Mrs. Mulvanerty's Update

August 24, 2025

Hello SKS!

We are about to embark on a journey together—another new year of school! Maybe you have some butterflies about this journey -- you're thinking about checklists, and schedules, and uniforms, all the announcements in this blog, and a new routine to come. If so, I'm with you -- just ask Anne and Susan -- they can attest!

Yesterday, I heard something that I needed to hear, and I want to share it with you. It was a reflection from a friend who had just returned from the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James. For those who may not know, (I just learned this myself) it is a centuries-old pilgrimage across Spain, where travelers walk for days or even weeks toward the great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds the remains of St. James the Apostle rest. Pilgrims go not only for the destination, but for the renewal and transformation found along the way.

My friend shared that, as important as planning was for this trip, perhaps the most important lesson he learned on this journey was to “be where your feet are.” In other words, to soak in the little moments. To embrace the now. To pause for silence and stillness. To celebrate your companions. To cultivate gratitude. To recognize blessings right in front of us. Perhaps most importantly, to rest in the presence of God.

In this final stretch of summer, I hope you can be where your feet are. And when our school journey begins in just over a week, let us remember—we are not walking it alone. We are in it together.

G.B.Y.*,

Mrs. Mulvanerty

*God Bless You!

Please take some time to review this year's handbook here In particular, please pay attention to the updated policies on behavior, food and uniform. Once you've completed, please take a moment to sign this year's annual forms. Thank you for your cooperation!

Starting with the beginning of school we will be using a system called PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol provides you with a convenient way to make changes to your child’s dismissal plans and helps ensure that students are accurately dismissed each day.

How It Works:

1. Your child’s regular dismissal plan will be entered into the system. This is called their Default Plan.

2. Whenever your child is doing something other than their Default Plan, you’ll submit a Plan Change via PickUp Patrol.

   • Examples of a Plan Change:

     • Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.

     • Your child is getting picked up by someone other than yourself.

     • Your child has a doctor's appointment and will be leaving early.

3. When the change is submitted, our school will be notified and we’ll relay the change to your child & their teacher.

REGISTER: If you haven't already done so, please register using the link that was emailed to you. As soon as you receive it, please log in and confirm your child’s default plan.

Thank you for using PickUp Patrol to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all. You're going to love it!

If you have any questions, please first check the PickUp Patrol Parent Guide & if you need additional assistance, please contact Susan Hodgens at Shodgens@sksschool.org.

As some of you may already know, Susan Hodgens will be moving to a 3-day schedule this year. I am very excited to announce that joining Susan at the front office will be Paulina Wright -- I know everyone will enjoy getting to know Paulina in person, but here's a short intro from Paulina in the meantime!

I’m so excited to join the SKS community as both a parent and a staff member two days a week. My daughter, Georgia, is starting kindergarten, and my son, McClean, is two. We moved to the Main Line, where my husband is from, two years ago after living in Chevy Chase, MD. Before moving, I worked in Admissions for nearly 10 years at my alma mater, Holy Child Potomac. In my free time, I enjoy painting and photography as creative outlets. I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone soon! — Paulina

What is Walking With Purpose?

Walking with Purpose (WWP) is a parish-based women’s ministry with a mission of helping every woman and girl know Christ personally through our Bible studies. WWP Bible studies combine personal study with small group discussions, linking our everyday challenges with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. If you desire to grow in your faith – in a supportive community of Catholic women – join us!

Who comes to Walking With Purpose?

60+ women – young, middle-aged and seasoned women, from all walks of life, married, single, working full time, part-time and at home, some new to Bible study and some with various years of experience. This will be our 11th year of Walking with Purpose at St. Katharine of Siena!

When are the Walking With Purpose meetings?

IN-PERSON Tuesdays 9:15- 11:00am in the St. Katharine of Siena Parish Center
Starting Tuesday September 9, 2025 – April 28, 2026.

What is the study for 2025-26?

Touching the Divine: A Study of the Gospel of John

Saint John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Through John’s eyes, we learn how much Jesus deeply loves us, and how His love is the true satisfaction of our souls. Knowing Christ more intimately, as John did, will touch your heart and fill you with hope!

