Alumni from Lincoln Senior High School (Class of ’69) visited our school and presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to support our View to the Future of Education – Window Campaign!
CHRISTMAS
May you find Peace and Joy this Christmas as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, Our Savior. Christmas is a time of Joy, and Hope for new beginnings. Our prayers will be with all of you this Christmas Season.
ADVENT SERVICE LAST REMINDER
Students at the chapel, no later than 6:40 so they can be ready. They need to wear: Plain white dress (button-down) shirt/blouse, plain dark blue or black slacks (no jeans, sweats, leggings, or dresses, dark dress shoes (no tennis shoes or heels).
CHRISTMAS BREAK
The last day of school is Tuesday, 20 December. We have 12:30 dismissal on Tuesday, and it is a Peacemaker Day. We return to school at 7:45 on Tuesday, 3 January.
WARM HATS, GLOVES, AND SCARVES
Our Christmas Tree is up by the front door, and we are decorating it with new gloves, hats, scarves, and socks to help Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) prepare for winter. If you can donate one of these winter items, we will take them to CUP before Christmas for distribution. Our families donated over 750 canned goods to them for Thanksgiving, so we hope we can get your great support again with this Christmas Drive! Please turn in donations by Dec 20th!
NOW HIRING!!! HELP WANTED: LUNCH AND RECESS MONITORS NEEDED
We plan to hire two Lunch/Recess Monitors to start in January. The hours will be from 11:00 to 12:45 each school day. All employees at our school must complete an application, Child Protection Training, A Background Check, and Fingerprinting. If you are interested, we will start to take applications immediately. Please ask for an application at the office.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
STBCS families are invited to Christmas carol with St. Augustine of Hippo parish on Christmas Eve. We will meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. and carol throughout the neighborhood. We will return to the parish center at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate followed by Christmas Eve Mass at 7:00 p.m.
We will distribute parish evangelization cards and STBCS flyers while caroling. If you are interested in participating please contact Madonna Aldridge at 618-971-8298.
12:30 DISMISSAL DECEMBER 20
Our last day of classes is Tuesday, December 20. WE WILL DISMISS AT 12:30.
NO BUS SERVICE DECEMBER 19 -20
Please join us for our Advent Prayer service. Thursday, December 15 8213 church lane.
“Carry God’s Light to Others”
ADVENT
During our second week of Advent, we celebrate and reflect on Peace. As Peacemakers in our school, we are asking our students to carry this important message to their families and all those they meet this Advent Season. We also pray for peace in our homes, neighborhoods, country, and world. May God bless each of you at least a few moments of Peace each day in this time of busy days of holiday preparation.
ADVENT SERVICE COMMITMENT FORM
We continue Advent Service Praise Dance and Violin preparations. Thank you for your support! Remember, you will enjoy the fruits of this labor on December 15 at 7 PM, so mark your calendars.
If you have not done so already, please sign the Advent Commitment Form and return it to the school tomorrow.
ADVENT SERVICE DRESS CODE
We ask you to please check clothes this weekend to be sure students are ready for Thursday Night. They need to wear: Plain white dress (button-down) shirt/blouse, plain dark blue or black slacks (no jeans, sweats, leggings, or dresses, dark dress shoes (no tennis shoes or heels).
WARM HATS, GLOVES, AND SCARVES
Our Christmas Tree is up by the front door, and we are decorating it with new gloves, hats, scarves, and socks to help Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) prepare for winter. If you can donate one of these winter items, we will take them to CUP before Christmas for distribution. Our families donated over 750 canned goods to them for Thanksgiving, so we hope we can get your great support again with this Christmas Drive! Please turn in donations by Dec 20th!
UNIFORM ITEM
Please remember that boots are only allowed on days when ice or snow are on the ground. All other days, including non-uniform days, require students to wear tennis shoes.
LUNCH AND RECESS MONITORS NEEDED
We plan to hire two Lunch/Recess Monitors to start in January. The hours will be from 11:00 to 12:45 each school day. All employees at our school must complete an application, Child Protection Training, A Background Check, and Fingerprinting. If you are interested, we will start to take applications immediately. Please ask for an application at the office.
SISTER THEA BOWMAN NIGHT AT MCALISTERS
Thank you to all the family, staff, students and friends that volunteered and ate food!!! The manager told me we tripled business for them that night, and we raised over $360 for new classroom windows! GREAT JOB!!!!
