This afternoon Eighth Class students planned an assembly in Cribbin Hall Library to launch the second half of the school year. With abundant joy, we welcomed new Seventh and Eighth Class faculty member, Mrs. Nagehan Hill, and new students, followed by a beach ball toss. Then students worked together to form the numerals 2-0-2-3 (look closely;). Thanks to the Eighth Class for leading our community today!

Kudos to the Academy’s robotics team, Robot Enthusiasts, who competed in the First Lego League Competition at Lutheran High School on Sunday and placed third for the Championship Award! They will now advance to the Regional Championship on January 21 in Wentzville.

The ASH team competed against 23 other teams. The teams engaged in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of Challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem. This year’s theme was titled “Super Powered.” Each team had to develop a solution to conserve energy consumption or reduce impact of use on the environment.

On Sunday, volunteers gathered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen to celebrate our Alumni Day of Service. From start to finish, alums created a Thanksgiving meal: prepping ingredients and making turkeys, sides and desserts, setting up and decorating the dining room and serving the meal, then clean-up.

“The highlight for me was working together to make the recipes,” shares Alexandra Sanchez ‘06, Alumni President. “We all were laughing, enjoying time together, talking about our holiday traditions while making a meal that so many would get enjoy.”

What a joy-filled day to celebrate the feast of our foundress, St. Philippine Duchesne! We were blessed to have Father Art Cavitt share his energy, passion and love for Philippine with our Academy community, including some VERY special guests: Grandparents and Grandfriends! After mass, Grandfriends enjoyed treats and classroom visits, spending the morning with their beloved grandchildren.

“I ask myself, here in this place of Philippine’s home and heart, how does Philippine’s Feast Day speak to us today, now, at this moment?” Mr. Horner shared following mass. “I believe that Philippine is smiling, watching from heaven with happiness in her heart for her school … because she knows that her legacy of love has been picked up and will continue through each of you.”

Eighth Class boys and girls are designing Christmas ornaments in Mr. John Storjohann’s computer class. The assignment was to choose a landmark on campus as the theme for their ornament, sketch it out, and then design it using TinkerCAD, the CAD/CAM program we use for 3D models.

Students have chosen the Shrine, the Round House, the Caire Courtyard fountain, the front gate, etc. Most of them are doing a true 3D design rather than a bas relief style of ornament, although a student is attempting to recreate the John Pils painting as a 3D ornament! As one student said when he was working on a particularly tricky design, “I like a challenge!”

The Academy community honored veterans with a touching Prayer Service planned by the Fourth Class. Several family members who are Veterans joined for the program, which included a flag procession led by the Scouts. Students shared heartfelt reflections, poems, prayers and songs.

Mr. Adam Still, father of Adam in Primary, was guest speaker. Formerly a Captain, Mr. Still graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2017 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served five years active duty in several roles as an assistant operations officer, platoon leader and operations officer. His duty stations were Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Carson, CO as well as a rotational deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Last month, Second Class teacher Miss Christina Soukenik ’12, attended the new Aspiring Leaders program for Network of Sacred Heart School educators. Aspiring Leaders are nominated by their schools and recognized for their leadership gifts and commitment to Sacred Heart education. Miss Soukenik was nominated for this two-year cohort which matches each Aspiring Leader with a Mentor and a Religious of the Sacred Heart to support their growth.

We could not have had a better day for Country Fair! We are so grateful to our Academy community for the amazing support. From student performances to fantastic food and beverages to crafts, sweet treats, games, inflatables and more, Sacred Heart spirit was in the air.

Happy Founder’s Day to our Academy of the Sacred Heart families, alumni and friends!

In 1818 Philippine Duchesne, along with four other Religious of the Sacred Heart, endured a long and difficult journey from Paris to New Orleans to St. Louis, then on to the tiny frontier town of St. Charles. Here, on September 14, 1818, the “first free school west of the Mississippi” opened in a primitive log cabin, fondly referred to as the Duquette Mansion.

It was a joyful celebration of the Academy community today as students, faculty and staff, parents, RSCJ, alumni, parents of alumni, Board of Trustees members and friends gathered for the Commissioning Ceremony of Mr. Tim Horner.

Happy First Day of School! This morning the wait was over and we were excited to welcome Academy students and Mr. Tim Horner as new Head of School!