NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, JANUARY 29
This Friday, January 29, Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School will be closed so that staff and families may attend the funeral of Mr. Dave Koderhandt’s grandson, Peyton Wilkins. Mr. Dave has been part of our school family since 2004.

Visitation is from 3pm-8pm on Thursday, January 28, and from 9am-9:30am on Friday, January 29, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 1201 Lebanon Avenue, Belleville, Illinois. The funeral Mass begins at 10:30am right after the morning visitation. All families and students are invited to attend or send messages of faith and hope to Mr. Dave and his family.

SPELLING BEE WINNERS
This year’s All School Spelling Bee Champion was Carre Webster (5th), with Ryan Luster (8th) as runner up. This was an exciting competition with many strong spellers! Carre will have the opportunity to participate at the Written Semi-final Bee held at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. If she is not able to attend, Ryan will represent our school. Congratulations!

SENIOR PROJECT
Thanks to our seniors from SLUH: Vincent Bartholomew, Michael Boyle, and Joseph McCurran and those from Mater Dei: Samuel Krebs and Quintin Potthast. They finished their senior service project with us and will be greatly missed. May God bless and keep them in His care.

OPEN HOUSE- “EACH ONE, REACH ONE”
An Open House for potential new school families will be held on Tuesday, February 2. Open House times are 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m. and 1:00p.m.-3:30p.m. You are our best ambassadors for spreading the word about this exceptional faith-based school in East St. Louis! Please invite those you know who have grade school students to consider attending this event. Have them contact the school office at 618-397-0316 to sign up to visit.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Our school will join with students all over the United States in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, January 31 – February 6. This year’s theme is: Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service-Challenged to Proclaim God’s Mercy.

Each day of Catholic School Week has a special focus: On Sunday, January 31, our violinist will participate at the 9:30am Mass at St. Augustine of Hippo Church in East St. Louis. Monday we “Kick-off” the week with emphasis on praying for civic leaders; Tuesday we open our school to new families who are interested in enrolling their children for the next school year; Wednesday is Student Appreciation; Thursday is Staff Appreciation; and Friday, we celebrate our families with a special Mass and donuts and coffee afterwards. We close the week with our Dance Ministry and Violinists participating in a 4:30pm Mass at St. Augustine of Hippo Church in Breese.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please contact us in the office if you have completed the Child Protection Course and are able to help supervise students during lunch or recess on Thursday, February 4, from 11:15-12:45. This is Staff Appreciation Day, and we’d like to give them the gift of a duty-free luncheon that day.

MASS…NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
As part of Catholic Schools Week, we will celebrate our families during Mass, and we will have the inaugural induction of our National Junior Honor Society. Following Mass, parents/guardians are invited to come to the cafeteria for sweet rolls, donuts, coffee, and juice.

VIOLINISTS
A select group of violinist will open Catholic Schools Week by playing at the 9:30am Mas son this Sunday, January 31, at St. Augustine of Hippo Church in East St. Louis. They, along with our dance ministers, will close the week at the 4pm Mass Saturday, February 6, at St. Augustine of Hippo Church in Breese, Illinois. For those involved, permission slips are going home today.

ALTHOFF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Incoming freshman registration is scheduled for February 3 and February 4, 2016. If you are a family with an eighth grade student who will be attending Althoff, please call (618) 235-1100 to schedule your appointment.

GENESIS ARTS MINISTRY
The Genesis Arts Ministry is hosting beginning ballet classes throughout the month of February. Please see the flyer included in this week’s envelope.

We have no school tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20, due to a broken pipe and snow.

Please join us for our Open House on Wednesday, March 19 from 4:00-6:30pm.

Registration for the next school year will be open at that time.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be sent home with each student tomorrow.  In order to receive the report card, all outstanding balances must be paid.  Thank you for all you do to make sure your tuition and fees are kept current.

MASS

Mass this Friday will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. “By the time he was assassinated, he spoke for the poor and disposed of the nation, and he was a symbol of justice and peace in the world.” (Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.) Genesis dancer, Jennifer Lee, will minister at this Mass and Grade 6 will lead it. Please know that you are always welcome to join us at 8:30am in the chapel.

NON-UNIFORM PASS DAY

Students who purchased the Non-Uniform Pass Coupon Book may be out of uniform this Friday, January 15. Please see p. 24 of the handbook to make sure they follow our Non-Uniform Day guidelines

NO SCHOOL

There will be no school on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION

Fr. Carroll reminded us that East St. Louis will hold their annual Commemorative Program Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King on Monday, January 18, at noon at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church at 1111 Pennsylvania Ave.

