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Send your Tiger Tracks info to mclark@st-agnes.org!

MESSAGE FROM SR. JANE MEYER, O.P. ’57
In the September 7 and 14 issues of Tiger Tracks, the St. Agnes Academy administration wrote a letter informing parents that Fr. Roy Bourgeois, MM would be speaking to juniors and seniors about the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the School of the Americas (SOA) located at Fort Benning, GA.

I want to thank the parents that were able to come and hear Fr. Bourgeois on Tuesday.  His presentation included his personal journey from enlisting in the U.S. Navy; to serving in the Vietnam War; joining the Maryknoll Missionary Order and working with the poor in Bolivia; to founding the SOA Watch. On Tuesday, in describing his personal conversion to non-violence, he addressed concerns with American military foreign policy including the current Iraq War.

We received three anonymous phone calls this week stating a belief that St. Agnes has a leftist agenda and that we are promoting anti-American sentiment. We want to be clear that is not our intent. Fr. Bourgeois’ statements on war and violence were in keeping with Catholic social teaching. Catholic social teaching is rooted in Scripture and is seen through the lens of our faith, which promotes the sacredness of life and the promotion of peace. 

In classes, students were very vocal in their responses, both positive and negative, to Fr. Bourgeois’ presentation. Students demonstrated active listening, critical thinking and evaluation of the presentation. Also, I personally received a well written and respectful e-mail from one of our junior students who was disappointed in the presentation because there was too much emphasis on the war in Iraq and not enough attention to the SOA. She wrote not only to express her concerns, but also to suggest a bipartisan discussion of the war in Iraq and offered to help find speakers. 

It is this kind of feedback that is enriching, productive and what we expect and encourage from our students. We are disappointed by the three anonymous messages that we received from adults. With anonymity, it is impossible to have a productive, respectful dialogue in which we can try to understand and resolve concerns. I want to assure everyone that we have no hidden agenda, but that our mission is to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In the spirit of Veritas, let us engage in charitable discourse as together we work to educate young women to develop intellectual curiosity, to work for social justice, and to act with integrity and compassion. God bless you. - Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. '57, head of school

Introducing John’s Project
A monthly opportunity for the SAA community to give to those that have less

In Luke’s gospel, John the Baptist clearly instructs the crowd to be generous with their possessions.  Two thousand years later, we are all being challenged in that same way.  In light of this instruction, we at St. Agnes are going to embark on an ongoing project to contribute to those that have less, and in the process, we will be simplifying our own lives.

So what does this all mean? Once a month, we will have a collection of used clothing items that will be distributed to a social service agency.  I am asking that everyone commit to bringing one gently used item of clothing.  Just think:  if everyone at St. Agnes brought one item, that would be over 900 items!!  John the Baptist simply said, "If you have two shirts, share with the person who doesn’t have one."  I dare say that we all have more than just two shirts!

September’s collection will take place next week!  Please bring your item to room 236 (next to Mrs. Dalton’s room).  Just drop it off in there!  That’s all it takes!  This month’s donation will be given to Casa Juan Diego. They have specified that they are currently in need of men’s jackets and men’s jeans; but any donation will be greatly appreciated! You can drop off your donation Monday through Friday of next week.

Please contact Rachel Longest, assistant director of campus ministry, at 713-219-5423 or rachel.longest@st-agnes.org  if you have any questions. We’ll be doing this every month!!

Parent drivers needed for Service Day
Parents, we need you! Please sign up online today to help with St. Agnes Academy's annual Service Day on Wednesday, October 24. We need many, many drivers to take students to and from numerous service agencies around the city of Houston. Please make this all-school day of service a success! Click here to sign up as a driver and for more information.

Save the Date for Grandparents Day!
All St. Agnes Academy families: Please save the date for our first annual Grandparents Day on Thursday, November 29. An invtiation with additional information will be mailed soon. Stay tuned!

MOTHERS’ CLUB SPONSORS ONLINE BOOK FAIR AT AMAZON.COM
This makes it easy for you to give a gift to our SAA Isabel Cameron Library. Our Book Fair has more than 100 books, CDs and DVDs from which to choose. This link will take you directly to the Library’s Wish List. You can dedicate your gift in honor of your daughter, as a remembrance of her time here, in honor of a special teacher or as a memorial to a loved one.  Just a few easy steps and your gift will be on its way to our Library!  Questions?  Contact Wendy Cain, Book Fair Chair (713-780-4761) wkcain@comcast.net

SUMMER TOTAL IMMERSION PROGRAMS ABROAD
Save the date(s):  October 3 (LPI) and October 11 (ISP) at lunchtime to visit with program representatives.  Last year’s participants will also be present to answer questions.  Parents are cordially invited!

