Letter From
the Principal
Dear St. Louis Friends and Families,
So many great things are happening here at St. Louis Catholic School. Every teacher here at St. Louis is dedicated to helping each student meet their full potential spiritually, academically, and physically. We are so proud of our students as they achieve Honor Roll, work on service projects, create artistically, musically, technologically, or discover their voice in their writing. The joy that permeates the faces of our students as they achieve and discover their own talents is what makes our faculty willing to fulfill the mission of Catholic Education.
This past weekend several teachers from our school leadership team, Mrs. Shaw, and I attended the AdvancED STEM Summit at MTSU in Murfreesboro. STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is certainly the “buzz” word in educational circles. Why are we investing so much time in learning about this way of teaching? First, according to a 2016 article by Jennie Kroeger that was posted in: Curriculum & Instruction, Importance of STEM Education in Elementary School/College of Education-FSU, she discusses how the U.S. has now fallen behind other industrialized countries in these areas. STEM teaching strategies, which are often project based, are more meaningful and engaging than traditional teaching strategies and, provide more opportunities for students to use higher order thinking skills. Also, the engineering challenges that our students experience assist in their ability to problem solve, create, innovate and develop strategies. One principle stressed in STEM education is failure in the challenge is an opportunity to grow from the experience, to look at the problem in another light, and try again; that in itself is an important life lesson. This spring a representative from AdvancED will do a readiness visit. If it is deemed that we are ready, a team of educators will visit our campus, interview
students, parents, and faculty, and observe in classes (much like what they normally do every five years for our general accreditation process), only this time they will be looking for evidence of our commitment to STEM education. This process involves much professional development, hours of planning, and an openness to consider new ways of teaching. Our dedicated faculty has made a commitment to this endeavor and we are moving full-steam ahead. Members of the faculty are working on our STEM logo, “St. Louis STEM, Rooted in Faith”. We are also blessed to have parents that are willing to share their STEM skills and opportunities. Whether it is volunteering to help teach in our Cardinal Crops Garden, create field trip opportunities for our students to see STEM in action in the workplace, or coming to volunteer time to speak or coach robotics, we are so blessed with parents who are willing to make STEM “real world” for our students.
I am so thankful for the support of all our parents, especially those who are working on the upcoming auction. I encourage all parents to buy tickets; they are now offered online at www.stlouisauction.org. I am sure it would be helpful in planning for the meal if you purchased them prior to spring break. Even if you are not sure who you will sit with at this event, the committee will place you at a table where you will make new friends and have a great time. The auction is our major fundraiser and the money that is made at this event can hugely impact the school’s budget and help to purchase the technology and supplemental materials used to insure our children have every resource needed.
Of course, faith is what brings us all together here at St. Louis. During the season of Lent, our students attend Mass twice a week and attend Stations of the Cross every Friday afternoon at 2:15. During the Stations of the Cross we pray and reflect on the great pain and sacrifice that Jesus made for us and for our salvation. We would love for parents to join us any time for Mass or Stations.
Peace and Blessings,
–Mrs. Teddi Niedzwiedz, Principal
Important Dates
Jan. 24
Geography Bee at 9am in the gym
Jump Rope for Heart at 12:45 in the gym
Jan. 28– Feb 3
Catholic Schools Week
Feb. 1
Grandparents Day 5-8 grade
Feb. 2
Grandparents Day K-4 grade
Feb. 19
President’s Day
(no school)
Feb. 21-22
6th grade Science Fair
Feb. 23
Men’s Club Fish Fry at 5:30pm in the cafeteria
Feb. 28
Talent Show tryouts after school
Mar. 2
Men’s Club Fish Fry at 5:30pm in the cafeteria
Mar. 6
Drama Performance at 9:30am and 6pm in the gym
Mar. 8
Parent/ Teacher conferences
(11:30 dismissal)
Mar. 9
End of 3rd Quarter
Mar. 12-16
Spring Break (no school)
Mar. 23
Rice Bowls to be presented at Mass
Mar. 23
Men’s Club Fish Fry at 5:30pm in the cafeteria
Open House &
Trunk or Treat
On October 29, we hosted our annual Open House and Trunk or Treat! We appreciate the student ambassadors who gave tours to our visitors, the volunteers who organized the trunk-or-treat, and all the families who attended. The students and teachers worked hard to get ready for this special day. We loved seeing the work displayed and all the costumes worn by our trunk-or-treaters.
COP
Stop
Our 2017 C.O.P. Stop had quite the turn out this year! Fire fighters, police, and other first responders joined students for lunch and let students check out their modes of transportation on the way to recess. We had horses, fire trucks, and motorcycles on campus; however, the most exciting arrival might have been the helicopter that landed on our football field! We appreciate all who dedicate their lives to protecting our community!!
Veteran’s Day Mass & Program
Our 2017 Veteran's Day Program took place on November 10 in the school gymnasium. The Student Council, led by Mrs. Ragghianti and Mrs. Mitchell, planned and executed an amazing event for our students and our honored guests! AHG Troup 2012, Boy Scout Troup 341, Cub Scout Pack 341, and the St. Benedict Concert Band also contributed to the success of the celebration. Students heard from our guest speaker, Lt. Hayes Hammond, an SLS alum who serves in the United States Marine Corps. Hayes explained that his experiences here at SLS are what ultimately led him to serve our country. The guidance and leadership of his parents and teachers led to a strong foundation in his faith and a special understanding of the importance of service to others. We are grateful to Hayes Hammond for sharing his story and inspiring our students!