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
STBCS families are invited to Christmas carol with St. Augustine of Hippo parish on Christmas Eve. We will meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. and carol throughout the neighborhood. We will return to the parish center at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate followed by Christmas Eve Mass at 7:00 p.m.
We will distribute parish evangelization cards and STBCS flyers while caroling. If you are interested in participating please contact Madonna Aldridge at 618-971-8298.
12:30 DISMISSAL DECEMBER 20
Our last day of classes is Tuesday, December 20. WE WILL DISMISS AT 12:30. Please mark your calendar for early pick-up, as we have no bus service that day.
NO BUS SERVICE DECEMBER 19 -20
FASTDIRECT
Fast Direct will be our primary means of communicating with families and staff for snow days, so please be sure you have current e-mail and texting information is in the system. Also, you should not opt-out of e-mail, if you want the message to go to your e-mail.
In with the new
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Night at Fairview Height’s McAlister’s Deli
101 Frey Lane, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Wednesday, December 7th from 5pm to 8pm
MARK YOUR CALENDAR TODAY!!!
COME OUT and EAT to support Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School
“A View to the Future of Education”
PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS NEW WINDOWS IN THE SCHOOL
McAlister’s will generously donate 10% of all sales to Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School!
The Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School 8th Grade Class answered the call from Catholic Urban Programs (CUP) to support their Thanksgiving Can Food Drive to support local families in need. They inspired the students and families of the school each day to “Have a Heart” and donate “Three Cans” each to make a goal of 500 cans. In less than two weeks time the 8th Grade Class had collected over 750 cans of food for those less fortunate families in their community. The students proudly brought cans to the altar during the Tuesday Thanksgiving Mass at the school, to serve as an offering and to say thank you to God for the many gifts they have in life.
The cans were then loaded in a pick-up truck and brought to CUP, so they can fill the food pantry shelves in time for distribution to local families. The students learned a valuable lesson about giving from their need, as they know that they are called always to share their gifts generously.
8th grade students loading the canned goods into the pick-up for delivery
cans at the altar, and students bringing up more to donate
VETERAN’S DAY
Although we will have school on Friday, Veteran’s Day, we will join our country in honoring our Veterans with our prayers and thoughts. I have been asked how somebody can be a military veteran and Peacemaker since they seem to be opposites. I remember a proud day when our 4-star General declared our new motto was “Peace is our Profession.” Our goal was to keep the peace in the world. Also, as a military member, I helped families and children in war-torn Bosnia and worked side-by-side with men trying to rebuild their broken nation in Afghanistan. No matter where our military went in the world, we met people just like Americans who wanted to “just raise their family in peace.” Military Veterans can be Peacemakers, so if you have a chance, thank a veteran for a little bit of peace that they brought to somebody in our world.
ADVENT SERVICE PREPARATION
We are starting Advent Service Praise Dance and Violin preparations. The practices will cause some schedule changes during the day, and some extra exercise for our students, so please let them know that this is an important part of our school culture of Faith Formation and Education Through Music and the Arts. You will enjoy the fruits of this labor on December 15 at 7 PM, so mark your calendars.
VOLUNTEERS
This school will only be successful with donation of your time and talents. Please contact the office for more details!
LUNCH AND RECESS MONITOR VOLUNTEERS
Can you volunteer one, two, or three times a week to serve as a Lunch/Recess Duty Monitor? We are looking for volunteers ASAP to help us with this very important duty. Several of our teachers are with your students non-stop from 7:45 until 3:30 without a break, so please consider signing up for this duty. If interested, please contact the office, or send a note with your student.
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
The PTO held a meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 3:45 PM in the school library. Their first activity will be a Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Night at McCalister’s on Dec 7. Mark your calendars and look for more information to come. We’ll need volunteers, and we get 10% of profits and all the tips. A great time to work, eat, and socialize! For more information, please contact Ms. Coates at cbchild@gmail.com.
NO BUSES ON FRIDAY, NOV 11
We are in school on Friday, 11 Nov, for Veteran’s Day, but there is no busing that day.
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
If you need your student’s picture redone, you must sign up for the pictures. Pictures will be taken on November 17. Students taking their picture can wear “picture clothes” to school, but they must bring their uniform to change into after the picture.
CANNED FOOD DRIVE
Our students and staff will collect canned food items for CUP starting Monday and lasting through Nov 22. We have a goal of 500 cans, which is three cans per student and staff member. We ask you to give generously, as all donations stay within the community!
