Simon SaysSchool NewsletterSchool Newsletter Fall 2019

Saint Simon Theatre recently completed its 8th year of production with our 5th-8th grade students. Under the direction of our highly skilled directors, Suzanne Collins and Marla Smith, the 72 fifth through 8th grade student cast and crew of Annie Jr. blew audiences away with their talents.

The students started work for this production on the very first day of the school year and rehearsed everyday after school, as well as many weekends. While daily rehearsals could feel like the “Hard Knock Life”, the cast and crew members quickly became good friends. One of the best parts of our theatre program is that friendships and bonds are formed across grade levels. Our program nurtures friendships between kids that may not have found each other without it. Just like Annie was searching for her family and ended up finding a family where she never expected to...our program also gives everyone a place to fit in and a group to call “family”.

Saint Simon Theatre would not be possible without all our parents working together to make sure every detail has been completed. Countless hours are spent from the first day of auditions to the final clean up. Everything from budgets to costumes, props to concessions, playbills to sound cues are made possible by our amazing parent volunteers. Every participant’s parent shares their time and becomes part of the production. Our theatre productions foster new friendships and allow students to share their gifts and talents with our community.

Our school is truly blessed to have this program. We would like to thank everyone who came to the shows and supported the cast and crew!

New & Returning TeachersMrs. Back (7th & 8th Grade Literature) is from Iron Mountain, Michigan and is a graduate of Iron Mountain High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University and her masters degree from Eastern Michigan University. She previously taught science, math and technology and is thrilled to be back at Saint Simon. She loves reading, hiking, biking and doing pretty much anything outdoors with friends and family. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Easter, and everything leading up to it. She loves how Easter celebrates Christ’s resurrection, while at the same time coinciding with the new life of spring. She likes how Easter is “simple” and not as commercialized.

Mrs. Forestal (Kindergarten) is from Indianapolis, Indiana and is a graduate of Douglas Southall Freeman High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. She previously taught at St. Joan of Arc and St. Luke. She enjoys watching her four children participating in a multitude of sports, photography, boating, skiing and spending time with her family. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Christmas because she enjoys the time with family, giving to others, traditions, music and all the lights and smells.

Mrs. Leuthold (5th & 6th Grade Religion) is from Portland, Indiana and is a graduate of Jay County High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. She previously taught first grade at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. She enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Odin, going on walks, running and singing. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Easter because it reminds her of her confirmation into the Catholic Church in 2017.

Miss Miller (Art) is from McCordsville, Indiana and is a graduate of Horizon Christian School. She received her undergraduate degree from Ball State University. She is a practicing painter and enjoys all kinds of art. She also teaches dance and loves water skiing. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Christmas because it celebrates the birth of Jesus and she loves being able to celebrate many Christmas traditions with her family.

Mrs. Hoffman (3rd grade) is from Garland, Texas and is a graduate of Garland High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Butler University and her masters degree from the University of Kansas. She previously taught 4th & 5th grade. She enjoys baking, playing with her dogs, traveling and refurbishing old furniture. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Christmas because she sees her parents and sisters, and it also reminds her of spending past Christmas’ with her extended family.

Mrs. Miller (4th & 5th Grade Math) has returned to teaching at Saint Simon. She is originally from Belleville, Illinois and is a graduate of Belleville East High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University. Before teaching at Saint Simon, she taught at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, taking her dogs to the park, spending time with family and friends and traveling. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Christmas because she loves singing songs in church, giving gifts and feeling the joy and love during the season.

Miss Kirschner (3rd Grade) is from Indianapolis, a graduate of Saint Simon and Bishop Chatard High School. She received her bachelors degree from Ball State University. She previously taught at North Elementary in Noblesville. She enjoys spending time with her younger cousins. Her favorite Catholic holiday is Easter because there is something special about coming together for Easter Mass and singing the Alleluia for the first time since the beginning of Lent. The time of joy and celebration and that feeling on Easter morning is always something she will value and cherish.

Mr. Myers (7th Grade World Geography & 8th Grade U.S. History) is from Berne, Indiana and is a graduate of South Adams High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Taylor University. He enjoys watching films, researching history, reading, listening to young people and hanging out with friends and family. His favorite Catholic holiday is Easter because it is a reminder of the all-encompassing power of Christ’s resurrection.

School Safety CommitteeKeeping our students safe in today’s world is more than just practicing fire drills. Our safety committee lead by Mr. Dine, attends conferences and designs plans and drills for every possible situation that could occur during a school day. The committee plans and runs drills for earthquakes, fires, tornadoes and, as scary as it sounds, active shooter and intruder drills. More than drills, the safety committee communicates with staff about signs to watch for and preventative action to take. Even cold weather safety plans are in place now that the cold temps are here.

Fall Day of ServiceSaint Simon 7th and 8th grade advisory groups used their God-given talents to serve local charities on September 20th. With their advisors, over 150 students traveled to 12 different charities for a morning of service. Working in gardens, parks, food pantries and thrift stores, the students gave their time and talents to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Felige Hiywot Center, Down Syndrome Indiana, St. Albian's Garden and other local charities. Through the Catholic faith, our students are called to serve both through spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The Day of Service allows our students to see how others experience the world and opens their eyes to new perspectives.

NEWNEW This Year! This Year!Students in Pre-K through 6th grade also participated in the Day of Service by

helping clean up the school and church grounds. Keeping God’s world beautiful and clean was a fun way for them to get out and serve.

Keeping SS BeautifulThis year, each grade level has taken on a designated area around the school and church to make and keep beautiful. Throughout the year, students will spend time keeping it clean and growing new life.

Our Outdoor Learning Center is the focus of a new committee headed up by Mrs. O’Brien. We have been consulting with a Landscape Architect on what plants to plant and when to plant them.

Look for great things to come all around school and church. If you have a green thumb, we welcome volunteers to help. Email your child’s teacher if you’d like to get involved.

Nothing inspires creativity quite like a giant empty box or a pile of Legos. In the Maker Space, located next to the library, the sky is the limit for student creativity. Using recycled materials, Legos, 3D pens, 4D glasses and other creative resources, students can create anything they can dream up. Mrs. Graff & Mrs. Pletcher oversee the program and it is a favorite spot among students to visit during library or indoor recess. They can always use more Legos, so if you have any extra, feel free to send them in to the library.

Turning trash into treasure, or a robot, or a car...

Maker Space!

Happening Around School

Fall Sports HighlightsCongratulations to all our teams on your hard work this season, and thank you to the many dedicated coaches and parents who worked so hard to give our athletes the opportunity to learn and come together as a community.