Archive for the News Category

Get ready – May 1 – GIVE STL DAY 2019 – Our regional day of giving. Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School appreciates your support! Give at https://www.givestlday.org/SisterThea

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

We are coming to the end of Lent on Holy Thursday, and we start three days of remembering and celebrating (Triduum) on the evening of Holy Thursday. We celebrate God’s New Covenant at the Last Supper; the Passion of Christ on Good Friday afternoon; the waiting of Holy Saturday; and joyfully the Resurrection of Easter Sunday!

DENTAL SAFARI MAY 8th

We have invited Dental Safari to come back again to provide dental exams and dental work right here in the school. No need for dentist appointments and missed work/school. Turn in your reservation form today! All of next year’s 2nd and 6th graders must have a dental exam, and this would cover it.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

BE OUR MARKETERS! Bring in new students! Registration is now open! Only $50 before May 15! Current families must also register for next year. We ask you to also spread the word to friends, churches and neighbors!

SPRING CONCERT, SUNDAY, MAY 5 at 3 PM

All students must attend! Please check early for black pants, white shirt and black dress shoes. Invite family and friends, as this is going to be a great event!  Students arrive no later than 2:30 PM.

THANK YOU FOR GETTING YOUR STUDENTS TO TESTING THIS WEEK!!!

PRAYER REQUEST FOR HEALING FOR SISTER KATHLEEN MURRAY. SHE BROKE HER KNEE!

EASTER BREAK

We will be on break April 18 – 22 (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday). Classes resume Tuesday, April 23. We hope you can find a Church Community to join for this most Holy of Christian Celebrations on Easter Sunday.

NEXT PTO MEETING FOR FAMILY BBQ

Join us Apr 25 at 6 pm to help plan the May 10 Family BBQ! Help this year to make this fun event a great success!

SUMMER SESSION: Our Summer Session will run from June 3 – June 21. Please return registrations ASAP!

Regular Summer Session is from 8:30 – 12:15. Sister Thea Bowman Academy Summer Session runs 8:30 – 3:00. Uniform is uniform shirt, appropriate shorts/pants, and tennis shoes. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

Calendar

April

17 Gr 3 Mass; 4th Qtr Mid term

18 – 22 Easter Break

23 Classes Resume; Poem in Your Pocket 23-26 Apr

24 8th Gr Holocaust Museum Tour 8:30 -12:30

25 4th Qtr Midterm sent home; Family BBQ Meeting 6 PM

26 Grade 2 Mass

30 Peacemaker

May 1 Gr 1 Mass; All School Spring Concert Rehearsal 10 AM

May 5 SPRING CONCERT 3 PM

LIKE our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/theabowmanschool  or our web page at stbcs.com.

 

“HELP YOU HELP YOURSELF”

1) Take your story of the school out to other families, friends, neighbors, church families, etc. If there are families who have K-8 students who would benefit from a Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School education, then talk to them about enrollment.

2) Take our story of the school out to your family members, friends, organizations and churches, etc. Provide them information on the IL Invest in Kids Scholarship Program.

3) Participate in and invite potential families to the Family BBQ on May 10 after school!

4) This next school year is our 30th Anniversary as Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School. Are you an alumni, or do you know one who would like to help us plan Alumni events? Let us know!

5) Become our Outreach Coordinator, a paid, part-time position. If you are interested, contact the office!

6)  Give us names of potential partners (businesses), so we can invite them, and you, to a tour and lunch event to get to know the school.

For more information, please contact me or one of our teachers at the school!

Blessings and Peace,

Dan Nickerson

Principal

School Highlights:

–  98% of our students graduate high school on time!

– Over 90% of graduates go to college, trade school, or the military!

– We brought in a new Language Arts Curriculum for K-8 two years ago to help our students.

– We brought in a new Math Curriculum K-8 this year to help our students.

– We will bring in a new Hands-On Science Curriculum next year for K-8 through a partnership with Washington University in St Louis.

– We have partnered with St Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature for the Believe Project to provide a Reading Room and over 800 books about black characters and culture or written by black authors. Our focus audience is our K-3 students to engage them in reading and to have them reading at or above grade level by 3rd Grade.

– We have won an Innovative Technology Education Fund Grant to run Operation Green School, a project-based learning, hands-on project for 6th – 8th  grade, using the latest technology for the classrooms.

