Bluejay Bulletin ST. CECILIA SCHOOL

Our MissioN:

Centered in Christ and rooted in historical Catholic tradition, St. Cecilia strives to form missionary disciples and foster academic excellence in a culture of family.

April 27, 2025

LOOKING AHEAD

April 28th

• Return to School
• Book Fair Week
• Teacher Appreciation Week

April 29th

• Book Fair Week
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• Tag on Tuesday

April 30th

• Book Fair Week
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• 8:00 am Beta Closing Ceremony

May 1st

• Book Fair Week
• Teacher Appreciation Week

May 2nd

• Book Fair Week
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• 8:30 am Mother's Day Mass
• 11:30 am Early Dismissal

Dear Bluejay Family,

Alleluia! He is risen! I pray you and your family had a joyful Easter and a restful break. We are excited to welcome our Bluejays back to campus as we enter these final, special weeks of the school year.

This week, we pause to honor our remarkable teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. In the words of Pope Francis, “Catholic schools are called to be places of evangelization, dialogue, and encounter.” Every day, our teachers live out this mission—planting seeds of faith, nurturing curiosity, and embracing each child as a beloved son or daughter of God. Their vocation is more than teaching; it is an act of love and service. We are deeply grateful for all they do to make St. Cecilia a place where Christ’s light shines brightly.

We are equally grateful for you, our families, who walk this journey with us in faith and partnership. Your support, your prayers, and your trust make our mission possible.

As we settle back into routine, I ask everyone to please revisit our parking and car line procedures. For the safety of all, please avoid using the unmanned crosswalk (intended for student crossing to church on Mass days) and follow the guidance of our staff during arrival and dismissal. Let's work together to ensure a safe, smooth experience as we finish these final four weeks strong.

We look forward to celebrating our mothers and mother figures this Friday at our annual Mother’s Day Mass. Please note that Friday will also be an early dismissal day.

Lastly, please take a few minutes to review the Construction FAQ below to stay informed about upcoming changes on campus.

Thank you for the many ways you bless our St. Cecilia community. It is truly a joy to serve this wonderful community!

Grace & Peace,

Erin B. Henry

Principal

"I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you" – Philippians 1:3-4

2025 CAFETERIA CONSTRUCTION Q&A FOR PARENTS

1) Is the construction area secure?

Yes. Privacy fencing was installed during the demolition of the Jefferson House and music building to secure the construction area. Now that the playground has emergency exits, the wooden gates leading into the site will remain locked during the school day for added safety.

2) Where is the construction entrance?

To maintain campus operations with as little disruption as possible, the construction entrance is on the Jefferson Street side of campus. Our lot at 114 N. Jefferson will be the materials delivery and staging location, with worker parking across the street at 111 N. Jefferson.

3) When is construction starting?

To complete major improvements by August, demolition of the courtyard to prepare for grease trap relocation must begin over the Easter break. This timeline ensures that we are ready for a fresh start next school year. Additional fencing will be installed in this area to prevent student access for the remainder of the year.

4) Where will the picnic tables go?

Our picnic tables will be moved from the courtyard to the playground. Students will be able to enjoy them there. However, we will not offer outdoor dining due to supervision needs.

5) Where will the cafeteria be located during construction?

A deep clean of the gym kitchen is scheduled this week. The cafeteria will temporarily move to the gym during Easter break. Tables and food service operations will shift to this new location.

6) Will students still have access to hot lunch?

Yes! While early planning focused on limited bag lunch options, the extra time before the move has allowed us to prepare for better variety in service. Our Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Dorothy Trahan, is working closely with the Director of Food & Nutrition Services to offer a variety of hot meals.

7) How will this affect P.E. classes?

With the gym now serving as our cafeteria, we’ve been working with Mrs. Capritto to make adjustments. Students will continue to have P.E. using outdoor spaces, a half-court gym setup, and the stage.

8) What about parent lunch visits?

