Wednesday, August 30
WEEKLY BULLETIN
A Message from Ms. Mullin
School is now officially in session as we have entered our first full week back, and I continue to be amazed with how involved and supportive our parent community is. Thank you to our 7th grade class who has generously decided to donate all First Friday donut sale proceeds to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Our prayers are with the individuals and families suffering during this time. We are asking students to donate a suggested amount of $5.00 for donuts this Friday only. Please note that this is only a suggested donation, and donuts will still be available at the regular price of $1.00. Students wishing to contribute more than $5.00 are welcome to make do so.
Have I mentioned how amazing our community is? Thank you to our Mothers' Club Vice President, Michelle Altick, for her hard work putting on the New Family Reception. It was a beautiful event and a perfect way to welcome our new families to the community. Thank you also to our Back to School BBQ Chairs: Julie Hood and Jeanne Moeschler. Together with their team of volunteers, they transformed the campus into a true nautical escape. It was a lovely evening and such a pleasure to start the year with. I would also like to appreciate our STR teachers for the love they put into preparing for Back to School Night. It was an inspired evening, and such a pleasure to host so many families.
Thank you for your patience as we integrate new systems and procedures at St. Raymond School. Every change we make is an effort to improve the education we can provide your children. I understand that changes can feel challenging and uncomfortable sometimes. Please know that my door is "always open". Please email me at kmullin@straymond.org to arrange an appointment to share concerns, learn more, or share celebrations.
Please find a few reminders below, and GO CARDINALS!
Muffins with Mullin
The first meeting of the school year is scheduled for Thursday, 9/7/16, at 8:00 am in the Parish Hall at St. Raymond. This event will be an open forum opportunity to sit together to discuss the start of school year. I encourage families to schedule individual meetings with me if they have specific concerns about their children.
Cardinal Wear
Students, parents, and teachers are encouraged to enjoy our first Cardinal Wear day of the school year on Thursday, 9/7. Students may wear Cardinal Wear tops with their regular uniform bottoms. The next Cardinal Wear day will be on Monday, 9/11, as a gift from Ms. Mullin to the students in honor of her birthday.
First Friday Mass
This Friday is First Friday Mass at 8:15am. Students should wear Perfect Uniform. Our 2017-2018 Student Council Installation will follow the Mass. All are welcome to join.
Check-in System
Thank you for remembering that all adults on campus are expected to check-in at the front office upon arrival. Please note that this system is not being used to track volunteer hours. We appreciate your cooperation with this procedure, and we thank you for helping keep our campus a safe space for students.
STAR Testing
Students will take their first STAR tests of the school year next week. STAR ELA will be given on 9/7 and STAR Math will be given on 9/8. Students who are absent on either date will be given the opportunity to make up the missed test(s). While STAR is different from traditional standardized testing systems, we do ask our students to always try their best as we use this data to measure growth throughout the school year. Please make sure your student arrives well-rested and ready to do their best.
Have a blurb for the Wednesday Bulletin? Send via email to office@straymond.org. Submission deadline is Mondays by 12noon. Thank you!
Mothers' Club
Dear St. Raymond Families,
A heartfelt welcome back to school on behalf of the Mothers' Club and a special welcome to all of our new families. I am so grateful for all of our volunteers who have been hard at work over the summer on many Mothers' Club events. Thank you to Michele Kavanaugh and Julie Hood, for organizing the JK and Kindergarten playdates over the summer to help our little ones start the school year with a few buddies. Thanks to Kate Hourigan and Jennie Jurian who managed our Big Sister/Little Sister program for our new moms. And a big thank you to our V.P., Michelle Altick who hosted a beautiful New Family Welcome Reception, along with Scott Evars and the Fathers' Club, who staffed the bar for the event.
We kicked off the year with our first day of school meeting last week. Thank you to Flo de Bretagne and the hospitality committee for a lovely breakfast at the meeting. If you were unable to join us, but are interested in volunteering, please send me an email and I can help you find the right committee to meet your schedule and interests. We also revealed the theme of the 2017 Auction, A Night in New York City. Save the date for November 11, 2017. You'll be hearing much more about our auction in the coming weeks. To Be a Part of It, please contact Megan Ward (meganburnsward@gmail.com) and Laura Smith (laurasmith3488@yahoo.com).