– We will begin our second year of partnering with ACCESS Academies of St Louis to support our Sister Thea Bowman Academy (Grades 6-8) with a longer school day, summer session, and Graduate Support Director support in middle school, high school, and college. The program offers Scholarships, work programs, and financial support to make any St Louis area faith-based college prep high school available to our students!

 

These are some of the highlights we want to share with you and the community about our school!

Please pass the information along!!!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

April’s virtue is FAITH. Remember when Jesus called Peter to ‘get out of the boat’ and walk on the water? We are calling our students to “get out of the boat” and take a chance on peaceful resolutions, asking forgiveness, making new friends. Are there times we should have faith and “get out of the boat” and trust Jesus to be there waiting?

DENTAL SAFARI MAY 8th

We have invited Dental Safari to come back again to provide dental exams and dental work right here in the school. No need for dentist appointments and missed work/school. We sent home sign up forms last week, and have more if you need them. All of next year’s 2nd and 6th graders must have a dental exam, and this would cover it.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

BE OUR MARKETERS! Bring in new students! Registration is now open! Only $50 before May 15! You can register early to reserve your spot. We ask you to also spread the word to friends, churches and neighborhoods!

SPRING CONCERT, SUNDAY, MAY 5

We are already preparing! Please check early for black pants, white shirt and black dress shoes.

EXTENDED DAY SESSION 6 STARTS TUESDAY, APRIL 9

PLAN AHEAD!!!  TESTING AND BUS SERVICE APR 15 – 17

District 189 is on Spring Break the week of Apr 15, so there is no Bus Service. However, we have our Iowa Assessment Testing for grades 2 – 8 that week, so please plan ahead on transportation if you have a bus rider! We need 100% attendance for the testing!

EASTER BREAK

We will be on break April 18 – 22 (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday). Classes resume Tuesday, April 23. We hope you can find a Church Community to join for this most Holy of Christian Celebrations on Easter Sunday.

PTO MEETING TONIGHT AT 6 PM…   FAMILY BBQ

Tonight we plan the May 10 Family BBQ! Come help the PTO plan, or let us know how you will help this year to make this fun event a great success!

SUMMER SESSION: Our Summer Session will run from June 3 – June 21. Watch for registration letter!

Calendar

April

4 PTO 6 PM

5 Mass Gr 5

8 12:30 Dismissal Staff Meeting

9 Tour and Lunch 10:30; Extended Day Session 6

12 Mass Gr 4

15 -17 Iowa Assessment Testing Gr 2-8; No Bus Service

17 Gr 3 Mass; 4th Qtr Mid term

18 – 22 Easter Break

23 Classes Resume

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

We are halfway through our Journey of Lent, on our way to the Celebration of the Risen Jesus on Easter Sunday. This week we focused on the Parable of the Fig Tree and discussed how important it is to “turn over our soil” and bring the good soil to the top, so we can “bear fruit”. Are your students producing God’s gifts for others?

FAMILY STREAM NIGHT, MAR 28 5 – 6:30 PM 

PEACEMAKER DAY

Friday is “March Madness” Peacemaker where our students will be playing basketball or cheering on the teams!

SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is now open! You can register early to reserve your spot. We ask you to also spread the word to friends, churches and neighborhoods!

SHORTS!

Khaki knee-length walking shorts can be worn starting April 1. No cut-offs, cargo pockets, or short shorts please.

ANNIVERSARY OF PASSING OF SISTER THEA BOWMAN

On Saturday, Mar 30, we remember Sister Thea Bowman “Going Home Like a Shooting Star” 29 years ago.

“I AM ONE OF GOD’S GIRLZ” RETREAT

Our 6-8th Grade Young Ladies are invited for a Weekend retreat here are Sister Thea starting Friday Night.

3rd QUARTER AWARDS: Our awards will be presented about 9:30 after mass in the chapel. All are welcome.

EXTENDED DAY SESSION 6 STARTS MONDAY, APRIL 8

PLAN AHEAD!!!  TESTING AND BUS SERVICE APR 15 – 17

District 189 is on Spring Break the week of Apr 15, so there is no Bus Service. However, we have our Iowa Assessment Testing for grades 2 – 8 that week, so please plan ahead on transportation if you have a bus rider! We need 100% attendance for the testing!

EASTER BREAK

We will be on break April 18 – 22 (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday). Classes resume Tuesday, April 23. We hope you can find a Church Community to join for this most Holy of Christian Celebrations on Easter Sunday.

