The Blessed Times
2016 November Newsletter
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
The mission of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is to provide, within an active Christian learning environment, quality education and formation of the whole person by nurturing the development of each child’s talents in the love and service of God and community.
We are a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization who admits students of any race or national origin to programs and activities of the school with all rights and privileges. Equal opportunity and access is provided to persons without regard to race, national origin or gender in the implementation of employment policies and procedures.
Email: michael.fierro@blessedschool.com
Website: www.blessedschool.com
Location: 600 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: (210) 824-3381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bscsstax/
Twitter: @BSCS_Bulldogs
From the Principal's Desk....
Dear Blessed Sacrament Families,
First and foremost, I would like to thank each student, parent, parishioner, family member, teacher, and staff member who made this year’s Halloween Carnival a success. I am hopeful the proceeds of this year’s carnival will fruit many blessings for Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. May God continue to bless you as you help build His kingdom on earth.
In November, our community begins to prepare for a busy holiday season. Families are planning their Thanksgiving menus, making travel arrangements to spend quality time with their loved ones, and scheduling travel routes for the many sales the day after Thanksgiving.
As we prepare for this great and important holiday, I ask that you enjoy this time with your family. More importantly, however, I ask that each member of our faith community take time to give praise and thanks for the many blessings our Creator has bestowed upon you.
As principal of Blessed Sacrament, I am thankful for the many blessings God has given me as leader of this great community. I offer thanks to our Lord for a generous Pastor who helps sustain and strengthen our school community. I am thankful for a faculty and staff who provide time, talent, energy, and love for our students. I am grateful for the presence of our children at our school. Their smiles, innocence, and desire to learn fuel our mission of providing a quality Catholic education for our community’s future. I am appreciative of our parents, guardians, and grandparents who sacrifice to give their children and grandchildren the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment animated by Christ the Teacher.
In closing, I leave you with a simple prayer of Thanksgiving.
Lord, I thank you for the goodness of our people and for the spirit that fills this nation.
I thank you for the beauty and fullness of the land and the challenge of cities.
I thank you for our work and rest, for one another, and for our homes, I thank you.
For all that I have spoken for and all that I keep in my heart, accept my thanksgiving .
I pray and give thanks through the intersession of the Most Holy Blessed Sacrament.
FAITH FORMATION
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Monsignor Michael O'Gorman, Mr. Fierro and the Blessed Sacrament Faculty and Staff congratulate the students below for demonstrating amazing Christian virtues and excellent manners during the month of October!
Self-Discipline
Keeping Things Neat and Tidy
Looking at People in the Eye
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Family Engagement: Free Parent Training Classes
Families Talking Together
Saturday, November 12, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon
The 7 Habits of Successful Families, Part III
Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Managing the Cycle of Acting Out Behavior
Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon
For more information and additional sessions, visit www.esc20.net/parentresources
How to Register:
Contact Lori Williams at (210) 370-5466 or lori.williams@esc20.net
BULLDOG COUNTRY HAPPENINGS
Bulldog Idea Board
A suggestion from our students was to increase the opportunity for students to submit ideas and suggestions to make Blessed Sacrament even better!
Every week, a topic will be announced to the student body at Monday's Morning Assembly. Students will then have the opportunity to present ideas to Mr. Fierro for implementation. Students simply come to the School Office, fill out a form and place it on the Bulldog Idea Board.
Mr. Fierro will buy lunch for any student whose idea is selected for implementation!
Ideas will include:
Stop Bullying
Catholic Schools Week
Celebrating Students
Highlighting Athletics
The School's Website
Catholic Identity
Academics
School Masses
School Recruitment
Field Trips
And Much More!
Stay tuned for our first idea to be announced the week after Thanksgiving!
Christmas Around the World
This year, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School will begin a new tradition - Christmas Around the World!
Participants will be given a passport and travel to different countries around our globe. Volunteers will work with participants in creating a craft unique to each country listed on the passport. At the end of the morning, students will walk away with a bag filled with arts and crafts along with a unique holiday learning experience!
This also provides parents with four hours to get that much needed Christmas Shopping done.
Christmas Around the World will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon on the Second Level of the Parish Hall. The cost is $10 per student and will be used to pay for supplies needed.
Christmas around the world is open to any child regardless of school enrollment, but limited to students in First Grade through Fifth Grade. Spaces are limited, so register by Friday, December 3, 2006!
Catholic Life Sweepstakes
As explained during last year's registration, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School has joined over 20 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of San Antonio in participating in the Catholic Life Sweepstakes for Catholic Schools.
