This is the last issue of Tiger Tracks until the New Year.

Click Weekly Schedule to view what's happening at St. Agnes the week of December 17.

To view the latest news at SAA, click here.

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

Thanks for supporting the St. Agnes Annual Fund
As we wrap our presents for Christmas and look to the promise of a new year, I would like to thank everyone who has made a contribution to the Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Annual Fund. To date, the St. Agnes community has generously given $657,027 toward the Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Annual Fund goal.  Your participation is an important ingredient in achieving our goal of $850,000 which supports the gifted faculty, strong academic programs and outstanding extracurricular activities we provide to the leaders of tomorrow. If you have not made a contribution it is not too late. Just click here and make your contribution or pledge payable by June 30, 2008 online. We are deeply grateful for your generosity. May God continue to bless you and your family during this holy season.

Drama Department news
IT'S OFFICIAL! The St. Agnes Thespian Club and Drama Dept. are starting yet another *new* tradition! Starting this January, we are putting together our long-awaited THEATRE RETREAT! This will take place on Saturday, January 19th from 5 p.m. -10 p.m. in the SAA Auditorium! Officers are currently coming up with fun games and prizes, and acting activities for everyone to do, while spiritually bonding with each other through reflection, prayer, and sharing....oh,yeah......and PIZZA!
 
If you or your child has participated in any Theatre production during the last few years--regardless of the capacity--OR your child has always been curious about our department and its fun members, THEY ARE INVITED! We will also open this up to NEW, interested students who have always wanted to be a part of our fun group, and we also invite the Strake Jesuit theatre students to cross the parking lot.
 
We invite your ideas and your suggestions. We will also need a few parent chaperones on board, so please contact Ms. Miller if you're interested (fmiller@st-agnes.org). All we ask is that your students bring a little something to pitch in: bottles of juice, lemonade, soda or a bag of chips, veggies & dip, fruit, pretzels, cheese, crackers, etc... See you there!

Raffle Time is Here!
Once again, it is time for the St. Agnes Academy Annual Raffle, which benefits all students as well as positively promoting the St. Agnes name in the community! Our goal this year is $160,000, which will be raised by offering these fantastic prizes:

 ·  Grand Prize: 2008 Mazda Tribute - Purchased at Russell and Smith Ford 
    (winner pays vehicle tax, title and license and applicable federal income tax)

 ·  2nd Prize: Apple MacBook - donated by Donna and David Schmidt

 ·  3rd Prize: Kodak Easyshare Printer Dock and Digital Camera- donated by Lynnette Pierce

Tickets were distributed during homeroom on Thursday along with detailed instructions for each student. Stay turned for more information and check the Web site for updates. A big THANK YOU to this years’ dedicated Raffle Chairs: Rose Murnane and Susie Kleespies!  

Questions? Contact Mary Louise Berry at mlberry@st-agnes.org or 713.219.5401. 

Enjoy Christmas shopping and remember the SAA Gala and Auction!
The best time to ask for a donation for the 2008 St. Agnes Gala and Auction is when you are shopping and pulling out your credit card to purchase a gift, or having a get-together at your favorite restaurant. Auction donation forms and auction letters explaining the February 23, 2008 event can be found online and printed out here.
 
Please help us gather auction items from area shops, businesses and restaurants while you're out and about this holiday season.  For more information, contact Mary Louise Berry at mlberry@st-agnes.org  or Brenda Koch at cookscorner13@sbcglobal.net.

Tired of Christmas Shopping? 
Need to Find that Perfect Gift? 
Can't Find a gift for that Hard to Shop for Person on your List?
Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas !   We’ve got a perfect, easy solution you can do without entering a mall!  Make a donation to Saint Agnes’ Habitat for Humanity Club in their name!  Gift Cards are available and make the perfect Christmas present!  Make someone you love feel good while helping out others!  Please contact Katie Rose at 281-494-0493 or krose@st-agnes.org, or Rachel Longest at  713-219-5400 or rachel.longest@st-agnes.org.   Now you can sit back and enjoy the real reason for the season!

Mothers’ Club Aprons Ready
If you purchased a Mothers’ Club Apron, please pick up your personalized apron in Mrs. Cox’s front office in the Apron Box. Questions? Call Janice Perez at 281.395.0087

Getting Ready for Exams

Exams will begin on Monday, December 17.  Check the final exam schedule which can be accessed through the front page of our website.   All exams are comprehensive.  Students should organize their resources for each class if they have not done so already.  A good way to start is by following the directives for review given by the classroom teacher. 

Some simple tips for preparing

--Organize materials and set a time table
--Create a study schedule to follow
--Review old test and quizzes
--Go through and highlight class notes
--Look at introductory and summary sections of the text book for significant information
--Look at bolded words (vocabulary) and graphic information
--Form study groups with friends for further review 

Managing your stress

--Be prepared—don’t procrastinate
--Remember your supplies—calculators, pencils etc.
--Get a good night’s sleep
--Stay away from caffeine—this can adversely affect your focus
--Eat a good breakfast
--Get to school early so you are not rushed
--Find a quiet place before each exam to get focused

Remember to Breathe...and go confidently into your exam.

It not too late..a great way to give back to the teachers and staff at St. Agnes...Gail Branca, gbranca@comcast.net,  is organizing the Christmas Fund. You should receive your letter in the mail in two weeks. Each year the SAA families fund a Christmas bonus to all faculty and staff. If you would like to contribute please send in your contribution to the school no later than Dec. 17th.

Final exams will be here before you know it.. If you would like to contribute snacks for the girls during exams please contact Sophia Furnace at sfurnace@st-agnes.org . Volunteers are needed between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. during finals to help serve the snacks!

Chaperones are needed for the St. Agnes Christmas Dance to he held on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 at The Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown. Please contact Donna Grehn at dgrehn@comcast.net if you can help.  It is a great way to see the girls and their dates.

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