MOUSE RACES

Have you ever been to a “Mouse Race”? Me, either…but the opportunity is coming soon. A Charity Event sponsored by St. Philip Alumni and Friends to raise money for our new windows is happening next Saturday, January 23 from 6:00pm-11:00pm. See flyer for more information.

OPEN HOUSE- “EACH ONE, REACH ONE”

An Open House for potential new school families will be held on Tuesday, February 2.  Open House times are 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m. and 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.  You are our best ambassadors for spreading the word about this exceptional faith-based school in East St. Louis!  Please invite those you know who have grade school students to consider attending this event.  Have them contact the school office at 618-397-0316 to sign up to visit.

ANNUAL BENEFIT DINNER

Please mark your calendars for March 5, for our Annual Benefit Dinner.  It will again be held at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. Anyone interested in serving on the planning committee is invited to contact the office as soon as possible at 397-0316.  Meetings are usually held after school in the library.  If you cannot come to a meeting but would like to help, please let us know and Melissa Lawson, parent of Jakobi (Gr. 2) and Jordyn (Gr. 3) will be in touch. Thanks, in advance, for helping us make this a great success.

ALTHOFF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Incoming freshman registration is scheduled for February 3 and February 4, 2016. If you are a family with an eighth grade student who will be attending Althoff, please call (618) 235-1100 to schedule your appointment.

WINTER WEATHER

When school is closed due to inclement weather, you will be notified by the Fast Direct System. It will also be announced on Channel 5 television station and posted on ksdk.com website. In order to receive the message sent through Fast Direct, it is necessary to have your email or phone number registered in the system.  Please notify us immediately if your phone number or email has changed.

JOY-FILLED

We’re back in school! Alleluia!!  It was wonderful seeing everyone’s smiling face on Tuesday morning. It was good to have a break, but it’s also good to be back.  Hope your Christmas season was filled with peace and joy. Welcome to 2016, and thank you to those of you who remembered our staff members with Christmas cards and gifts.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS

How many of you see the New Year as a time to start anew, eat a bit healthier, drink more water, set time aside to pray each day? At STBCS, we know our students can be exceptional. And they have risen to our expectations time and again. We are so pleased with them this year. We want to make sure it continues.
How can you help? Continue to talk to your children about the importance of always being their best self and doing what they know is right. Also check in with them in the evening to see how school is going. Listen to them and help them “walk in the way of the Lord”.

We are Peacemakers. We are respectful in actions and words to God, self, others, and all creation.

SENIORS HERE

We welcome Vincent Bartholomew, Michael Boyle, and Joseph McMurran, seniors at St. Louis University High School; and Samuel Krebs and Quintin Potthest, seniors at Mater Dei High School in Breese, Illinois.  All are here to do their Senior Service Projects at our school.  While they are here, they will assist teachers and have opportunities to work with students.  We are glad they chose our school and grateful to all of them for their service to us.

MASS

This Friday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. This feast celebrates that the child born in the darkness of night in the manger in Bethlehem is revealed as the light of the world; the manifestation of God for all people. Please join us for this special celebration,

BALLROOM DANCE

Students in Grades 6-8 will begin a semester of ballroom dancing on Thursday, January 7.  We look forward to welcoming back our instructor, Mr. Tom Obermeyer, of Just Dancing Ballroom Studio and sharing the work of Mr. Obermeyer and the students at the Spring Concert!

EXTENDED DAY-SESSION 4

Session 4 began on Tuesday, January 5 and ends on Friday, February 19.  Due to the holiday, registration will be open until tomorrow, Friday, January 8.

END OF QUARTER

The end of the Second Quarter is this Friday, January 8. Report Cards will be sent home next Friday, January 15. Please note that all outstanding balances must be paid in order to receive these reports.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

WINTER WEATHER

When school is closed due to inclement weather, you will be notified by the Fast Direct System. It will also be announced on Channel 5 television station and posted on ksdk.com website. In order to receive the message sent through Fast Direct, it is necessary to have your email or phone number registered in the system.  Please notify us immediately if your phone number or email has changed.

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!

Our twelfth annual Advent Service-Walking in the Light of God– is tonight, Thursday, December 17.  As you are aware, all students are required to attend.  Thanks, in advance, for making sure your child arrives at the school chapel no later than 6:40pm, dressed in plain dark slacks, dark shoes and socks, and plain white shirt/blouse.  Jewelry is limited to a watch and stud earrings. Please make sure your child does not have gum or a cell phone with them.  Remind family and friends that seating is limited and that we will start on time.  Students and staff members have been working hard to create an inspiring, spiritual experience for you.  We look forward to seeing you tonight!
May Christ’s gift of Hope, Peace, and Joy fill your heart this Advent and Christmas Season.

