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.
August 4th, 2024
LOOKING AHEAD
- August 5th - Meet & Greet
- August 5th - New Family Orientation
- August 7th - First Day of School
- August 9th - Ambassador Family Social
- August 13th - Back to School Night PreK-5th Grade
- August 14th - Fall Picture Day
- August 15th - First School Mass
- August 20th - Back to School Night 6th-8th Grade
Dear Bluejay Family,
We have been hard at work getting our hearts, minds, and campus ready for our bluejays to return to the nest, so summer flew by!
Since I arrived at SCS in 2022, one of the biggest requests I have received has been improvement of campus safety and security. I am proud to say we have made great headway. After rekeying all locks last year, this summer we installed external and gymnasium security cameras campus-wide. The crystal clear night vision, analytics, and alerts are just a few of the features that will aid us in keeping students, faculty and staff, and guests safe on our campus. We have also removed decaying barriers on our playground, and assessed existing equipment to plan for installation of new barriers and surface cushioning. These upgrades were made possible, respectively, by donations from the LeBlanc Foundation and last year’s Fun Dress Week fundraiser. Last, but not least, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all the families who came out Saturday morning to help with our beautification day. Despite the heat and the arduous work, several families put a great deal of extra love and attention into making our campus shine!
Please take a moment to review this year’s handbook. The most significant updates this year are the timeline for making up missed work following an absence, consequences for suspensions, and the addition of a policy to address AI (artificial intelligence) in school. We also have exciting news about our new accreditation partner and His House updates, including our revised Student Feathers and Parent Feathers.
Speaking of His House, we kick off the excitement and anticipation of our year with our first school-wide House Assembly on Friday. Returning students are encouraged to wear their house shirts with uniform bottoms on Friday as we prepare to welcome our new students into their houses during the assembly.
As we embark on this new school year, let us embrace each day with faith and confidence, knowing that God’s guidance and love are ever-present. With our hearts united in trust and our minds focused on growth, I am confident that this year will be filled with countless blessings and remarkable achievements. Welcome back, and may God bless us all!
Grace & Peace,
Erin B. Henry
Principal
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” - Proverbs 3:5
ANNUAL NOTIFICATION
According to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), each school system must notify the public of inspections, response actions, periodic surveillance, and re-inspection activities on an annual basis.
CITIZENS FOR EDUCATIONAL CHOICE
The 2024 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature recently ended. Our school is a member of Citizens for Educational Choice (CEC). We need to participate in an electronic advocacy tool designed to help parents of nonpublic school students connect with and influence their state legislators. Parents in our schools should sign up for this tool right away in order to have their voice heard at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
School Lunch Program
It is the policy of the Diocese of Lafayette that all elementary students must participate in the School Nutrition Program. Students may not bring bag lunches to school. If your child has specific dietary needs, the “USDA Meal Modification Form” should be completed and signed by a physician.
Families are encouraged to apply for the free school lunch program if they believe they may meet guidelines. Numbers of qualifying students have a direct effect on the amount of federal funding SCS receives. Click below for more information and the online application. (https://www.myschoolapps.com/).
SCHOOL UNIFORMS
Please note that SCS has made a change to the shoe policy for 3rd grade. We understand how difficult it is to find school-approved shoes for our younger students. 3rd graders are now included in the following description:
Velcro/Buckle/Snap shoes are allowed for Pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students ONLY. Athletic style slip-on shoes are allowed for PreK-3rd graders ONLY.
NEW FAMILY SOCIAL
A social for New Families and Ambassador Families will be held this Friday, August 9th. An invitation was emailed to new families and ambassador families. Please RSVP as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to connect and ask any questions about St. Cecilia!
Student Ministry Opportunities
We are so excited to offer an abundance of opportunities for our students to encounter Jesus. We have retreats for grades 2-8, CGS for PreK-3rd, weekly Mass, monthly Adoration and confessions, and so much more!!
Specific opportunities for grade levels also include the following. Dates will be sent in next week’s Bluejay Bulletin.
PreK-2nd grade students are invited to Student Prayer Service once a month before school.
3rd-5th grade students are invited to Youth Ministry once a month after school. (These are the purple shirts in the online store. Students are allowed to wear these on days we have Youth Ministry.)
6th-8th grade students are invited to be part of Campus Ministry. Sign ups went out in May but if your child needs to sign up, or isn’t sure if they did, have them email csavoie@scsbluejays.org. All JH students are invited, not just those in the new Campus Ministry class. (These are the gray shirts in the online store. Students are allowed to wear these on days they help with a Campus Ministry event.)
We look forward to a joyful year with Jesus!
Mass Notes
Our first school Mass will be on THURSDAY, August 15, at 8:30. This is a Holy Day of Obligation so we will attend on Thursday instead of Wednesday. It will be led by our faculty and staff. All are welcome to join us. Limited seating is available in church, the choir loft, Narthex and Parish Life Center.
Last Summer AR Testing Opportunity
The last opportunity to take test for Summer AR will be at our Meet and Greet on Monday, August 5 from 3:15pm-4:45pm in the Library.
Please make sure to visit our website HERE to get all of the information you need for summer reading skills and requirements for students entering grades 1-8.
Back to School Nights
Please note the dates on our calendar for Back to School Nights! All parents/guardians will report to their classroom/ homeroom teacher to begin the event. Each event will take place from 6:00pm-7:15pm. We look forward to seeing you all there in an effort to set your child up for success!
Testing Center Update
Students in grades 6-8 | Testing Center Update
Students and parents, in an effort to best support our students in their academic success, the following has been updated in the Student/Parent Handbook. Please note the important change.
