Holy Family Newsletter

The mission of Holy Family Catholic School is to provide a safe, loving Catholic Christian environment in which children become life-long learners, grounded in Jesus Christ.

Holy Family Catholic School is fully accredited and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or national origin in the enrollment and participation of students or the employment of personnel.

Lunch calendar is subject to change. On days we have a funeral, it is likely to change to hot dogs.

• Sometimes we need to change a meal without notice (this is rare, but can happen).
• We share the food allergy information you provided in the beginning-of-the-year forms with Ms. Newman; if you have concerns, please call me or Nicole
• The cost to families is $3.00 per meal (same as last year). Milk is donated by a generous and anonymous donor, and part of the meal cost was covered by a generous and anonymous donor in the parish. Thank you... you know who you are and we appreciate your kindness!
• We do not participate in the Free & Reduced Lunch Program.
• Your account is only billed for the actual lunch taken. You may prepay to your lunch account, or you may pay when billed monthly. Account balances at the end of the year may be held for next year, refunded, transferred to another account, or donated to the lunch program, your choice.

Our students and families are very thankful for having a hot lunch program available. Please consider signing up for days to volunteer in the kitchen. Thank you!

• Wed, Sept 30: Vision Screening
• Thurs, Oct 1: 7/8 Grade goes to the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion for Mass with the Bishop!
• Thurs, Oct 1: Mass 8:15 (all except 7/8 grade)
• Fri, Oct 2: First Friday Mass
• Tue, Oct 6: 3K and 4K field trip to Fire Department
• Friday, Oct 9: All School Rosary for Feast of Our Lady of Champion 9:15 am
• Mon, Oct 12: SAVE THE DATE!!! Tony Melendez school visit/evening concert/Eucharistic Adoration. More information to come.
• Fri, Oct 16: NO SCHOOL
• Mon, Oct 19: make up picture day
• Tue-Fri, Oct 20-23: Mrs. Schmidt out of the office
• Wed, Oct 21: 1:30pm Early Release
• Fri, Oct 23: SAVE THE DATE!!! Fall Fest, (adults only) community celebration and fundraiser benefitting the school; invite friends to come along, sign up to volunteer (very fun - you meet a lot of people this way).

If you would like to donate items for the auctions, help on event night, volunteer to help students make their class projects for this event, help organize donations, help set-up and decorate, please contact Val VanLanen at val.vanlanen@hfcsbrillionwi.org More specific information about volunteer opportunities will follow.

A class project this fall involves the fifth graders doing some raised-bed gardening!

Lessons openings are available for students 2nd grade and older. Please contact the school office if interested.

Please contact the school office if interested.

In the normal course of lessons, especially in science, sometimes students ask questions related to human growth and development. The best opportunity to teach is when students have a genuine interest or question. We address topics in an age-appropriate way as students ask, and often redirect them to ask a parent. Students receive age-appropriate Safe Environment lessons that were developed by the Diocese. The 6th - 8th Grades receive Theology of the Body lessons in Health class.

We hope that the most important conversations about human sexuality happen between parents and their children, and we understand that, for some, these conversations can be awkward. Here are some guidelines for age-appropriate conversations.

3 - 5 year-olds

• Proper names of basic body parts, with no shame or humor, just matter- of - fact.
• Understanding God's plan for the family (spouse's role helping each other get to heaven, instructing the children in what they need to go to heaven).
• The roles and dignity of each family member.
• It is OK to say no to being touched, it is OK to set personal boundaries.

6 - 9 year-olds

• Begin talks about body changes
• More autonomous hygiene practices
• Start conversations about how to be a good friend
• Model healing language, especially self-talk, for children.
• Build confidence in children that they can trust you with their biggest concerns (practice no shaming or blaming language)

10 - 12 year-olds

• Double-down on hygiene; make sure they carry travel-sized deodorant in their backpacks, girls carry menstrual supplies in backpacks
• More serious talks about puberty, all of the uncomfortable things we don't normally talk about! It is important to keep this talk very factual and light so that there is no shame associated with normal body processes. Emphasize that our biology is God's plan and necessary for us to participate in the creation of human life, a true gift.
• Reproduction talks in general terms, as detailed as the child has questions.
• Give children space to be individual and make more choices for themselves. Discuss possible outcomes of choices and allow more natural consequences for poor choices.

13 - 18 year-olds

• Deeper relationship talks, purpose of dating, love and the distortion of love, how to recognize dangerous behavior in a boyfriend/girlfriend
• Continue to initiate conversations about sexuality, the Sacrament of Marriage, the blessing of new life, the dignity of life at all ages conception to natural death, answering all questions without shame and encouraging them to ask you about things they hear from peers.
• Discuss the dangers of posting private things online; remind your child you love them even if they make a mistake, you will help them.
• Support their emotional health; help them name their feelings and seek the source of those feelings (hangry? tired? an event at school? anxiety?)
• Reaffirm that they are normal, the changes are normal, and you are their trusted person.

We would appreciate that if anyone is looking at purchasing a large amount that they preorder and pay ahead.
Any questions please ask Linda Meyer or the office. Thanks!!

