Saint George Catholic School

Saint George Catholic School
Chalktalk
2015-2016 Issue 3
Academic Excellence † Leadership † Faith Development
Message
from
Our Principal
Mr. Lawrence S. Neubauer
November is the time of year when we give thanks. The Thanksgiving Holiday allows us
to think about and appreciate our many blessings and gifts. It is also a time to give
thanks for all the great features that comprise Saint George School.
As the Principal of Saint George School, I am proud, thankful and blessed with:
†
The end of 1st quarter and students flourishing in their academics!
†
Superb students—active in their academics, leadership opportunities and most
important their faith.
†
Exceptional teachers and staff who work together as a team to provide excellent
educational programs and support for our students.
†
Dedicated teachers, staff, parents, PTO, SGYAA, our Pastor & Parochial Vicar,
and all of the Parishioners who go above and beyond with their support to make
sure that great things happen at Saint George School.
†
PTO and parent volunteers who are awesome and we appreciate all of your
efforts!
†
A sincere, compassionate, and contributing Saint George School community!
This year let’s keep on giving thanks and be grateful – in every situation, on every occasion,
every circumstance, every day! The essential part of living a thankful life is living a prayerful
life! Pray continually!
Thank you all, for providing the very best for every child, every day!
I am grateful!
1612 Bryant Street ● Erie, PA 16509 ● 814-864-4821 ● www.sgs-online.org
† Saint George School
Monster Mash was a
great big smash!
Our wonderful Saint George School PTO sponsored the first “Monster
Mash” Family Fun Event on Friday, October 23rd. It was a great way to
kick off the school year. A great way for new families to get involved and
meet other families at SGS. It was a well-attended event by students,
teachers, and families with the emphasis on fun! We can’t thank PTO
enough for the many hours of preparation! There was something for all ages
– amazing decorations and decor, a dunking booth that featured surprise
guests, games, a giant bouncy slide, raffle baskets, pizza & pop, a DJ and
dancing. Kids had fun with their family and school friends and the opportunity to wear their costumes more than once! All that attended had a great
time and plans are underway to make next year’s “Monster Mash” an even
bigger and better smash!
Classroom Halloween Parties were filled with tricks & treats on Friday, October 30th!
Here’s a look at the creative costumes worn by our SGS students and faculty!
† Saint George School
A HUGE….
“THANK Y OU”
to all of the people who purchased
items at the BOOK FAIR!!
It was a giant success and will
help us to put many new and
exciting books in our Library!!
By, Mrs. Tara Carrara,
Lancer Librarian
I want to take this holiday season to send out
another THANK YOU to all of the teachers and
parents of our school!! The love of books and reading starts
young and is nurtured every year thereafter. Every teacher and
parent of this school helps it to grow so that by the time our
students are in 7th and 8th grade nearly HALF of them join
Mrs. Kuhar’s Book Club!! That is a staggering number of
preteen/teen students who love and value reading! I believe
it is my best gift of Christmas!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year……
READ ON!!
WICU TV 12 Morning News Live Broadcast
SAINT GEORGE SCHOOL IS COOL!
The cool Fr. Brandon, students, teachers, parents, and
administrators of SGS arrived early Friday morning,
November 13th, eager to show the Erie Community what
Saint George's Cool School is all about! Kara Coleman and
Mark Soliday from WICU TV 12 did their morning news
broadcast live from our "Lancer" Gymnasium.
Saint George School’s “Cool School Video” featuring Fr. Brandon
Kleckner was one of the four winning videos! The Erie Community
Credit Union awarded SGS a $250.00 check and Fortis Institute
awarded a beautiful Seiko wall clock that plays Christmas Music.
Check out these cool photos from the live broadcast. The cast
members of the “Aristocats Kids, Jr.” were featured performing their
finale, youth group members talked of community service efforts, Mr.
Neubauer was interviewed along with the coolest member of Saint
George School, Fr. Brandon!
We extend a special thank you to Ben Ladaika, a Senior student at
Cathedral Prep and his video crew for helping Saint George produce our winning video. An even bigger thanks are
extended to Fr. Jabo, President of Cathedral Prep, for granting permission to Ben and his crew to partake in this fun
and exciting opportunity!
