St. Austin Catholic School
e - Newsletter
September 11, 2008
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY
 
MONDAY
 
Lunch Order Due
 
6:30pm School Advisory Board
School Cafeteria
 
TUESDAY 
 
6:00pm Parents' Club Meeting
*childcare & dinner provided *
Meeting in Hecker Hall
Child Care in Cafeteria 
 
5:00 - 7:00pm Craig O's
 
WEDNESDAY 
 
5th Grade to the Capital 
 
THURSDAY
 
 
FRIDAY
 
Lunch Order Due
 
7th Grade on archaeological Field Trip all day
 
Mass at 9:00am
Please join us!
Good Information for Catholics
As faithful Catholics it is important for us to be informed about the culture around us, especially at this time building up to the election.  Take a few moments and check out these links to helpful information.
 
Faithful Citizenship
 
 
 

We have lots of WISHES

As you know, we cannot forward our mission without your support.  Some of our wishes are small items (glue sticks) and some of them are large (sound system).  Please consider fulfilling the wish of one of our teachers by donating an item from our wishlist.  We appeciate any way you can help!  
Website Links
St. Austin School
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
Art
Music
P.E.
Spanish
Library
St. Austin Parish
Required Volunteer Training
Anyone-volunteers, paid staff or clergy-who works with minors or vulnerable adults in a parish or diocesan setting is required to complete a Secure Online Application, agree to a criminal record check, sign the Diocese of Austin Code of Ethics, and attend a Protecting God's Children workshop.

If you plan to volunteer for the school, be a room parent, event coordinator, or field trip chaperon for St. Austin Catholic School, you must complete above steps.  All parents are encouraged to take advantage of this educational opportunities regardless of your level of volunteerism.

Any questions about the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry program can be directed to the parish office.

Protecting God's Children

Protecting God's Children teaches the Catholic understanding that each individual must be respected and honored. The schedule of upcoming Protecting God's Children workshops is available via the diocese Ethics & Integrity in Ministry web page. Please register for workshops ahead of time by calling the phone numbers listed. You may attend any workshop in the Diocese. Workshops typically last 2.5 to 3 hours and are given by a trainer who has been approved and trained themselves by the Diocese of Austin.

Protecting God's Children workshops at St. Austin

Saturday, September 27, 2008
9 a.m. - noon
Hecker Hall
Please RSVP by September 22, 2008 so that enough materials will be available.
 
From the Principal's Desk 
I am VERY sorry about the tardiness of this e-newsletter.  I have been out of the office three days this week and just when I think I was going to catch up, Ms. Turner went home ill.  So, here it is...
 
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 
I cannot tell you how much I appreciated all of the time and items you donated to help make our Principals' Meeting a wonderful day!  You are amazing!  Speaking of amazing, our students received some very high compliments from our visitors!  We have much to be proud of! 
 
If you were fortunate enough to join us for Mass last Friday, you witnessed the baptism of our own Lena W. (1st) and her little brother Matthew.  It was a joyous celebration to be a part of as our own Mrs. Galvan (& Mr.) and Mrs. Cardenas (and Mr.) are also the godparents of these two beautiful newly baptized children!  We are blessed to be invited to celebrate with these children and their family. 
 
Lunch orders can be turned into the office on Monday since I failed to get the reminders out to you! :) 
 
In Spirit & Peace,

Mrs. Donna Woodard
Principal
 
Vision and Hearing Screening
Each year students in specified grades are required to have their vision and hearing and scoliosis screened.  Since we do not have full nursing services on site, we contract out this screening.  Parents may choose to have us complete the screening and we will bill you through FACTS or you may do it through their own provider.  Please fill out the VHS form on the website and return it by September 22.  If we do not receive a copy of these screenings done by your own provider by the October 2 screening date, we must screen your child and you will be billed accordingly.  Thank you for your cooperation!
 
Marathon Kids 2008-2009
Marathon KidsŪ is a free, twelve-year-old, trademarked, incremental, school and community based fitness program. It is a six month endurance-building running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening project for K-5th graders and their families. Marathon Kids packets for students in Kinder through 5th grade have gone out in folders this week.  This program is fun, challenging, and really encourages kids to adopt running and eating well as a way of life.  Registration forms must be returned to Ms. Galvin (or to the office or homeroom teacher) by September 25th.  Should you have any questions about the program, please email Ms. Galvin- kgalvin@staustinschool.org
 
The Kick-Off Celebration is on Saturday, October 4th.  This is the same day that the Mother-Son football game is scheduled, and Ms. Galvin would like all parents to know that it is not mandatory to attend the Kick- Off Celebration. Students can count running sports toward their Marathon Kids miles, therefor if they attend the Mother-Son football game, they may color in 1/4 of a pie (1/4 mile) on their chart.  Please let Ms. Galvin know if you plan to attend the Kick-Off, and if not, please still consider having your students participate in Marathon Kids- as there are so many benefits of their program.
 