One of the most important goals of the Foreign Language Department is for students to become fluent in the language they are learning. We encourage them to travel abroad and experience different customs and culture firsthand. St. Agnes students have availed themselves of the following total immersion programs during the summer.

- Amigos de Las Americas - A total immersion program that allows participants to live with an "adopted" family and help the poor in underdeveloped countries. Volunteers can pay for their own air fare or raise funds for this purpose (there are also a few scholarships). Participants earn credit for their senior service project. For information call 713-782-5290 ext. 125 or e-mail hchapter@amigoslink.org.

- Learning Programs International (LPI) - a total immersion program for Spanish and French students. A representative from Learning Programs International (LPI) will be on campus on Wednesday, October 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library conference room to present information on the 2008 summer study abroad programs. Come learn about how you can earn college credit while studying abroad in Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico or France. For more information visit the LPI website at www.lpiabroad.com. See you there!

- Instituto San Pedro - a total immersion program in Segovia, Spain.  Jose Maria Martin, operations director, will be in the library conference room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 11.   www.institutosanpedro.com 

If you have any further questions, you may contact Mrs. Moore at mmoore@st-agnes.org.    


"Magical Mystery Tour" Gala Takes Off on February 23, 2008
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 23, 2008 and "Come Together" for a fun-filled evening at St. Agnes Academy's Annual Legacy Gala and Auction.  It's a "Magical Mystery Tour" with Beatles look-alike band The Fab 5 performing.. It all takes place at the beautiful Hilton Americas-Houston downtown, and includes a live auction, as well as a silent auction and a big board with great items to purchase.
 
Gift gathering parties for each grade level are scheduled for the fall and every St. Agnes family will receive an invitation. The dates and hosts families include: Ninth-grade parents Karen and Bill Bunch on Saturday, October 27; sophomore parents Maureen and John Graf on Saturday, November 3; junior families Margaret and Jim Henrikson, Lori and David Hessel, Jane and Bob Kochman, Kathy and Bill Rose and Sandy and Barry Zeluff on Sunday, October 7; and senior parents Tricia and Ed Britt n Saturday, October 13. Thanks to all for their generosity in opening up their homes for the get-togethers!
 
The gift gathering parties are essentially "baby" showers for the gala, and each grade level has a specific theme. The  invitations will list the stores included in the St. Agnes registry.  So far, these include Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Z Gallerie and Neiman Marcus. Watch for your invitations and get a chance to meet and mingle with parents of your daughter's classmates. For more information or to volunteer for the gala committee, contact Mary Louise Berry at mlberry@st-agnes.org., or Gala Chairs Brenda and Tom Koch at cookscorner13@sbcglobal.net 

Southern Spain Holy Week Trip
Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Wische would love the opportunity to introduce PARENTS of St. Agnes students to SOUTHERN SPAIN-Holy Week-Mar 14-24. Mrs. Wische has planned a fully guided, fully customized tour of Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Ronda, Seville, Granada, Malaga and Gilbraltar. All fees to museums, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, palaces, a flamenco show are included!Breakfast, dinner, and a private, modern streamlined bus are included! Please e-mail Mrs. Wische for more details, price and for an itemized itinerary. mwische@st-agnes.org   

Progress Notices
Progress notices were published on September 17, 2007 and next week you will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers. Whether your student is a ninth grader or a senior each new grade level presents its own challenges both academically and socially. Academic growth and social development are important aspects of the adolescent stage of life and unique for each child. As children go through high school they will discover their talents, abilities, and also their limitations. Successes and failures are feedback and opportunities for growth and self-discovery.    In going through this process, students need guidance and support. 

One scenario we often see in the guidance department is the frustration students experience as they make the transition from their middle school’s grading system to the grading system at St. Agnes.  Many students enjoyed "straight A’s" in middle school and expect the same at St. Agnes. Often this is not the reality.  High school brings new challenges and responsibilities. The workload, expectations, and difficulty of the material increase measurably. Grades the first quarter may not be what you or your child expected. 

When anyone is going through a transition, adult or adolescent, they need time to adjust and make the accommodation to the new situation. When a student feels pressure or expectation to perform perfectly or nearly perfectly, anxiety and stress often result. Under such demands, even the brightest most capable young person usually experiences frustration and often their performance is thwarted. Behavior whether personal or academic is feedback. Ask your child what’s happening, what changes they think they need to make, and offer your guidance. ENCOURAGE - SUPPORT - & LISTEN!

As your child’s counselor we are here to advocate for her and consult with you. Please call if we can help.

A New SAA Event!!!

The Garage Sale scheduled for the first week in October has been cancelled. 

Plans are under way for a fashion event in early November.start thinking about donating your dressy dresses and  prom dresses for resale..watch for more details as the plans develop...if you would like help with the planning process for this grand new event please contact  Vivian Colvill (vcolvill@houston.rr.com ) 

St. Agnes Academy 9000 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, TX 77036-4683