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The Defender
September 15, 2023
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear St. Michael Families,
Thank you for your support of our Education in Virtue lessons. We have received great feedback about family discussions related to the virtues being taught at school and supported at home. Many families are reporting that the virtue discussion assignments are wonderful dinner conversation.
This week, we have been learning about, discussing, and practicing the virtue of self-control. Self-control is defined as joyful mastery over one’s passions and desires.
Self-control looks like raising my hand before I speak in class, keeping my hands and feet to myself, and limiting the amount of time I spend on electronics.
Self-control sounds like silence or kindness, not talking back, not saying unkind things about others, or not blurting out in class.
We will continue to build upon the virtues we’ve discussed previously: justice, respect, and temperance. As we build our arsenal of virtue, please be assured of our prayers for our families as you build the same at home in the Domestic Church.
Speaking of that, please mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 26 at 6:30 in the school cafeteria! Sr. Lucia will present an introduction to her series of parent formation meetings. The fourth Tuesday of each month, Sr. Lucia will work with parents to tackle topics of interest to help parents navigate parenting in 2023. Her first meeting will lay the foundation for defining the Domestic Church and the importance of parents as first and most important teachers of their children.
Each session is its own topic, and all parents are welcome. We ask that this be a parent-only night so that our parents can enjoy the fellowship and formation for themselves!
Thank you for engaging in our school community! It is through our partnership that we will lead our children to say YES to Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus, help me to grow in virtue. Help me to remember that practicing respect and self- control is pleasing to you. It is in respecting others and controlling my desires that I can really learn to desire You more. May my actions and desires be pleasing to you, Jesus! Amen
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Calendar Update - School is in session September 18
Please note that the calendar from last May was a draft and was updated over the summer.
SMA is in school on September 18! Please plan to send your children to school that day for an awesome day of learning!
Sept. 29 - All School Lunch-Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
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.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Mathletics Information Grades 3-8
Veterans Day Celebration
Veterans Mass & Reception
Friday, November 10, 2023
8:15 AM Mass, reception following
Students are welcome to invite a family member, friend or neighbor to Mass and the reception; to honor those who served/serve our country.
Questions: Beth Hintz hintz0612@aol.com
VSL Update
Fun First Friday – October 6
The sign-up list is available for the October 6th Fun First Friday! Fun Fridays are now celebrated only on the FIRST Friday of the month, but there are 4 slots available to honor our teachers and staff! The October Fun First Friday 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.
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
Staff Appreciation
Please click here if you would like to help with a Teacher Appreciation on September 29,
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!