration system, Scoir, and students are taking advantage of all its great features. Students are reading for pleasure more than ever, and we are challenging them to read one million words again this year.

As we approach the midpoint of the quarter, progress reports will be emailed tomorrow. Students should be checking their weekly agendas on Teams and grades in FACTS frequently. Whenever a student begins to experience academic difficulty or has an issue in a specific course, they should contact their teacher immediately. If the issue is not resolved, the Department Chair should be contacted before reaching out to Administration.

SLCHS is offering a series of three prep classes for the school day PSAT on Friday, October 18. This engaging learning experience is open to Sophomores & Juniors, regardless of their current test scores and grades. If your student is interested in participating in this free workshop, please sign up here. The PSAT is a great opportunity for our students to practice for the SAT and potentially qualify for National Merit Scholarships.

Many students are taking advantage of our weekly free study hall where they can complete homework, study, make up tests, or work on projects with the support of our faculty. Teachers are also available for one-on-one support during their office hours.

We hope that your students have been enjoying their classes. We believe in providing our students with a well-rounded education that equips them with the necessary skills for their future success while igniting their curiosity, developing their problem-solving abilities, and fostering their creativity in an environment centered on our faith. We look forward to another successful year as our Saints continue their pursuit of excellence in and out of the classroom.

Students that get picked up at carline will be supervised until 3:30 by St. Louis Catholic Faculty, but if students are still on campus waiting on their ride, they will be walked down to the front office to be picked up there. Every effort should be made to pick up your child by 3:30. If there is an emergency or unusual circumstance, please notify the office of the late pickup. The administration will make contact with families who are having difficulty with dismissal times to see how support is needed.

Also, students are not allowed in a school building after school unless they are with one of their teachers and/or coaches for a school-related purpose.

It's never too early to start planning ahead for next year! Please see our Admissions Timeline in preparation for the 2025-2026 school year. Detailed information will be announced for each item as we get closer to date. For questions please contact Fara McKinley '90, Director of Admissions, at 337-436-7275

Mark your calendars for the 2024 edition of the Russell Stutes Memorial Golf Tournament. This year’s event will be a part of Homecoming week and be played on Saturday, September 28 at Contraband Bayou GC.

Complete these steps to set up your FACTS account to view grades. The parent AND the student will each need to create an account. Please email Mrs. LeJeune with any issues.

Whenever a student begins to experience academic difficulty in a specific course, he/she should contact his/her teacher immediately to request extra help. Teachers may also request with a 24- hour notice that certain students report to the teacher for extra help either before school, at lunch, or after school. Such a request takes precedence over all other activities. At times, the counselor may also contact a student concerning a need for extra help. St. Louis Catholic High School offers weekly Academic Study Hall throughout the school year, free of charge for any student, regardless of grades.

It is essential that our students understand plagiarism and its repercussions to support the growth of their writing and research skills. During the first week of classes, our English teachers spent time discussing plagiarism and emphasized the value of originality and integrity in their work. We are giving our students vital skills that will help them throughout their academic careers by teaching them how to properly cite sources and encouraging them to develop their own writing voice. Click here to review the Academic Integrity Policy and Plagiarism Contract in the SLCHS Parent- Student Handbook.

SLCHS is offering a workshop for the school day PSAT on Friday, October 18. This engaging learning experience is open to Sophomores & Juniors, regardless of their current test scores and grades.

Our teachers will implement high-quality lessons which will help students improve their PSAT score, work to achieve mastery in core subjects, provide acceleration, maintenance, or extension of academic skills in order to support a stronger academic performance for the future.

Sessions will be from 3:15 - 4:45 on the following Tuesdays: October 1, 8, 15

If your student is interested in participating in this free workshop, please sign up here.

What is it and why should I care about it?

Cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)—often shortened to PSAT—is a standardized test targeting 10th and 11th graders in the US. Every year, approximately 3.5 million students take the PSAT test at various high schools.

As it stands, the PSAT is heavily connected to the SAT. One of the test's primary purposes is to act as a precursor to the SAT, and for many students, it is also their first exposure to any college admissions exam. Students will get practice on what to expect of a real college admissions exam testing experience.