Calendar

March

29 Mass Gr 6 and 3rd Qtr Awards; Peacemaker (March Madness)

30 Anniversary of Sister Thea Bowman Going to God as a Shooting Star (Mar 30, 1990)

April

4 PTO 6 PM

5 Mass Gr 5

8 Extended Day Session 6

12 Mass Gr 4

PRINTABLE NEWSLETTER

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Fr. Maurice Nutt had a great theme during Tuesday’s Revival: “Just Show Me Jesus”. If somebody met you today, would they see Jesus? Do we say we believe in God, or say we are Christian, but nobody can tell we are Christian by our actions or words? Sister Thea Bowman joined the Catholic Church because she met Catholic Sisters ‘living out the Gospel’…do we attract people to God by our actions and words?  Let’s show them Jesus.

BENEFIT GALA

Thank you to all our students, staff, families, and supporters who made for a Successful and Blessed Evening! We appreciate any and all constructive feedback to make next year’s event better. You can send a note to the office or to thea_bowman@yahoo.com with your suggestions.

3rd QTR REPORT CARD CONFERENCES…MANDATORY!

Please sign up for 3rd QTR Report Card Conferences. Many will start Wed, Mar 20 after school (No Extended Day). We have conferences all day and evening on Thur, Mar 21. No school on Mar 21, 22. Students attend with the parent/guardian. PLEASE SEND BACK YOUR MEETING RESERVATION SLIP ASAP!

FAMILY STREAM NIGHT, MAR 28 5 – 6:30 PM

Plan to join us for this popular night of games, activities, challenges, prizes, and food. This is a great time to do Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM) with your students! Plan to be here. Students must have an adult join them, as we want you all to learn and have fun together!

SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is now open! You can register early to reserve your spot. We ask you to also spread the word to friends, churches and neighborhoods!

Calendar

March

15 Gr 2 Mass, End of 3rd Qtr

20 Gr 7 Mass; 3:30 Release all school, No Extended Day; 3rd Qtr Report Conferences Begin

21 Report Card Conferences All Day; No School

22 No School

27 8th Grade Wash U visit and Mentor Dinner

28 STREAM Night 5 – 6:30 PM

29 Mass Gr 6 and 3rd Qtr Awards; Peacemaker (March Madness)

30 Anniversary of Sister Thea Bowman Going to God as a Shooting Star (Mar 30, 1990)

 

PRINTABLE NEWSLETTER

 

 

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

We started Lent, the 40 days of Preparation for Easter, yesterday with Ash Wednesday. We will focus on three goals of Lenten activity: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Ask your student what these mean to them.

BENEFIT GALA, SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019

Please keep our students, staff, families, and supporters in prayer for a Successful and Blessed Evening!

POTHOLES

Please thank Director of Public Works: Ms. Girthal Clemons, 618-482-6743, gclemons@cesl.us. For quick action to fill these awful potholes last week. We asked and she got the work done as promised!

FORTNITE, SMART PHONES AND TABLETS

We are seeing students fall asleep in the morning classes, and they are very honest:

“I was up late”: “playing FORTNITE”; “on SNAPCHAT”; “watching YOUTUBE”.

PLEASE do your students a favor and collect their phones, tablets, etc before 8 PM.

We cannot educate a student who is half asleep. They need your help to set/understand limits of the Internet.

PTO MEETING: MARCH 7 at 6 PM

Please join us to discuss Benefit Gala, End of the Year Family BBQ and more! Thank you for the great support!

ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO REVIVAL

Don’t miss this uplifting and powerful spiritual event! Fr Maurice Nutt, who is working on the Sister Thea Bowman sainthood research, will lead a “get out of your seat and praise” revival! Our Liturgical Dance group will join the revival on Wed night for Youth Night!     Sun: 9:30 am,     Mon – Wed: 7 – 9 pm.

3rd QTR REPORT CARD CONFERENCES…MANDATORY!

Please sign up for 3rd QTR Report Card Conferences. Many will start Wed, Mar 20 after school (No Extended Day). We have conferences all day and evening on Thur, Mar 21. No school on Mar 21, 22. Students attend with the parent/guardian. Plan ahead!

SPRING AHEAD THIS WEEKEND

Move clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday night. Don’t forget, or you will be one hour late everywhere you go!!!

