The Century Club dinner was held on October 1. As always, it was a sellout. The big winners this year were Mr. and Mrs. Mike Buckley. Of course, the real winners every year are the children who benefit from the profits of this affair. Accolades to John Roach and his committee for their hard work.
On October 20, Sister Leo Ann and Mr. Martin attended a cocktail party and dinner at Mercy High School in honor of St. Roch graduates who were being admitted to the National Honor Society.
Five were inducted; they were Sue Slama, Mary Bruenning, Chris Schoemehl, Melissa Green and Mary Lou Green.
St. Roch was well represented at the first two sessions of the seminar on education being held at Grace and Peace. Mr. Roger Perry is the moderator. The first meeting on October 24, dealt with the trends and changes within education during the last twenty years. The second session on November 7, explored channels of communication and interaction among St. Roch, Hamilton, Hamilton III and Neighborhood School. The next discussion will be December 5.
On Sunday, October 30, St. Roch parish held their semi-annual assembly. At that time it was announced that a school board member, Lawson Phaby, was resigning because the family is moving to Jefferson City. John Nelsen has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Many thanks are due Mr. Phaby for his hard work and innovative ideas given our school during his stay at St. Roch.
St. Roch students prepared for Halloween in their art classes. Mrs. Fiquette inspired their imaginations. The children brought home haunted houses, ghosts, goblins and masks of all descriptions. The annual Rosedale Neighborhood costume party was held at the gym on October 31 at 4:30. Movies, puppets and looking at one anothers’ outfits were the activities of the evening. Thanks go to Art Santen for his terrific organizational efforts.
On November 7, St. Roch hosted a [word partly obscured in source] of all pastors, principals, and religion teachers from the parishes of the North Deanery. On Saturday, November 12, the Archdiocese of St. Louis held its Parish Board Workshop. Father Peet, Sister Leo Ann and Mary Watkins spoke on the roles of pastor, administrator and school board member in relation to one another and to the school.
Sunday, November 13, brought both good and bad news to the parents of St. Roch students. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year to allow the parents the opportunity to find out how their children are doing scholastically. The teachers are extremely generous to spend their Sunday advising parents.
The School Association meeting took place November 17. At this time there was a display of items produced by the children during the mini courses. The quantity and quality of work is always amazing and intriguing. The School Board was allowed time during the meeting to take over the gathering in order to discuss business and ideas presently before the board.
On November 21, the seventh and eighth graders were shown a film on Mercy High School. The film was made by the staff at the high school to promote the academic programs and to attract new students.
Drama is included in the Curriculum at St. Roch. It teaches the student language, public speaking, costume, stage setting, poise and cooperation. Mrs. Mahon directed the sixth graders in their offering of “Tom Sawyer”. The lower grades made up the audience on November 21 and the upper grades on November 22. Mr. Martin selected three plays with Thanksgiving themes for his seventh graders. The plays, “Jonathan’s Thanks,”— “Thanks to Sammy Scarecrow,” and “Mr. Thanks Has His Day,” were presented to the school and parents on November 23.
November 1 was the feast of All Saints, both a holiday and a holyday for the children. Veterans’ Day was observed by a free day on November 11. Thanksgiving holidays were November 24 and 25. December 8 will be the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Christmas holidays begin on December 22 after Santa’s annual visit the youngsters.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: A damaged word before “of all pastors” is marked rather than guessed.
Original source: SD_Times1977_12.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
