Holy Family Elementary School

This is a great time to visit and pick up dinner! McNeighbor’s Night!

From Mrs. Flax, Computer teacher... nternational Dot Day (September 15th) celebrates the story “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds The story of The Dot centers around the main character, Vashti, who doesn't believe she is a good artist. However, after some encouragement from her teacher, Vashti begins drawing dots. At the end of the story, Vashti learns to be brave and use her creativity to make her mark on the world. International Dot Day allowed the students to improve their creativity and curiosity while they discovered what they could make with a dot. It was celebrated in the Computer Lab through the use of Paint 3D to design their dot. In addition to encouraging the growth mindset, the project allowed them to expand their design knowledge and use some creativity. As an added challenge, some students used another student's dot to see what they could create. Thanks for sharing this project with us, Mrs. Flax!

Happy IT day to our favorite tech guy...Mr. Duff Watson, the unsung hero of our school. He takes care of all of our technology needs and saves us more times than we can count. It's his special day today, help us celebrate him with a shout out! Thanks for all you do, Mr. Watson!

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Mrs. Lori Flax! Please take a moment to get to know Lori and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Lori, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Lori Flax Years at HFE: 32 years Position at HFE: Computers/Technology What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: I love that my job is always changing. Technology changes so quickly, making my job always new and exciting. Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: Morning. It’s a fresh start. Yesterday is behind us and it is a chance to start over again. A new day full of new opportunities. Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: Birthday masses and lunches…a wonderful chance to celebrate our students. Favorite school lunch (if you eat the school lunch): We are blessed with an amazing lunch staff and great food, but my absolute favorite is Taco Bowls! Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: Always on time to get my morning cup of coffee. Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: Flexibility, the willingness to try new things. Our overall virtue this 2021-2022 school year is Love. And under Love, we have the virtues of Goodness, Generosity, Self-Control and Gentleness. Please choose one of the 5 virtues and describe what it means to you or why it may be speaking to you this year: “…and the greatest of these is love.” I feel that love is the central part of who we are and all that we do. It is what unites us all and is the main virtue that makes our school special.

6th Grade Dominic Savio Offficers riding in style in the TMP parade! Thank you, Gary, at Greater Kansas Limousine service!

The TMP Cheerleaders came and pepped up our future monarchs!! #FutureMonarchs #ForeverAMonarch

A few TMP football players joined in the Friday afternoon recess before their first home game tonight! #Godblessandgomonarchs #ForeverAMonarch

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Miss Delaney Weisel! Please take a moment to get to know Delaney and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Delaney, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Delaney Weisel Years at HFE: 2 years Position at HFE: 2nd Grade Teacher, After School Care Director What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: I love knowing that I am not only teaching children what they need to learn but I am also teaching them about their faith. Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: Morning! I like the quietness of mornings and watching students and staff trickle into the building. Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: I love Race for Education, it is a unique fundraiser. Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: Early! But later than usual this year due to staying late for After School Care duties. What do you bring to school with you every day, if anything: Lunch, coffee and DIET COKE! Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: I think my kindness allows me to be a good listener to those that need someone to talk to. Our overall virtue this 2021-2022 school year is Love. And under Love, we have the virtues of Goodness, Generosity, Self-Control and Gentleness. Please choose one of the 5 virtues and describe what it means to you or why it may be speaking to you this year: I choose gentleness. I know that sometimes I get worked up over small things which can result in me being upset and unkind towards my family and friends. I think that by remembering gentleness, I can remember to not take my frustrations out on others but to turn to God and let them go.

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Mrs. Lindsey Steigerwald! Please take a moment to get to know Lindsey and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Lindsey, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Lindsey Steigerwald Years at HFE: First year!!! Position at HFE: Art Teacher Family: Me and my husband, Phillip and one fur baby, a dog named JJ Places you’ve lived: I grew up in Houston, TX. I went to college at Texas A&M in College Station, TX. I began working there after graduation. I lived in there for 12 years. My husband recently graduated with his PhD and got a job in FHSU in the biology department and that is what brought us to Hays! Teaching background: I taught at public schools in TX and even spent a year teaching English abroad in Thailand. This is my 9th year as an educator and I have teaching experience in SPED, Pre-K, ESL, Kindergarten and now Art for PreK-6. Hobbies: Photography, watching TV, working out, DIY projects, cooking with the hubs and spending time with friends and family. We are a sports family too and love the Aggies, Astros and JJ Watt…I’m sure we will find a KS team to root for too. What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: I am looking forward to working with different grade levels. Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: Around 9:00 am when my coffee kicks in and the kids are in full learning mode! Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: Not sure yet but am excited to be a part of it! Favorite school lunch (if you eat the school lunch): I’m a newbie but in TX it was drumstick chicken and veggies! Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: On time What do you bring to school with you every day, if anything: My coffee mug and my cell phone (I follow alarms for my schedule) Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: Flexibility! “Put me in coach!” I feel HFE felt supported with the hats I can wear and bring to school. Our overall virtue this 2021-2022 school year is Love. And under Love, we have the virtues of Goodness, Generosity, Self-Control and Gentleness. Please choose one of the 5 virtues and describe what it means to you or why it may be speaking to you this year: Generosity is the virtue I want to focus on this school year. Not necessarily the “generous gift of money” but generosity of spirit. Generosity to me is more of a selfless love towards others. It might mean giving up my time to help another in a time of need. It might be offering a kind word or encouragement in the hallway. It is intentional and an act of love. My love language is gift-giving but I sometimes think people only see this as wanting physical gifts from people. It’s not. Although I love a good surprise Sonic drink, I think gift-giving is the virtue of generosity when you give someone a smile or a hug! As Mother Teresa says “Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” That is what generosity means to me.