Out with the old
In with the new
Thank you for your support!
Background: In August 2015, damages occurred with approximately 50 windows at the school. Given the school’s age (> 60 years old), Sister Thea’s leadership team developed a plan to repair the broken windows and to replace all of the single pane windows. Phase I of the window campaign was completed and new windows were installed in August 2016.
Recently we secured funding for Phase II with hopes of these new windows being installed over Christmas break 2017.
Need: Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School is seeking community partners to help us finish the window replacement throughout the school.
Long-term Goal: Raise the remaining $80,000 needed to replace the remaining windows.
Here’s How You Can Help: Please consider donating through individual, corporate or family giving at the levels below and adopt a classroom or window in your name.
A VIEW TO THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
$14,000 – Entire Classroom, “Glass Act”
$7,000 – Half Classroom, “Clear Vision”
$2,300 – One Vertical Section, “Clear View”
$700 – One Window, “A Window That Shines”
Key Benefits of New Windows:
Security: The outer pane of the window is made from polycarbonate, an extremely tough material that is impact resistant. Polycarbonate looks like glass, but will not break or shatter upon impact. These types of security windows are being installed in schools across the country.
Energy Efficient: Each window incorporates an air gap between the polycarbonate and the inside glass panel. The air gap creates an insulating barrier that keeps extreme temperatures at bay.
Quiet: The construction of the windows also provides another important benefit – reduced sound from outside noise. Teachers and students will no longer be distracted by traffic and playground noise.
Shade Control: On hot, sunny days the built in-shading system will help control solar heat gain in the classroom. The horizontal shades are built into the window itself, eliminating problems with dust collection and tangled cords.
Additional Facts:
- Significant discounts from the window industry totaled approximately $70,000
- Over 30% expected energy savings for the school
- Savings on security system costs, no need for glass breakage sensors
- Teachers can easily open windows allowing more ventilation
- Replaces inefficient single pane glass windows and old window glazing
Your interest, generosity and support for our long-term sustainability allow us to provide a safe and attractive learning environment for our students.
We invite you to come and visit our school for a first-hand demonstration of this unique window system and to witness the wonderful work being done by our students, teachers and staff. We sincerely appreciate your contribution to help us reach our goal.
For questions or to arrange a visit to our school, please contact Roberta Trost at 618-397-0316 or email roberta_trost@yahoo.com.
A NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL
During several discussions with family members these past two weeks, I heard the term “Neighborhood School”, as they talked about Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School. To make a Neighborhood School, we need the “Neighborhood” to be a part of the school. We are opening up several ways for you to get involved in your school here at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, so we ask you to take some time and pray about where you might be able to help us make this school better for your students.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
We have had many of you sign up as volunteers, but unfortunately, we cannot have you work with our students at school until you finish the Diocese volunteer requirements, which include the Child Protection Training, CANTS form and Volunteer Application. We can use your help, so please complete these items ASAP. For questions, please contact Sr. Kathleen in the office, or send a note with your student.
LUNCH AND RECESS MONITOR VOLUNTEERS
Can you volunteer one, two, or three times a week to serve as a Lunch/Recess Duty Monitor? We are looking for volunteers ASAP to help us with this very important duty. Several of our teachers are with your students non-stop from 7:45 until 3:30 without a break, so please consider signing up for this duty. If interested, please contact the office, or send a note with your student.
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
On Tuesday, we had several parents meet to discuss restarting a Parent Teacher Organization at our school to increase family involvement at the school. The PTO will hold a meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 3:45 PM in the school library. All are invited! Light Refreshments will be provided, door prizes awarded, and your students may attend Extended Day free that day. For more information, please contact
BENEFIT DINNER PLANNING MEETING
On Wednesday, 9 November, at 3:45, we will have our next Benefit Dinner Planning Meeting. We really need family input and help to make this year’s event successful. The income from this event is used for our Tuition Assistance program that is crucial to all our families to make school this school affordable for all. No special skills needed!
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, NOV 4
Due to teacher training, there is no school on Friday, November 4, 2016.
NO BUSES ON FRIDAY, OCT 28
Due to District 189 teacher training, there will be no buses on Friday, October 28, 2016.
UNIFORM DETAILS
We are having several of our male students coming in with lines and designs etched in their haircuts. Students cannot cut lines, parts, or designs in their hair. Please remind them before their next trip to the barber.
Also, khaki pants cannot be jeans, so if you see grommets (metal fasteners) on the pockets, they most likely are jeans.
