Dear St. Peter Community,
Next week is the last week of 1st quarter. The quarter will end on Friday, October 16th and 2nd quarter will start on Tuesday, October 20th. Monday, October 19th is a grading day for the teachers.
You will soon hear that we recently learned we have two new positive cases of the Coronavirus. The two students are doing well, with mild symptoms. I am pleased to inform you that in both cases the St. Louis County Health Department did not require additional students or staff to quarantine, in part because of our strong mitigation policies and procedures. We thank you for your continued support of our policies surrounding the Coronavirus.
A beautiful story............... Two days ago a group of third grade girls called me outside to show me something they had created. In the mulch by the fence, they created a physical outline of Mrs. Jamboretz. You see, Mrs. Jamboretz just had surgery for Breast Cancer yesterday. The girls then joined in a circle and prayed for the well being of Mrs. Jamboretz! The wonderful thing is, these types of things seem to happen with regularity. This is a direct result of the faith formation you are giving your children!
Thank you PTO - your recent gifts to the staff were met with a lot of gratitude! We feel and appreciate the support.
With gratitude,
Dr. John Freitag, Principal
If you missed any previous communications, you can find them here on our website... https://stpeterkirkwood.org/parents
Counseling Connection
Peace: It Begins with Me
Our Lady of Victory, Pray for Us
Another win for the livestream technology! The sixth graders reverently led our Feast of the Holy Rosary Mass this week. Fr. Paul shared with us the origins of this feast of Mary: October 7 was originally called the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. Fr. Paul told us the history of the great battle that was fought and won by the aid of Pope Pius V’s worldwide call for Christians to pray the rosary. He reminded us, however, that when we pray (and we should--always) we should also do actions that help whatever we ask for in prayer. It’s about both: action on our part and prayer. Therefore, if we want peace and justice for ourselves and those around us, we are obligated to pray but also to act. Thanks for the reminder, Fr. Paul. And, St. Mary of the Holy Rosary, pray for us.
I am reminded of another title for Our Lady: Mary, Undoer of Knots. And this prayer:
O Virgin Mary,
Mother who never refuses to come to the help of your children in need,
Mother whose hands never stop working for the welfare of your children,
moved as they are by the loving mercy and kindness
that exists in your Immaculate Heart,
cast your compassionate and merciful eyes on me
and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life.
Oh Mother! You know the difficulties,
sorrow and pain that I’ve had because of them.
O loving Mother, I place the ribbon of my life and
this knot (these knots) into your loving hands,
hands which can undo even the most difficult knot.
Most holy Mother, come to my aid and intercede for me before God with your prayers.
I cast this knot into your hands and beg you to undo it,
in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, and for the glory of God, once and for all.
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
Wednesday’s Mass emphasized the Penitential Act as part of the Introductory Rites. During this part of Mass (usually, the "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy"), we take a few moments to think about what we're sorry for over the previous week. After we silently offer our apology to God in prayer, we are absolved of our sins with the priest's words: "May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life." And we reply, "Amen."
Next Week’s Mass: Our Faith in Action Mass
Next week we welcome our fourth and seventh graders to attend Mass. We will emphasize the Collect, the part of the Introductory Rites in which the priest collects our prayers and brings them to God. It’s our annual Faith in Action Mass, planned by Mrs. Skoff and the fourth graders. While our Faith in Action program will look different this year, we’re proud of the impact we can have on our students and those that we will serve by the projects we do this year. This service program focuses on the Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Each grade level is assigned a vulnerable community that they will study and serve for the school year. Many thanks to Anne LaBarge and Natalie Orlando for bringing this program to us. It’s been NINE YEARS since the program began. Long enough for FIA’s first kindergartners, now eighth-graders, to have experienced the entire program!
News and Announcements
Upcoming Dates of Interest:
Friday, October 16th - End of First Quarter
Friday, October 16th - Charity Dress Down Day. Each student pays a minimum of $2.00 to dress out of uniform. Donations go to Faith in Action Charities.
Monday, October 19th - No School for Teacher Records Day.
Monday, October 26th - Report cards will be online.
Monday, November 9th - Picture Retakes
Uniform Reminder:
Only St. Peter sweatshirts may be worn during the school day with the uniform. Please order sweatshirts using the link in the St. Peter Gear flyer in this newsletter. Teachers are leaving windows opened and fans running to keep air circulating. Some classrooms may be cooler than usual this fall. Thank you for your cooperation.
Volunteer Information:
In order to volunteer or continue to volunteer at St. Peter, you must complete an updated set of requirements before the end of 2020. The updates are in a new program called Prevent and Protect St. Louis. See the attached document for the instructions or go to the parish website.
If you have questions, please contact Mary Doyle at the Rectory, mdoyle@stpeterkirkwood.org or 314-966-8600.
No Special Lunches
Please remember that we are no longer able to allow "special lunches" to be dropped off for students. We would greatly appreciate cooperation from parents and ask you not to bring special lunches for your child's birthday or special occasion.
Please remember that we are no longer able to allow "special lunches" to be dropped off for students. We would greatly appreciate cooperation from parents and ask you not to bring special lunches for your child's birthday or special occasion.
Nurse Notes
St. Peter Families, I am reposting guidance that we sent out a few weeks ago. Please read carefully and consider printing a copy to have available for reference:
- Any child staying home from school due to illness should IMMEDIATELY cause families to evaluate whether ALL children of the family should stay home
- If the unwell child has one minor symptom then we recommend the following:
- Contact the child's pediatrician to discuss this symptom, unless this minor symptom is attributed to a previously diagnosed condition (eg. runny nose in allergy season in a child with known allergies)
- This child should stay home from school until 24 hours after this minor symptom has resolved
- Siblings of patients with only one minor symptom do not necessarily have to stay home from school but parents can use their judgment if they would feel more comfortable keeping all siblings home
- If the unwell child has two or more low-risk symptoms or at least one high-risk symptom:
- Child must stay home
- Family is expected to contact their pediatrician to discuss this symptom picture
- Siblings are expected to stay home, as well, until the symptomatic child's diagnosis/disposition is clearer. If another cause is found that is not COVID (eg strep throat) - siblings can return. If possible COVID, then siblings are expected to stay home until the condition of the sick patient is clear (results of testing or alternative diagnosis is determined). If the case involves a confirmed COVID case, then siblings stay Home for 14 days past the last contact with the symptomatic child.
PTO News
Trunk or Treat – Trunk or Treat is canceled this year, due to the gathering size limit currently imposed in St. Louis County.
Faculty Staff Prayer Board - Help us rally around our STP faculty and staff as they continue to care for and support our children through these trying times. Please find a day that works well for your family to lift them up in prayer and encouragement.