Reminder: Home & School Meeting tonight at 7:00 in the Little Theater! All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there!

HFE happenings from After School Care…Marble runs and bracelet making!

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Mrs. Alexandra Rome! Please take a moment to get to know Alexandra and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Alexandra, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Alexandra Rome Years at HFE: 3 years Position at HFE: Music Teacher What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: Getting to work with every student in the building! It’s so great to watch every student grow up and become amazing people! Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: Morning recess-I get to see students just be normal kids and see their personalities come out more. Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: Living Stations! It’s awesome to watch the leaders in 6th grade begin to form. Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: Early What do you bring to school with you every day, if anything: Book bag, lesson book, phone, water Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: Silliness! I am just awkward enough that I don’t mind being silly in front of people.

HFE Parents - Just a reminder that we have Early Release today and students will dismiss at 1:15 p.m. ASC & Bus are still available. Thank you!

HFE & TMP Parents, Alumni & Supporters: TMP Homecoming is right around the corner! Show your school spirit at the parade, football game and homecoming festivities with our new TMP/HFE Homecoming t-shirts for only $8! Youth & adult sizes available! Orders are due this Sunday, Sept. 12th. Follow the link below to order yours: https://tmphfehomecoming21.itemorder.com/sale GO MONARCHS!

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Mrs. Cristy Dinkel! Please take a moment to get to know Cristy and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Cristy, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Cristy Dinkel Years at HFE: 9 years Position at HFE: 2nd Grade Teacher What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: I love how God’s calling works. I was raised Lutheran and strayed away during college. I had the opportunity to become and teach Catholic when I married my husband. Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: My favorite part of the day is when the bell rings for students to go to class and I get to greet them all individually and see their day start with a smile. Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: I love that we get to celebrate holidays at HFE. Favorite school lunch (if you eat the school lunch): Do not eat school lunch. Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: Late What do you bring to school with you every day, if anything: Badge/keys, purse, water & coffee, lunch bag. Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: I feel like I bring my outgoing personality to the table. I love smiling and greeting everyone with eye contact anytime in passing. Our overall virtue this 2021-2022 school year is Love. And under Love, we have the virtues of Goodness, Generosity, Self-Control and Gentleness. Please choose one of the 5 virtues and describe what it means to you or why it may be speaking to you this year: I feel the virtues of love and gentleness speak to me. Last year was a huge challenge and there are going to be some lasting effects from last year. Therefore, if I show love and gentleness, I can get through any challenge. We all fight battles others may not know about, so we could all use a little extra and show a little extra love and gentleness. Cristy shared a few photos with us.. 1. Her and her husband, Larry with her great-nephew /godson's at his baptism 2. Cristy and her dog Emma Grace dressed up together for Halloween 3. Her cat Stella Rose

Bishop Vincke stopped by 5th grade recess and played some pick up basketball and threw a few football passes! What a great Friday surprise!

Parents--FYI! There are a couple of date changes to the Early Release schedule which are all reflected on the flyer seen here. We also have changes to the events calendar (added music programs, edited early release dates, and changed Mary's Baby Shower). All copies are coming home with the students! You may also view the updated HFE Events Calendar at the link here and on our website: https://5il.co/yege

We had our FIRST "First Friday Prayers" this morning after announcements as a school as we followed along with Mrs. Wentling on the intercom! What a fantastic, faith-filled way to kick off our Friday!

HFE happenings...As our students begin working in their STREAM blocks it is important that we lay a solid foundation. One of the first steps involved them learning about Collaboration. In the Computer Lab, the students in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades discussed what collaboration means, as well as what it looks and sounds like. It is an essential part of any group work. To illustrate the importance of collaborating they then worked in small groups to build a card tower. Through their working together they were quite successful.

HFE introductions…At HFE, we have the most amazing faculty & staff. The commitment and dedication of those who work here is like no other. They walk in their faith every single day and love our students fiercely. Each and every one of them brings something unique to the table and we would not be the school we are without them. With that, let me introduce you to Mrs. Jenny Howard! Please take a moment to get to know Jenny and give her a shout out on Facebook in the comments section of this post. Thank you, Jenny, for all you do for Holy Family Elementary, we appreciate you! Name: Jenny Howard Years at HFE: Three, 2 years as a Para, first year as a teacher Position at HFE: 6th Grade Teacher (teaches 5th and 6th grade science and 6th grade reading) What do you love most about the work that you do at HFE: Seeing my own children everyday and working with fellow Christians Favorite time of day (during the school day) and why: Morning-the day is fresh and new Favorite activity or event that we do at HFE and why: Family Prayer Circles-I love a unified school Favorite school lunch (if you eat the school lunch): Chicken Fried Steak or Ham Sandwich Do you arrive early, on time or late to school: Early What do you bring to school with you every day, if anything: Water, planner Describe the personality trait you have that best supports HFE and our faculty & staff: Insightful-I like to observe and see the needs of others