What is Catholic education all about? Why do our families sacrifice their treasure and time fundraising to ensure that their children attend St. Louis Catholic School? We believe the answer is Christ is here! He is ever present in all we do. He is at the car door every morning to say welcome. He is in the classrooms and in the hallways. He is encouraging students to make good decisions while they work and play. He often speaks to our children through Fr. Jolly and our associate pastors at Mass and His true presence in the Eucharist provides our sweet children the grace that they need to overcome evil and become moral and ethical citizens.

This year the administration, faculty, and staff are working diligently to achieve STEM Certification through AdvancED. Our faculty voted three years ago to include more project based learning using the engineering model of problem solving that involves all subjects across the curriculum . We know our students will be more engaged and better prepared for their future careers because of our efforts. Over the past three years, all SLS teachers attended professional development on incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math across the curriculum. We are now ready to invite an AdvancED observation team into our school this spring to certify that we are committed to this style of learning and will continuously work to meet the AdvancED standard and

Teachers took Deacon Jeff’s message to heart. This year, faculty members are making a special effort to be involved in parish AND school events. We know that no one can do it all, but everyone can do something. Teachers have been participating in the Divine Renovation book study, Feed My Flock, Ignite meetings, Men’s Club events, Children’s Masses, as well as Home & School meetings and events.

There are many opportunities for spiritual growth on our church and school campus and teachers hope their involvement will encourage others to join them. The Wednesday Wire and church bulletin include church and school opportunities and announcements in an effort to get the word out about all that St. Louis has to offer.

At the heart of teachers’ renewed efforts to be involved in parish activities is the desire to carry out our school mission. Parents and teachers must work as a team to prepare our children for life as disciples of Christ. It isn’t easy, but we are grateful that St. Louis Catholic Church leaders are working to provide tools to help us along the way. If you haven’t gotten involved in our church community, keep praying and watching for opportunities.

There are many opportunities for parents to visit our campus and get involved in their children’s education. (The Early Childhood Center hosted Donuts with Dad in September, parents can sign up to work in the cafeteria during lunch, parents are invited to read in their children’s classrooms… the list goes on and on.) At St. Louis, we are fortunate to have so many parents willing to share their time and talent. With so many opportunities at a small school like ours, it’s easy for everyone to know everyone (and easy to forget what it’s like to be a newcomer!) This year, parents are organizing and co-hosting Parent Parties for each grade so that parents can get to know each other and our pastor, Fr. Jolly. Since we are all so busy, it’s important to facilitate fellowship among our family members. We know from experience, that relationships among parents are vital to providing a loving, safe environment for our children. We are grateful to those who are hosting and attending these parties so that we can continue the SLS tradition of having a strong community in which to raise our kids.

This year, Fr. Jolly invited all students in grades 3– 8 to a private “teaching” Mass. Students are able to stand on the altar alongside our pastor as he celebrates the entire Mass, and explains what he is doing and why. Students will gain a better understanding of the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. More importantly, we hope they will understand what a miracle it is to participate in the Last Supper with Jesus and all the saints every time they go to Mass!

4th Grade: Grayson Goodwin, Margaret Hayden, Katherine Kovacs, Christopher Waggoner, Claire Wetick, Anna Wilson

5th Grade: Iris Bird, Maria Brown, Emma Caesar, Hollis Coleman, Andrew Denegri, Eme Donaldson, Claudia Durante, William Fruechtenicht, Emma Goughnour, Henry Hyle, Keaton Jackson, Hallie McBride, Alex Perrone, Matthew Price, Briley Quarles, Mia Ralph, Alice Rehrig, Evelyn Rehrig, Madilyn Sutherland, Riley Tull, Drew Van Epps, Lilliana Vescovo, Mary Waggoner, Ethan Wildman

6th Grade: George Booth, Nate Brownlee, Joey Drouillard, Will Edwards, Emma Grusin, Caroline Hubbard, Reed Johnston, Madeline Mitchell, Reed Shupe, Beckett Sudbury, Josh Tancrell, Grove Thompson, John Zweig

7th Grade: Cullen Brummer, Thomas Cassat, Caroline Gibert, John Goodwin, Campbell Gossett, Sofie Herbstrith, Mark Koch, Christian Novarese, Abby Wood

8th Grade: Will Brownlee, Lindsey Crossnine, Alex Johnston, Abby Johnston, Hana Roberts, Katie Skinner, Kaitlin Smith, Anna Kate Wade, Ben Wills

4th Grade: Christopher Brown, Olivia Candiotto, Mitch Davenport, Jake Disalvo, John Fox, Sam Goodwin, Luke Gossett, Peter Hager, Jameson Kee, Andrew Keys, Graham Marcantel, Matthew Mitchell, Abigail Moore, Ryan Naguib, Chace Pratt, Taylor Reeb, Paulina Soefker, Gray Stakem, Kate Tancrell, Mia Thomas, James Thompson, Casey Van Epps, Mimi Wood

5th Grade: Ellie Bender, Will Brick, Andrew Brimm, Elliott Cary, Anna Fox, Abby Griffith, Louis Hendricks, Harrison Herbstrith, Lucy Huffman, Coen Jackson, Elizabeth Lutts, McNeil Madden, Julianna Meadows- Jackson, Elliott Sweeney, McEwen Taylor

6th Grade: Bryce Beyer, Garrett Brown, Griffin Bryant, John Candiotto, Macie Carr, Caroline Cassat, Luke Cestaro, Ella Colvett, Elise Durante, Julia Ebelhar, Sam Fitschen, Parker Goodwin, Thomas Hayden, Vince Koch, Susanna Lyons, Madeline Marcantel, Lilly Martin, Jack McBee, Siya Patel, Mary Ann Pesce, Abby Price, Claire Rains, Matthew Richardson, Audrey Simmons, Alexander Taras, Ava Thomas

7th Grade: Lulu Baker, Emma Berry, Hill Canale, Elizabeth Chism, Ayden Coon, Luke Goldsmith, Griffin Herring, Stephen Hudson, Cash Johnson, Lila Outlan, Will Perrone, Nicholas Pesce, Hunter Reeb, Robert Senter, Jagger Sudbury, Peter Wilson

8th Grade: Nicolai Buchignani, Savannah Cook, Zach Davenport, Jacob Goughnour, Anne Grimes, Mary Grimes, Lindi Hathaway, Henry Heinz, Baylor Hill, McKinley Kee, Gracie Leo, Trenton Lyons, Emma Pratt, Mauricio Rentas, Connor Stevens, Ava Trainor, Andre Valdes, Ava Wendt, Ava Whidden, Cooper Williams, Ava Witmer, Audrey Zweig