SGCS: Clubs and Activities

Annual Awards
Activities, Clubs and Awards

Mentor Family Program	This program is meant to help families new to the school become familiar with school policies, programs and procedures. New families are paired with more experienced families who can answer questions and help them learn more about the school. Sponsored by PTO.
6th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation	6th grade students participate in a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. A graduation assembly for the 6th graders and their families is held the morning of Funfest, and the 6th grade room parents plan a small PTO funded reception. Sponsored by PTO.
8th Grade Send-Off	On the second to last day of school, the students in grades K-7 line the front walkways at dismissal, along with parents, to bid farewell to the 8th graders as they leave the school on their final day. Sponsored by PTO.
8th Grade Reception	A reception for the 8th grade students and their families after the graduation. The 7th grade room parents plan and host this reception. Sponsored by PTO.
Everybody Counts	A "hands-on" program designed to teach children about various disabilities. Each grade level learns about one specific disability. Parent volunteers teach the children about disabilities such as blindness, hearing impairment, developmental handicaps, motor and orthopedic handicaps, learning disabilities, chronic conditions and serious illness. The children have the opportunity to not only learn more about these specific disabilities, but also about people who, although disabled, have become famous and achieved success. Many grade levels will have a follow-up speaker who will share their life experiences with the children. The program takes place in March. Sponsored by PTO.
Funfest	An all-school fun day for students and their families held the last Friday before school is out for the summer. It begins with an outdoor all-school mass followed by various field games organized and played by grade level. Numerous parent volunteers help make this event a success. Sponsored by PTO.
In-School Enrichment Assemblies	Assemblies take place throughout the year, usually one per quarter. All grades attend assemblies appropriate for their age level. In the past, visits have included authors, musicians, historians, scientists, Christian entertainers and athletes. Sponsored by PTO.
Field Trips	Each grade takes at least one field trip per year. The PTO has been able to provide up to $600 for each grade to use towards field trips. Sponsored by PTO.
Kindergarten Buddies	To help with your Kindergartener's transition to St. Gabriel, each child is paired with an 8th grade student. They read together and work on special projects in the classroom together. Kindergarteners also attend all-school Masses with their "buddy".
Kindergarten Finale	On the last day of school, the kindergartners put on a performance for their families. Kindergarten room parents, along with teachers, plan a reception that is held afterwards.
Jr. High Plays	The 8th grade class presents a play in the fall every year. The 7th grade class performs a play in the spring. Sponsored by PTO.
May Crowning	Students at SGCS celebrate May, the month of Mary, with their Annual May Crowning ceremony. An eighth-grade student is given the honor of crowning Mary with another eighth-grade student as the attendant.
Quiz Bowl and Stock Market Game	Academic competitions such as Quiz Bowl and the Stock Market Game. Sponsored by PTO.
Trumpeter	The trumpeter is a publication created by 7th and 8th grade students using works submitted by all grades. It highlights poetry, stories, and other written works the students created in the classroom as assignments. Sponsored by PTO.
Wordmasters	Wordmasters is a nation wide vocabulary test held about 4 times a year.
Yearbook	Each year a yearbook is published with support from the Art teacher.
Father John E. Porter Keystone of Education Award	The Keystone Award is given to a person who contributes to the ongoing success of Catholic schools, often behind the scenes, continues in spite of adversity, works to build consensus and does so with the best interest of children's education in mind. 2008- A. Charron, SGCS Teacher 2006 - K. Uetrecht, SGCS Parent and St. Gabriel Parishioner 2005 - G. Motz, SGCS Teacher, SGCS Alumni Parent and St. John Parishioner 2004 - T. Dean, SGCS Parent and St. Maximilian Kolbe Parishioner
Norman A. Breines Volunteer of the Year Award	Awarded annually to an outstanding SGCS volunteer who exemplifies dedication to SGCS as did Norman A. Breines, late husband of first grade teacher Mrs. Breines. 2008 - D. Faucheux 2006 - T. Hoffer 2005 - N. Young 2004 - J. DeNicola 2003 - J. Bossman 2002 - J. Ryan 2001 - K. Robinson 2000 - L. Rumpler
Pastor Awards	Every year the 8th grade students are free to participate in an essay contest using the topic, "What a Catholic Education Means to Me." Based upon the best essays, the pastors choose one boy and one girl to be awarded (at graduation) a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.
Flo Edelmann Scholarship	A four-year $500 scholarship (total of $2000) to offset high school tuition. Flo Edelmann was a former principal at SGCS.