Archive for the News Category

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE
Kindness is a virtue, but “joaning” is not. I encourage you to talk with your students about treating other students with respect. We want a safe school for all, and “joaning” and negative comments about others makes it emotionally and socially unsafe for students. Help us make our school one that Sister Thea Bowman would love to visit.

IL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS
We have the possibility to give full tuition to the first 20 families at Sister Thea Bowman who apply. Did you???

BENEFIT DINNER, SATURDAY, MARCH 10
This is it !!! We hope to see you on Saturday Night!

CAMP ONDESSONK
For more information on scholarships please go to Ondessonk.com/giving/scholarships.

ST ALBAN ROE, WILDWOOD, MO VIOLIN AND PRAISE DANCE SAT, MAR 24
We will leave the school at 3PM. Transportation and meal after the mass are provided!!! Return permission slips.

SR THEA BOWMAN OPEN HOUSE AND REGISTRATION
We will host an Open House on Mar 15, and Registration begins in March. More details to follow.

SR THEA BOWMAN FISH FRY, FRIDAY, MAR 16
Help us celebrate LENT with another Fish Fry on Mar16, starting at 3:30 PM and ending at 6:30 PM. This is a great social time and fundraiser. We sold out last time! Invite 5 friends!!!

PLAN AHEAD
3rd Quarter Report Card Conferences are Thursday, 22 Mar all day. Start to consider times you want to attend. Also, from Mar 26 – Mar 28, we will not have bus service, but we need your students. Please arrange rides early.

SUMMER SESSION
Never too early to plan ahead. We plan to offer Summer Session for K – 8 students this summer from May 30 – Jun 19. K-5 and 7, 8 will run from 8:30 – 12:15 with lunch. 6th grade Summer Session will run 8:30 – 3 PM. Summer Session will be based on academic level, not grade level, and will be offered based on student sign-up.

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School will become a St Louis ACCESS Academy Partner School
a) Our school joins three other St Louis Schools: Most Holy Trinity School and Academy, St Cecilia School and Academy, and St Louis Catholic Academy
b) The partnership is a stepping stone to St Louis and Illinois Catholic High Schools for college-prep high school education

Sister Thea Bowman Academy will start with the 6th grade class of 2018-2019
a) Each year, as this class moves up, an additional class is added
b) This class will be the first class through the entire program
c) There is not an option to be in the Academy; all 6th graders will be Academy students

Sister Thea Bowman Academy (Grade 6 -8) will include the following mandatory components:
a) Longer school day: 8 AM – 5 PM daily. There is no Extended Day, as this is the school day
—All of the 6th – 8th grade will move to a 8 AM – 5 PM schedule next school year
—Bus Service for 5 PM pick-up has been requested from District 189
—K -5 school day will remain 8 AM – 3:30 PM
b) Longer school year
—Academy students attend a 3-week Summer Session
—Mandatory academic session focused on core areas
—About 1 hour of each day is used for Enrichment Activity
c) Graduate Support Director
—Meets with students to prepare them for college-prep high school
—Guides family and student through high school application process
—Sets up enrichment sessions
—Shadows students through high school

Additional components of longer school day
a) Middle School goes to 60 minute classes (currently 45 minutes)
b) Students have Academic Lab 3 PM – 4 PM daily
—Some days are a guided class (math, LA, science, etc.)
—Some time may be dedicated to focused study hall
c) Students have Enrichment from 4 PM – 5 PM daily
—Enrichment involves life skills, study skills, personal development, etc
—Examples: personal finance, fitness, robotics, coding, theater, etc.

Registration will begin Mar 15, 2018
a) Registration includes school year (2018-2019) and summer session (2018)
b) Summer Session is scheduled for May 30 – Jun 19 (M-F from 8:30 AM – 3 PM)

St Louis ACCESS ACADEMY DATA:
a) 2017-18 School Year Data:
—180 middle school students are enrolled in an ACCESS Academy

Over 210 high school students are receiving tuition scholarships
a) 99% are first generation, college-bound learners
—Over 50 ACCESS graduates are taking advantage of our Work Study Program
b) Inception Data:
—98% of Academy graduates accepted to private, college-prep high schools
—99% of Academy graduates graduate high school on time.
—96% of Academy graduates accepted to college or other post-secondary institution

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

As we approach Lent, the period from Ash Wednesday (Feb 14) and Easter (Apr 1), Pope Francis calls us to pray more.  “By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation God offers.” Give up some screen time, and try some soul time.

IL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS

Check the Empower Illinois website often. We will inform you when the applications open again (in a few weeks).

LINCOLN’s BIRTHDAY AND PRESIDENT’S DAY

We have school on the 12th. We do not have school on Monday, Feb 19th, President’s Day .

BENEFIT DINNER, SATURDAY, MARCH 10

Buy a ticket in the office to attend this wonderful event! Buffet dinner, silent auction, violin and dance ministry.