The PSAT is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. PSAT scores determine students' eligibility for National Merit scholarships, and each year the top 1% of 11th-grade PSAT takers become Semifinalists. Semifinalists receive national recognition which often lead to scholarship opportunities from various universities.

How can my student prepare?

Through our English & Math classes, our students have been completing test practice questions. There is also an official PSAT Student Guide that offers students insights and practice questions.

Seniors... did you know that you need a minimum of ONE recommendation letter to apply to LSU? Do you know how to request those letters of recommendations on Scoir? If not, please attend the student lunch and learn next Thursday, September 19 in the library.

SWIMSATIONAL way to open our season at the Barbe Invitational! 2nd OVERALL, 2nd place BOYS, 3rd place GIRLS & 9 STATE CUTS.

CONGRATS to: Junior, Cora Diedrich (2 cuts - 200 Free & 100 Breast), Junior, Andrew Findley (2 cuts - 500 Free & 100 Free), Junior, Jackson Melerine (1 cut - 100 Breast), Junior, AJ Schlang (2 cuts - 200 IM & 100 Fly) & Sophomore, Luca Genius (2 cuts - 200 IM & 100 Breast) !!!

The following swimmers put points up for the team to take 2nd place: Cora Diedrich (34), AJ Schlang (33), Madeline Edwards (32), Gabrielle McKinley (32),Luca Genius (31), Noah Katoch (29), Sam Chung (27), Alex Richards (26), Kaleb Katoch (25), Andrew Findley (23), Finn O'Neal (18), Keelan McCall (17), Maggie Zimmerman (9) & Logan Biven (3)

Our 2nd meet of the season, Sulphur Relay Meet, is Thursday, September 12th at SPAR (933 W Parish Road) in Sulphur.

The Saints return to the gridiron on Saturday when they host Bunkie at noon at Matt Walker Stadium. The gae was originally scheduled to be played tonight, but both schools missed time due to Hurricane Francine. It will be the seventh meeting all-time between the schools. Each team has won three of the previous matchups.

The girls and boys cross country teams opened the 2024 season last Saturday at the Ascension Relay. The boys team, consisting of seniors Jonah Austin and Deacon Stantz, junior Trip Tadlock and freshman Jimmy Broussard took first place in the event.

Volleyball returns to the court today when they travel to Sulphur for a non-district match against the Tors. Varsity play begins at 6 p.m. The Saints will also compete this weekend at Barbe’s tournament, taking on Westminster Academy on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Lafayette Christian at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The team also will travel to take on ESA in Youngsville on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The Saints went 2-1 in the Northwood tournament in Shreveport last weekend, defeating Neville and Captain Shreve.

Congratulations to Parker Anderson (senior) and Emma Foret (sophomore) for being selected to represent SLCHS at the 2024 Cal-Cam beauty pageant.

The Cal-Cam Fair is a fall tradition in Sulphur, Louisiana that takes place at the West Cal Arena & Events Center on October 3-6 this year. Each school across Calcasieu and Cameron parishes are invited to send representatives in each division to participate in the fair's annual pageant. Contestants will undergo an interview process prior to competing in an evening gown portion against other high school girls in SWLA. Scores from both will be considered when selecting an overall fair queen. Good luck to our Lady Saints!

Mu Alpha Theta application deadline has been extended to tomorrow, Friday, September 13th, for new and existing members. Bring your lunch to our first official meeting this next Monday, September 16th in Mrs. Ezell's room 22. Thinking about an officer role? Be sure to check Teams and attend this next meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Ezell.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first Saints Robotics Team at St. Louis Catholic High School. This program aims to inspire and engage students in the world of robotics, technology, and engineering through hands-on learning and teamwork.

Are you interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity? Whether you’re a student eager to dive into the world of robotics, a parent interested in how your child can get involved, or even a sponsor for our team(s) we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Students: Join one of our Robotics Team(s) and get ready to explore the fascinating world of robotics, coding, and engineering. No prior experience is needed—just a passion for learning and a willingness to innovate.
• Parents: Support your child’s interest in robotics and find out more about how they can participate in this enriching program. We welcome your involvement and enthusiasm.
  
  

To learn more about the Robotics Teams, upcoming meetings, and how to sign up or get involved as a mentor or sponsor, please contact us at Laura Ezell or stop by room 22. The season officially starts September 21st. Check out this year's competition at VEX V5 24 - 25 Competition - High Stakes.

