MASS
This Friday’s Mass will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Similar to our Pope Francis, St. Francis worked to bring a greater awareness of the need to care for the poor and people on the fringe of society.  Grade 4 leads the Mass this week. Know that you are always welcomed to attend.

YOUTH GROUP
St. Augustine of Hippo Catholic Church in East St. Louis extends a special invitation to our 8th grade students-the opportunity to join their youth group. JaMaya and Jasmine Bonner participated this past Sunday as a guest of Malynnda Aldridge-Johnson at a Teen Challenge workshop. Please see the flyer enclosed in this week’s Thursday envelope if you are interested in your child joining the youth group.

TESTING
Next week, students in grades 3, 5, and 7 will continue with testing as they complete the Cognitive Ability Test. Also, if a student missed a section of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, time will be given to help them make it up.   In order to give your child every opportunity to continue to do well, please make sure they get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and get to school on time.  Thank you for your cooperation.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION
There will be no school on Friday, October 9, because our staff will participate in the annual Diocesan Convention at Holy Trinity in Fairview Heights

BUSSES
We have been told by the bus company that even if District 189 teachers strike, that we will still have bus service.  Many blessings!

We are sorry to say that there will be no bus service on Monday, October 12.  Although we have school, District 189 observes Columbus Day and bus service is not provided.  We were very proud of how many students made it to school those first weeks when we did not have bus service. Please try to ensure your child comes even when District 189 does not have school. Thank you.

PICTURE DAY
Life Touch Studios will be here on Friday, October 16 to take photos of every student. A flyer regarding pricing and other important information is included in this Thursday’s envelope. Buying school pictures is optional, but if interest is low, next year they will probably only take the pictures of students who purchase packages. Students may be out of uniform on Picture Day, but must dress appropriately. Thank you, in advance, for reviewing the non-uniform guidelines in the handbook.

NON-UNIFORM PASS DAY
Due to Picture Day being Friday, October 16, students who purchased the Non-Uniform Pass Coupon Book may be out of uniform on Monday, October 19. This is a change to the date on the September coupon.

SPEAKING OF UNIFORMS
Cooler weather is on the way. Students are allowed to wear long sleeve white, hunter green, red, or black uniform shirts or they may wear button- down sweaters in the same colors over their uniform shirt, or they may wear a STBCS sweatshirt with a uniform shirt underneath. School sweatshirts are available in green or white. Youth sizes-Adult XL are $14.00; XXL and larger are $16.00. Payments may be made in cash or a check payable to the school.

We also want to thank all of you who have made the effort to make sure your child is in the correct uniform day after day.  Many blessings!

EXTENDED DAY-SESSION 2
Session 2 began on Monday, September 28 and ends on Friday, November 6.  The cost for the 6-week session is $50.00 for one child and $70.00 per family. Please make sure that you have signed your child up for the new session. They may enter late, but there is a $10 extra charge attached to late registration. For the next six weeks, students will have the opportunity to attend Liturgical Dance Classes under the direction of Rev. Tracy Holliway-Wiggins.