The primary option will be to use the make up test center in the Library Lab classroom. Testing sessions will be on Monday/Wednesday/Thursday afternoons from 2:45-3:20 PM and Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday mornings from 7:20-7:55AM. There will be a total of 8 testing opportunities a week. If a student is 10 minutes late to a testing session, they will be denied the opportunity to take the test that day.
A 1 week (5 school days) makeup timeline for assessments will begin the day students return to school (including if a session was held that morning). After 5 school days, the student will only have an opportunity to obtain a maximum of 70% of the assessment grade.
Carline Procedures
Welcome Back!! Thank you in advance for your patience as we begin this school year. Here are just a few reminders regarding our Drop Off/ Pick Up procedures. The safety of our students is our number one priority, and we need your cooperation to ensure this. If you have anyone else bringing or picking up your child, please relay the information to them.
- Car line drop off begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 7:55 AM. Students arriving before 7:30 must report to Morning Care in the cafeteria. Students arriving after 7:55 must report to the front office.
- Car line pick up begins at 2:45 PM and ends at 3:15 PM. Students not picked up by 3:15 will be sent to After School Care. Anyone arriving in the car line before 2:15 should use the right hand lane only. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK BOTH LANES ON THE DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO 2:15.
- Parents choosing to park and walk their child to school may walk them to the gate entering the courtyard.
- Parents choosing to park and walk up to pick up their child must sign the LOG by 2:40 PM on the brick wall inside the gate entering the courtyard area. All walkers will be called to meet you across the driveway near the cemetery at 2:40. Anyone arriving for pick up after 2:40 must utilize the car line. Walkers will NOT be called once the LOG is picked up at 2:40. We do not want students crossing over once the car line begins.
IMPORTANT CAR LINE REMINDERS
- Follow into the horseshoe behind the church. Once you exit the horseshoe, use only the left lane on Railroad Street. (See attached map from the Broussard PD)
- Two lanes may form ONLY on our private driveway. Parents dropping off/picking up small children please use the right lane.
- Exception: Before 7:30 AM, the right lane is used for morning care drop-off ONLY. Do not form 2 lanes prior to 7:30 AM.
- Remain in your vehicle at all times. If your child needs additional assistance buckling the seat belt, you may park in front of church to assist them. Please do not hold up the car line.
- St. Cecilia is a HANDS-FREE ZONE. Refrain from using your cell phone while in the car line.
- When picking up your child, you must have a VISIBLE sign. Keep it visible until your child is in the vehicle. The best way to display the sign is by attaching it to the passenger side visor or hanging it by a coat hanger on the rear-view mirror. Vertically challenged teachers can not see the sign if it is placed on the dash. Please keep this in mind.
- We would like to use a more unified car sign to ensure the safety of our students. I have attached a template that you can use. Just type your child’s/children’s name in large font on the template and print out as many as you need. Give one to everyone who will be utilizing the car line. By having one of the SCS signs, it will let the duty person know that the driver is authorized to pick up your child. We strongly encourage you to use one of the SCS car signs.
- Keep your eyes facing forward. We need your undivided attention. It takes a split second for a child to get away from a duty teacher. If you would like to watch your child walk into the building, feel free to park and walk them to the gate in the courtyard.
Thanks in advance! Your cooperation helps to expedite the car line and keep our children safe.
Rockin with the Bluejays
Tickets are now available. September 14th from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Get your tickets now for a fun night with other Bluejay parents, faculty and staff. Includes drinks, food, and live entertainment beginning at 9:00pm from the Chee-Weez.
JOIN PTC
St. Cecilia PTC (parent teacher committee) is open to ANYONE who wants to volunteer, support, and work within our school community to further the school’s mission. PTC members assist anywhere from fundraisers, serving as room parents, Faculty/Staff Appreciation, to Spirit Shop and community events. This group is open to ALL parents who share a love for St. Cecilia and want to volunteer. Please click on the link below to sign up for the PTC. Our first meeting will be August 25th at 2:45pm. If you would like to donate items for Stock the Lounge, please sign up below. We will have a drop off bin for items at meet and greet.
Thank you to everyone who came on Saturday for the beautification day. Your hard work and dedication to St. Cecilia is greatly appreciated.
REMINDER: FACTS Billing - St. Cecilia does NOT collect cash for school fees. If your child(ren) incur a school-related fee (field trips, athletics, etc.), this charge will be sent to your FACTS account via Incidental Billing. Please be sure the financial account you have on file for FACTS incidental billing is valid.
We are excited to announce that we have been working hard to establish our 4-H calendar and reintroduce our approach to the valued staples of the club!
Along with our incoming faculty liasons for the 2024-2025 school year, Mrs. Hailey Fontenot (conentrating in grades 4-8) and Mrs. Ella York (concentrating grades 1-3) have spearheaded the efforts for 4-H this upcoming school year as parent volunteers.
Please view our flyer and sign up with the links included.
“…for my club, my community, my country and my world.”
Dear Bluejay Family,
We are almost ready to begin! All of our fall sports teams are underway with practices. I will be meeting next week to begin discussion for our Fall sport with our League Committee. After that meeting we will look to schedule our fall sports games, meets, and matches. We are excited to have two 5th and 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade volleyball again. We are looking to add some more boy runners for cross country so we can field a team. Our girl team is fully staffed. Both of our 5/6th and 7/8th grade football teams are equipped and ready as well.
Have a blessed day,
Scott Boudreaux
Athletic Director