Quarterly Newsletter - St. Catherine School

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 279
Groves, TX
77619
1st Quarter Honor Roll
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
St. Catherine School
3840 Woodrow Drive
Port Arthur, Texas 77642
High Honors: (All A Honor Roll)
4th grade: Scot Die (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Jayla Fontenette (St. James), Dominic Mennie,
Madison Plessala (St. Catherine), Caasi Sleeman, Isaac Sleeman
5th grade: Michael Brinkley, Caitlin Crenshaw (St. Catherine), McKenna Cross, Jennifer DeLord
(St. Charles), Kayla Munoz (St. Charles), Joanna Tran (Queen of Vietnam)
6th grade: Jordan Haliburton (St. John), Linh Hoang (Queen of Vietnam), Collin Todora (St. Catherine)
7th grade: Gilberto Benites (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Dallin Broussard (Sacred Heart), Arneicia Charles,
Casey Crenshaw (St. Catherine), Myra Truong (St. Catherine)
8th grade: Jurnee Dennis (St. Catherine) Marcus Gleinser (St. Elizabeth) Joshua Lamb (St. Catherine)
Honors (A/B Honor Roll)
4th grade: Courtland Carmouche (Blessed Sacrament), Arleth Castro (St. Joseph), Isaiah Marcel (St. Mary),
Alex Pham (Queen of Vietnam), Lilly Sims (Little Flower), Tuyet Tran (Queen of Vietnam), Rhionnon Weatherly
5th grade: Isaac Duerksen, Jennifer Garcia (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Alex Tran
6th grade: Jonathon Buhler (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Lilian Melgoza (Our Lady of Guadalupe)
7th grade: Chandler Davis, Jessica DeLuna (St. Joseph), Amy Landry (Our Mother of Mercy)
8th grade: Jaleigh Cerf, Allen DeLord (St. Charles), Elijah Keal (St. Catherine), Kimberly Nunez (St. Catherine),
Kaylynn Tongue (St. John)
St. Catherine Of Siena CathOliC SChOOl
A quarterly publication of St. Catherine School
Celebrating 52 years of excellence in Catholic education
NEWSLETTER www.stcats.org FALL 2012
Faith & Technology - Our Students Are Well Versed in Both
St. Catherine students Casey Crenshaw and Joshua Lamb (front) and Kimberly Nunez, Marcus Gleinser, and Allen DeLord
visit with Mrs. Dora Brammer Smith, and learn about her devotion to the rosary.
Every parent, regardless of religious affiliation, is aware of the importance of their child’s academic, spiritual
and intellectual formation. Not only does St. Catherine provide your child with an exemplary educational
experience, but they are also developing their skills to excel in the technologic society of tomorrow.
St. Catherine’s uniqueness lies in the fact that our concern extends beyond the acquisition of knowledge to a
formation of the whole person. This includes both spiritual and moral development of a child’s character.
St. Catherine School provides ample opportunities for students to grow in virtue.
One of these opportunities occurred when middle school students visited with one of St. Catherine School’s
faithful prayer warriors, Mrs. Dora “Mimi” Brammer Smith. She is the mother of science teacher, Mrs. Lisa Drago.
She was first taught the gift of rosary making by her son, Bobby Brammer. Although tedious at times for the 98
year old Mrs. Smith, she has received many blessings from her work. “We have made over 300 rosaries and we are
not stopping”. The hand made rosaries are an object of prayer and it is a project that touches the lives of our
students and all the people who receive one of her rosaries.
In addition, St. Catherine School continued the education of their students on the importance of this powerful
form of prayer through the recitation of a “Living Rosary” - an annual event that has become a rich tradition of our
school.

On A Principal Note......
Did you know that Pope Benedict XVI has declared a
“Year of Faith” between October 11, 2012 and
November 14, 2013?
In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has
opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did
you know that God has opened the door of faith for
each one of us and he invites us to step through the
threshold into a deeper relationship with him? The
upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every
Catholic to turn towards Jesus Christ, encounter him
in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and
rediscover the Faith and Church.
St. Catherine School strives for the integration of our
faith throughout all the disciplines. Our Catholic
identity brings an added value to our school.
During this year of faith, we are extremely grateful
that you have entrusted us with the education of
your child. Our students not only get a strong
academic education, but they also get an education that
includes our faith and morals.
