AGW 11/17/2023

Written By Laura Gnorski

“Another Great Week” Newsletter from Principal Ferguson

Dear Lancer Families,

I have a Daily Devotional Book called Jesus’ Calling by Sarah Young.  The devotional reads as if God is speaking directly to the reader.  Here is an excerpt from one of the readings in November that is very fitting for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday..."Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is a language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me.  A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems.  Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations.  I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proven help, in times of trouble..."  

Another excerpt I found fitting is from Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd… “As you sit quietly in My Presence, let me fill your heart and mind with thankfulness. This is the most direct way to achieve a thankful stance. If your mind needs a focal point, gaze at My Love poured out to you on the cross. Remember that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from that Love. This remembrance builds a foundation of gratitude in you, a foundation that circumstances cannot shake.  As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.”

We wish you all a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.  Remember, TIME is one of the only things you can’t get back in life, so please enjoy the next week off from school surrounded by friends and family!

Adam Ferguson

Principal, St. Michael Parish School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Fun Food Fridays – ORDER 2 is LIVE!

    Available for Kindergarten – 8th Grade Only

    The order covers January - May. Ordering closes on Friday December 1, 2023

    In 2023-24, the St. Michael Parent Organization will offer the Fun Food Friday (optional) lunch program with lunches available from Augustino’s, Culver’s, McDonald’s, Jimmy John’s and during Lent, cheese pizza. Fun Food Friday is available from August through May. The ordering & payments are split into 2 times a year. Lunches include the choice of entrée, chips and a Rice Krispies Treat. (No dessert during Lent.)

    You do not need to order from every vendor. Pick and choose which vendors to order from and send a lunch with your child for the Fridays when they do not have an order.

    To Place an Order:

    1. Please complete and submit the Google form included in this email. https://forms.gle/zFmCXu1uhNhjMpD57

    2. Payment will be processed by using the SMPO PayPal QR code at the end of the google form. We will also accept checks payable to SMPO. Remember write FFF in memo line of check.

    Thank you! ALL payments are DUE by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13TH.

    3. QR code tips: Download the PayPal app (free). Scan QR Code in the FFF order form. If you have a PayPal account or have paid with credit card as a guest in the past, your account should popup when you login. Enter the amount due. Type your NAME + FFF in the "notes". This option charges the lowest fees for PayPal and is the reason we are offering this new payment choice.

    Attachments: We have included the FFF calendar & pricing to review & print for your home calendars.

    Questions? Contact Stephanie Emmons at stephanie.emmons78@gmail.com

    St. Michael Parent Organization

    smpopresident@gmail.com

  • Dear Current St. Michael Families,

    Re-Enrollment season is upon us for Current Families. We are excited to welcome your family back next year! Our re-enrollment processes have changed with the implementation of the new FACTS system, which now includes a universal, Diocesan-wide process. Please read below for details for Re-Enrollment requirements for Current Families, and complete whichever set(s) of steps applies to your family. Thank you!

    If you have a RETURNING student who will be a Preschooler or Kindergartener for next year*:

    Open Now: Please fill out this P/K Preference Form for each 2024-2025 Preschool or Kindergarten student [due by December 15 at the latest].

    [Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTS Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]

    If you have a NEW student to enroll for next year:

    Open Now: Enter your NEW student through this FACTS application (the system will “recognize” your login and current student(s). You only need to add your NEW student) [due by December 15 at the latest].

    Open Now: If your NEW student is entering Preschool or Kindergarten, please fill out this P/K Preference Form[due by December 15 at the latest]. If your NEW student is not entering P or K, please skip this step.

    [Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTs Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]

    If you have NO new students and NO Preschooler or Kindergartener for 2024-2025, and your returning student(s) is in Grades 1-8*:

    There are no Re-Enrollment requirements due at this time.

    [Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTS Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]

    Please know that currently enrolled families have priority for enrollment. This means:

    A spot for your current St. Michael student(s) is “held” for next year.

    Current Families’ preferences and New Student entries will be placed/prioritized before any New Family applications are processed (which begins Dec 15, so please, please let us know of any new family members enrolling and your P/K preferences by that deadline, after which we may not be able to accommodate).

