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: Matthew 4:12-23
Word of the Week: casting
Prayer for the week: Jesus, Leader and Perfecter of Faith (Hebrews 12:2), we accept your invitation to follow you and practice holiness in our lives.

Mission and Vision Statement

Blessings,
Mrs. Schweitzer

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We Love Our St. Anthony Family!

DRAMA CLUB – Drama Club will meet after school next Tuesday, January 27th until 4:00. Students will be dismissed on the lower lot.

MAP TESTING – Three times a year it is required that our school administer MAP Tests to students in Grades K-8. Students in Kindergarten and Grade 1, Reading and Math are tested. In Grades 2-8, Reading, Math, and Language are tested. Please be sure that your children are well rested, and as always, encourage them to do their best to stay focused and give their best effort.

Holy Cross High School Launches River Cities Scholars Program - HCDHS has launched the River Cities Scholars Program, a new educational initiative supported by a $2 million challenge grant from the Butler Foundation. The program is designed to expand access to Catholic education for students from Northern Kentucky's river cities while strengthening enrollment and community impact. The River Cities Scholars Program will provide significant tuition assistance and academic opportunity to eligible students who reside in one of the five river cities and demonstrate financial need, desire to achieve, academic promise, leadership potential, and commitment to personal growth and community service. Selected students will receive coverage for up to two-thirds of their tuition for four years. The River Cities Scholars Program will begin in the 2026-27 academic year and reflects Holy Cross High School's mission to educate the whole person - mind, body and spirit - while investing in the long-term vitality of the region. Those seeking information about eligibility, applications or opportunities to support the River Cities Scholars Program can contact Hannah Knox, Program Director, at hannah.knox@hchscov.com or at 859-431-1335; or Victoria Gerkin, Director of Development, at victoria.gerkin@hchscov.com at 859-815-6027 or attend an Information Night on Friday, January 23 at 6:30 pm at HCHS, 3617 Church Street, Covington, KY 41015. The application form is open and available online at River Cities Scholars Application. The deadline to apply for the River Cities Scholars Program is March 13.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK – We kick off Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, Jan. 25th with Open House from 10AM until 1PM. Feel free to stop in and bring some friends. Our Book Fair will be in full swing for Open House also. On today’s newsletter is attached a schedule of events for the week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

SUPPORT ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL – In honor of faith, service, and community and in celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. Anthony PTO invites you to give back to our Catholic school by participating in the PTO 2026 Online Donation Event. This event will run from Saturday, Jan. 24th through Saturday, Jan. 31st. Funds raised will support student programs and school improvements. To contribute click the DONATE button or select one of the preset donation amounts at https://www.32auctions.com/StAnthonyPTO2026. Thank you for supporting St. Anthony School and Catholic education. You are a blessing to our community.

INCLEMENT WEATHER REMINDER – Please remember that in case of inclement weather, a telephone call will go out to all families, local televisions stations will be notified, and an email will be sent stating plans regarding delays or school closings.

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
• Friday – Grilled Cheese
• Monday – Chicken Patty Sandwich
• Tuesday – Tacos

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS
- MAP TESTING – MONDAY, JAN. 5TH THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28TH
- SUNDAY, JAN. 25TH – OPEN HOUSE FROM 10AM UNTIL 1PM – Scholastic Bookfair
- SUNDAY, JAN. 25TH THROUGH FRIDAY, JAN. 30TH – CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ WEEK
- FRIDAY, JAN. 30TH FAMILY DAY FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES

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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