As the Advent season approaches, know that you and
your family are in our prayers.
Peace and Blessings,
Mrs. Haidee Todora
St. Catherine School Principal
Above: Addisyn Turner (PreK 3) completes a lesson on an
IPAD while Jacob Hernandez, (1st grade) works on an early
literacy lesson on a Smartboard.
Faith in Action
St. Catherine School students not only develop their
minds and bodies but also their spiritual sides as well.
Through service opportunities, our students learn the
value of sharing the gifts of their time and talent with
others. Fostered at a young age, this lesson will benefit
them as they develop into productive members of
our society.
Above: Jordan Haliburton, Linh Hoang and John Barron
load cleaning supplies students, teachers and staff recently
donated to the Southeast Texas Hospitality Center.
Teaching With Technology
Blackboards and erasers, once standard in all classrooms,
have been replaced with tools that make learning
more fun and interactive. St. Catherine School has
incorporated some of these newest innovations. They
include the IPAD, the Smartboard and the Elmo. The
Smartboard is an interactive whiteboard that allows
students to have unique learning experiences. From
activities that promote early literacy to middle school
frog dissection, the Smartboard is changing the manner
in which our students learn. Another tool being used
by our students is the Elmo, a document projector used
to display objects, moving pictures, and three dimensional
images. Also, students have access to one of the
most revolutionary learning devices during our times,
the IPAD. This portable tablet computer has many
learning applications available to students.
Reanna Panelo, (second from right) and Alizabeth Buhler
( far right) honored as “Laws of Life” essay finalists.
Sports Connection
St. Catherine School has achieved great success not
only in the classroom, but in the sports arena as well.
The St. Catherine School soccer team consisted of
members Dillon Alexander, John Barron, Michael
Brinkley, Jonathon Buhler, Dallin Broussard, Casey
Crenshaw, Chandler Davis, Allen DeLord, Marcus
Gleinser, Joshua Lamb, John Le, Adrian Median, Efrain
Medina, and Collin Todora. They have completed one of
their best seasons ever. Leading the efforts for our team
was Coach Ray Todora, assisted by Mr. Medina.
Our school’s volleyball teams also had inspiring
seasons. Our volleyball “B” team included members
Arneicia Charles, McKenna Cross, Jennifer DeLord,
Sophia Evans, Marisa Garcia, Dominique Marcel, Brianna
Montijo and Kayla Munoz. Although young, this team
made remarkable progress throughout the season.
St. Catherine’s “A” volleyball team continued the
tradition of dominance with a impressive unbeaten record
of 12-0, and finished in first place. Consisting of Jasmine
Alexander, Melaysha Banks, Aliyah Broussard, Jennifer
DeLord, Amy Landry, Kimberly Nunez, Reanna Panelo,
and Myra Truong our team outplayed their area competitors
and represented our school well. Coaching them to success
were Mrs. Barbara Umphrey, Mrs. Jennifer Redlich and
Mrs. Delphia Smith.
Sharing Our Blessings
St. Catherine School students not only recently enjoyed a
delicious Thanksgiving feast with family and friends but
they also had the opportunity to serve others. Thanksgiving
meals were brought to shut-in parishioners of St. Catherine
Church. The delivery served as a special reminder to
students to share their blessings with others during this
holiday season.
Student Earn Academic Accolades
Two St. Catherine students recently were recognized as
finalists in the Laws of Life essay contest sponsored by the Better
Business Bureau. Seventh grader Reanna Panelo, and 2012
graduate Alizabeth Buhler were selected from 450 entries from
area wide schools for essays they wrote concerning the theme
“Laws of Life” This is a unique writing competition for students
in grade 6-8 that encourages students to think about the people
and experiences that have helped to shape their values and then
challenges them to write about these events.
Congratulations Reanna and Alizabeth!
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars now!
Dec. 1, 2012 St. Catherine Gumbo Cookoff
& Winter Market Noon-4:00
December 16, 2012 St. Catherine Spaghetti Dinner
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
(Take out only)
Dec. 20 - Jan. 4, 2013 Christmas Holiday Break
Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2013 Catholic School Week
Above: The girl’s volleyball team celebrates a tournament
win while (below) the soccer team enjoyed a victorious
season