The Panther Post Newsletter

November 21st, 2025

Presentation Community,

We wrapped up another wonderful week at Presentation as we head into the final days of the trimester next week. With Thanksgiving and the season of Advent quickly approaching, this is a natural moment to pause and reflect with gratitude—for our students, our families, and the amazing community that supports our mission every day.

We hope you can join us for our Mass of Gratitude this coming Tuesday, November 25th, with a small reception to follow. All are warmly welcome as we gather in thanksgiving for the many blessings in our lives.

Since this will be the final Panther Post before the holiday break, I want to wish each of you a safe, healthy, and joy-filled Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with loved ones, and know how grateful we are for every one of you.

God Bless,

Matt

The week of December 1-5, we are inviting 20 students and 5 adults per day to stay after school from 3-6pm and back Christmas cookies with Mr. John (dinner will be provided). The cookies will be used to build cookie trays which will then be sold at church and our Christmas Tree Lighting as a school fundraiser! We will be baking 15 different types of cookies, and our goal is to bake a total of 5,000 cookies throughout the week!

Click the link below to sign up!

Cookie Tray Sales!

Once all the cookies are baked and the trays are put together, we will be selling them after masses on Sunday, December 7th in the Kennard Street Entrance of church. Each tray will be $20 (cash or check only). Spread the word to your friends and family so they can come

buy one (or two, or three...)!

Families are invited to donate one or both of the items listed for your child(ren)'s grade(s). You are also welcome to send in cash donations in lieu of ingredients.

Kindergarten:

Chocolate Chips & Chopped Walnuts

First grade:

White almond Bark & chocolate almond bark

Second Grade:

Hershey’s kisses (preferably unwrapped) & Sprinkles (red and green sugar & other fun sprinkles)

Third Grade:

Whole Almonds & Sweetened Condensed Milk

Fourth Grade:

Peanut Butter (creamy) & Brown Sugar

Fifth Grade:

Christmas Color M&M’s & Powdered Sugar

Sixth Grade:

All-purpose Flour & Plain Oats

Seventh Grade:

Rolos (preferably unwrapped) & White Sugar

Eighth Grade:

Butter & Shredded Coconut Flakes

Our Picture Retake Day has been rescheduled for Friday, December 5th. If your child will be participating in retakes, they are allowed to come out of uniform that day. In addition, you will need to complete the form found in the link below.

We want all of our families to know that we are here for those who are in need, especially with the holidays coming. Ms. Zoe, our school counselor, put together a wonderful list of family resources that can be found on our website HERE. In addition, if you or someone you know is struggling, please know that you can reach out to

Mr. O'Keefe (mokeefe@presentationofmary.org; 651-842-6032)

or Fr. Peter (fr.ly@presentationofmary.org) directly.

Mr. John has also prepared some ready-to-heat meals. If you or someone you know could benefit from these, please reach out and let us know!

We've also got some extra resources listed below that can help with Thanksgiving coming up!

The Presentation Holiday Season Sale has begun! We’re launching brand-new designs and fresh garments that make perfect gifts this holiday season.

🎁 Holiday Sale Details:

• Sale Dates: November 3rd – December 10th
• Guaranteed Delivery by December 23rd
• 20% Off Sitewide
• Friday Flash Sales

Start shopping on Monday at https://1stplace.sale/49568.

Has your student grown since school started and needs some new items? Check out the sale Donald's is having! Click the link below to start shopping!

Our Thanksgiving fun has continued this week with more turkey projects and some cranberry STEM building at the science center in Kinderstart! Mr. O'Keefe even had a Thanksgiving book to read to our preschoolers when he came to read to us on Tuesday. Our infant and toddler groups have also been talking about Thanksgiving, families, and even pets!

Remember to RSVP for Christmas Break Child Care Days by Tuesday, December 2nd at 6pm. Click here to RSVP.

We are (still) looking for lots of pinecones for a craft project at our Grandparent's/Special Friend's Day event. If you have an abundance laying around your yard, we would love to have them.

Upcoming events for PMDC

November 25th: Grandparent's/Special Friend's Day for Discovery and Kinderstart

November 26-28th: Closed for Thanksgiving

December 2nd: Christmas Break Child Care Days RSVPs due

December 4th: Preschool/Kindergarten Info Night

December 5th: Picture Retakes-- be sure to fill out this form if you want your student to participate in retakes (and tell your child's teacher!)

December 7th: Christmas Tree Lighting - 6:30pm

December 11th: Christmas Program (Kinderstart & Discovery participating), 6:30pm

We are always grateful for your continued support - whether it be through prayers, showing up to help out at various events, or through your incredible financial donations that help fund everything from our Angel Fund Tuition Assistance Program to new equipment for our Middle School Science Lab. And each year before we begin our Thanksgiving Break, we hold a Mass of Gratitude to celebrate those that continue to put our students, families, and staff first.

Please join us on Tuesday, November 25 at our 8:45am Mass where we offer special prayers of thanks for all those that support Presentation of Mary School.

Following the Mass, the Class of 1965 is invited to celebrate their 60th reunion in Kenney Hall. All Mass attendees are also welcome to join for light refreshments as a special "thank you" treat from us to our wonderful patrons!

Do you know anyone with children that will be ready for preschool or kindergarten next year?? Invite them to attend our Preschool & Kindergarten Information Night! Join us at on Thursday, December 4th to learn about the incredible academic programs that are offered at Presentation of Mary School & Presentation of Mary Discovery Center. Register at the link below!

This year we have combined our annual Advent Music & Prayer service with our Christmas Tree Lighting for one beautiful celebration!

5-6pm:

Join us in church for prayer and music to get in the Christmas spirit!

After this service there will be light refreshments served in the Kennard Street Entrance of church.

6:30pm:

Head outside while Fr Peter blesses our Christmas tree and we flip the switch to light up the night!

After the tree is lit come into Kenney Hall to end the evening with cookies, cocoa, and a Christmas craft with St. Nick himself!

We look forward to seeing you all there to help us kick off the Christmas season!

Saddle up!

We're rounding up all Presentation of Mary School families, alumni, and patrons to celebrate the 2026 Panther Pride Benefit! Join us on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Presentation of Mary School for dinner, games, and a live and silent auction all in support of our wonderful school!

Stay tuned for details on how to purchase tickets and register!

Nov 25: Trimester I Ends; Mass of Gratitude

Nov 26-28: No School - Thanksgiving Break

Dec 1-5: Bake Cookies with Mr. John

Dec 2: Robotics Class

Dec 3: Creative Writing Club

Dec 4: Last Lego Class; Preschool & Kindergarten Info Night

Dec 5: Picture Retake Day

Dec 7: The Spirit of Advent Event

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd (TOMORROW!)

Bingo starts at 7:00 pm

IN THE SCHOOL GYM

COME TRY YOUR LUCK AT WINNING YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER

(10 turkey door prizes)

The Boy Scouts will be selling Sloppy Joes, Hot Dogs, Pumpkin Pie, Popcorn, Candy and Refreshments starting at 6:00pm.

Save the date for Presentation Hmong New Year Celebration on Saturday, December 27th, 2025. We’ll have Hmong arts and crafts, food, and great entertainment for all!

We are still looking for people to join our committee and show their talents. If you have questions or are interested in helping out, please contact Zoua Pha at zouapha@gmail.com or

(651)-815-2602.