If you are interested in your student taking a robotics class in the future, St. Louis offers that class too. Please contact Laurie McNally for more details.

• The Student 16 and older may donate with a parent's permission & must contact mlejeune@slchs.org for an appointment time and permission form.
• Parents are welcome to donate. Please email mlejeune@slchs.org for an available appointment slot.

September is Suicide Prevention Month, with September 8th-14th being National Suicide Prevention Week and September 14th being World Suicide Prevention Day. We would love to have any faculty/staff sign up to join our SCHS Team for the SWLA Out of the Darkness Walk on September 14.

Students Sign up Here

Parents Sign up Here

Here are other ways that you can hep all month and beyond (all provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention):

View and share Resources

Educate yourself and others on how to have a #RealConvo

Learn and share Risk Factors and Warning Signs of suicide

Share how we can all support Diverse Communities

Support the orange & blue with a "Proud to be a Saint" yard sign! Signs are $20 each, and proceeds benefit the Saints Ambassadors. Contact Fara McKinley to purchase.

Members: If you have not already, please see Mrs. Lavine to pick up hamburger tickets for our annual homecoming week fundraiser. Tickets are due September 16th and pickup during the homecoming parade on September 25th. Thank you all for the assistance in our fundraising activities!

Please contact Jill Mahoney or call 346-400-3019 to make an appointment for senior pictures and for retakes.

St. Louis Catholic will celebrate Homecoming the week of 9/25 - 9/30 . Students are allowed to bring dates from other schools to Homecoming, and forms are available in the front office for guests to have their school administrator to sign off on.

• The Homecoming Dance will be from 8 pm to 11 pm on Friday, September 27th in the school's pavilion. Students must arrive by 9 pm and will not be allowed to leave until after Homecoming Court is presented.

• Homecoming Dance tickets will go on sale Monday, September 16 for $25 each.
• Homecoming Shirts (designed by our one and only Mr. Austin) are on pre-sale now!! Click on the design for the digital order form, secure your size, and charge your FACTS account. Cash purchases may be made after school and during lunch on Tuesday, September 24th.

$25 - 1 Homecoming Dance ticket

$25 - 1 Homecoming Dance t-shirt

Girls' Dress Code:

• Skirt length must be longer than fingertips at a natural standing position.
• Dresses may be backless, but no lower than waist level.
• Plunging necklines are prohibited - cleavage should not be revealed.
• Sheer, see-through, and/or skin-toned fabric that gives the illusion of bare skin is not accepted in the chest, back, or midriff area(s).
• No two-piece dresses nor cut outs that reveal the midriff area.

Those of you interested in attending this next year's March for Life: Please CLICK HERE for the information packet.

March for Life is a wonderful opportunity to witness community at its best, and for many, this is a life changing experience. Fundraising opportunities will be available leading up to the trip, so please don't let financial concerns keep you for registering! Here is a link from the March for Life website that can help give you a glimpse as to what its like. Let us know if you have any questions.

God bless,

Blaine Wyninger

Assistant Principal

Dean of Student Life

There are many ways to get involved in St. Louis Catholic High School’s Parent Guild. Please consider donating your time, talent or treasure to help make our Saints the best they can be! A member of the Parent Guild Board will contact you with specifics at a later date and time.

Interested in joining the Parent Guild? Parent Guild will meet Wednesday, September 18 at 8 AM in the pavilion. Please remember to sign-in at the front office upon arrival!

Parents interested in participating should reach out to Gretchen Jester or Jennifer Tassin.

Do you have your membership secured with the Alumni Association? CLICK HERE to join us and make sure you have access to all things Saints Homecoming in September. See membership details above.

Can't find the most recent email with the current edition of Halo Notes? Halo Notes can be accessed anytime on our website!

On the home page, click on "News" at the top of the page and you will see the link to Halo Notes. We also keep previous editions on file for your convenience. This way you can always access everything St. Louis Catholic!

OUR FOUR PILLARS:

Wonder - Identity - Community - Service

Email: saintsmail@slchs.org
Website: www.slchs.org
Location: 1620 Bank Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-436-7275
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slchssaints
Twitter: @slchs_saints