† Saint George School
SGS had its 16th Veterans Day Luncheon
On Wednesday, November 11, 2015, approximately 75 Veterans were treated to a
home cooked lunch with their student family members in the SGS Café. “This is a
great way to show our appreciation to all of the men and women who served our
country for our freedom,” said Café Manager, Kathy Vogt.
Students made handcrafted cards and patriotic decorations decorated the hallway
walls of the school in honor of Veterans Day. Principal Neubauer said, “the school
has had the honor of inviting student-related veterans to our special Veterans Day
luncheon for the past 16 years.” Many Veterans brought pictures from their war
years, medals, hats, and some dressed in their respective military uniforms.
For our students, “this event teaches them about real-life experiences of
war from different branches of the military that cannot compare to information they read about in history books,” said Assistant Principal, Mrs.
Frick. Having people related to our students, first hand, talk about their
experience is a lesson that will always be remembered and what a great
way to expand learning out of the classroom!
† Academic Excellence
The Drama Club Members presented
the 2nd Annual Fall Musical Production
Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids Jr.”
thanks to the generosity of an
“anonymous donation”
to the Theater Department.
Two “Purr-fect” performances were held in the school’s
gymnasium November 14th and 15th. The shows were
a complete success thanks to the hard work, dedication,
and talent of our cast and crew members, parent
volunteers, and, of course, our most exceptional Music
Director, Mrs. Nichole Mancuso.
Help us Help Saint George School and support our students
As Educators, Teachers know what supplies are best to enhance
their classrooms and learning.
When you are feeling generous to help out a teacher, or just looking for ideas for a gift, please take a
look at our featured Teacher Wish Lists. We greatly appreciate donations for classrooms anytime
throughout the school year. A tax-deductible receipt will be provided. Please direct any questions to
864-4821 X276. This month we’re featuring our 7th-grade Teacher Wish List Requests
7A Miss Tech’s requested Wish List Items: Vanguard Three-wide, Six-Tier Lockers or a monetary
donation to apply towards the purchase of this item; Walmart Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, Office Max
Gift Cards to purchase items.
7B Mrs. Sebulak’s requested Wish List Items: Walmart Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, Office Max Gift Cards to purchase items.
7C Miss Lafaro’s requested Wish List Items: Monetary donations to purchase posters for the classroom.
Lancer Student Ambassadors:
Mike Rahner, Mike Lupo, Tyler Wiseman,
Alexandra Valerio, Elisabeth Rowe, Madeline Slater
Lancer Student Ambassadors for the 2015-2016 school year are
student volunteers dedicated to the positive promotion of the Saint
George Catholic School 2015-2016 Annual Appeal and the prosperous
giving to support our school. We exist today because of your
contribution and commitment to Saint George School. Help our
Lancer Ambassadors help our school! The Annual Appeal is the basis
of our fundraising efforts. The generous gifts we receive from parents,
grandparents, family, friends, teachers, staff, alumni, alumni parents,
businesses, and our parishioners all support our exceptional
school! Your gift reflects your thankfulness for what we do
at Saint George School! We need a vibrant future for Catholic
Education for generations to come!
Please prayerfully consider giving a gift!
THE FALL BOX TOPS COMPETITION HAPPENING NOW!
Please collect and neatly clip your box tops and send them into school in a plastic bag. Please label each
bag with your child's name, homeroom, and amount clearly marked on the outside of the bag.
This is a great way for Saint George School to earn money to purchase needed items. Saint George can
use the money earned for things like computers, books, and playground equipment.
Contest Prizes Include:
 The class with the most Box Tops collected will receive a jeans day!
 One lucky student will win a $10 iTunes gift card!
 One lucky family who donated at least 25 box tops will be entered to win an Outback Steakhouse gift card!
A poster board will be on display by the front office to track each classes progress.
Physical Exams are scheduled at Saint George School for Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
Physical Exams are currently due for all students in Kindergarten, Grade 6, and any other student who does
not have a physical exam on file. You were notified if one is needed for your child. Private exams are encouraged as this is an opportunity for your child to receive any immunizations needed. If you choose to have
a school physical, your signature is required on the form sent home.
