From the Desk of Mrs. Schweitzer



Welcome to a new school year! With a new year comes a new theme! For the 2025-2026 school year, our theme will be “Come Follow Me.” In the Gospel of John 10: 27-29, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.”

What do these words mean to us as disciples of Jesus? During this Jubilee year in our church, we are called to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” We are supposed to contribute to our Church’s mission of unity and charity. John 10: 27-29 shows that Jesus knows us inside and out; He knows everything about us, and He loves us deeply. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd”, and we are “His flock” who are called to listen to His will for us and follow Him. In order to do this, we must try to learn and understand scripture and the traditions of the Catholic church.

This school year, we will spend time focusing on the Sunday Gospel readings and what they tell us about how we, as Pilgrims of Hope, are to follow Jesus, so that when our Good Shepherd says to us, “COME FOLLOW ME”, we listen, follow, and become a more unified Church.

Gospel Reading: Luke 23:35-43
Word of the Week: corresponds
Prayer for the week:  Jesus, King of kings (Matthew 1:5), thank you for loving us and teaching us how to love others.

Mission and Vision Statement

Blessings,
Mrs. Schweitzer

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We Love Our St. Anthony Family!

EMPOWERING GOD'S CHILDREN -- Teachers will be conducting Empowering God's Children lessons over the next two weeks, which are a mandatory part of the Diocese of Covington safety curriculum. Attached to today's newsletter is a preview of the program. Opt out forms are in the office.

NOVEMBER SCHOOL SERVICE PROJECT -- This month, we are collecting non-perishable food items for those in need. For every 10 items that are brought in, we will add a feather to our school turkey in the front hallway. If we can dress our turkey with 10 feathers, we will get to enjoy breaking a turkey pinata full of candy to share! Please help us dress our turkey and help those in need!  

HELP US RAISE SOME FUNDS! The Texas Roadhouse/Mike’s Carwash gift card fundraiser began last Wednesday, November 12th. All information about this important fundraiser was sent home last week with students. The fundraiser will last until Monday, Dec. 1st. These gift cards can make great gifts for loved ones and friends during the holiday season! Please support our PTO by purchasing a gift card or two.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION – For weather emergencies, emails will be sent and the local news stations will report any delays or closings. An automated phone message was sent last week to test the system. I am assuming all received the call because no one contacted me with any issues. 

REMINDERS – Makeup (including nail polish and artificial finger nails) is NOT to be worn in school. Students are not permitted to wear face or body make-up but are permitted to wear fingernail polish on out-of-uniform days. Also, boys’ hair may be no longer than to the collar, and in the front, should not hang in student’s eyes and should be neatly trimmed. Please ensure your student(s) are following these handbook guidelines.
Also, our diocesan school lunch program does not allow outside fast food to be brought in. Sodas/sugary drinks/sports drinks should not be in water bottles. Soft drinks/sodas should not be packed in a lunch brought from home.

SCHOOL PHOTOS – School photos have been sent home with students. A retake day was requested here at school, however, it has been scheduled at the Lifetouch Studio in Crestview Hills on December 1st. Lifetouch has communicated if a parent / guardian feels their student’s photo is not captured perfectly they should reach out to ijrivera@lifetouch.com to schedule a time to bring their student in on December 1st.

PARENT'S NIGHT OUT--The Holy Cross High School cheerleaders and coaches are sponsoring a Polar Express fun(d)raiser Saturday, December 6th from 6-9pm in the Finn Center/Holy Cross Gym on the corner of 36th and Church Streets in Latonia. Ages 4+ (must be potty trained) for $25 per child/$50 family maximum. Wear pajamas, bring a blanket and pillow to enjoy the movie, snack, crafts, and games. To register, go to the school website www.hchscov.com and click on the advertising flyer.

PE SHIRTS – PE t-shirts may be worn to school on MONDAYS when the students will have PE. Black gym shorts, sweatpants, or uniform bottoms may be worn with the t-shirt. The sponsorships on the back of the shirt covered the cost for one shirt per student. A few extra shirts are available in limited sizes for $10 each – contact the office if you would like to purchase one.

SCHOOL ABSENCES - Please be sure to contact the school office by 7:30AM if your student will be absent on a given day. Completion of the St. Anthony Reentry After Absence Form or a note will be required upon the student’s return to school. A copy of the form is attached to this newsletter. After 3 days, a physician’s note / release is required to accompany the form or note.

TECHNOLOGY REMINDER – Please remember that the students' school emails and Chromebooks are meant for school/academic purposes only. Misuse of school emails and Chromebooks is considered a misuse of technology and a ten point violation which would result in two detentions. This also applies to cell phones and other devices such as watches used for texting during school hours. All of this is stated in the student handbook. Any important communication from your child/children during the school day should be via the school office phone or email. I have reminded students of this policy.

2025 / 2026 SCHOOL CALENDAR – Our school calendar for this year is attached. 

CONTACT INFO – As a reminder, weather delays or closings and other school emergencies will be communicated via PHONE & EMAIL. If you have not received these communications over the last few weeks, PLEASE contact the school office. Also, if you have a change in your phone number or email, please notify the office.

COMMUNICATION – This school year, the Diocesan schools will once again be using Sycamore Education for online grading. For assistance logging in, please contact the school office.

VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practice programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote right-doing within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church. “Protecting God's Children® for Adults” is training conducted by VIRTUS® certified facilitators on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The training makes participants aware of the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and five easy steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse. The Diocese requires all adults who enter the school building or are around school children in any capacity, must be in full compliance with the charter. This requires completed paperwork on file with the Diocese, attendance at a one-time Virtus Live Training session and maintenance of monthly online bulletins. More information can be found at www.virtus.org. In summary, ALL ADULTS who would like to be involved with our school children must be Virtus certified and in compliance with the National Charter, “Protecting God’s Children” program. This means that all volunteers are required to be VIRTUS trained -- this includes classroom volunteers, field trip sponsors, room mothers, cafeteria workers, coaches, and substitutes, etc. New parents wishing to be VIRTUS trained should register online at www.virtus.org. If you are transferring from another parochial school, please make sure you add St. Anthony School to your VIRTUS account. If you already have an account with VIRTUS and it has been suspended or if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bottom.

LUNCH THIS WEEK
• Monday – Hamburger / Cheeseburger

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• WATER BOTTLES – There are no water fountains available in the building. Water refilling stations are available. Each student should bring their own water bottle – Please remind them! A limited number of cups are available in the office if a student forgets, but school should not be asked to provide a cup every day.
• ICE CREAM FRIDAYS – The cafeteria offers ice cream to students every Friday afternoon for $1. Students should give their money to the homeroom teacher on Friday morning unless it has already been sent in to the office.
• DISMISSAL – Please be sure to arrive at school to pick up your students ON TIME and in the designated area that you have been instructed to park in. Traffic tends to become a problem if cars arrive once dismissal has occurred. Students line up in the school based on the area they will be dismissed to. The bus should depart BEFORE any cars leave the parking lot. If you have questions, please contact the office.

UPCOMING EVENTS
- WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26TH – FRIDAY, NOV. 28TH SCHOOL IS CLOSED – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS – Please designate St. Anthony as your Kroger Community Rewards partner.
Here’s How!
1. Login or create your digital account at www.kroger.com
2. Link your Card to an organization.
Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account.
1. Sign in to your digital account.
2. Enter the name or NPO number of the organization you wish to support.
3. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”.

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