• The income generated by the purchase of Scrip will be split 50/50. One-half of the revenue will be dedicated to Holy Family Scrip Account and one-half will be applied to the Scrip Purchaser’s account. Example: The revenue from the use of Kohl’s Scrip is 5%. The purchase of $100.00 of Kohl’s Scrip will generate $5.00 in revenue. $2.50 would be applied to budgeted needs at Holy Family and $2.50 would be credited to the participating Scrip Purchaser’s account.
• There is no minimum or maximum amount of credit that an account owner can generate.
• Scrip credits earned this year apply to next school year's tuition. A year end report will be generated after May 31st for each account. At that time the account owner will be advised of the revenue generated by the participating account during the prior year as well as any carryover balance from prior years. This amount will be designated as the account owner instructed on this Scrip Agreement form for the upcoming fiscal/school year.
• A Scrip account for credit will remain open unless it becomes inactive. An inactive account balance will be turned over to Holy Family Scrip program after one year of inactivity. “Inactivity status” will be defined as 12 months of no Scrip purchases.
• An account owner’s Scrip credit account will not earn interest.
• Scrip purchases must be made by cash or check; credit or debit cards may be used within RaiseRight system (subject to convenience fee).
• Scrip purchases which are not designated to a particular account will be applied 100% to the Holy Family Scrip Account . In order for a Scrip purchase to be credited to an account, the Scrip purchase must be designated to a particular account holder(s) on the agreement form. This designation may be changed at any time, however, the current form on file as of May 31st will be used for applying the previous year’s credit. Only the account owner may designate how the earned credit is used.

Feel free to reach out to Amy or Luke Bolle with any questions about the course content and logistics. I (Christel) can answer questions about the course content and purpose, in everyday life as well as parenting and ministry.

In order to support the best possible learning environment with the fewest distractions, Holy Family Catholic School does not permit students to choose to bring a cell phone to campus. Parents may choose to send students to school with a cellphone. Here are the details:

● Students are asked NOT to bring cellphones to school.

● If parents have a credible need for their child to bring a cell phone for purposes of emergency communication to and from school, this choice is at the family's own risk. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen or broken cell phones. If parents choose to send their child with a cell phone, this phone must remain off and in their child's backpack all day (i.e. it cannot be taken outside at lunch or recess or checked during school hours, or be carried by the student). Emergency communication with a student during the school day may happen through the school office phone number 920-756-2502.

● Students may not bring cell phones on field trips.

● Students, while on school property before and after school, should not take photos with their personal devices.

Consequences for Non-Compliance: The cell phone policy includes a progressive discipline approach for non-compliance. If a cell phone is on/out during school hours or misused on school grounds it will be confiscated and turned in to the school office. A phone confiscated from a student will not be given back to the student by school personnel. A parent or guardian may retrieve the phone from the office during office hours.

There is no circumstance where a phone should be out/on in a restroom or locker room or any private area of the school where students may be undressed. These areas are unmonitored by adults or video cameras, and students don't understand the level of risk in taking photos in these places. This type of infraction will likely result in contact with the school liaison officer (with student and parent) to ensure the privacy of all involved. It is simply best to keep phones home or off and stowed away when on the school campus.

Students in elementary and middle school are just starting to learn boundaries, self-discipline, self-awareness and appropriate use of devices. Parents and the school must work together to help them learn these things in ways that protect all of our children. What may seem like a silly joke to a child on a device could have serious legal consequences for them and lasting trauma for other students. We want to protect our students from making poor choices they do not yet understand.

It is very easy to earn money for our school technology needs! Just put your receipts from Econofoods (Tadychs Grocery Store) into the collection box at church or bring to the school office. Econofoods will pay us a percentage of the receipt balances. This year we are using the funds to pay for part of our student Chromebooks.

This program helps the school provide and update technology, like Chromebooks for the students.

Please consider being added to our sub list, even if you are only possibly available one day a week. Many of our subs have other jobs and are only available certain days, and that is OK.

• Our students are outstanding.
• Our staff is excellent.
• We get sick or need to take a personal day from time-to-time, and we fully support our teachers taking those needed days off.
• During this cold and flu season, it has gotten very difficult to find an available substitute teacher (and we have a list of highly qualified subs that we request from when needed). Many of our subs are also subs for other schools.
• Substituting is a paid position. A new Virtus background check and update is needed.
• Please consider this opportunity!

The above photo and arrows shows the ideal traffic pattern for the least amount of interactions between cars, buses and children. Cars enter and follow the orange arrows above, taking the second aisle on the left around to the school side of the building. Buses enter the same path, but take the aisle closest to the sidewalk. Please avoid parking by the sidewalks at the beginning and end of day. In the afternoon, the Reedsville bus picks up early (2:45pm) at the main entrance. The Brillion bus picks up later by the Day Care Entrance. Both the buses and cars exit by following the outside aisle of the parking lot around to the exit (yellow arrow above). If Highway 10 is too busy for safely making a left turn, consider taking Hacker Road (exit left out of our parking lot) and then taking a right onto PP.

Students in 3K and 4K do not follow the same dress code as students in K-8. Students will receive information from Mrs. Schlender indicating the type of clothing that is conducive to preschool activities.

