To celebrate the feast of St. Lucy, 1st graders planted wheat seeds which they will watch grow until Christmas Eve when the new wheat will be cut to make a bed for the infant Jesus or its pot will be placed near the manger. This Hungarian custom  teaches the children to experience "joyful waiting" by watching a living thing grow and  to celebrate Jesus as the "New Bread of Life".

Congratulations to Music Director Dan Miller for a very entertaining evening of music provided by St. Philip Beginning and Advanced Bands. The Beginners offered a variety of pieces including Mozart Melody and Jingle Bells while the Advanced group presented holiday favorites including the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.
Beginning Band Members include: Linda Ashby, Maeve Callahan, Patrick Carnahan, Trinity Stillwell, Briana Tambellini, Aaron Whitney,
Annie Kubiak, Emily Spezialetti, Julia Balobeck, Jada Lee, Kevin Mikush, Andalushia Reilly, Brendan Callahan.
Advanced Band: Coulton Gaitens, Ana Petrak, Daniel Spezialetti, Elias Ward, Aidan Wrabley, Jimmy Hurley, Andrew McDevitt, Michael Seitz, Erin Sheedy, Louis Worrall, Benny Rodriguez, Molly Maloy, Connor Gaitens, Joey Feola, Corinne McDevitt, Hope Grefenstette.

This year's tree had a Nativity theme and each class created a part of the scene:
K - Star of Bethlehem
Grade 1 - Angels
Grade 2 - Baby Jesus in the manger
Grade 3 - Donkeys
Grade 4 - Sheep
Grade 5 - Shepherds
Grade 6 - Wise Men with gifts
Grade 7 - Mary
Grade 8 - Joseph

_ December 9th was that special day that our Alumni and current students alike look forward to - Junior Achievement Day! Students from Bishop Canevin High School spend the day instructing our students in grades K-8 about pertinent economic topics. Whether it's the effect of the global economy on prices or the ins and outs of the assembly line, the Canevin students put great effort and love into their presentations. We are very grateful for the opportunity to learn and for the added bonus that participation yearly in the program makes our 8th graders who plan to attend Catholic High School eligible to apply for the $3,000 Cardinal Wuerl JA Scholarship and the Bishop Canevin JA Scholarship. Thank you Bishop Canevin!!

_ Congratulations to our team members! St. Philip took 2nd place at the Mellon Middle School Tournament in Mt. Lebanon with a great team effort: Poetry: John Henry Rago, Jack Pulford – 1st, 2nd, Miranda Thompson, Hope Grefenstette - 2 2nd. Prose: Andrew McDevitt-2 1st, Maggie Gallegos, Sam Chickini– 2 2nd, Will Alarcon -1st, 2nd    Drama- Erin Sheedy, Maura Sheedy – 2 1st, Evie Hoff – 1st, 2nd, Margaret Begg - 2 2nd.  Multiple Reading: Liam Pulford, Elias Ward, Van Alarcon, Lauren Clutter, and Coulton Gaitens- 1st, 3rd.   Multiple Reading: Nicole Snyder, Corinne McDevitt, Maddy Hoff - 2 1st.These girls also had a perfect score of 30 in one round. Significant also is the fact that 9 of the 2nd place scores were 27points  – 1 point away from a first place!!
Thank you to the drivers, snack senders, and supporters who came to the awards ceremony. Special thanks to Mrs. Petersen, Mrs. Rago, Ciara Crossey, and Nicole Barone who all served as judges. We need everyone to make this activity possible for the students and we truly appreciate each person’s efforts.

Use the form below to enroll someone in the January GRACE Program

Who are those faces behind the animal masks? You'll have ask about the masks in 1A  &  1 B.

Students at St. Philip School enjoyed the Advent feast of St. Nicholas with special surprises. Who was Saint Nicholas, the historical inspiration for Santa Claus? The early Christian Saint, known for his generosity and love of children, was a Bishop who lived 1,700 years ago in what is now Turkey. He is the patron Saint of sailors and of the city of Amsterdam whose settlers in the new world called him Sinterklaas which became Santa Claus.
Our students received treats in their shoes which they placed in the hallway during Religion Class in keeping with the traditions of the feast.
Grades K-3 were surprised with a visit from the Saint who so strongly exemplifies  our Angelway virtue of Compassion. They each received a treat and bookmark from this very special visitor. Thank you Miss H Rodgers for arranging this wonderful surprise for the children. Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Grades K- 2 demonstrated this quarter's virtue, Compassion, by organizing the Christmas project for the Tunnelton West Virginia Teenagers. The students collected toiletries and snack items to make gift  bags for the disadvantaged teens and actually filled the bags themselves with the help of the Classroom Moms. The children delivered their donations to the St. Vincent dePaul Society who will take them to our Parish Mission in West Virginia.