More Noteworthy Moments:
- Congratulations to our Spelling Bee winner, Andre Valdes, and runner up, Nate Brownlee! The 2017 Spelling Bee was one of the longest on record. We’re so proud of all who qualified to compete by winning their class spelling bees. Andre qualified for the state finals in Nashville!
- 8th grade girls carried on the tradition of cheering for our athletes at two pep rallies during the 2nd quarter! Go Cardinals!
- On December 2, second graders made 1st Reconciliation. As is tradition, each child decorated a candle to light after their first confession.
- The 2018 Home & School Auction is on April 7 in the school gymnasium. The auction committee is busy collecting items for the online auction and planning the live event. For the first time ever, tickets can be purchased online at www.stlouisauction.org! For the latest information about the auction, like their Facebook page, “SLS 2018 Auction 80’s POP Rocks.”
- Home & School requested an out of uniform 80’s Day to promote the auction. The students and teachers had so much fun!
Cardinal Christmas
Our annual Cardinal Christmas basketball game was held on December 1. It was a fun and successful event sponsored by Student Council. Student Council raised $933 selling Cardinal Christmas basketball game raffle tickets. At the game, they presented a portion of their proceeds ($405) to Dick Hackett, Chairman of Catholic Charities, for St. Sebastian Veteran Services. Wilson Jamison, principal for the day, declared a jeans day and gave donuts to every student in the school!
Honor Roll
Highest Honors
4th Grade: Emma Caesar, Hollis Coleman, Emme Donaldson, Emma Goughnour, Henry Hyle, Briley Quarles, Madilyn Sutherland, Riley Tull, Drew Van Epps, Lilliana Vescovo, Ethan Wildman
5th Grade: Nate Brownlee, Joey Drouillard, Julia Ebelhar, Will Edwards, Emma Grusin, Caroline Hubbard, Reed Johnston, Claire Rains, Ava Thomas, John Zweig
6th Grade: Cullen Brummer, Hill Canale, Aaron Cassat, Elizabeth Chism, John Goodwin, Campbell Gossett, Sofie Herbstrith, Stephen Hudson, Mark Koch, Abby Wood
7th Grade: Will Brownlee, Lindsey Crossnine, Hana Roberts, Kaitlin Smith, Anna Kate Wade, Ava Wendt, Audrey Zweig
8th Grade: Caroline Baker, Fontana Cary, Caroline Dorian, Jake Herbison, Katie Lamm, Michael Ross, Sophie Spencer, Ginny Tavoleti, Madeline Tonole, Jacob Wildman
Honors
4th Grade: Iris Bird, Andrew Brimm, Maria Brown, Elliott Cary, Andrew Denegri, Claire Fagan, Anna Fox, William Fruechtenicht, Harrison Herbstrith, Ava Hill, Rich Hudman, Lucy Huffman, Coen Jackson, Wilson Jamison, Corbin Kirkland, Elizabeth Lutts, Hallie McBride, Alex Perrone, Matthew Price, Mia Ralph, Alice Rehrig, Evelyn Rehrig, Raul Sanchez, Elliott Sweeney, McEwen Taylor, Connor Wendt
5th Grade: Ricardo Aguirre, Bryce Beyer, George Booth, Garrett Brown, Jack Candiotto, Macie Carr, Caroline Cassatt, Luke Cestaro, Sam Fitschen, Thomas Hayden, Vincent Koch, Madeline Marcantel, Jack McBee, Madeline Mitchell, Mary Ann Pesce, Abby Price, Matthew Richardson, Reed Shupe, Audrey Simmons, Beckett Sudbury, Josh Tancrell, Alexander Taras, Grove Thompson, CJ Weaver, Alex Wendt
6th Grade: Lulu Baker, Emma Berry, Grady Booth, Matthew Botto, Ayden Coon, Chase Evangelisti, Ivy Gates, Caroline Gibert, Griffin Herring, Russell Hossenlopp, Cash Johnson, Harrison Kane, Abby Martin, Christian Novarese, Will Perrone, Nicholas Pesce, Hunter Reeb, Robert Senter, Lauren Watson, Wilson Webster, Peter Weirich, Peter Wilson
7th Grade: Natalie Bryant, Nicolai Buchignani, Zack Davenport, Madeline Duffee, Anne Grimes, Mary Grimes, Lindi Hathaway, Baylor Hill, Alex Johnston, McKinley Kee, Gracie Leo, Trenton Lyons, Alaina Pierotti, Emma Pratt, Abby Pyrdom, Mauricio Rentas, Ward Simmons, Katie Skinner, Mia Soefker, Connor Stevens, Ava Trainor, Andre Valdes, Ben Wills, Ava Witmer
8th Grade: Auden Brummer, Grace Cestaro, Anthony Cestaro, Hadley Donaldson, Johnny Drouillard, Ben Evangelisti, Jane Fracchia, William Gossett, Anna Hooper, Kendyl Lockhart, Michael Novarese, Hunter Pratt, James Pugh, Ethan Soefker, Hudson Tollison, Andrew Wade, Connor Whittington, Thomas Wilson, Maggie Wood, Dottie Young