• Clothing must be neat, clean, and free of rips/tears/fraying/holes

• Students should wear clothing that fits appropriately - not too tight or too loose.

• Clothing with pictures and messages must be in alignment with our school values

• Underclothing may not be exposed or showing

• No outerwear may be worn or carried during the school day

• Hooded sweatshirts and sweaters will be allowed as long as the hood is not worn during the school day.

• Hats and sunglasses are to be removed upon entering the school building

• Skirts less than knee length worn alone, low necklines, or see-through blouses/shirts will not be permitted.

• Leggings can be worn with mid thigh length tops, dresses, or skirts.

• All shirts and dresses must have sleeves or be covered by a sweater/denim jacket (with the exception of gym class)

• Slacks and jeans must be in good condition.

• Students may wear shorts of a reasonable length (fingertip length or longer) during the months of August, September, May, and June. Capri pants may be worn year-round. If warm weather occurs outside of this time frame shorts may be worn at Principal's discretion.

• Shoes must be appropriate for safely walking and playing at recess.

• Shoes that are appropriate for physical activity (NOT backless or dressy) MUST be worn for Phy Ed.

• Students must wear appropriate outerwear and clothing during all-weather seasons.

Up to 2nd grade, young children may wear knit pants, like leggings, that fit correctly.

• Students should wear clothing that is dressy and is appropriate for attending liturgy. A collared shirt is a good choice.

• Blue jeans and sweatpants are not to be worn for liturgy.

• No hooded sweatshirts for liturgy. If a dressy shirt has a hood, please tuck it in for Mass.

• Skirts and dressy shorts (knee length) can be worn on mass days.

• Leggings can be worn with mid thigh length tops, dresses, or skirts. When in doubt: If it is long enough to wear as a dress without leggings, it is long enough for wearing with leggings.

• Flip-flops, soft-sole moccasins, slippers, high heels, wedges, clogs, and Crocs are not permitted.

• Nails should be short and neat in appearance. Nails that are extremely long or excessively pointed are prohibited.

• Any piercing other than ear piercings are not permitted. Boys may wear only one stud earring per ear. Girls’ earrings may not hang below the chin.

• Makeup may only be applied at home and should appear natural to limit distraction.

• Male and female hair must be neat, clean, well-groomed, and non-distracting. It may not obstruct the student’s vision.

• Hair color must be non-distracting.

Any fashion (dress, accessory, or hairstyle) that disrupts the educational process or is deemed as inappropriate, provocative, or a safety risk will not be permitted for any student.

Students are expected to have proper cold weather gear on days when the weather is 32 degrees or below.

• 3K-5 Requirements: winter jacket, snow pants, hat, mittens/gloves, and winter boots.

• 6-8 Requirements: winter jacket, hat, mittens/gloves, and winter boots.

Snow Gear

If students in grades 6-8 would like to play in the snow or in the gaga ball pit, they are required to have snow pants in addition to the cold weather gear listed above.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If students did not bring snow pants and boots, they will be restricted to playing in the areas without snow (on blacktop or concrete).

Holy Family Catholic School's Board of Education holds meetings monthly throughout the school year, normally on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm in the Music Room.

If you have something you wish to present to the Board of Education, please contact the Board of Education Chair, Linda Meyer, lmeyer@lsol.net. You may also contact Fr. Matt Colle or Christel Schmidt at the contact information at the end of this newsletter.

We are required by law to publish two specific dates of Board of Education meetings for the 2026-27 school year. These are Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 6:00 pm, in the music room; and Tuesday, March 9, 2026 @ 6:00 pm, in the music room.

• Chair: Linda Meyer
• Vice-Chair: Adam Cohen
• Secretary: Sandy Sickinger-Holschbach
• Marissa Boesch
• Nate Demske
• Nik Klepps
• Nicole Peters
• Katrina Reinke
• Carol Warner
• (Liaison) Christel Schmidt
• (Liaison) Fr. Matt Colle
• (Business Manager) Julie Rohan

The Board of Education is not a grievance board. If you have a grievance, the first two steps to resolve it are:

1. Respectfully arrange a meeting time with the person to ask clarifying questions and seek understanding.

2. If the conflict cannot be resolved to both parties' satisfaction directly, please invite administration in for clarifying or mediating.

920-756-2502

hfcs@holyfamily-parish.org

principal@hfcsbrillionwi.org

julie@holyfamily-parish.org

frmatthew@holyfamily-parish.org

Some examples of behaviors include:

• Sexual abuse of a minor (if this is currently taking place, immediately call 911 to report)
• Harassment
• Boundary Issues
• Threats of Violence
• Concerning behavior by clergy, staff or volunteers
• Misconduct
• Anything you may find stressful or out of the ordinary and feel compelled to bring forward regarding clergy, staff or volunteers

Awareity is not meant to replace face-to-face communication, but instead provide an alternative option to reporting information you may be uncomfortable coming forward with normally. Using Awareity to make a report will ensure proper follow up on the information provided.

To file an Awareity report with the Diocese, please click on the link below.

We work as a community to keep our children safe. We are committed to following all reporting and communication laws.