Important information needed for parents: We are currently assessing the present and future needs of our performing arts and student life programs. Please click here to take a brief survey. You are lending your voice to the process and helping to shape the future of St. Agnes Academy. Pleased respond by Monday, Oct. 3.

Join us for Mass Tuesday: The Rev. Victor Perez from St. Cecilia Catholic Church will preside at Mass Tuesday in the St. Agnes Chapel at lunch. Join us!

Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Annual Fund: The SAA Annual Fund provides support for many areas of our community, including our highly-qualified faculty and staff, the extracurricular activities, state of the art technology, athletic facilities and equipment, as well as enhancing the retreat programs and campus ministry. Your gift, at any level, makes a significant impact at St. Agnes. Consider participating by making a gift online today by clicking here.

From the Dean of Students: Please consult the web site for complete parking information including drop off and pick up locations. Students may be dropped off or picked up at the student, administration or auditorium entrances only. No students may be dropped off in the back parking lot as it causes traffic complications for students trying to park. Thank you for your immediate cooperation to this matter.

Semester Exam Schedule: Parents, please click here for important information regarding this year's semester exam schedule.

Senior Parents - Senior Style Show and Mother-Daughter Luncheon Info: Please note that the Senior Style Show and Mother-Daughter Luncheon is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 20. This is much earlier than in years past and so it is important that you make note of the earlier date. It is also President's Day and a Raffle Holiday weekend. Seniors who make a commitment to participate in the Style Show must also commit to attending fittings (usually the Thursday and Friday prior to the style show) and rehearsals.

Emergency Notification Test: A message was sent to all parents and students on yesterday afternoon, Thursday, Sept. 29, using IRIS, our emergency notification system. You should have received a recorded voice message, a text message and an e-mail alert. If you did not get this message, please log into AcademyConnection and go to Update My Profile to verify that the cell phone number listed on your record is accurate. If you do not know your username or password for AcademyConnection, please contact Elaine Mouton for help.

What is Close Up?: Through seminars with Washington policy makers and study visits to government offices and historical sites, high school students get a "close up" look at the process of democracy and our nation's heritage. This six-day program prepares young citizens to meet the challenges of governing themselves and their nation. Join us Sunday, Jan. 15 to Friday, 22, 2012! The registration cost of $1,664 covers all educational activities, trained instructors and support staff, lodging in a designated hotel, all student meals, planned sight-seeing, entertainment, and excursions, a night monument tour, farewell banquet and dance, around the clock supervision and emergency care services (everything but souvenirs). The $300 non-refundable deposit and enrollment form are due online at www.closeup.org by Oct. 14. Final payment is due no later than Dec 13. Final payment is non-refundable after Dec. 29. Before you can enroll, you must get a participant ID and password from Ms. Aguilar and then you can complete the enrollment form and make a payment online. Financial aid is available as well so you may want to apply for a student fellowship to help defer the financial costs. See Ms. Aguilar or Ms. Raymond for an application or additional information.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY BLOOD DRIVE: You can save three lives!
The National Honor Society would like to encourage you to help save three lives by donating blood at our semi-annual blood drive. The blood drive will be conducted by St. Luke's and will take place on Monday, Oct. 24 from 8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Appointments are required. Please go to www.stlukesdonor.org and use Donor Group Code 1470 to schedule your appointment. Donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. Students will be asked to donate only during an open lab or with her teacher's permission. Parents, faculty, and staff are encouraged to donate.

Mark Your Calendars for the Renaissance Festival: Don't miss an opportunity to hear the beautiful sounds of the Double Triple Trio as they perform at the Texas Renaissance Festival the weekends of Oct. 8 and 9; Oct. 29 and 30; and Nov. 19 and 20. The group consists of the St. Agnes Triple Trio and the Strake Jesuit Triple Trio. The festival is held from 9 a.m. to dusk in Plantersville. For more information, visit www.texrenfest.com.

