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2022 - 2023 Key Dates Calendar
HSP's Online Calendar
Event dates are subject to change. Please always refer to HSP's online calendar for the most up-to-date calendar of school events.
Greeting HSP Families, I hope you are having a joyful Friday! As you know, our 8th - 11th Graders will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, October 12th. Please see below for testing day logistics.
What is the PSAT and which version is my student taking?
What time should I arrive?
When will I be dismissed?
Practicing Before Test Day
If you want to get some practice in prior to test day, you can access Khan Academy (satpractice.org) for free, personalized online practice tailored to each student’s strengths and areas where they may need help. Students can find additional practice materials, including 2 full-length practice tests, at psat.org/practice.
Holy Spirit Preparatory School • 4449 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 • 678.904.2811
Due to the PSAT testing on October 12th, the seniors will not have school this day.
Please reach out to Michelle Bertany at mbertany@holyspiritprep.org with any questions.
Dear Senior Families, We are looking forward to our 12th Grade Class overnight Retreat on Thursday, October 13th - Friday, October 14th at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in TN! We will be meeting in the gym at 8:00 AM on Thursday October 13th, and return Friday before the end of the school day. Please print and sign the attached retreat center waiver, and also fill out this electronic waiver for HSP: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/xWVocSmc. The dress is casual clothing. Please refer to the handbook for specific guidelines. Students should bring toiletries, sheets and blankets or sleeping bag, pillow, towel, comfortable clothing—including shoes that can get wet, hiking boots/athletic shoes, a jacket—(shorts of appropriate length and athletic pants are permitted; no leggings, spandex, or sleeveless clothing), appropriate Mass clothes, rosary, journal, Bible, water bottle, a few warm sweatshirts, and sunscreen/bug spray (optional). Reminder: Due to the PSAT on October 12th, there will be NO SCHOOL for seniors that day. Please use this time to catch up on work or just rest before the retreat! All seniors must attend the retreat. Please ensure you are on-time after your Monday and Wednesday days off!
Family Folk Dance Night
On Friday night, October 14th at 6:00pm we will be having our HSP Family Folk Dance night at the Lower School Gym. This may strike fear in your heart, but don’t worry, you will have fun! We are doing this so that our 1st - 3rd grade students can show you things they are learning in music, but an even bigger reason is that it brings us together as a HSP Family.
You do NOT need to know how to dance, and you don’t need to have learned the dances ahead of time. The kids have been doing these dances and are very excited to help me “co-teach” you that night.
The dance lasts only 1 hour, and then there will be a small potluck from 7-8pm, including snacks, desserts, and drinks. There will not be a dinner entree and we encourage you to have a small meal before the dance. Dress should be comfortable (especially your shoes!) – it may get a little warm.
The phrase of the night is, “Come When You Can, Leave When You Must!”. If you would like to bring a child younger than 6, please be prepared to accompany them at all times. Babysitting will not be provided on campus. If you know you are coming, it would be super-helpful if you would let us know and give us an approximate count. Please fill out the RSVP form by Wednesday, October 12th.
RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmY1HV7kWwP6DDgofW3b0KLIAeQ3jZygn5amp6TTi7nZf6AA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Volunteer for Potluck or Setup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a48afa622abf85-family ???????
Dear Holy Spirit Preparatory Families,
You are cordially invited to our 3rd Annual Music Under the Stars. HSP's premier Fine Arts fundraiser!
Year three is destined to be better than ever and our theme is "Around the World" where each table is encouraged to choose a country and decorate your table, pair your food and dress to complement your country. Don't be shy, go all out if you so desire! Again, this year, we will be handing out prizes for the most impressive tables.
Music Under the Stars is a Chastain style outdoor concert where guests pack their own picnics, decorate their tables, and enjoy wonderful live music. Performing this year is R&B Inc., our HSP Jazz Band, composed of our High School and Middle School students, an Art Show from our visual art students, and a surprise interactive piece of art that will be raffled off at the end of the evening.
As always, Music Under the Stars promises a fun and memorable evening of fellowship while supporting our talented students.
We hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are.
If you have any questions, please contact Len Insalaca at linsalaca@holyspiritprep.org.