If your child has had a physical exam within the last year, you can ask the physician’s office to fax a copy of
the physical exam, as well as a copy of the updated shot record to the school.
Thank you for all of your help in keeping Saint George School in compliance with state regulations.
Saint George School Nurse: 864-4821 Extension 2
Saint George Fax Number: 866-8297
† Leadership
“The Shoe-nadoe”
Saint George Catholic School
2015-2016 Annual Appeal Chair Family
By: Kaitlyn Kala, 8th Grade
Student Council Homeroom
Representative 8B
Do you know the
feeling when you help
someone out, whether it's helping them pick up
their books or giving food to the hungry?
The Rahner Family
We are honored to be the Chair Family for the 2015-2016 Annual
Appeal. It’s hard to believe that eighteen years have passed since
our son RJ started preschool. Walking back through the doors
that were last exited in 1978 felt like coming home. We made a
conscious decision in purchasing a home that allowed us to send
our four children to Saint George School. It was a reunion, as ten
of my 1978 Saint George classmates had also made the same
decision and returned with their children.
As parents, we try to give our children the very best. Enrolling
them at Saint George was certainly the right choice to start them
on the path to responsible adulthood. The bond that was created
between clergy, teachers, administration and classmates is still
strong with each one of our children. It helps to know that our
children’s friends and families also share and promote the same
Christian values.
I had that feeling recently when Student Council led the
school in donating used old shoes to the needy. Within the
day of collecting, we saw results we didn’t think we would
see, good results. Each grade gave an impressive amount of
shoes. Knowing all the shoes everyone donated were being
given to a mom, worker, grandparent or child made my heart
feel so good and I hope yours felt the same way.
When Student Council left school to drop off the shoes
at Chosen International Medical Assistance on West
26th Street, we were greeted by a man who told us about
their organization and what they will be doing with our
shoes. They had a map which showed all the places they
have helped, over 100 countries all over the world, which is
incredible. He also told us about everything they do here in
Erie with people’s old medical equipment.
Even though we can’t help people everywhere,
we can always help people in our Erie community.
Thank you for your shoes, Saint George School!
A Saint George Catholic education means that our children have
learned with a faith-based curriculum. It sets a strong moral
compass to help in their life-long decision making. A Catholic
education comes with financial sacrifices, but those sacrifices
have been worth it.
Your support of the Annual Appeal provides funding to the Saint
George School operating budget and tuition assistance for those
families in need. Please join with us to help continue the legacy
of Saint George School’s academic excellence, leadership and
faith development for many years to come.
Thank you for your support,
John and Peggy Rahner & Family
Peggy
John
David
Julia
RJ
Michael
(SGS Class of 1978)
(SGS Class of 1978)
(SGS Class of 2012)
(SGS Class of 2009)
(SGS Class of 2008)
(SGS Class of 2016)
Note from Student Council Advisor, Miss Marielle Lafaro:
Chosen International Medical Assistance on 3638 West
26th Street is a local non-profit that helps Christian Hospitals
across our country and all over the world get the proper medical
equipment they need to run sterile, safe facilities. In addition to
this invaluable aide they provide outside of Erie, they also have a
mission here in our community providing medical supplies and
equipment to people in need who cannot afford to purchase their
own. CIMA is always accepting donations of medical supplies
such as crutches, wheelchairs, bathroom chairs, etc. Demand is
constantly greater than supply for these missionaries. Please help
us at Student Council spread the word about this organization
and consider donating to their cause. Find out more about them
at: http://www.chosenima.org/
† Faith Development
Saint George Catholic School
“We are called to be united in faith.”
You are cordially invited to attend our weekly student-led liturgies on Friday mornings at
9:00 a.m. in the Saint George Church. In addition, we encourage families to celebrate the
Sunday Eucharist together. We want you to feel welcome to share our tradition of providing the children with an excellent academic education that is faithfully Catholic.
Please come together, celebrate Mass, and be “United in Faith”
December 18th at 9:00 a.m.
h
The 6 grade students will be featured as the “Song & Worship Leaders.”
th
They will lead the songs at our school Mass and sing at the 11:30 a.m. Parish Mass on Sunday, December 20 .