Calendar

March

7 Kindergarten Tea and Open House; PTO at 6 PM

9 Benefit Gala, Four Points Sheraton, Fairview Heights 6 PM; Daylight Savings = Spring Ahead 1 hour

10 -13 St Augustine of Hippo Revival!  Sun: 9:30 am,     Mon – Wed: 7 – 9 pm.

14 8th Grade Ranken Tech College Visit 8:45 – 12:30

15 Gr 2 Mass, End of 3rd Qtr

20 Gr 7 Mass; 3:30 Release all school, No Extended Day; 3rd Qtr Report Conferences Begin

21 Report Card Conferences All Day; No School

22 No School

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

As Black History Month ends today, Black History remains a growing and evolving narrative of recognition for great people and accomplishments, which may not be in mainstream history books. We learned about so many great people from East St Louis this month, and we have challenged our students to someday be a part of that legacy!

BENEFIT GALA, MARCH 9, 2019

This event is for Adults only. Participating students receive pizza in a separate room. We hope you can join us. Please buy or reserve tickets by Friday! Still want to volunteer, contact the office to find out what you can do!

NO BUS AND 12:30 DISMISSAL MONDAY

Due to a Dist. 189 day-off and our Staff meeting, there is no bus service Monday, and all students leave at 12:30.

POTHOLES

We are trying to get the potholes (craters) on Church Lane fixed to avoid more car damage. You can help by contacting Director of Public Works: Ms. Girthal Clemons, 618-482-6743, gclemons@cesl.us. Let her know that Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School has filed a request already, but we would like some priority.

FORTNITE, SMART PHONES AND TABLETS

We are seeing students fall asleep in the morning classes, and they are very honest:

“I was up late”: “playing FORTNITE”; “on SNAPCHAT”; “watching YOUTUBE”.

PLEASE do your students a favor and collect their phones, tablets, etc before 8 PM.

We cannot educate a student who is half asleep. They need your help to set/understand limits of the Internet.

EMPOWER ILLINOIS

We have to wait for program donations. Please do not count on this for next year unless donations come in.

OPEN HOUSE AND KINDERGARTEN TEA: THURSDAY, MAR 7

Do you know families interested in enrolling here? Please have them come Mar 7th! We will host the 1st – 7th grade prospective families from 10 -12, 1-3, or 4-5. Kindergarten Tea will be 8:30 – 10:00 AM.

PTO MEETING: MARCH 7 at 6 PM

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS: WEDNEDAY, MAR 6 at 8:30 AM

Start Lent off right at our mass. Ash Wednesday starts the 40 days of Lenten preparation for EASTER, our most important Christian Holy Day! Kindergarten will host the mass, and all students receive ashes.

Calendar

March

1 Mass, Staff hosts 8:30

4 NO BUS, 12:30 Dismissal

6 Ash Wednesday Mass, K hosts 8:30

7 Kindergarten Tea and Open House; PTO at 6 PM

9 Benefit Gala, Four Points Sheraton, Fairview Heights 6 PM; Daylight Savings = Spring Ahead 1 hour

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Jesus showed COMPASSION to all he met including lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners. He showed us how to feel empathy for others in need. This week we are working on doing little acts of kindness for all we meet.

EMPOWER ILLINOIS FULL SCHOLARSHIPS

Part two of the process starts tomorrow with an e-mail from Empower. Please see reverse side for directions to complete this very important process.

NO SCHOOL MONDAY…CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DANCE MINISTRY DAY

Come join Rev Tracy for Monday’s Day of Dance Ministry! Use the day-off as a day of worship through dance!

SISTER THEA BOWMAN ROBOTICS CLUB COMPETITION

Our team will compete in the Clavius Project SLU High Robotics Jamboree at SLUH, Sat, Jan 19 @ 8 AM.

GROWN OUT OF UNIFORMS? We NEED Gently Used Uniform Items. Please send them to the office.

SLUH CROSS COUNTRY TEAM DAY OF SERVICE

If you want to come and help paint hallways or bathrooms, join us Sat, Jan 26. We’ll be here from 8am – 1pm.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JAN 27 – FEB 2

Watch for a list of events including Kick-Off Mass at St Augustine of Hippo, ESL, a Spelling Bee on Jan 29, Special Lunch Day, Mission for the Poor activities, Closing Mass at St Augustine and St Dominc in Breese, Feb 2.

SPELLING BEE GRADES 2-8

You are invited to come watch the school Spelling Bee on Tuesday, Jan 29, at 8:30 am.