Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | January 10, 2019
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a rejuvenating break with family and friends. Earlier this week, we shared with the students a wonderful Catholic tradition surrounding the Feast of the Epiphany which was celebrated this past Sunday (January 6). On the Feast of the Epiphany, it is tradition to ask God's blessing on our home or classroom and on those who visit. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write a blessing above the entrance—20+C+M+B+19. The letters C, M, B have two meanings:
- They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
- They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless the house."
Our prayer for you is that Christ blesses your home as well during the 2019 year.
Blessings,
Dr. Peter M. Schroeder
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OUR HEARTFELT THANKS!
Your generous donations to the Mothers' Club Christmas Gift Fund made Christmas merry and bright for our Sacred Heart educators this year. Your kindness is appreciated more than words can express. Thank you!
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INCLEMENT WEATHER PLANS
Families are notified of school closings, campus closings, late starts, and early dismissals via the SchoolMessenger phone messaging system. Announcements are also made on KSDK-TV (Channel 5), posted on our website at www.vdoh.org, and placed on our main switchboard line at 314.432.2021.
In the event of a weather-related late start to school, campus will open 30 minutes prior to the published start of classes. Classes will start no earlier than the announced late start time, which means that zero hour will be cancelled. For the safety of our students and staff, in the event of an early dismissal from school due to inclement weather, please plan to pick up your students within 30 minutes following the announced early dismissal time.
Acorn Club is not available on these early dismissal days. In the event that winter weather presents a problem after school has dismissed, the decision may be made to close Acorn Club early for the safety of our remaining students and staff.
During inclement weather, parents who choose for their students to leave before school is officially dismissed must contact the Oak Hill office. No students may leave without parental consent even if the carpool in which they ride is leaving. All Oak Hill students must sign out in the Oak Hill Office if leaving before school is officially dismissed.
These procedures as well as all other school policies are available in our Student-Parent Handbook.
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RETHINKING THOSE GOALS
For more years than I would prefer to admit, I have had the habit of using some time during exam week to evaluate my progress as a coach and educator and to recalibrate my goals accordingly. I learned early on that planning backwards is a terrific way to build out the academic year or sports season. Sometimes I would put goals on my list that were unrealistic or that I wasn't motivated to fulfil, like running a marathon. I don't run to run as a rule. Sometimes, I would put goals on the list that intrigued me but also failed to motivate—learning to needlepoint. I can usually get my sister to whip up the odd throw pillow or eyeglass case—so not a needle pointer either. Gradually I stopped setting goals that weren't actually real goals for me. I started setting goals that are specific, measurable, actually of value for my community, realistic, and timely. This year, I spent some time examining how I can best beof service to our community.
Coincidently, I was recently asked to give a health and wellness talk to some folks at a public accounting firm. Those guys love the numbers so to bring them into the room and focus on me, I gave them numbers—my numbers—the numbers I know I want to be different by Maypole. The numbers we all need to try and hit on a daily basis. I focused on the Big Four: prayer and meditation, sleep, nutrition/hydration, and exercise. I believe our children need the same—sleep, exercise, fuel, and time to pray and develop the sacredness inside them.
In the coming weeks, I will be discussing with Principal Schroeder ways to impart the benefits of all of the Big Four as well as other wellness topics to Oak Hill students. I hope that through my messages that the sacred love all children have for themselves will be emboldened, invigorated, awakened, kindled, and rekindled, that they know they are cherished and cared for with great love.
As always, please let me know how I may be of service to you and to your family. My main office is in room 232 of the 1929 Main Building but I have a space in the Duchesne Building, too. I can be reached at 314.810.3428 or cchappuis@vdoh.org. We can figure anything out together.
Celeste Chappuis | Director of Counseling JK3-12
Celeste Chappuis | Director of Counseling JK3-12
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FINANCIAL AID
The deadline to apply for 2019-2020 need-based financial aid for families with students in Kindergarten-Grade 12 is Tuesday, January 15. ALL requests for financial aid, whether it is for a current or prospective student, require parents to complete an online financial aid application with Smart Tuition Aid. Visit our website for application instructions and Smart Tuition Aid to begin the application process. Our school ID code is 12537.
If you have any questions regarding financial assistance, email admissions@vdoh.org or Alice Tuhro, Financial Services Coordinator, at atuhro@vdoh.org. Financial aid awards are solely need based and kept separate from the admissions decision process.
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NO SCHOOL JANUARY 21
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School will be closed Monday, January 21, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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LA BOUTIQUE CLEARANCE SALE
All clearance items in La Boutique are tagged at $5 each. The sale also includes many winter item markdowns. Villa Sherpa hoodies, Villa and Oak Hill Sherpa blankets, and select sweatpants are marked down to $25 each. Miscellaneous hats including Villa and Oak Hill winter hats as well as select Villa jersey pullovers are available for $15 each. Sale items are available while supplies last. La Boutique is open from 11:30 am-1 pm Monday-Friday.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
On Wednesday, January 16, we will pray for people with mental health disabilities. Mass begins promptly at 7:15 am in the Chapel and usually concludes no later than 7:35 am. Mass is celebrated most Wednesdays at 7:15 am in our Chapel when school is in session. Everyone in our school community is invited and encouraged to attend. View our 2018-2019 Mass Intentions list to see the specific intentions planned for each week.
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BIBLE STUDY
The winter Bible study began earlier this week but it's not too late to join. Seeking to live out Goals I & II, all parents are welcome for the remainder of this six-week study. Genesis to Jesus will provide an overview of the Old Testament that will show how salvation history reaches its climax and fulfillment in Christ. The study group will meet from 9-10 am on Tuesdays in the Parlor Dining Room through February 12. If you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact Polly Capps at vdohspirituality@vdoh.org.
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SPIRITUALITY SERIES
The next lecture in our 2018-19 Philippine Bicentennial Sacred Heart Spirituality Speaker Series is entitled "Following Philippine to Frontiers Crossed – Now What?" and will be presented by Lyn Osiek, RSCJ from 9:30 to 11:15 am Friday, February 1. Sr. Osiek will discuss what we have learned during the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Society's arrival in North America and how that can carry us forward. Coffee and goûter will be available in the Parlor Dining Room at 9:30 am. The presentation will be held in the Global Education Center. Please join us!.
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PRAYER INTENTIONS
Do you have a special intention or a loved one that you would like to be included in our Oak Hill Mass petitions? Please send an email to Katie Maxwell, Campus Minister, at kmaxwell@vdoh.org. We would very much like to remember the intentions of those in our community as we celebrate Mass together.
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Each Thursday, the Nuts & Bolts newsletters will highlight important information including upcoming school events, student achievements in and outside of school, forms to be completed, and program deadlines. Send your information for students and parents to news@vdoh.org to be included in either the Oak Hill newsletter, the Villa Duchesne newsletter, or both.
Please log in frequently to access personalized announcements and calendar items in your portal. Contact your Principal's Office with questions about your online account. For Villa Duchesne, email Judy Bertucci at jbertucci@vdoh.org. For Oak Hill, email Jaime Bergfeld at jbergfeld@vdoh.org.
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Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131
314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org