Fall Individual and Sports Picture Day- Save the Date
Fall picture envelopes will be sent out to families next Tuesday, September 16th. Picture Day is on Thursday, September 25th.  
 
e-Newsletter Submissions
If you have something you would like to submit for the e-newsletter, please email e-newsletter@staustinschool.org by 8am on Wednesday.  Thank you!
 
Parents' Club on Tuesday
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm and dinner will be from Craig O's.  Child care will be provided.  Thank you for your understanding in our calendar adjustment.  The meeting will be a great opportunity to learn about our community, it's happenings and meet with your room parents.  (You know, those wonderful parents who keep everyone on the same page and send out the reminders to you!)  Plan to attend - you'll be glad you did!
 
 
Grand Tour 2009 -
20th Anniversary
We will soon be kicking off our planning for this exciting event and we need your help.  Please prayerfully consider donating your time and talents to Grand Tour 2009.  Chairwomen Stephanie Hahn and Leah Esparza will be sharing more information at the Parent's Club meeting on September 16.  Your support is greatly appreciated as we continue this successful tradition of the Grand Tour for St. Austin's.  Several committee chairpersons are needed and there will be many volunteer opportunities for you.  See you on the 16th!!
 
St. Austin's Own Cub Scouts Pack 34 Opens Recruitment
Come and join us on Friday, September 26, 5:30 p.m. at Hecker Hall for a pizza party and recruitment night to kick off this year's Cub Scout calendar.  Pack 34 invites you to learn more about how your family will benefit from scouting by promoting strong values, discipline and character as well as developing leadership skills and greater self esteem.  Your scout will gain a greater appreciation for the environment and an ever greater sense of community.  In addition to the annual Pine Wood Derby, Report to State, Blazer Tag event and camp out on the USS Lexington; there will be the fall and spring campout which includes games, hiking and a number of outdoor activities to develop physical fitness.  Calling all 1st through 5th grade parents and boys - Come and learn more about scouting! 

Mother Son Football -
Hosted by Parents' Club
Our 6th Annual Mother Son Football game will be on October 4th at Pease Park.  It is a great morning of fun as the MOMS take on the BOYS in a flag football game.  The DADS and GIRLS cheer everyone on as we have a great time trying to our maneuver our boys!  Last year to boys beat the moms 21 to 14.
 
The T-shirt orders are due September 17th.  The order form is posted to the website.  Please return your orders to the school office.  The boys shirts are free!  Thank you to Elaine Garrett and Stacey Fenton for their leadership on this event!
 
No-Cost Fundraising News
NEWSFLASH...
HEB is Offering 70 Bonus Box Tops!!!  That's $7 for our School. Buy any 10 Box Tops Products at an HEB store in one visit and the check-out will automatically print a coupon for 70 Bonus Box Tops.  It couldn't be any easier to get some extra cash for St. Austin!  See details at: http://www.heb.com/yourHEBStore/specialPromotions-GMBoxTop.jsp
Summer Clipping Contest
Congratulations to the Meyer family for collecting over 300 Box Tops!   They will be enjoying a wonderful family movie night, complete with treats.  This contest raised about $200 for our school.  Thank you to everyone who submitted Box Tops and Campbell's Labels for Education.  Keep clipping because we'll have another contest in October.
 
Craig O's Night
Remember that this Tuesday, September 16th is our first Craig O's Night of the year!  Craig O's Pizza will be served at the re-scheduled Parents Club meeting.  Thank you for supporting a great local business that gave over $1000 to our school last year.
 
Do you shop at Randall's or Target?
Remember to get a Remarkable card (#462) or a Target Visa Red Card (#16138) and St. Austin School will receive a percentage of you purchases.  Applications are available on the bulletin board by the school office.
 
Lunch Orders - WEEKLY 
We are trying to adjust our ordering process to assist parents and also give our caterer a timely count for orders.  We are posting the next couple of weeks' orders on the website and asking parents to turn them in the Friday MORNING before the week begins.  You may order one week, or several weeks at a time.  is time to order for the first two weeks of September.   The weekly order forms can be found on the school website on the Lunch Program page.  Click here to go directly to that page.  No money is to be turned in at this time.  Orders may be submitted via email to our coordinator, fax or dropped off at the office.