Volunteer, solicit donations for our silent auction, sell raffle tickets! Our goal is $200,000 for our school! Help us make our goal to support tuition assistance at Sr. Thea Bowman!

FAMILY STEAM NIGHT, THURSDAY, FEB 8,  5-7 PM

Join us for a fun night of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. This is a time of activities, games, prizes, and good family time. All students must have an adult with them.

ASCENSION CHURCH CHESTERFIELD VIOLIN AND PRAISE DANCE SAT, FEB 10

Students meet at the school at 3:15 to carpool, and we will go together to Chesterfield, MO for mass! Must have a permission slip. Pizza after the mass!

5TH GRADE ACCESS ACADEMY FAMILY MEETING, TUES, FEB 13, 6 PM

We will hold an informational meeting for families of all students looking to attend 6th grade at Sr Thea next year. We will become an ACCESS Academy school, which impacts the 6-8th Grade school day and summer school.

FAMILY UNIVERSITY, WED, FEB 21, AT 6PM

Come to the chapel for a presentation on Personal Finances. All are invited.

SR THEA BOWMAN FISH FRY, FRIDAY, FEB 23

Help us celebrate LENT with a Fish Fry on Feb 23, starting at 3:45. This is a great social time and fundraiser. Invite 5 friends!!!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Catholic Schools Week is coming Sunday, and we look forward to another week of looking outward at what our education can affect in our community and world. Our school will explore “Hunger” this next week, so the students get a real appreciation of what hunger means in our world, and how they can help lessen it through their actions.

IL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS

Jan 31, 2018 at NOON!   FULL TUITION PAID!!!  Go to:  https://empowerillinois.org/ for great information and to sign up for update messages. Complete the application yourself at noon on Jan 31, or come to the school. Please return the form to tell us your preference.

MR. DAVE RETIRES

We will honor Mr Dave for his many years of service on Feb 5th. If you would like to send him a congratulations card, please have it to the school by Feb 5th. Mr. Frank has been hired as the new Maintenance Person.

DANCE MINISTRY AUDITION: Monday, Jan 29

EARLY DISMISSAL MONDAY, FEB 5 at 12:30

SMART TUITION

Remember, if you are going to be late on a payment, contact us at least 5 days before the end of the month, by submitting a written note with your student to Ms. Francine. It should include your name, the issue, and the date payments can be resumed. Remember fees go to SMART, not us!  Late Fee: $35.  Failed Withdrawal Fee: $30.

This year, you need to print your Family Tuition Statement from SMART. We no longer have this ability.

BENEFIT DINNER

Volunteer, solicit donations for our silent auction, sell raffle tickets! Our goal is $200,000 for our school! Help us make our goal to support tuition assistance at Sr. Thea Bowman!

SLU HIGH WORKDAY AT SR. THEA BOWMAN JAN 27  FROM 8-12

Come be a part of cleaning up, beautifying, and joining with SLUH families to make our school look good!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ROBOTICS TEAM

The Bow-Bots were great ambassadors at the Robots Jamboree last Saturday at SLUH! WE ARE SO PROUD!

APPRECIATE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHER

Friday, Feb 2, appreciate a teacher with a card or note of thanks during Catholic Schools Week!

You are cordially invited to the Fifteenth Annual Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Benefit Gala on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Four Points by Sheraton, 319 Fountains Parkway – Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Doors open and Silent Auction begins at 5:00 p.m. Dinner Buffet is from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Entertainment and Live Auction begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $60.00 per person or $600.00 per table sponsor of eight and includes sponsorship gift. Reservations are required by February 16, 2018.

For more information please contact Roberta Trost at 618-397-0316 or roberta_trost@yahoo.com

EVENING HIGHLIGHTS

• Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Violins and Liturgical Praise Dancers
• Heart of Thea Foundation “Each One Teach One” Fund-A-Need For Tuition Assistance Dollar for Dollar Match Returns!
• Mega Raffle – Drawing the night of event: 1st Prize – $10,000 / 2nd Prize – $1,000 / 3rd Prize – $500. Increased chances of winning for each ticket purchased Buy 1 – Get 1 Free / Buy 2 – Get 3 Free / Buy 3 – Get 5 Free. Contact Roberta Trost or Karen Waide to purchase a ticket in advance at 618-397-0316. NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN! Ticket price $100.00

Note: $26.00 of each $60.00 dinner ticket is tax deductible as allowed by IRS Section 170(f)(8) and 6115.

TITLE SPONSOR

EVENT FLYER : PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM

Thank you for your support!

Recently we secured funding for Phase II of our Window Project with hopes of these new windows being installed over Christmas break 2017. Please consider donating through individual, corporate or family giving at the levels below and adopt a classroom or window in your name.

