The Panther Post Newsletter

September 5, 2025

Dear Presentation Families,

It has been a joy to welcome everyone back for a new school year! Our students are quickly settling into their routines, and the halls are filled with energy, laughter, and learning. As always, the beginning of the year reminds us of the blessing it is to be part of such a faith-filled and supportive community.

This morning, after Mass, our school joined with others across the Diocese in praying a rosary for the Annunciation School and Church community. Moments like these remind us of the strength we find in our shared faith and the importance of supporting one another in prayer.

September also brings with it many opportunities to come together outside the classroom. We hope you’ll join us for the Panther Classic Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 14, our first All-School Mass on Sunday, September 21, and our much-anticipated Parish Fall Festival on September 27–28. Each of these events is a wonderful chance to celebrate our community, strengthen connections, and continue building the traditions that make Presentation such a special place for our students and families.

Thank you for all the ways you support our school. We are looking forward to a year filled with growth, joy, and community together.

God Bless,

Matt

Hi parents and guardians,

Happy first week back to school!

I am so happy to return to Presentation as the School Counselor! I will be at the school on Mondays and Thursdays, but I am available by email throughout the entire week. The best way to reach me is through email, and I am always happy to schedule a phone call or in person meeting as needed.

As the school counselor, my role is to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in school and beyond. This includes:

• Supporting students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Helping students build positive peer relationships.
• Providing short-term, solution focused counseling support.
• Collaborating with teachers and families to remove barriers to learning.
• Supporting students during times of stress, change, or crisis.

If you would like me to meet with your child, feel free to fill out the google form linked here or send me an email.

If I met with your child last year that does not automatically mean they will meet with me again. If you think it would be helpful for me to meet with them again, please fill out the form or reach out via email.

In order to meet regularly with a student, I do need parent or guardian permission. The only exception would be in an emergency situation, or initial check in, where immediate support is necessary to ensure a child’s wellbeing. In those cases, you will always be notified afterward.

Given the recent events, I know our community is hurting, and there may be extra anxiety surrounding returning to school. If you are looking for resources on how to talk with your children about violence, school safety, or anxiety about returning to school, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to support you and your family in any way I can.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or if you feel your child might benefit from counseling support at school. Additionally, if you are interested in support and resources outside of school, such as outside counseling, or food and housing resources, I am more than happy to connect you with local options that may benefit your family.

Here's to a great year!

Zoe Everett

School Counselor, LSW

In the communication envelopes that recently went home, you will have noticed we updated our Family Service Agreement a bit this year. We understand life is busy and schedules get very full, so instead of requiring each family to commit only service hours, this year we are asking each family to fulfill a combined annual commitment of 25 service hours and/or $250 in fundraising. It is our hope that this update may allow families to choose the method or combination that best accommodates their time and resources. Some important notes regarding the commitment:

• Families may mix and match hours and dollars. For example, 10 service hours and $150 raised fulfills the obligation.
  

• Unmet obligations will result in a charge of $10 per outstanding service hour at the end of the school year. This will be charged to your TADS account.
  

• Extended family members (grandparents, older siblings, etc.) may volunteer on behalf of your family.

• While each family has a required commitment of 25 service hours and/or $250 in fundraising, we do appreciate and encourage families to participate beyond these quantities! Our school sincerely appreciates any and all service and support offered by our amazing families!

Thank you to those of you that have already returned the signed Commitment Agreement. If you have not, please do so. A copy is attached below for your reference. In addition, there is also a tracking sheet attached for you to log your hours and/or acquired donations.

Our 5-8th grade Panther Volleyball team is in need of a coach for the year. If you or someone you know is interested in this fun activity, please contact our Athletics Director, Quinten Strub, at qstrub@presentationofmary.org.

Our Annual Halloween Party is always one of the most fun events of the year. Our students and families LOVE getting to dress up and hang out with each other. We are looking for someone (or a few people) to take over the planning of this wonderful tradition! We have knowledgeable past planners that are willing to answer questions and provide suggestions for you, or you are certainly allowed to put your own new spin on it! If you are interested or have any questions please contact the school at 651-777-5877. Thanks in advance for your support of our school!

Can't find your copy of the lunch menu? Don't remember when the next day off of school is? Want to check something regarding the uniform policy? Head to our website! We try to keep most info school families will need up to date on our website so it is easily accessible at all times. Our lunch menus, school calendar, school newsletters, and handbook are all available online for your convenience. And if you ever come across something that seems to be missing or is out of date, PLEASE let Ms. Davini know at mdavini@presentationofmary.org. We work hard to keep it all as up to date as possible, but it is a big, in-depth site and things can occasionally get missed. So we do appreciate when you alert us to errors.

• 18 holes of golf
• Cart
• Range balls
• Lunch
• Drink ticket for beer, pop, or bottled water
• Voucher for return 18-hole round at Oak Marsh

We're looking to set records this year, so sign up early, bring a new friend, and encourage others to attend! Please visit: https://www.oakmarshevents.com/panther-classic.aspx to register.

We're also looking for sponsors, so if you want to step up in a bigger way, or if you know someone looking for some exposure for their business, contact tourney chair Bill Josten at wjjosten@gmail.com! Sponsor options are available through the same link above.

Remember, new this year: We will be having two tournaments in one! Based on feedback from prior years, we will have two different competitions going on at once. One will be a "True Champion" bracket where teams will be limited in their mulligans and other advantages. The second will be our "Charitable Champion" bracket for those teams who want to take advantage of every possible opportunity to "improve" their scores out on the golf course. The goal is to provide something for everyone! Let's fill the field this year! Please reach out to Bill Josten with any questions!

Not a golfer but still want to be involved? Help out at the event! Visit the SignUp Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040545AEAE2EA46-presentation to see where you might be able to earn some service hours!

Our Fall Festival will be here before we know it! Join us on September 27-28 for our annual Parish Fall Festival. There are lots of ways to help out:

1. Help out: follow the link below to see our volunteer opportunities and to sign up.

2. Donate items: We’re looking for donations of Gatorade bottles, 2-liter sodas, and movie box-sized candy, which can be dropped off at the school or parish office. Books, puzzles, and movies will be accepted for the Book Booth. Cakes & pies can be purchased or homemade for the Cake Walk. No pick-up. All items can be dropped off on Saturday, September 27 from 9am—12pm.

3. Theme Baskets for the Basket Booth: Make a theme basket of any variety using new, unused items, and if food, only non-perishable food (no chocolate). Or donate those items and gift cards and we will make one for you! Donations can be dropped off at the parish office.

If you have any questions or are interested in helping out, contact co-chairs Nikki Giel (nikkigiel@gmail.com) or Toutha Ly (toutha.ly@gmail.com).

Sept 14: Panther Classic Golf Tournament

Sept 21: All School Mass, 9:00am

Sept 27-28: Parish Fall Festival

October 10: Picture Day

Oct 16-17: No School - MEA

Oct 20-22: 7th Grade at Wolf Ridge ELC

Oct 25: Halloween Party

Have you been looking for an opportunity to join the family of the parish office staff? If so, now is your chance! We are hiring a part-time administrative assistant here at Presentation of Mary. A detailed job description and application instructions are available at the link below. Any additional questions can be directed to the parish office!

Do you feel called to take part in the parish leadership here at Presentation of Mary and would like to use your gifts to support our parish mission? Have you ever thought of being a part of the Pastoral Council?

If you are interested in leading and want to take the next step, feel free to reach out to a current member or visit our website and scroll to "Pastoral Council" for more information at the link below.