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 18th, 2024
LOOKING AHEAD
- August 20th - Back to School Night 6th-8th Grade
- August 21st - School Mass
- August 21st - Advisory Council Meeting
- August 23rd - Eucharistic Procession
- September 2nd - Labor Day (no school)
- September 4th - Pizza Artista Spirit Night
Dear Bluejay Family,
We are entering our second full week of school, and students are settling into their routines and new learning experiences. On Wednesday, August 14, some classes watched the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi. The Eucharistic Procession along the Mississippi River was a powerful reminder of the life-giving presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Just as the procession moved with reverence and purpose, we also walk our path at St. Cecilia, drawing life and strength from Christ to guide our every step.
In May, Fr. Michael reminded students not to take a vacation from Jesus over the summer, and today’s gospel beautifully explains why. Christ is the source of our strength and vitality. Just as we nourish our bodies for physical growth, we are called to nourish our spirits through our relationship with Him. In school, this means embracing our studies, friendships, and daily activities with the understanding that Christ is at the center, giving life to all we do.
At St. Cecilia, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where each child experiences the fullness of life that comes from a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. We will have our own Eucharistic Procession through campus on Friday. Let’s continue encouraging our children to seek the spiritual nourishment that only He can provide, helping them flourish in heart, mind, and soul.
Wishing you a blessed week ahead.
Grace & Peace,
Erin B. Henry
Principal
"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me." - John 6:57
Important Letter From Father Michael
Safe Environment
Safe Environment Initial Training will be held on Thursday, September 5th, at 6pm in the Parish Life Center (PLC). We highly encourage all new SCS parents to attend this initial training. It is a requirement of the Lafayette Diocese if you plan to volunteer your time on campus with our students (this includes capacities such as coaching, field trips, campus events, etc.). All who plan to attend must register through the link provided prior to the training.
For parents who have already attended an initial training, you only need to recertify yearly which can be completed online at virtus.org. If there are questions, please contact Brandi Badeaux.
Morning and After School Care
Parents, please be reminded that when dropping off for morning care, vehicles may not be parked in the right drive through lane. If walking your student(s) to the cafeteria, please park to bring them to the cafeteria door. We know some of our youngest students may be a little anxious in the mornings, but it is best to part ways at the door and begin the transition quickly. Our staff is there to help with this.
In the afternoons, when picking students up, adults are not allowed to go to teachers’ classrooms for the safety of all students and staff. There is a standard entrance we use to bring your child to you. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Dorothy at asc@scsbluejays.org. Thank you for your cooperation.
Advisory Council
Our St. Cecilia School Advisory Council will conduct their first meeting of the year this Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 12 PM in the PLC 2nd Floor Executive Conference Room. Meetings are usually on the third Wednesday of the month during the school year. We do not meet in December.
For those unfamiliar with the SCS Advisory Council, it is a group of 9 members, 6 elected by the SCS community and 3 appointed by the Pastor of Sacred Heart. Among other duties, the Council serves as a voice for the parents as the school navigates important decisions regarding budget, short-term and long-range planning, and success of our school. The Council follows guidelines in Bylaws and a Consitution, guided by the policies of the Diocese of Lafayette.
As we follow Roberts' Rules of Order, our meetings are open to school employees and SCS parents, unless the council enters into an executive session, at which time that portion of the meeting is closed. Visitors of the meeting are unable to address the council or participate in discussions without prior approval. The approval process begins with contacting the chair at least 10 days prior to any meeting.
Minutes are taken at each meeting. Once approved by the council (usually at the following month's meeting), minutes are shared with our SCS community via this bulletin.
Your 2024-2025 Advisory Council Members are:
- Father Michael Delcambre, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church
- Erin Henry, St. Cecilia School Principal
- Gleacia Durand, Chair
- Misti Bryant, Vice-Chair
- Hailey Fontenot, Secretary
- Erin Bolfer
- John Tilly
- Jason Maynard
- Seth Babineaux
- Mike Thibodeaux
- Cole Lecoq
Special Announcement
We are excited that our St. Cecilia family has so much school spirit, but we need to address a recurring issue with our brand and logos. Our marketing team has worked very hard to create recognizable, unique, yet consistent marks within our brand. We have selected partner vendors that we trust to sell our merchandise and stay within our brand standards. Outside of these vendors, no one should be creating items using our brand, image, or logos.