We personally invite you to participate in our student-led liturgy on Friday,
Once a month Saint George School will feature “Song & Worship Leaders” at a 9:00 a.m. Friday student-led liturgy. A different
grade will be featured each month. We understand this Mass may occur during your work day, but we want to give you the opportunity to pray with your son/daughter and see them as worship leaders. The “Song & Worship Leaders” will also participate,
once a month, at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Parish Mass. Family members and friends are all welcome and encouraged to attend.
A LITURGICAL CELEBRATION
IN HONOR OF ALL SAINTS DAY (NOV. 1) AND ALL SOULS’ DAY (NOV. 2)
Students, faculty, and staff gathered together on Thursday, October 29th in observance of
All Saints' Day to commemorate all the faithful departed. Each class selected a Patron
Saint to honor. One representative from each class was dressed in garments reflective of the
saint. Another class representative read a short biography. Prayers appointed for the day
remind us that "Blessed are they the Holy Ones."
May the Blessings of The Saints
be showered upon you always!
† Saint George School
Important Dates
to remember this…
Ashlyn Jessup
Parker Smith
Mackenzie Hatt
Dina Dinh
Henry Lerner
Lochlan Snider-Mills
Sara Barrett
Molly Manino
Anthony Martucci
Ethan Poland
Ava Zaphiris
Morgan Delanko
Alexandra Valerio
Anthony Cuzzola
Ava Forsyth
Magdalene Gallagher
Tori Tuzynski
Juden Lumwas
Elisabeth Rowe
Casey Meeker
Aayousha Shibakoti
12/01
12/01
12/02
12/03
12/03
12/03
12/04
12/04
12/04
12/04
12/05
12/06
12/06
12/08
12/10
12/11
12/11
12/12
12/12
12/13
12/14
William Grimshawe
Aaron VanDyke
Cameron Baniewicz
Michael Barbato, Jr.
William Rosenzweig, Jr.
Angela Chardeen
Nolan Maloney
Caleb Pietras
Kendall Krahe
Sophia Seifert
Liam Jessup
Alyssa McIntosh
Sara Pawlowski
Conor Russell
Gabriel Schwindt
Grace Schwindt
Alexander Wojcik
Julia Ferrick
Reid Kaulis
Sophia Phelps
Lillian Whaling
12/15
12/15
12/18
12/18
12/18
12/19
12/19
12/19
12/21
12/21
12/22
12/22
12/22
12/23
12/26
12/26
12/26
12/27
12/30
12/30
12/30
Please consider giving a gift this holiday season
to the Saint George Catholic School Annual Appeal–
the gift that keeps giving!
12/01/15
Advent Wreath Blessing
Penance Grades 3 & 4
12/02/15
Penance Grades 5 & 6
12/03/15
Penance Grades 7 & 8
12/04/15
Liturgy 9:00 a.m.
Celebrate Saint Nicholas
12/06/15
Feast Day of Saint Nicholas
12/07/15
Christmas Store Shopping begins
Shopping ends on 12/09/15
12/08/15
Holy Day of Obligation—The Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Liturgy 9:00 a.m.
Lion King Jr. Auditions 3:00-5:00 p.m.
12/09/15
Spirit Day
Early Dismissal 1:30 p.m.
12/17/15
Kindergarten– 3rd Grade Christmas
Program performed for the school children
2:00 p.m. in the Church
12/18/15
6th Grade Students will be featured at the
“Song & Worship Leaders” 9:00 a.m. Mass
6th Grade Students lead the songs
at the 11:30 a.m. Parish Mass on 12/20/15
K– 1 Golden Living 10:00 a.m.
2nd & 3rd Graders Golden Living 1:30 p.m.
12/21/15
Kindergarten– 3rd Grade Christmas
Program Parent & Friends Performance in
the Church 12:30 p.m.
After School Care available until 5:30 p.m.
SGYAA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
12/22/15
Liturgy 9:00 a.m.
Christmas Parties for Kindergarten– 4th
Grade 12:15– 1:15 p.m.
Christmas Parties for 5th– 6th Grade
begin at Noon
Early Dismissal at 1:30 p.m.
NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE TODAY
12/23/15– 1/03/16 Christmas Vacation NO SCHOOL
1/04/16
School Resumes