    Current Families do not need to “reapply” for returning students, but only have to complete the Enrollment Packet which will be sent in Jan 2024.

    We look forward to another great year! If you have questions about re-enrollment, please email or call me (630-462-5009).

    Thank you!

    Laura Gnorski

    *Families who do not plan to have a student(s) return for 2024-2025, please contact Mr. Ferguson to let him know your intent by December 15. Thank you.

  • Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa’s Secret Shop is returning to St. Mikes!

    Children in kindergarten - 5th grade are invited to participate in the upcoming “Santa’s Secret Shop” on Friday, December 8th during the school day. There will be a large variety of gifts in different price ranges to choose from. Parent volunteers will help the children pick that perfect gift for the price they want. Imagine the fun the kids will have surprising a loved one with a “secret” gift they bought all by themselves! Please keep in mind that each class will have 20 minutes to shop, purchase, and have their gifts wrapped.

    A “money control” envelope will be sent home so you can help them decide who they should buy gifts for and how much they should spend. You can even suggest ways that your child can earn extra money. Look for the envelope on Thursday Nov. 30 and make some room at home for that #1 parent mug or other heartfelt gift from your child.

    NEW THIS YEAR: A credit card option in addition to cash or check! You may go onto the website www.funhgs.com and pay ahead. Any balance will be returned in cash, not locked into an account for future use. If you choose this option, please put your auth code onto your child's envelope as well as the amount prepaid, and be mindful the purchased amount does not include their service fee.

    If you are interested in browsing the inventory for this year's workshop, please scan the QR code below to view items and prices.

    This event creates wonderful memories for the children while teaching them to budget their money and make their own decisions. Any questions? Contact one of the committee elves.

    Thank you!

    Santa’s Secret Workshop Committee

    Cheryl Cassidy, Jackey Kerger, and Kristin Springer

  • Looking for a way to give this holiday season? There are still about 50 names on the giving trees in the church narthex!

    Just take an ornament off the tree, sign out the ornament in the book on the table, and take an envelope with the corresponding number with labels inside. Return gift(s) unwrapped, with labels affixed any of the next weekends, all due by November 26.

    Instructions are on sheets by the tree for returning gifts! Thank you for your generosity!

  • This #GivingTuesday our Student Council will host a school-wide #GiveBack! Classes will adopt a project to serve others and give back to the community!

    Are you looking for a way to give on #GivingTuesday? Consider a gift to the Annual Fund to fill the budget gap! Thank you for your support!

  • Donuts With Santa

    Saturday, December 2nd

    9:00 AM - 12PM

    St. Michael School Cafeteria

    (Lower Level)

    Santa will be available for a photo, as well as donuts, crafts, games and fun! Reserve your spot today! Tickets are $10 per family.

    Ticket sales will close 11/30 for the final donut count.

    Please join us as Santa visits St. Mike’s. See you there!

    Click to Buy Tickets!

    Click here to Volunteer

  • Click to view flyer!

    The St. Michael's Women's Faith Group invites all women of the parish and school community to join us for our annual Advent by Candlelight on Sunday, December 3rd at St. Michael Church narthex to enjoy some fellowship, a motivational speaker, and a catered meal.

    Doors will open at 5:00 to decorate your tables, and the speaker will begin at 6:00. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

    You can register using the QR code on the flyer or by going to the parish website at St. Michael Catholic Church. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Cespedes at lisacespedes@yahoo.com.

    Click to view!

  • Tuition Raffle tickets are ON SALE NOW through the Blue & Gold Gala site. Get them while you still can!!!

  • Join us for the event of the year…The annual Blue & Gold Gala!

    Click for invite, details, TICKETS, & open tuition raffle!

CALENDAR

COMMUNITY POSTS

Check out the 2023 Gala Recap 👇 to learn more…whether it’s your 1st or 21st Gala, we hope to see you there!

Find “new” announcements for this week by looking for the *

The AGW is an internal newsletter only available to St. Michael families. It may not be redistributed in any manner without permission.

Laura Gnorski
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AGW 11/10/2023