December 11, 2025

Dear School Families:

Sunday begins the 3rd week of Advent. Traditionally the third Sunday is a time of rejoicing because the waiting is almost over. The change of color from the Advent purple to Advent pink is a symbol that the emphasis changes to more of the celebration of the season. During this week at school, we are also beginning to look at the celebration of the season.

I would like to thank everyone for donating toys and wrapping paper for SERVE St. Charles. We appreciate your generosity always and are grateful for your help in providing families with special gifts at Christmas.

While the Feast of St. Lucy is on December 13, we will celebrate it tomorrow. Our 3rd Graders will be visiting the classrooms to celebrate the Feast Day. The celebration of St. Lucy began in Sweden. The younger girls wear a lighted wreath and serve baked goods to the members of their family, representing St. Lucy bringing goodwill and light to the long winter’s night.

Time is running out to participate in this Sunday’s Advent by Candlelight. If you would like to attend, please see the flyer in today’s packet. This is a wonderful evening for women of the parish to come together and celebrate the season of Advent.

Next week, the 7th and 8th graders will begin taking their final exams prior to the Christmas intersession. These grade levels take comprehensive finals at the end of each semester to prepare them for the finals they will experience in high school. They have been working hard and putting forth their best effort this year. We are very proud of all of them!

Beginning next Tuesday, December 16, the lost and found articles will be displayed in the main hallway. Please stop by to claim any misplaced items - all remaining items will be taken to St. Vincent de Paul after December 20. Thank you!

On Wednesday, December 17, we will celebrate the December Birthday Blessing at 7:50 AM. Please join us in honoring our birthday celebrants if your schedule allows. All our Birthday celebrants are able to have a Dress Down Day on Wednesday in honor of their special day! Thank you!

We look forward to seeing you next Thursday evening for the Annual Christmas Program. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Chruma for preparing this wonderful event. The children have been doing an amazing job of preparing their songs and the hallways have been full of the sounds of Christmas. The concert begins at 6:30 PM. We ask that children be in their homerooms by 6:00 PM that evening. We ask that no coats, mittens, etc., be left in the homerooms – children will be dismissed from the gym after the program. Again, I would like to thank the children, faculty, staff, and parents who assisted in the Christmas Program, and especially Mrs. Chruma for providing us the opportunity take some time in the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations to come together and enjoy a wonderful evening of song!

Please join us next Friday, December 19, as we celebrate together at the 8:15 AM Mass for the final time during this calendar year. What better way is there to end the Advent Season at St. Cletus? It is hard to believe we have completed the first semester; we have had so much to be grateful for throughout the past months. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support and dedication to the children, faculty, and staff throughout the year. We have truly been blessed and are very appreciative of your generosity.

After Mass next Friday, we will be going to the gym to sing Christmas carols. We look forward to celebrating together. I would like to thank Mrs. Chruma for leading us in song. Please join us if your schedule permits.

The Kindergarten will be presenting their Christmas play to their families at 10:00 (ish) on Friday morning, December 19. It is wonderful to see these little ones bring the joy of Christmas to those around them. Our thanks to Mrs. Boschert and the children for their presentation – we are looking forward to seeing it and sharing in it with their families!

In the envelope this week there is a parent information sheet regarding the Academic Fair. The Academic Fair is an excellent opportunity for students to choose a topic they are interested in and complete a project for the yearly fair. All 7th and 8th graders are required to participate in the fair, it is optional for Kindergarten through 6th Graders. While optional, I highly recommend participating in the Academic Fair – if not yearly, at least once or twice before your child enters 7th Grade. Academic Fair packets will be available through the homeroom teachers for children interested in participating in the fair – 7th and 8th graders received their packets from their homeroom teachers. Children wishing to participate in the Missouri Tri-County Regional Science and Engineering Fair must follow separate guidelines which can be obtained from their homeroom teacher. Teachers will have additional guidelines for the categories of Creative Writing and Inventions. Academic Fair projects will be judged the evening of Wednesday, February 11, and will be available for viewing on Thursday, February 12, from 7:25 AM – 7:30 PM, and Friday, February 13, from 7:25 AM – 2:00 PM. We are looking forward to the children’s projects.

Tomorrow is that final day to order Cookie Kits from Sweet Southern Treats. Kits will be sent home on Thursday, December 18. Thank you for your support!

Enjoy dinner next Tuesday, December 16, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at St. Cletus Night at Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A will donate a percentage for every purchase to the St. Cletus PTO. Details can be found in the flyer in this week’s packet. We appreciate your support - Thank you!

In the packet this week you will find information for St. Cletus Trivia Night being held on Saturday, January 24, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. This is a wonderful evening to spend with friends, having fun, and sharing in the St. Cletus Spirit! We would appreciate your help in supporting this fun-filled evening!

Please share the news of Our Help Pave the Path to Play Program! We have 77 bricks which is a wonderful start for our program. I would like to thank those individuals who have purchased a brick already! Please know that bricks can be purchased by individuals going together, by classes, in memory of or as a challenge between different groups, etc. Individuals can also donate without purchasing a brick. We appreciate everyone’s commitment to helping us provide a new playground for the children.

This week’s STP Tip of the Week: In order to receive cards by Friday, December 19, orders must be in by Sunday, December 14, NO LATER THAN 1:00 PM. If you didn’t get your gift card orders in for the last-minute Christmas shopping, not to worry, download the Raise Right app to access e-gift cards for on the go shopping.


Have a wonderful weekend!
Rosann Doherty

Sunday, December 14
Advent by Candlelight 6:30 PM

Monday, December 15
Theme Shirts Worn
7th & 8th Grade Finals
Bellarmine Speech 3:00 PM
Chess Club 3:00 PM

Tuesday, December 16
7th & 8th Grade Finals
Lego Club 3:00 PM
St. Cletus Night at Chick-fil-A 4:00 – 7:00 PM
School Board Meeting 6:15 PM


Wednesday, December 17
December Birthday Blessing 7:50 AM
Dress Down Day for Birthday Celebrants
7th & 8th Grade Finals

Thursday, December 18
7th & 8th Grade Finals
Christmas Concert Rehearsal 1:30 PM
Christmas Concert 6:30 PM

Friday, December 19
All School Mass 8:15 AM
School Family Activity
Kindergarten Christmas Play
Christmas Parties
Noon Dismissal
End of 2nd Quarter