The Counseling Office has important information for our parents this week - Read this week's Counselors' Corner for details about the College Fair and other off-campus college information opportunities; PSAT news; information about Fall Junior Parents Information Night; and notes about ninth-grade transitions. For all this and more, please click here.

The next Dads' Club meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. in the SAA Strake Family Cafeteria. Debbie Skelly, director of guidance, will be the featured speaker. She will be giving dads a behind-the-scenes look at the college admissions process, as well as providing some insight into the emotional development of our daughters. Please join us to hear this important information.

Also, the SAA Dads' Club cordially invites you to attend the annual Father/Daughter Mass & Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel (2222 W. Loop South). Please register online here. Please RSVP by Oct. 17.

-Richard Becker, Dads' Club president
rich1beckr@aol.com

First of all, we would like to wish outgoing SAA Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator Mary Lousie Berry only the best as she embarks on the next chapter of her life: motherhood! Brooke Leibe is the new coordinator and we welcome her to St. Agnes!.

Keep those toiletries coming! We will be making bags for Martha's Kitchen. You can bring these to our next meeting or have your daughter drop them in Brooke Leibe's office.

Joni Fichter and Carol Rynd are heading up Sorority Information Night, which will be Nov. 14 in the evening. If you were in a sorority and would be willing to support our SAA girls by writing recommendations, please contact Joni.

Thank you to Abby Linesch, Marilyn Taylor and the Mentor Mom group that hosted a social for the 9th Grade moms this week; a great time was had by all!

Please mark your calendars for our next meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 5 at noon in the Fleming Room. We will enjoy a light lunch followed by a short meeting. Hope to see you there!

-Nancy Loncarich, Mothers' Club President
nancyloncarich@yahoo.com

Field HockeyNews: Varsity field hockey had their first win against a Houston team when they played The Woodlands on Monday. The Woodlands were held scoreless by our defense and the winning goal was shot by Claire Hoffman. The final score was 1-0 St. Agnes. Here's to hoping we beat them again as we trek back up to the Woodlands again this Monday!

Reminder lacrosse players!: Practice will be 10 a.m. - noon this Saturday at St. Agnes. There is still time to register! Please click here for the registration form and bring it, along with $175 check made out to Tiger Lacrosse, to practice on Saturday. Don't forget to register with US Lacrosse as a high school player! Remember anyone can play Tiger Lacrosse. Come play whether you're experienced or not!

Pink Tiger Night: Friday's volleyball game features Pink Tiger Night and Dogs in the Den. We will have pink collection baskets at the concession stand and at the gate. All donations will go to Houston's Pink Ribbons Foundation. Please be generous as you enjoy 25 cent hot dogs underwritten by the Booster Club. Additional support will come from our cross country team as they take part in Race for the Cure this weekend.

We continue to seek volunteers for our Tuesday and Thursday after school concession hour 2:50 p.m. to 4 p.m. We are also still seeking to collect a fall sport banquet RSVP from every fall athlete whether you are planning to attend or not. Go Tigers!

Therese Whaley, Booster Club President
theresewhaley@sbcglobal.net
home 713-789-2259
cell 713-254-9000

SPIRIT STORE

Store Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During store sours, contact Marina Cernoch at 713-219-5486
After store hours, contact Leland McKinney at 713-219-5461
Visit us online!

Watch for NEW SAA Spirit Store items coming soon!
New Adult Ladies Polos in Pink and Yellow
New SAA Sterling Silver Veritas Charm and Sterling chains
New SAA 'with or without' a handle Stainless Coffee Tumblers
New SAA Tiger Paw Shorts in YL-Adult XL
New SAA Blankets and scarf/muffs

The SAA Spirit Store will be open for the following home games:
-Tonight at the volleyball game against IWA, Dogs in the Den and Pink Out Night.
-Monday, Oct. 3 for the SAA volleyball game against DASH.
-Saturday, Oct. 8 for the St. Agnes Academy Middle School Tournament