JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

Dear Parent,

Merry Christmas! I pray that the Christmas season brings you and your family much peace and joy as you celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

As we celebrate the Christmas season, I pause with gratitude for all that we have shared together this first half of the school year. I am continually reminded of the generosity of so many of our families, parishioners, teachers, staff, students, and friends. The generosity is again reflected in the large amount of items collected for EPS. WOW! 

I am thankful for the gift of our students and for the joy they bring to all of us each day. One of my greatest pleasures is standing in the upper commons when the children enter in the morning. Looking into their faces reminds me daily of the goodness of God! They are very honest in their conversations, and most days I go back to my office smiling brightly! Thank you to all of our students and for the privilege of being a part of their lives!

Thank you to our teachers and staff. Every day they go above and beyond to make sure each child is cared for in a kind and loving manner. I am grateful for their reflection of Jesus’ love as they interact with each student.

I am not sure what we would do without, you, our parents! Your constant support and encouragement for every aspect of our school is very much appreciated. You provide love and strength to all of us. Thank you!

As we complete this first semester, I am truly humbled by the kindness, support, and love of our school community. We are all so blessed to have each other, and I look forward to the New Year with anticipation and gratitude.

Be assured that all of you will be remembered as I thank God this Christmas for the blessings in my life!

Dr. Marchese     

Christmas Giving

The school faculty and staff would like to thank all the parents who contributed to the Christmas Giving Program. We appreciate your generosity and support at Christmas time and throughout the year! A special thank you goes to the Hope family for organizing the program.

Christmas Season Schedule

St. Vincent de Paul Parish has many opportunities for families to attend Mass during the Christmas season. Below is a schedule through Wednesday, January 1, 2025.  

CHRISTMAS EVE - THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, December 24

4:00 P.M. - Church 

4:05 P.M. - Additional Mass in Kampschneider Hall

6:00 P.M. - Church

8:00 P.M. - Church

10:00 P.M. - Church

CHRISTMAS DAY - THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Wednesday, December 25

9:00 A.M. - Church

11:00 A.M. - Church

(No 7:30 A.M. or 5:00 P.M. Mass)

(No 3:30 P.M. Confessions)

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 

Tuesday, December 31

5:30 P.M.

Wednesday, January 1

9:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

Report Cards

Report cards will be sent home on Friday, January 17, with your child. As we start the second semester of the school year, this would be a good time to review your child's academic goals. There are not scheduled conferences at this time, but if questions arise, please contact your child's teacher.

New Kindergarten Parent Meeting 2025-2026

There will be an informational meeting for new Kindergarten parents on Thursday, January 16th. This is a parent-only meeting—students do not need to attend. 

School tours will begin at 6:00, and the meeting will begin at 6:30 P.M. in the Media Center. All parents who are new to St. Vincent de Paul School are asked to attend. Current families are always welcome but not required to attend. Kindergarten registration forms will be online starting on January 20th. 

The registration paperwork can be found on our school website www.svdp-school.org. The online registration forms, registration fee, and your child’s original birth and baptismal certificate will be due to the school office by Monday, February 3rd. If your child is currently in our Preschool program, we have your birth and baptismal certificates on file, and you do not need to resubmit them. 

Inservice for Teachers

All SVdP teachers will participate an inservice on Monday, January 20. School will not be in session on this day.

Inclement Weather

With the cold and snow upon us, we want to remind you about the expectations for winter apparel at recess time. For all students in grades K-8, winter coats, gloves or mittens, and something to cover the head are important.

School closings in the event of severe weather will be announced on local TV stations. A closing of Omaha Catholic Schools includes St. Vincent de Paul.

2-Hour Late Start: If the Omaha Catholic Schools Office calls for a 2-hour late start, St. Vincent de Paul will follow that directive. Morning Preschool will not be held. A standard hot lunch menu of chicken nuggets, corn, fruit, and animal crackers will be served. There will be no alternate sandwich or salad available.  

Get Your Pictures in the Yearbook!

The yearbook staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you have great photos of school events, we'd like to see them. Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.   

If you'd like to share your pictures with our yearbook staff click here to view instructions.  

Thank you in advance for helping make our yearbook the best it can be!

Catholic Schools Week 2025 At-A-Glance

January 25 – January 31, 2025

Before CSW:  Please sign up by January 23 here if your child in grades 4-8 wants to help serve at the pancake breakfast on Sunday, January 26.

The pizza lunch order form will be sent January 6. Please submit (even if not ordering)  by Wednesday, January 15. Orders will be accepted through Friday January 17.

Friday, January 24

In anticipation of CSW and to raise money for our sister school in Guatemala, there will be a special “$1.00 Dress Down” Day today. Students may bring $1.00 (or more) for the students in San Ildefonso. Clothing should follow the guidelines for dress-down days. Students may wear their school uniform if they choose not to participate.

 Saturday, January 25 - Sunday, January 26 - CELEBRATE OUR PARISH
·  Students are asked to wear their school uniforms to Mass this weekend.
         Show your school pride and gratitude to all our parishioners.

Attend the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast Sunday morning (and see a special video collage created by teachers!).

The Awesome Angels children’s choir will sing at the 9:00 A.M. Mass.

Monday, January 27 - CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS    
·   Please send a rosary with your K-8 child(ren).  All teachers, staff, and students in K-8 will gather in the church to pray together.
·   Jersey Day! Wear a jersey or other team attire. Student may dress down on the bottom (following dress-down guidelines). Students may not wear an official SVdP team jersey.
·  Grade 4-8 will attend the school spelling bee.

Tuesday, January 28 - CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY     
·  All-School Mass at 8:15 A.M.
·  To prepare for our parish community's SPREE 2025, it's SPREEHAW dress down.
·  Buddy Activity: Students will join with their buddies to assemble toiletry packages for those in need in the Omaha Community.

Wednesday, January 29 - CELEBRATE OUR NATION
·  PIZZA LUNCH! All parents are welcome to join us. Orders due Wednesday, January 15.

 Patriotic Dress-down! Wear our school colors of Red, White, and Blue. Students may dress down on the bottom (following dress-down guidelines).

·   Patriotic door decoration competition and all-school Pledge of Allegiance.              

Thursday, January 30 -  CELEBRATE VOCATIONS  
·  Grade 8 students will join other eighth graders from the city as Archbishop Lucas celebrates CSW Mass at St. Cecilia’s.

Special prayer for vocations during each lunch period.

Dress down day - "Dress like your favorite decade" - 1880s, 1950s, 60s, etc.

"Decade interruptions" - It's a surprise!  

Friday, January 31 - CELEBRATE FACULTY, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS

12:00 dismissal

Crazy hair and pajama day!

Students will watch a movie with their class.

Students will gather in the gym for a friendly volleyball competition. 

Throughout the week: 

Prayer buddies

Grade-level classrooms will compete against each other in fun competitions (grade levels will do these different days, due to space availability).

Our school service project for the week will focus on praying for the students and staff at our sister school, San Ildefonso, in Huejuetenango, Guatemala,  and assembling toiletry packages for those in need in the Omaha area.