ADVENT COLLECTION

There’s still one more day to bring an item for our Advent Giving Tree.  Friday morning, Mr. Dave will take all donated hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks to C.U.P. to help those in need have a warmer winter. We are hoping all children will have donated at least one item…for it  is in giving that we receive.

MASS

Our last school Mass for 2015 is tomorrow at 8:30am.  Eighth grade will lead. Please feel free to come and join us in prayer as we look forward to the birth of the Christ Child.

DECEMBER PEACEMAKER

If your child stayed a peacemaker throughout December, they will be treated to a movie and popcorn on Friday, December 18; they also may be out of uniform. For those that earned an Orange W.I.N. slip, they will spend time reflecting on the choices they made during a Second Step lesson.

EARLY DISMISSAL/CHRISTMAS BREAK

Our school Christmas break will begin at 12:30p.m. on Friday, December 18, through Monday, January 4. School will resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2016!

BALLROOM DANCE

Students in Grades 6-8 will begin a semester of ballroom dancing on Thursday,  January 7.  We look forward to welcoming back our instructor, Mr. Tom Obermeyer, of Just Dancing Ballroom Studio.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

We are sorry to say “Good-bye” to Mrs. Patti Sauer, our 6th-8th grade Language Arts teacher. We wish her well on her new job at St. Louis University working in their stewardship department. We would also like to welcome back Mr. Matthew Guiffre’ who will work with Mrs. Roberta Trost in our Advancement Department and teach science to our 7th and 8th graders.

WEATHER

Information on school cancellation or early dismissal due to bad weather will be broadcast on television Channel 5. In addition, an email or text blast will be made through the Fast Direct notification system.  Please contact us immediately if your number has changed, or if you are not receiving the messages that have been sent via this system.

A Night at the Races

CHARITY EVENT

Sponsored by

St. Philip Alumni & Friends Foundation
A VIEW TO THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

Saturday, January 23, 2016
6:00 to 11:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s Parish Center
301 North Church
Belleville, IL  62220
Benefitting the Window Campaign for Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School

It’s Mouse Racing!!!

Bring your own snacks. Popcorn and pretzels provided. Cash beer & wine & soda bar. No outside liquor allowed.
Large Raffle Drawing Silent Auction 50/50 Raffle. Bring a scratch off lottery ticket to receive a free drink!

Tickets are $10

Call to reserve a table now, as space is limited!!
To reserve a table or buy singe tickets, call Patti O’Sullivan Bond @ 618.363.4816 or Susan Buese Callais @ 618.806.8816

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
csmith@bnd.com

EAST ST. LOUIS Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School has raised about half of the $100,000 it needs to replace windows that were shattered by vandals on the eve of the first day of school in August.

The school hopes to replace the windows with high-tech, state-of-the-art windows that are unbreakable and energy-efficient.

Roberta Trost, advancement director for Sister Thea Bowman, said the school, located at 8213 Church Lane, wouldn’t allow their spirits to break along with the windows. And a huge part of the uplift came by the way of many strangers who, once they learned about the vandalism in the media, called to make donations or sent in their checks to help the school, Trost said. Some of the money also came through grants.

Trost said she is hopeful donors will help them raise the other $50,000 they need to get started as well as the money the school needs to replace the windows in the entire school because they are old, missing, single pane glass, a lot of the caulk is gone so air seeps in, and won’t open. Trost said the students there deserve to have the best learning atmosphere possible.

During an event Thursday at the school, Lindsay Matush, executive director of the Brown Sisters Foundation, in St. Louis, Mo., announced that her organization is issuing a $50,000 challenge.

“We believe in the value of this school. We want to see them be successful,” she said.

Trost said the school is looking for new donors or past donors who are willing to increase their donations.
Officials with Winco, a window making business in University City, Mo., the contractor GRB and the representative from the Boston company that makes the polycarbonate that’s in the windows, came to the school grounds to show off the latest technology put into the windows to make them more difficult to break than glass, and more economical and environmentally friendly.

“These windows are thermally efficient. They let more light in,” said John Campbell, president of Winco.

The windows have internal blinds inside of them that open and close. The frame and sash of the window is aluminum and there’s a thermo barrier between it. It resists rain, water and hail. It’s safe and secure, said Kurtis Suellentrop, technical sales manager at Winco.

He took a five-pound sledgehammer, a baseball and a small wooden bat and beat on the window to show those gathered that it would not break. Many in the crowd appeared amazed. Some wanted to know whether they could purchase them for their homes.

Craig Hines, senior project manager with GRP, said, “They won’t have to worry about vandalism.” And they’re energy-efficient, he said.