Finally, “shorts” season ends Tuesday, 1 November.
BISHOP’S MASS
Our mass celebrated by Bishop Braxton today was wonderful, thanks to the holiness and energetic prayerfulness of all our students! Thank you for supporting and contributing to their faith formation!!!
TRUNK OR TREAT
Please carefully read the Trunk or Treat insert in today’s Thursday envelope.
A NEW QUARTER
As we begin the Second Quarter, this is a time for renewing our goals and re-energizing our students, staff and families. Please spend some time after Report Card Conferences to discuss how students can begin or hopefully continue to do their best in the key areas of behavior, organization, and academics. Also, renew within them a spirit of excitement about their relationship with GOD! If their main focus is Being Their Very Best Self because they know God loves them and wants that for them, then the rest is much easier!
RED RIBBON WEEK
Next week is our Red Ribbon Week, where we encourage the students to avoid drugs and to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Scheduled events include,
Monday: Healthy, Drug-Free Pledge; Tuesday: Wear Red Day; Wednesday: Healthy Red Snack; Thursday: Red Ribbon Journal Write; Friday: Red Ribbon Poster Day
REPORT CARD CONFERENCES:
Our report card conferences will be held Thursday, October 20, 2016. These conferences are mandatory for all students and a parent or guardian. We will discuss student progress and behavior. Families that miss their conference will have to reschedule a conference before their student returns to school.
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER
Due to the late conferences on Thursday evening, there is no school on Friday. Hopefully, this is a great opportunity to spend some time together or get a jump on the 2nd Quarter Studies!
COLD WEATHER WAS HERE….AND MIGHT RETURN
The weather got cold then hot. Hmmmm. Remember students can wear a Sister Thea Bowman sweatshirt (which can be purchased through the office, $14) or a button-down sweater in our uniform colors: red, black, white, or hunter green.
POSITIVE DISCIPLINE IN THE HOME
Make them a part of the solution. In school, our students get “jobs” like pencil monitor or line leader. To help them feel included, you can give them a special job with a title, job responsibilities, and maybe even an incentive. Perhaps, you can even hang a job chart on the fridge and record when the job is completed!
You can learn more at: http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/
UNIFORM DETAILS
We are having several of our male students coming in with lines and designs etched in their haircuts. Please review the handbook. They cannot have these cut into their hair.
MASS THIS WEEK AND BISHOP’S MASS
Mass is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 19, at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel. You are welcome to join us for this Mass hosted by the 2nd grade class. Our mass next week will be celebrated by Bishop Braxton at 9:00 AM
TRUNK OR TREAT
Our 13th annual “Trunk or Treat” event will be held on Friday, October 28. Students are invited to bring a costume to change into around 2:00p.m. We count on our parents/guardians to make sure that costumes are appropriate for your child’s age and for wearing at a Catholic school event. Traditional Halloween costumes such as skeletons, scarecrows and witches are fine. Costumes/masks of famous artists or stars who use violent, foul or degrading lyrics or images are not allowed, as well as anything bloody and/or violent in nature. Props, including toy guns and swords, etc., are also not allowed. Please note that students do not have to have a costume to participate in Trunk or Treat. Your child should bring a container for the Halloween treats they receive.
As an alternative, some classes are sponsoring a “Costume Challenge.” In the younger grades, students are asked to dress up as saints or people who have made a positive impact on our world.
Grades 6th-8th are challenged to dress up like a person they have or will read about in their Social Studies book. Prizes will be given to the winners who accepted the “Costume Challenge.”
Parents/Guardians who are participating are invited to come between 1:30p.m.-1:45p.m. A staff person will be on hand to show you where to park your car out on the playground area between the school and the church. Feel free to come in costume and to decorate your car in Halloween style! Have the Halloween treats, (wrapped candy, stickers, and pencils) you plan to hand out in the trunk of your car.
Please note that for safety reasons, all entrances to the parking lot will be closed at 2:00 and won’t reopen until 3:30 p.m. dismissal.
After a class has been to each car, they will go back into to their classrooms to enjoy their treats until dismissal time at 3:30p.m. Parents/Guardians are welcome to enjoy some refreshments in the staff room until dismissal time. If you are unsure of the appropriateness of your child’s costume for this event, or if you have any other questions regarding this event, please call the school office. Thanks for all you will do to make our 13th annual Trunk or Treat event a huge success!