MORE INFO : PHOTO GALLERY

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

We are in high gear practicing for our Advent Service. For our school and our students, this is the Super Bowl, World Series, and Final Four all wrapped together. Except for us, this is not about winning a title, this is a service all about Praising God through our music, dance, and song. Come Prepare for the Coming of Jesus with us!

ADVENT SERVICE

Our Advent Service is a special service preparing for Christmas. It is our way to praise God and give thanks through violin, praise dance, and singing. This is not a Christmas Pageant, but rather a church service which will hopefully bring you into the real spirit of Christmas.
You are invited to the Advent Full Dress Rehearsal on Wed, Dec 13th, at 10AM, or the Advent Service on Thursday, Dec 14th at 7PM.

ADVENT SERVICE ATTENDANCE AND OUTFIT

All students are a critical part of our Advent Service, and their attendance is mandatory. Uniform: Black pants, white dress shirt, black dress shoes, black belt. If those items not available white polo shirt, dark blue pants and solid black tennis shoes can be worn. No skirts or dresses. Please shop early. Please contact the office for questions.

CHOCOLATE CANDY SALES

We will send home results as soon as they are tallied! We expect candy delivery next week.

IL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS

We are eagerly waiting for family application information for a new program that can provide our families a 100% tuition and fees scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. All families on the Free or Reduced Lunch Program are eligible to get these scholarships.
We will hold several mandatory meetings: December 18 3:45, and December 19 12:30 or 6 PM. All meetings will be in the chapel. You must attend one of these for Tuition Assistance in 2018-2019.

SOCKS TREE

This year our National Junior Honor Society members are collecting new socks for a nursing home. If you are shopping and can purchase socks, we will add them to our tree. We also accept winter hats, gloves, and scarves. Our school will deliver them on Friday, Dec 17. Thank you for spreading Christmas joy to others!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

This Sunday we start Advent, the Christian season of waiting and preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We invite you to prepare for Christmas with something special this year; perhaps an advent wreath in the home, a special family meal and prayer one night a week, or family attendance at Sunday services or church activities.

ADVENT SERVICE

Our Advent Service is a special service preparing for Christmas. It is our way to praise God and give thanks through violin, praise dance, and singing. This is not a Christmas Pageant, but rather a church service which will hopefully bring you into the real spirit of Christmas.
You are invited to the Advent Full Dress Rehearsal on Wed, Dec 13th , at 10AM, or the Advent Service on Thursday, Dec 14th at 7PM.

ADVENT SERVICE ATTENDANCE AND OUTFIT

All students are a critical part of our Advent Service, and their attendance is mandatory. Students must wear a white button up shirt, black dress pants, and black shoes. Please shop early if you need these uniform items. If you have an issue, please contact the office immediately.

EARLY DISMISSAL MONDAY, DEC 4.

All non-bus riders must be picked up at 12:30 on Monday, Dec 4.

2nd QUARTER MID-TERMS GO HOME TODAY

If your student is not doing well academically, please sign them up for Extended Day now.

CHOCOLATE CANDY SALES

All Candy sales orders and money needs to be turned in by Friday, Dec 1, so we can get the orders back in time for Christmas gifts. Please send correct money amounts in a plastic bag attached to your order sheet. Thank you for supporting our school!

IL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS

We are eagerly waiting for family application information for a new program that can provide our families a 100% tuition and fees scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. All families on the Free or Reduced Lunch Program are eligible to get these scholarships. We will hold several mandatory meetings in December to give more information and to sign up families to apply on-line at our school on Jan 2, 2018. This is great for you and our school!!!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Thanksgiving is coming. Take some time with your family to Thank God for blessings big and small in your lives.

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Enjoy some family time and rest from Wednesday, 22 November until Sunday, 26 November.

NO EXTENDED DAY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Due to the Thanksgiving, there will be no Extended Day this day, so all can start their Thanksgiving Break.

SR THEA BOWMAN INITIAL CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING

We will host an Initial Child Protection training at the school library from 1:15 – 3:15 PM on Tuesday, 21 Nov. This training is required for volunteers at the school more than 1 per month, or for field trip chaperones. Contact the office to sign-up by Monday, 20 November.

FISH FRY

Invite Your Friends and Family: 2nd “Bi-Annual Fish Fry on Friday November, 17 from 3:30 – 7 PM. Eat-in or Take-out. $10 per “loaded” plate and drink.

ROOM SPONSORS

Thank you to our Room Sponsors! They will be helping us get the word out about events!!!

CANDY FUNDRAISER

Please push the chocolate sales over Thanksgiving as friends and family prepare for Christmas gifts! Our Candy Sale supports our school through Tuition Assistance for our students!

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

Please return your envelope before Thanksgiving. Ask a friend or family member to support your student, or send us back prayers for peace and success in our school. Thank you for your support!

FAMILY READING NIGHT

Today from 5 – 6:30, 5th – 7th grade High School Presentation starts at 6:30. Join us for this fun event!