While not yet trademarked (we are working on this), our logos should not be used to create spirit gear, sports uniforms, warmups, color run shirts, or other items for personal use or sale. We also ask that you refrain from using other bluejay logos (i.e. the Toronto Blue Jay, Creighton Bluejay, etc.) in conjunction with our school’s name as they ARE trademarked properties of other organizations. This also goes against the uniform, consistent look that we have worked so hard to create.
When you support the SCS spirit shop, you are also supporting St. Cecilia financially. Should you have any questions or have ideas for merchandise that you would like to see in our spirit shop for purchase, please join the PTC Spirit Shop Committee. If you are interested in becoming a vendor and working with us to create beautiful items that officially represent our school, please reach out to our Advancement Director, Mrs. Sheree Prince. We can’t wait to collaborate with you!
We are currently working on a dri fit option for House Shirts and will announce they are available for purchase.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
MUSIC LESSONS WITH MR. BENOIT
Our new Music teacher is available for private lessons after school. Please click the button below for more information on lessons and contact information
SCS Mass
Mass is on Wednesday at 8:30 and will be hosted by 8th grade girls. Guests may join us in the church (limited seating), choir loft, Narthex and PLC. Mass is also streamed online at shbroussard.org/live or the St. Cecilia Facebook page.
Mass Music
Hearing our students sing in Mass is one of the most beautiful experiences there is! This Youtube playlist has songs from last year and our theme song for this year (“Nothing I Hold Onto” by Will Reagan). New songs will be added throughout the year. Please consider playing these and praising the Lord in the car, the kitchen, or anywhere else you are!
Eucharistic Procession/Blessing of Campus
Be sure to ask your child about our Eucharistic Procession on Friday! Father Michael and Deacon Kyle will be traveling with Jesus and blessing all of our campus spaces and students, faculty, and staff. This is a beautiful and powerful way to start our year and we are grateful for Jesus’ physical presence in the Eucharist on our campus.
New Altar Server Sign Up
Registration is open for new altar servers! Students in 4th-12th grade are invited to join this special ministry.
Training will take place at 9:00 a.m. on August 24 in the church. This training is for new altar servers but current servers who missed the July refresher are asked to attend.
Need a Sacrament???
Are you, your child, or anyone else in your family interested in receiving the sacraments- specifically Baptism, First Confession, First Communion (for those older than 2nd grade), or Confirmation (for those in 11th grade or older)? If so, fill out this form and we would love to chat about it!
Opportunities for Students
Registration is open for First Communion, Edge, Teen Confirmation, and Life Teen!
T-shirts for Sale
We have some gray Campus Ministry and purple Youth ministry shirts on hand for sale in limited sizes. Campus Ministry is for 6th-8th grades and Youth Ministry is 3rd-5th.
If you want to purchase one of these, please email katie@shbroussard.org to check on sizes. These shirts are also available in the online spirit store.
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!
READ, White, and Blue | Tagged on Tuesday
Our first Tagged on Tuesday will be Tuesday, August 20th!
We will celebrate our readers who earned their Summer Tags as well as any who have achieved their first tag for the school year. As a reminder, the cut off for points earned for each level is the FRIDAY before the Tagged Celebration!
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.
Uniforms
Our Bluejays looked great this week with fresh uniforms and all of their new back to school gear. However, we did have a few things that needed to be addressed. Please be reminded about a few of the uniform policies in place for this year.
ATHLETIC SHOE: May contain the following colors: white, gray, navy, or black. NAVY BLUE is the only shade of blue allowed on school shoes.