Finally a big thank you to Julie Hood and Jeanne Moeschler who helped us set sail into the school year with an amazing Back to School BBQ! It was such a fun evening and great to catch up with everyone.
In gratitude,
Anne Merkert, 2017-2018 Mothers' Club President
aomerkert@gmail.com
Fathers' Club
Welcome back to another exciting school year at St. Raymond. I am thrilled to introduce the full Fathers' Club team, but before I do, I would like to thank the outgoing President JT Sison, who was outstanding in continuing to drive the success of the group. Scott Evars is acting as the vice president and also will be chair of athletics. He has three children at St. Raymond in 8th, 7th, and 4th grades. Eric Heitmann has become the treasurer and has a daughter in 2nd grade and another in kindergarten. I have a son entering the first grade and two younger daughters who will keep me at St. Raymond through 2030!
Our goals this year are fairly simple: grow participation and contribute meaningful funds to the overall operation of the school. The best way to do this is to make people aware of the opportunities and communication is the key to being successful. The Fathers' Club puts on incredible events throughout the year, so the more people aware of the good times, the more involvement we will have.
Our ask is also simple: volunteer, participate, and have fun. We promise to work hard but we cannot do it alone. Our community is what makes St. Raymond School so special, and we have an opportunity with the Fathers' Club to continue to building this community for the benefit of our children.
Two upcoming events are outlined below. Additional information including event flyers will be coming in the first weeks of school. All event tickets can be purchased on the school website.
Introducing Our First "Father-Kid" Event
I'm pleased announce our first "Father-Kid" event will take place on Sunday, September 17th. The Fathers' Club will venture to AT&T Park and catch the Giants take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. This event will allow fathers to spend significant quality time with their sons and daughters in an enjoyable environment.We have plans to host a few of these events throughout the year. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.
QUICK FACTS
SF Giants v Arizona D-backs
Transportation to and from the game
September 17, 2017 @ 1:05pm
Limited to 50 participants
Leave St Raymond @10:30am
Stanford Tailgate
Make sure you mark Saturday, September 23rd on your calendars! Our Third Annual Stanford Tailgate Party will see the #14 Stanford Cardinal square off against the UCLA Bruins. Over 400 members of the St. Raymond community attended last year's event. We invite you and your family to enjoy this incredible event on the Stanford campus. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.
Todd Husak
Father's Club President
Mother's Ministry + Mothers' Club
2017-2018 Calendar
Come as you are to thrive! Our theme for the year is gratitude, exploring topics of gratitude related to our family, our faith, our vocation, and our community.
- Wednesday, September 20th @ 7:30pm
Parish Center
Welcome Reflection & Social - Tuesday, October 17t h @ 7:30pm
TBD location
Sally Vance-Trembath, PhD
"Gifts of our Catholic Tradition" - Wednesday, November 15th @ 7:30pm
Home of Wendy Connors
"Faith + Gratitude in Holiday Traditions" - Tuesday, January 23th @ 7:30pm
TBD location & topic - Saturday, March 3rd @ 8:30-2pm, including lunch
Sacred Heart Prep
Busy Moms Lenten Retreat - Tuesday, April 17th @ 7:30pm
Parish Center
Closing Social
Please mark your calendars and join us for fellowship—more details to come on individual meet-ups. Join our Facebook group at http://bit.ly/2d4SSm3 or email Sarah Gonzalez bergersb@gmail.com or Jill Koziol jill.koziol@gmail.com for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sep 1 - First Friday Mass
Sep 4 - Labor Day - No School
Sep 6 - Picture Day
Sep 4 - Muffins w/Mullin
Cardinal Wear
St. Raymond Catholic JK-8 School
1211 Arbor Road • Menlo Park, CA 94025 • (650) 322-2312