Adjusting to new procedures takes time, focus, and consistency—especially for our students. To support a smooth transition, we are suspending parent lunch visits for the remainder of the school year. With the cafeteria moving to the gym and several new routines in place, limiting additional traffic and distractions is essential. This temporary change allows our staff to focus fully on student supervision, safety, and the day-to-day logistics of the new setup.

9) How long will these changes last?

We expect the temporary changes to remain in place through the summer. The goal is to complete the courtyard improvements by the start of school in August. Our anticipated completion date for the entire project is late Fall.

10) How will this affect end of year activities?

We will hold all our end of year activities (Pre-K and K Closing Ceremonies, 8th Grade Dance, Awards Ceremony, etc.) in our gym as we normally do. The layout may just look slightly different.

11) How will this affect summer activities?

Vacation Bible School and any camps or practices which need to take place in the gym will go on as planned. However, once school ends on May 23rd, it will be full steam ahead in our courtyard! This means that gym entry will be at the rear gate and car line will be reduced to one lane during the summer.

12) What about parking?

Parking will remain available during school events along the cemetery wall, at the One Heart Building behind Sacred Heart Church, and at the lot at 400 W Main Street (corner of N. Jefferson).

13) What about noise?

Some level of noise is to be expected during active construction in the courtyard and in the cafeteria addition. However, we have put strict expectations in place regarding additional noise. Sub-contractors are not allowed to play music on our site, and we will be in constant communication with our Site Superintendent regarding any concerns that may arise.

13) How can I stay informed?

These plans are, of course, subject to change. We will continue to provide updates through the Bluejay Bulletin and other school communications. If you have additional questions not addressed here, please reach out to Mrs. Henry directly via email (ehenry@scsbluejays.org).

OUTSTANDING CAFETERIA BALANCES

As of April 16, 2025, there are over $6,000 in outstanding balances due to our cafeteria. Please log in to your child's account at My School Bucks to check and pay your lunch balances.

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

All SCS volunteers are invited to join us for a volunteer appreciation breakfast on Monday, May 5th. Please RSVP by clicking on the link below.

ENVISION BROUSSARD - ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE

The city has shared that Main Street at S. Polk Street will be closed starting Tuesday, April 15. Contractors will be installing new drainage under the road as part of the Envision Broussard downtown redevelopment project. Please plan accordingly if this is part of your route to and from school.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Congratulations to Mrs. Hailey Fontenot and Mr. Cole LeCoq on their re-election to the St. Cecilia Advisory Council for the 2025-2026 school year!

EVENT PICS

SCS Mass

Mass is on FRIDAY at 8:30 and will be hosted by Mrs. Bellefleur's 1st grade class. Guests may join us for limited seating in church, in the Narthex or PLC, or online at shbroussard.org/live.

Mass Music

• Processional: “Holy Spirit”
• Offertory: “Breathe”
• Communion: "Goodness of God", "Oceans"
• Recessional: "How Great is Our God"

Mother's day mass

Our annual Mothers' Day Mass will be at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2. Please RSVP HERE so we can plan accordingly for seating. This form will close at noon on Monday, April 28.

We will then move to the gym for May Crowning and the first grade Maypole.

Students may be signed out AFTER all of the festivities. Please note that check outs will not be allowed between Mass and Maypole or during Maypole.

We will have 11:30 dismissal for all remaining students.

May Crowning

All students are asked to bring a flower to school on Friday. Each homeroom will create a bouquet of flowers to bring up during our May Crowning.

You can read more about the meaning of May Crowning HERE.

Blaze

6th (One Heart), 7th (Youth House), and 8th (PLC) Blaze groups meet on Wednesday until 4:00.

8th Grade Invitation

Casey, our high school youth minister, has a special invitation for our 8th graders:

At the end of each school year, we invite the incoming 8th graders to the last couple of Life Nights so they can see what they will be stepping into before the new school year.