ALL SHOES: Shoes may NOT contain patterns or other colors. No embellishments or lights allowed. No high-tops allowed. Velcro/Buckle/Snap shoes are allowed for Pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students ONLY. Athletic slip-on shoes are allowed for PreK-3rd graders ONLY. 4th graders and above MUST have shoe laces on their shoes. (Hey Dude shoes are NOT allowed)
HAIR: neat and clean; must not fall below the eyebrows, must be above the ears, and off of shirt collar; none exceeding 4 in. in length; no extreme or partially shaved styles; a natural and appropriate hair color
SOCKS: Solid white, black, or navy / Must be visible. No brand logo visible. Opaque FOOTED white or navy tights. Leggings and leg-warmers NOT allowed
Junior High PE uniforms were delivered to homerooms on Wednesday. If your child did not receive a uniform that had been ordered or if you have questions about incorrect sizing, please contact Perfect Fitz at 337-837-6461.
HIS HOUSE
We are excited that all of our bluejays are now members of House of Faith, Grace, Hope, or Love. HIS HOUSE shirts can be purchased and worn for the assemblies. Let’s take pride in our house and show that spirit!
Rockin with the Bluejays
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! September 14th from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Tickets are now available for this fun night with other Bluejay parents, faculty and staff. Includes drinks, food, and live entertainment beginning at 9:00pm from the Chee-Weez. We are currently taking donations for our Spirits Pull...Whiskey, Wine, or Liquor. Please drop off in front office.
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 next Sunday, August 25th at 2:45pm.
Aftercare/Morning Care BILLING Cycle
For clarification purposes please note that ALL aftercare billing is done on a monthly basis. Invoices are sent at the beginning of each month to parents’ FACTS accounts. If your child attends as a drop-in or morning care, your invoice will reflect the prior month’s charges (i.e., August attendance is billed at the beginning of September). If your child attends a regular 2,3,4 or 5 day per week program, your bill will reflect the current month’s charges (i.e., September invoice is for the month of September). Please be sure the financial account you have on file for FACTS incidental billing is valid.
Registration is still OPEN through the month of August!! If you have not enrolled your child(ren) for our aftercare/morning care program, please click the link below. Registration is required for ALL attendees, including drop-ins. Thank you!!
Homework Club hosted by Beta Club
This year we will be introducing Homework Club hosted by Beta Club. Our 6-8 grade Beta Club Members will assist students in grades 3-5 with homework. This is not meant to be a tutoring session. It is intended to help students complete their homework before their afternoon begins. Our Homework Club will begin the first week of September.
If you know this something you may be interested in this upcoming year
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. There is limited space available each month.
Dear Bluejay Family,
It is game week for volleyball! All of our Bluejay volleyball teams will be in action on Saturday of this week in an inaugural jamboree for our League. This will give our girls a chance to get some of the nervousness out prior to the start of games on Monday of the following week. They have been practicing hard all summer and are ready. Thanks to our dedicated group of coaches for all of their hard work over the summer. We can not overlook the sacrifice of our parent volunteers! As a reminder as we begin games next week, please refer to the Athletic Handbook. Admission is $6 for adults, and $1 for children. SCS students, staff and teachers are admitted free for home games in our gym.
Please see below the correspondence from Coach Chuck Hebert at Sts. Leo Seton with regards to our junior soccer program. The participating grades are Pre-K to 4th grade. All of the games are played in Sunset on Saturday mornings. Practices will be held on the SCS playground after school and scheduled at the coaches’ discretion.
I hope that everyone is having a smooth start to the school year! Registration for the fall season is rolling along and has two weeks left. It will run through August 23. We had an incredible fall season last year and are looking forward to another great year for our participants and families! The fees this year will remain the same as they were last fall! We look forward to having everyone back and welcome all new players this year as well. The details for the fall season are below. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.
Registration Dates: July 1-August 23
Season Dates: September 14- October 26
Registration Fee: $75
The schedules are in and up on the school calendar. Please follow the link below to take you to the athletics section for all your information.
Have a blessed day,
Scott Boudreaux
Athletic Director