Money raised through this sweepstakes will be designated for specific items that will benefit students this year!
Money raised in Pre-Kindergarten 4 through 5th Grade will be used to purchase document cameras for each classroom. Teachers will use these cameras as part of their instructional planning and teaching.
Money raised in 6th Grade through 8th Grade will be used to purchase new lockers for the sixth and seventh grade homeroom classes. Additionally, the Class of 2017 will sell additional tickets to raise money for their class gift.
Tickets will be distributed on Monday, November 21, 2016. Each student will be asked to sell five tickets by January 4, 2017. Since this is a required fundraiser, it is expected that each student will participate. Non-returned tickets will be added to a family's tuition bill.
Grief Workshop
Dear Blessed Sacrament Families,
Please share the word that we will be having a grief workshop here at Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, December 4th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the church.
I’ve asked Fr. Bryan Silva, OMI, to come give some reflections for our inner healing so that as a community, we can continue the process of healing in a healthy way after losing Fr. Jack. After talking to several parishioners, I felt the need for some guidance to help overcome our deep loss.
All are welcome! Please let family and friends know about this opportunity.
Peace,
Sr. Misty Garriga, CDP
Angel Tree Project
This year, we will be sponsoring an Angel Tree for the retired sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP). These sisters have started and staffed Our Lady of the Lake University and Providence High School. Currently, Sr. My-Hahn Tran and Sr. Misty Garriga are two CDPs who are ministering at Blessed Sacrament Church and School.
Each sister has provided a wish list of one, two or three items for consideration. In reviewing these items, many of them are small and inexpensive (i.e. toothpaste, chips, peanuts, hand lotion, slippers, puzzles, etc.). While not required, we are asking our families to consider adopting a CDP Sister for Christmas. The Angel Tree will be in the school office no later than November 30, 206..
Looking Ahead
December 6th, 9:30 a.m.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 6th, 9:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service
December 12th, 8:00 a.m.
Middle School Semester Exams
December 15th, 16th and 19th
Christmas Program
December 19th, 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Parties
December 20th, 11:00 a.m.
Children's Christmas Eve Mass
December 24th, 4:00 p.m.
BULLDOG ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Bulldog Athletics
The BSCS Bulldog Athletic Program focuses on the following IDEAS:
A TTITUDE
T ENACITY
H EART AND HUSTLE
L EADERSHIP
E XCELLENCE
T EAMWORK
I NTENSITY
C HARACTER
S PIRIT AND SUCCESS
Basketball Schedule
November
28: St. Thomas More (H)
December
1: Notre Dame (H)
1-2: Sts. Peter and Paul**
2-3: Antonian H.S.*
6: St. Paul (A)
8: Antonian (A)
8-9: Little Flower**
13: Little Flower (A)
16-17: Central Catholic*
H: Home Game
A: Away Game
*A Team Invitational
**B Team Invitational
Athletic Office
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Each of the volunteer opportunities counts towards your annual required parent service hours. Each parent must complete at least 10 hours of service each school year. Consider volunteering a half-hour or hour on a weekly or monthly basis. One time volunteering is also welcomed!
Monday through Thursday
10:45 a.m. through 12 noon
Contact: Ms. Davina Aguilar
Recess Supervision
Monday through Friday
11:15 a.m. through 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Ms. Davina Aguilar
Library Organization
Monday through Friday
Will Work Around Your Schedule
Contact: Mrs. Lela Reyes
Parish Bulletin Stuffing
Fridays
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Mrs. Norma Wilbanks
Parish Money Counting
Mondays
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Mr. Robert Esparza
Project Wisdom Readers
Tuesdays through Fridays
7:55 a.m. (T-H), After Mass (F)
Contact: Mr. Michael Fierro
PE Class Assistants
Monday through Friday
Various Times
Contact: Mr. Andrew Torres
EXTRACURRICULAR CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Chess Club
Mondays - 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Parish Hall - Room 201
Sponsor: Deacon Mark Harden
Cub Scouts
Every Other Monday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament School Cafeteria
Sponsor: Mr. Paul GonzálezGirl Scouts
Tuesdays - 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Parish Hall - Room 201
Sponsor: Mrs. Debra Palmer
Handbell Choir
Thursdays - 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Music Room, Building C
Sponsor: Mrs. Dorothy Marton
School Choir
Wednesdays - 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Sponsor: Sister Misty Garriga, CDP