January 23, 2023

Dear St. Raphael School Families and Friends, 

Next week we will celebrate with other schools around country with Catholic Schools Week!  We are excited to honor our country, community, and school.  We will also be participating the in the Global Day of School Play on Wednesday, February 1.  Students from all over the world are participating in this event to bring back play to enhance their learning.  Why are we doing this?  The answer is simple; our kids are not given enough opportunities to play. Unstructured play teaches creativity, independence, sharing, communication skills, and much more.  This type of play also decreases anxiety, depression, and narcissism.  The teachers are thrilled about giving our students this opportunity next Wednesday. There are a few “rules.”  They are as follows: 1. No Screens: Students are encouraged to bring toys, but electronic toys are not allowed.  2. No Structure: Adults will not organize or structure play in any way. It’s important for students to navigate their own time. 3. Stay out of the way: Adults will let students manage their own play and will not interfere except to ensure student safety.  This day of play is something that we hope families will adopt for their homes. Give your children time to play and explore this amazing world that God created for us! 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. For the past 13 years, St. Raphael School has sent “Hearts from Home” to our servicemen and women around the world. We are asking that each St. Raphael School student create at least five Valentine’s Day cards for these special people.  As your children are creating these cards, please remember to pray for our servicemen and women!  God Bless America!  

Our second fundraiser of the year is just a little over a month away.   We have our auction set for Saturday, February 25^th at the Carriage Museum with the theme of “Wanted.” Yes, your attendance and participation in this wonderful evening is wanted! This is an event that you don’t want to miss…it’s always memorable.  We are asking all families to participate by making their family contribution of a minimum of $150.

Important Dates:

January 23: Jeans for Jesus

January 30 – February 4: Catholic Schools Week

January 31: Mass at Bishop Diego High School at 10:00 am

February 1: Global School Play Day

In Mary’s Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb, Principal 

A Prayer for Our School
God, our Father and Creator, be with us in our school. Help us to treasure Your gift of life and treat one another with care. Let us always remember that we are all created in Your image.  Come, Lord Jesus, and be with us in our school.  Guide our teachers, guide our parents, and lead our students to recognize You in all people.  Come, Holy Spirit, and be with us in our school.  Give us a vision for the future, and the determination for shaping a faith-filled future.
Amen