We would love to have your 8th graders join us this Sunday April 27th, and next Sunday May 4th, from 6-8pm in One Heart. Dinner is provided. We know it can be intimidating to step into a new group and setting, but don't be afraid to encourage your teens to take a bold step in faith! Core Team members will be at the doors if you have any questions or concerns. They are also welcome to attend our summer events coming soon. We hope to see your teens tonight!

Finishing the year

AR and Service Hours are due in 2 weeks!

With 4 weeks left after Easter, please reach out to your teachers if you have questions concerning your child's grade or curriculum now. Contacting the teacher sooner, rather than waiting until the week of, sets everyone up for best success!

Tag on Tuesday

The last day to earn a tag and incentives will be on Friday, May 9! We will celebrate the end of Tag on Tuesday on Tuesday, May 13. Keep soaring, Bluejays!

Final Exams

Final exam study guides will be handed out this week. Make a plan to study with your student. Proactive measures and starting a few days before the exam are always best! Stay tuned for the schedule to be posted under the student services section of the Bluejay Bulletin within the next two weeks.

Summer reading Requirements

Summer reading requirements and assignments will be live on our website on Sunday, May 4. The link will also be added to the Bluejay Bulletin. Please do not purchase any books yet, as some novels may have changed from past summers.

Looking Ahead: Summer AR Testing Dates

The following are the Summer AR Testing Dates. The dates will also be on our summer AR tab on our website and added to our school calendar soon.

• Tuesday, June 3rd, 5 -6 pm
• Tuesday, June 10th, 12 -1 pm
• Tuesday, June 17th, 5 -6 pm
• Tuesday, June 24th, 12 -1 pm
• Tuesday, July 8th , 5 - 6 pm
• Tuesday, July 15th, 12 - 1 pm
• Tuesday, July 22nd, 5 - 6 pm
• Tuesday, July 29th, 12-1 pm
• Monday, Aug 4th, 3:15-4:45 pm

UNIFORMs

HIS HOUSE

Mentor Monday | Monday, April 28

Students in grades 6-8 may wear their His House shirt tomorrow with UNIFORM bottoms for Mentor Monday!

STUDENT FEATHER OF THE WEEK

USE YOUR MANNERS- Say please, thank you, no sir/ma’am, and yes sir/ma’am. Welcome others with a greeting, a firm handshake, and eye contact.

STUDENT FEATHER OF THE WEEK CHALLENGE

Greet at least one adult on campus this week with a firm handshake and eye contact and use your manners.

THANK YOU

A huge thank you to all who has supported our school whether it be sponsorships of events, donations to St. Cecilia, volunteering, serving on advisory council, event committees, or attending SCS events. We are so grateful for your love of our school and blessed to have you in our Bluejay family.

St. Cecilia Fund

The St. Cecilia Fund is an annual fund and is open through the current fiscal year. If you have not had the opportunity to give for the 2024-2025 school year, it's not too late! Please consider an end of year gift to support our school.

2025-2026 Tuition Payment plans - finalization to begin soon

We will begin finalizing payment plans for the 25-26 school year on Monday, April 14th. Please note that once a payment plan is finalized, changes made to the plan will incur a $50 processing fee. Please log into family portal to view your plan information for the upcoming school year to ensure you have selected the correct payment plan for 25-26. Please do NOT add another payment plan to your FACTS account without communicating with Marsha Granger (mgranger@scsbluejays.org or call 337-837-1864, ext. 222) as this could result in two payment plans being finalizing for your child(ren) next year.

Dear Bluejay Family,

Our tennis team were the only Bluejays in action during the week prior to our break. The tennis team won 7 courts against OMP in Broussard. The team is steadily getting better each week. Gameplans and rosters are being prepared for the Championship Matches on May 5th and 6th on the campus of ESA. The event will be run by UTSA. The kids will be part of a professionally sanctioned event that will showcase their hard work.