Tom Niziolek, architectural segment manager for Covestro in Sheffield, Mass., said the brand name for the polycarbon is Makrolon. He said the polycarbon is used “on basketball backboards, snowmobiles and jet-fighter windows. It could be up to 250 times stronger than glass. The cost of the polycarbon depends on the thicknessof the polycarbon. It’s more expensive than glass, but it is virtually unbreakable.”

For more information or to make a donation, call Sister Thea Bowman at 314-913-7623 or visit www.stbcs.com.

Carolyn P. Smith: 618-239-2503
Read Article in Belleville News-Democrat

Attention Parents, Community Residents and Service Providers:

Are you concerned about the issues you have in your community?

This will be an opportunity to:

• Hear the results of Parents United for Changes’ community-wide survey of parents, schools, and community organizations
• Meet other parents and community leaders
• Identify resources and potential partnerships

December 11, 2015

9:00am- 11:00am

ESTL Higher Learning Campus

601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Bldg. E

PLUG INTO THE POWER OF PARENTS!

***PLEASE CALL FOR CHILDCARE AND TO RSVP***

Light Refreshments and Childcare provided

RSVP : ESTHER BEARD, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FOR COFI @618-874-0216 EX.315 or ebeard@cofionline.org

CANNED GOODS FOR C.U.P.

As a school, we started this Monday, November 16, collecting canned goods for the Catholic Urban Program, C.U.P. We will continue the collection until Tuesday, November 24. Our goal this year is to have each child and staff member bring in at least two or three cans of food. If we all work together, we should have close to 400 cans to give to the Food Pantry. Let’s work together in being stewards of our community and help to end hunger!

***ANNUAL FUND

Three classes met the challenge of having all of their families respond with either a donation/prayer to the Annual Fund-1st, 5th, and 8th grade. A pizza party was the reward. In an exceptional example of stewardship, first, fifth, and eighth grade asked that we use the money that we would have spent on pizza to buy more food for the C.U.P. Food Pantry. This is a true example of walking in the path of Jesus.
Have you returned your Annual Fund envelope? Families who have not returned their envelopes have received a letter and a new envelope last week. Please return it as soon as possible with a donation and/or prayer. Your support is vital to keeping our school strong. The 100% participation goal is within sight!

MASS

The theme for Mass this Friday is “Treasures of Heaven”. As a journaling prompt, students were asked to write about what they “treasure” the most and how that relates to the “treasures of heaven”.  Fourth grade will lead this Mass.  On Tuesday next week, our Mass will celebrate Thanksgiving. Spend time this week thinking of the many blessings we all have to be grateful for. And please know we consider you and your children our greatest blessing and you are always welcomed at our Mass celebrations.

DARE GRADUATION

All sixth grade families are invited to attend D.A.R.E. graduation this Monday, November 23, at 10am in the library.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Break will be November 25-27. May you and your family enjoy the bounty and the graces of this Blessed Season!

PEACEMAKER

November Peacemaker Activity will be Monday, November 30.  If your child has not received an Orange WIN slip in November, they may be out-of-uniform and will participate in the activity. Please check the handbook for out-of-uniform guidelines…also students may not wear boots unless there is snow on the ground and that will happen soon enough!

SAVE THE DATE

Our eleventh annual Advent Service will be held on Thursday, December 17, at 7:00pm.  As you are aware, all students are required to attend.  Commitment forms will be coming your way after Thanksgiving. Students should arrive at the school chapel no later than 6:40pm, dressed in plain dark slacks, dark shoes and socks, and plain white shirt/blouse.  Jewelry is limited to a plain watch and stud earrings. Please invite family and friends to come and pray with us during this holy season!

* Note: Extended Day is cancelled on the night of the Advent Service.

ALTHOFF HIGH SCHOOL

Eighth graders who are interested in attending Althoff Catholic High School next year are encouraged to take the December 5th Placement Test from 8:30am-11:30am.  Registration is required prior to the test. Please contact Althoff High School.

IOWA ASSESSMENT RESULTS

In your child’s Progress Report, you will find the Iowa Assessment Individual Performance Profile. Although there are many scores reported, one of the most important one is the NPR (National Percentage Rank). This score can help you see where your student stands in relation to all other students throughout the nation who took the fall test. When you look at the NPR Graph, the bands indicate where your child scored in the individual tests. An average score is 50 percent; so if your child scores are near the 50 percent mark or beyond, they are doing well.   The lower part of the report provides information on the skills tested. As you look at your students report, remember that this is just a snapshot of what your child knows. Go through the skills and find two or more areas of strength and praise your child. Also go through the test and find one or two areas in which they need to grow this year and work with your child to improve these skills.  If you would like to understand more about how your child did on this test, please contact the office to talk with his or her teacher.