Archive for the News Category

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!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

St Martin De Porres: “Martin’s childhood was spent in poverty. However, in spite of the poor surroundings his mother taught him the Christian virtues of modesty, humility, and charity. All his life Martin had great compassion for the poor and needy.” Our children learn the biggest lessons at home; are they learning Christian virtues from you, or are they learning non-Christian values from music, T.V., videos, or friends?

FISH FRY

Volunteer and Tell 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:

Each grade has a Room Sponsor who will be contacting you to let you know how you can be involved in your school! Expect a call this week and get involved!

PICTURE RETAKES

Your student can do Picture Retakes on Nov 16th if you return a form. Students may wear picture clothes, but will change back into their uniform immediately after the pictures.

CANDY FUNDRAISER

It seems that the TJ’s Pizza just left, but we want to give one more opportunity to fundraise for the school. Our Candy Sale is just in time for people to shop for that “delicious” chocolate Christmas Gift!

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

Last week you received an Annual Fund Drive Letter and envelope. We ask that 100% of envelopes be returned. This is your chance to give a little extra, 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

Our annual Family Reading Night is Thursday, Nov 16, from 5 – 6:30, 5th – 7th grade High School Presentation starts at 6:30. Plan to join us for this fun event!

FASTDIRECT

Add your e-mail or text option to FASTDIRECT, and receive important messages like SNOW DAYS!

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE
This month we will teach the students about the Rosary. This meditative prayer reflects on the life of Jesus and is a tradition that was passed down from St. Dominic in 1214. Your students should be able to tell you the prayers and mysteries of the rosary, and they will have a rosary to use.

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY
You are receiving the “Thursday Envelope” today because there is no school Friday. All teachers will be attending a special Teachers Convention at Holy Trinity Church.

WE HAVE SCHOOL MONDAY, NO BUS SERVICE
Monday is Columbus Day, but we do have classes. There will be no bus service.

TJ’S PIZZA SALES
So far it looks like you all sold almost $8,000 in product, which will give the school about $3,000. WAY TO GO!!!. Top sellers are… 1st : DeArrion Sayles (K), 2nd: Kamira Wilson (2), 3rd : Damont Jenkins (8). They receive Gift cards of $100, $50, and $25 respectively. The top class to receive a pizza party is Kindergarten.

SISTER THEA BOWMAN PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION PLANNING MEETING
Our first meeting of the year to discuss activities for the year will be Wednesday, Oct 11, from 3:45 – 4:30 in the staff room. If your student stays, they may participate in Extended Day during the meeting time.

PICTURE DAY
Picture Day is October 13. You will receive the Life Touch order form today. Please send back the form and money with your student by next Friday to order photos. We will send one more reminder next Thursday. It will be a non-uniform day, with students following normal non-uniform guidance.

STBCS SWEATSHIRTS
All students had a Sister Thea Bowman Sweatshirt ordered for them, provided by a generous grant. These should be going home to students next week. They can be worn during the entire school day.

FALL CLEAN-UP
Please mark your calendar if you can join your student’s class in a FALL CLEAN-UP on Friday, Oct 20, from 1 – 3 PM. We are doing this a bit differently this year to get all involved!

ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our Annual Fund Appeal goes directly to Tuition Assistance. Can you help stuff envelopes on Tuesday, Oct 10, at 9 AM? If you can come then or another time next week, please call the office and let us know!

CBS St. Louis shared a YouTube video of Ameren’s stone dropping presentation which demonstrated our new unbreakable windows.

Channel 5 recently featured our window project! Watch the segment below or on their website HERE.

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School has received a $20,000 grant from Ameren Illinois! Ameren IL employees Mr. Larry and Mr. Barry visited us recently to provide “My Safe City” education about being safe with electricity.

Ameren IL provided electricity safety education with “My Safe City” presentations.

Mr. Larry, Ms. Paula and Mr. Barry from Ameren IL provide “My Safe City” education about being safe with electricity.

By CAMILLE PHILLIPS • SEP 22, 2017

Students get ready for a violin class taught by Philip Tinge at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis.

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis is one of hundreds of private schools in Illinois that could see a financial boost from the state’s new tax credit scholarship program.

More than 90 percent of the families who send their children to the school fall below the federal poverty line of $24,600 for a family of four. That gives them top priority to receive a scholarship.

Although children from low-income families get priority, if Illinois follows the pattern of other states with similar programs, most of the tax credit scholarships will go to middle-class families.

SEE THE REST OF THE ARTICLE ON ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO WEBSITE

You’re invited to a celebratory event, the unique restoration experience of Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School and the unbreakable spirit of the school community.

Tuesday, September 26 – 9:30 a.m.

Join us along with Richard Mark, chairman and president with Ameren IL to learn more about their participation in our unique window restoration – A View to the Future of Education

9:30 am – Welcome ceremony – Richard Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois to share their support

9:45am – Window Demonstration – Special Guest – TV Personality will conduct television segment from the Ameren IL bucket truck

Reception immediately following

We look forward to seeing you there!