I know this is early to be thinking about football for next year, but the opportunity to participate in Coach Chris Klock's Football Camp is available to our rising 5th through 8th graders. It will be held at STM on June 25th, 26th, and 27th. I have attached the link for the jotform below for you to register and for more information. Thanks so much for your support of SCS Football.

St. Cecilia prides itself in having strong athletic teams year in and year out. Our achievements are rooted in hard work, dedication by our athletes and coaching staff, and fantastic parental support. St. Cecilia Athletics is excited to announce that this summer, all of our athletes, (MALE AND FEMALE ENTERING INTO 5TH THROUGH 8TH GRADE) will have the opportunity to participate in Coach David LeBlanc’s Speed, Power, and Agility camp at St. Thomas More High School. Because the Bluejays are a major feeder to STM athletics, Coach LeBlanc has reserved a spot for all St. Cecilia athletes. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended.

ABOUT THE TRAINING PROGRAM: David LeBlanc is a nationally certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS; NSCA). He is an attendee and invited guest speaker at annual National Strength and Conditioning conferences throughout the country. David has over 20 years of personal training experience. He is head of the strength and conditioning program at STM, the most successful sports program in the state of Louisiana, Kinesiology and Exercise Science instructor, and Recreational Fitness instructor. Former and current clients include Javon Walker and Luke Lawton of the NFL, current Division 1 collegiate athletes, and many others desiring personal and recreational fitness results. For 24 years, David has been making the best athletes in Acadiana better! Our athletes’ performance is our number one goal. We use cutting edge training modalities and equipment to ensure our athletes are functioning at their athletic potential. Speed, power, agility, and injury resistance is our ultimate goal. We believe variety in training is crucial to constant improvement; therefore, you will NEVER repeat a workout during your time with us. Athletes will also receive counseling on diet and nutrition in order to help achieve their goals.

There are numerous other options in the area to try to meet your training needs; however, none of them have the experience, expertise or facilities we offer. For over 20 years we have trained the best athletes in Acadiana. Our facilities offer a brand new state of the art 6000 sq ft weight room, all weather turf track, a 120 yard all weather turf field, a large stadium for plyometrics and endurance training, and 2 full sized basketball gyms. No other facilities offer the space, variety, or equipment of the St. Thomas More Strength and Conditioning department. For those athletes who will eventually attend STM, it is a great opportunity to get noticed by their future coaches and learn our program before even stepping on campus!!

REGISTRATION PAYMENT AND MORE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: WWW.ATHLETICADVANCEMENTS.COM. Pease don’t hesitate to text or call Coach LeBlanc with ANY questions or concerns (337) 230-3349.

📣 2025 Jim Hightower Skills and Drills Football Camp 🏈

Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Join us May 27–30 (Tuesday-Friday), 2025 from 9:00 AM to Noon at St. Thomas More Football Stadium for the annual Jim Hightower Skills and Drills Football Camp! 💥 Registration Fee: $140 💥 Location: STM Cougar Stadium

Led by the St. Thomas More High School Football Staff, this camp offers in-depth instruction focused on the fundamentals of football and individual techniques. Whether you're new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, this camp is designed to help you grow as a player.

👟 Improve your technique💪 Master the fundamentals📚 Learn from experienced coaches🏈 Build confidence on and off the field. Don't miss this opportunity to train with the best and learn what it takes to become a successful football player! (Camp is designed for next year's 4th-8th graders) 📲 Follow the Link below to Register now and get game-ready!

https://sites.google.com/view/jimhightowerskillsanddrills/skills-and-drills

Schedules are available on our athletics page, where you can find all the information you need for Bluejay sports. Our 7/8th Grade Football Team’s championship gear is available to purchase. Our 5th Grade Girls Basketball Team's championship gear is now available for purchase. Softball championship gear is in production.

Have a blessed day,

Scott Boudreaux

Athletic Director

sboudreaux@scsbluejays.org