Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | September 26, 2019 Campus Minister Katie Maxwell did such a tremendous job presenting to the student body this week at our Monday assembly that I have asked her to share her message with you as well. Mrs. Maxwell's shares: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us."
We pray daily to our patron saints: St. Madeleine Sophie, St. Rose Philippine, and St. John Francis Regis. On November 1, we will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. During our assemblies this year, our students are learning about more saints as models of grace and grit. Why is it exactly that we pray to the saints? How can we relate to them in our daily lives?
This Monday at assembly we listened to a message from Fr. Mike Schmitz answering these questions exactly. He tells the story of a day-long triathlon race where those who have already finished go back to the finish line to cheer on those still racing. With the help of those who have gone before him, a racer is able to keep going and complete the race. This is exactly who the saints are for us: those who have gone before us and run the race themselves, ready to cheer us on! The saints are not so distant from us after all, for they lived on earth and ran their race. On our own journeys, we can look to them for encouragement along the way. They are our 'cloud of witnesses' up in heaven, waiting to cheer us on and run alongside us no matter what challenges we encounter.
St. Madeleine Sophie, St. Rose Philippine, St. John Francis Regis, and all holy saints, pray for us. Dr. Peter M. Schroeder
UPDATES FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
We ask each family to verify their home, work, and mobile phone numbers for emergencies like snow days and weather-related early dismissals. Under the Bulletin Board on your Parent Portal, expand the MyBackPack window and tap the 'Update Profile' link to get started. Your user name and password will be required to access your profile.
If information needs to be updated, select "Edit" in the upper-right corner of the page to make changes. Be sure to select "Save" as you go and "Done" when you have made all of your changes. If you add a new mobile number or have not received prior text messages from us, you may opt-in by simply texting "yes" to 67587. You will receive an almost immediate system response if you have successfully opted-in.
Please update your phone numbers by Wednesday, October 2, as we will be testing our emergency broadcast system on October 3.
DROP OFF AND DISMISSAL SAFETY REMINDERS
To ensure that Oak Hill students are safely dropped off in the mornings and picked up in the afternoons, please make note of these student safety reminders:
Signage will be posted on traffic cones to assist those individuals not accustom to dropping off or picking up. Let's keep all of our children safe, one action at a time.
MOMS' HAPPY HOUR | OCTOBER 9
Calling all moms! Please join Michael F. Baber and the Parent Association from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Wednesday, October 9, at the historic Log Cabin, located behind the 1929 Main Building. View the evite below and RSVP.
BONNE CHANCE AUCTION
LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS CATALOG STUDENT HONOR ROLL
ALUMNA AUTHOR PRESENTATION
Grace and Grit, our theme for the 2019-20 school year, is displayed every day by our students, our faculty, and our staff. It is truly special to witness this come to life within our community. In partnership with our theme, Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill is pleased to welcome home one of our very own, Christine Danis Handy '88, to share her inspirational story with our 7-12 graders and other members of our community. Christine's story is one of courage, strength, and empowerment, a life lived with grace and grit. Christine not only overcame an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis, she found her life's purpose and mission through the love of her friends and the grace of God. Christine is a best-selling author and motivational speaker. All are welcome to come hear Christine Handy speak to our upper school students at 10 am Thursday, October 10, in Kenefick Gym. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Drone Gehm '88, Manager of Alumni Relations, at rgehm@vdoh.org.
YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Assistant Director of Enrollment Management Katie Martin at kmartin@vdoh.org or 314.810.3496.
STATE OF THE SCHOOL
FALL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Enrollment in Art for Christmas is still open. This four-week class begins November 7 and is offered to students in grades 3-6. Online registration is available in the Enrichment tab in the Reference Center of your Parent Portal.
YOUTH SPORTS
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
Please join us at 7:15 am Wednesday, October 2, for Mass, Abbot Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B. presiding. 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.
FIRST FRIDAY MASS & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
On Friday, October 4, Oak Hill will celebrate First Friday Mass at 8:15 am followed by Benediction and exposition of the Eucharist until 3 pm. All are welcome to join the Oak Hill students for Mass or to visit anytime during the day to spend time in prayer and adoration with Our Lord.
PET BLESSING
On the feast of St. Francis of Assisi each year, all over the world it is customary that animals are brought to churches for a special blessing to honor St. Francis, patron of animals. In the spirit of St. Francis, parents are invited to join us for a blessing of animals at 2:45 pm Friday, October 4. Oak Hill students will gather in the field next to the Duchesne Building playground. A priest will be present to bless our Oak Hill chickens as well as family pets. If attending, we ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:
Please contact Campus Minister Katie Maxwell at kmaxwell@vdoh.org if you have questions.
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. Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School 801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131 314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org |