Learn about Christ’s divine qualities:

• Our source of fulfillment for all that we need
• The ultimate gift giver
• Our model of fidelity
• Our redeemer and restorer

To register, click here. For more information, contact Kate Mallach at wwp@sksparish.org

wwp@sksparish.org

wwp@sksparish.org

REGISTRATION LINK: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/491040

There are 8 Fall Sports offered for this upcoming season and we will need coaches and assistants for the following sports:

• Tackle football
• Flag Football
• Golf
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Cheerleading

If interested in Coaching one of our Fall Sports – Please contact Jason Griesser (Fall Sports Coordinator) at jasong748@gmail.com

By now you should have received your email from July 15th with new login procedures for FACTS, our new Student Information System. When you create your new login, please make sure to proofread your student and family information to ensure that everything is correct. In the near future, you will be able to enter all current medical information and emergency contacts for each student. If you have any issues when attempting to create your login information, please contact Anne Condello at acondello@sksschool.org

H.O.P.E Needs Your Help!

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People in Emergencies) is looking for people to drive parishioners to their doctor appointments! Many of the regular volunteers are out of town for the summer. It doesn’t take much time and you can help out as your schedule permits. For more information, contact Shauna Munshower at 610-688-4348 or smunch918@comcast.net.

This summer, we invite you to join our community in reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Fellow parent and art therapist, Susan Greisser, in conjunction with the Home and School Committee chose this timely and thought-provoking book because it speaks directly to the challenges today’s young people face growing up in a world shaped by smartphones, social media, and shifting childhood norms.

Haidt explores the rise of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents and offers research-based insights into how families, schools, and communities can help kids thrive. Themes include the impact of screen time, the loss of play-based childhood, and the importance of strong social connections.

Stay tuned for fall book club meeting details!

Parents have summer homework also! Please click here for your summer checklist. You will find next year's school calendar, summer homework assignments, tuition payment information, transportation info, health forms and other forms for completion before next year. Thank you!

Parents -- we know how much students grow over the summer! Please check your child's kilt to ensure it is a modest length and in keeping with our dress code. A good rule of thumb is finger-tip length. When kilts are too short, it is not only awkward for teachers to address -- but it feels even more so for our students when it must be addressed. Please help us avoid this situation completely by taking care of this at home.

You can view the updated uniform slides here as a guide for your child's back-to-school clothes.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time of transition!

The SKS Fall Classic on October 6, 2025 is a tremendous opportunity to bring our entire SKS community together, while raising some significant dollars for the school!

The day is a combination of events that start with a racquet outing at Overbrook Golf Club, a golf outing at Philadelphia Country Club, and a reception at Philadelphia Country Club that evening. It is open to all friends of SKS, which means we are casting our fundraising net beyond the current parents that includes alumni, alumni parents, and parishioners. All proceeds will go to benefit the school through the governance of the annual fund. We have the capacity for 30 foursomes, around 50 racquets players, and 250 dinner reception tickets. Some portions of those categories have been pre-sold as part of larger sponsorships, so I strongly encourage anyone with interest to jump on the ticket information here to register.

Thank you for your continued support of SKS and we look forward to seeing you on October 6th!

Tom and Moira Hobson, Event Chairs
Bud Tosti, Coordinator of Development and Alumni Relations

You will see that we slightly adjusted the back-to-school night schedule so that K will have their meetings on September 4. This will ensure our first-time parents will have all the info they need BEFORE their students begin school (Kindergarten begins on September 8). Special thanks to the Kindergarten Teachers for making this update.

September 3 - First Day of School! (Grades 1-8)🙂

September 4 - Kindergarten Playdate at Fenimore Park, 9:30am Kindergarten Back To School Night

September 5 - Kindergarten Visit with Parents, 9am Back-to-School Prayer Service Grades 1-8, 9 am

September 8 - First Day of Kindergarten

September 9 - Walking with Purpose Connect Coffee

September 11 - Grades 1-4 Back to School Night

September 13 - Porchfest

September 14 - Family Mass 9:30am

September 17 - Monthly School Mass, 9am

September 18 - Admissions Open House 9:15; Grades 5-8 Back-to-School Night

September 21 - Family Mass 9:30; Parish Coffee sponsored by the Home and School

September 23 - Confirmation Parent Meeting 6pm

September 26 - Dress Down Day

September 28 - Family Mass

For more announcements about SKS activities and clubs, CYO, and parish activities, click here!