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The Defender
September 8, 2023
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear St. Michael Families,
Each year, Labor Day tends to signal the true start of school and family routines. We’re all a little more used to getting up early each morning and after school routines return to our homes…snacks, homework, dinner, and bedtime routines. I welcome this time of year to get myself and my household back into “order.”
This week we began the study of temperance. Temperance is a cardinal virtue and is a virtue of balance and brings order into our lives. Temperance looks like stopping after one dessert. It looks like spending only 10 minutes on social media or gaming a day. It sounds like, “No thank you. I’ve had enough.” Intemperance can dull our senses. Temperance is not oppressive or limiting; rather, it is freeing. If we are temperate, then we are not attached to or enslaved by the things of this world. Instead, we can be attached to the one thing necessary: Jesus Christ.
Another part of our study of virtue this year is our expansion of our Christ’s Light Award. In the past, this award has been given to one student per grade level per month who exhibits the four Cardinal Virtues. As we make our study of virtue an integrated part of our culture at St. Michael the Archangel, it is important to us that we recognize many students who practice virtuous behavior. We will be recognizing more students each month during our all-school Mass and will focus on the virtue(s) being taught and modeled during that month.
Recognizing students for virtuous behavior is good for our students, good for our school community, and good for our families. Developing a strong, grounded, positive self-esteem comes from honest, loving feedback like that we hope to provide through Christ's Light.
Thank you for supporting the Education in Virtue program in your homes and in your families. Watch for assignments each week to support the work we’re doing at school.
I hope you’ll mark your calendar for September 26! This is the first night of our 9-month series for parent formation, “Building the Domestic Church.” Sr. Lucia, our campus minister, is leading these sessions with the full support of our school and parish team. We will have a session on the fourth Tuesday of every month and will present on topics from your input. Please see the box below where you can click on a link to provide your feedback on topics of interest. There’s no sign-up or obligation to come every month, but you’re going to want to be there! It’s a great way to engage in parent formation and to engage with our parent community in a positive way.
Thank you for your love and support.
Dear Jesus, there are so many good things in our lives. But when we get things out of order, we become trapped instead of being free to enjoy things rightly. Help us to be free to recognize that You are the highest good in our lives. and help us to pursue You with all our hearts. We love You, Jesus!
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Empowering God’s Children
We will be presenting the Archdiocese required Empowering God's Children program this September and October. This touching safety program is designed to help provide children with the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might cause them harm. For further information please click the link to the Empowering God's Children page below. If you determine that you do not want your children to participate in this program, please print and sign the Opt-out form provided on the Saint Michael's website and return it no later than September 15th.
Parent Formation - Building the Domestic Church
We are excited to invite you to our St. Michael the Archangel “Building the Domestic Church” parent formation sessions taking place every fourth Tuesday of the month beginning on Tuesday, September 26 at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in attending the sessions, please click here to fill out the form and provide input for topics of interest.
Birthday/Class Party Treats/Cafeteria Guidelines
**If you are bringing your child a special event lunch (ie: fast food) please DO NOT include a soda. We do not allow students to bring soda with any lunch. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining this policy. (page 28 of the Handbook)
Make Sure You're Signed Up for Text Alerts
Families are not automatically opted in. In order to receive the texts, you must opt in by texting "Yes" to 67587.
Sept. 29 - The Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Mathletics Information Grades 3-8
VSL Update
Presidential Service Award:
For the past several years, St. Michael the Archangel School has participated in the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. The award recognizes US citizens who have achieved minimum hours of service over a 12-month period. For St. Michael the Archangel School, this period is from April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024. It is an amazingly simple process - just keep track of service hours. Forms can be found on the SMA website. Hours must be submitted to the front office by MONDAY, April 3, 2024. If you have any questions, email Megan Morris.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:1
Also, we may want to repeat these submissions from last week (below), although a lot of slots have filled! We still need:
- Room parents for two classes of the 5th grade (although 8th grade is filled).
- Social chairs for 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th grades
- Yearbook photographer for the 6th grade (all others are filled)
- Several teachers with no volunteers for Fun Friday
I’ve adjusted the wording below to reflect the current status.
Room Parents & Social Chairs Needed
We still need ROOM PARENTS for Ms. Strawhecker (5th) and Mrs. Baron’s (5th) class. Help with communication between teacher and parents and help organize events for the class throughout the year. We also need and SOCIAL CHAIRS in 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th grades. Sign up here.
Yearbook Photographer Needed
There is still a 6th grade slot open for yearbook photographer. Take fun photos of your child's class to go in the yearbook. Click here!
Linda Hopfinger Garden Volunteer
Do you love to garden? We are looking for volunteers to help make the Linda Hopfinger Garden in the courtyard beautiful throughout the year. Would be great for a group of friends or CHRP team! Reach out to Molly or Margo in the front office for more information.
Fun Fridays
Fun Fridays are now celebrated only on the FIRST Friday of the month but there are 4 slots available! The sign-up list available now is ONLY for the September 1st Fun Friday. There will be 3 opportunities in the fall and 3 in the spring and we will share the monthly sign up in the weeks leading up. The September sign up is listed here. Remember each homeroom teacher has an assigned support staff and it’s great to acknowledge their hard work as well. Staff favorite things are listed here.
2023-2024 Sign Up Link
Dennis Uniform
August Discount Code-23FACAGISM
SMA School Activities
Parish News
ALTAR SERVER TRAINING
Altar Servers assist the priest at Mass and carry cross, candles, and incense in procession. Training is open to both boys and girls in 5th grade and above.
Each server is assigned to a team that serves on a rotating schedule, the same Sunday of the month at the same Mass,(e.g., the 9 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of each month). It is possible to make trades in order to accommodate scheduling conflicts, but it is important that servers be available to commit to a team.
New Server Training is Sunday, September 24, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Church. Please register to participate. A parent is asked to accompany each child to the training.
The Parish Picnic is Saturday, September 30. Mass is at 4 p.m. and the picnic is from 5-7 p.m. For this event to be a success, we need your help. We need adult volunteers, youth volunteers, and soda donations for one of our games. Please sign up and help make this our best picnic yet!