Jason Evert has traveled to six continents to bring the message of purity to millions of people for more than 20 years, including World Youth Days in Australia, Spain, Poland, and Panama. He has lectured at dozens of universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and the United States Naval and Air Force Academies. Jason earned a master’s degree in Theology, and undergraduate degrees in Counseling and Theology, with a minor in Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
He is a best-selling author of more than 15 books, including Saint John Paul the Great, How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul, and the curriculum YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body. He and his wife Crystalina are frequent guests on radio programs throughout the country, and their television appearances include MSNBC, Fox News, the BBC, and EWTN. Together, they run Chastity Project and its website, chastity.com, the podcast “Lust is Boring,” and lead an international alliance of young people who promote purity in more than 40 countries.
Dear 9th Grade Families, The new dates for the annual 9th grade retreat have been finalized! The class will head to the Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Tennessee for retreat, renewal, and fun on October 20th and 21st. In the coming weeks, you will receive a waiver to complete through a FACTS form. Please be on the lookout. Retreat details below:
The retreat is mandatory for all students and will be overnight at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center (250 Locke Ln, Benton, TN 37307) from Thursday, October 20th, 2022 (8:30 AM) - Friday, October 21st, 2022 (2:30 PM).
Students should bring: toiletries, sheets, and blankets or sleeping bag, pillow, towel, comfortable clothing—including shoes that can get wet as well as a light jacket—(shorts of appropriate length and athletic pants are permitted; no leggings or sleeveless clothing), rosary, journal, Bible, water bottle, a few warm sweatshirts sunscreen/bug spray (optional).
HSP Faculty and Staff leading the retreat: Fr. Juan Pablo Duran, Fr. Andrew Gronotte, Marie Athaide, Alex Johnson, Katherine Tanko, Thomas Gaines
Estimated Time of Departure: 10/20/22, 8:30 am
Estimated Time of Return: 10/21/22, 2:30 pm The Dress Code for this event is: Casual Clothing (refer to the student handbook for guidelines) Please reach out to Marie Athaide with any questions at mathaide@holyspiritprep.org. In Christ, The Retreat Team
The 6th graders will be having their annual retreat at the Upper School on Friday, October 21st.
More details will be shared via HSP Communications soon!
All 11th-grade parents are invited to an info session on the College Counseling process and expectations for the junior class over the next 2 years.
Please join us on October 26th from 6:00-7:30 PM. More details will be sent in the coming weeks.
See you there!
Friday, October 6th
Varsity Football vs. Stewart County 7:00pm - 10:00pm • Stewart County
Saturday, October 8th
Co-Ed Varsity Clay Targets - Match Ocmulgee River
Tuesday, October 11th
Middle School Volleyball vs. Davis Academy 4:00pm - 5:00pm • Home
Middle School Volleyball vs. The Globe Academy 5:00pm - 6:00pm • Home
Thursday, October 13th
Middle School Football vs. Victory Baptist School Time TBD • Victory Baptist School
Middle School Cross-Country - MAAC Meet 4:00pm - 7:00pm • Mill Springs Academy
Please enjoy the following letter from Michelle Bertany
Dear Holy Spirit Prep Families,
Fall is upon us, and this change of seasons also comes with many exciting and wonderful events.
We had our first all-school Mass of the year, which also included the Middle School tying ceremony. All 6th grade students and new students to our 7th and 8th grade were tied into their Houses. They were applauded by all of the high school students in their new House and welcomed on stage by the House Presidents. They also performed the hallowed tradition of climbing the spiral staircase.
Homecoming week was full of fun! The high school students chose lively themes for their dress-down days, including surfers vs. bikers and America day. The week was capped by a decisive victory in our homecoming football game. The team played magnificently, spurred on by our wonderful cheerleaders and the inimitable band. Carlton Martin and Kaelyn Bannon were crowned homecoming king and queen by Asia Bay Jacobs (‘22), our last homecoming queen, and Max Bendig (‘22), our last head boy.
After such a great start to the school year, I am especially thankful to all of you for your continued support of the school through your prayers, your time, and your financial gifts. We are in the middle of our annual fund, and if you have not given yet, it is not too late! You can visit the Annual Fund website to see where your class stands in the rankings.
Some Upcoming Events:
Between the temperate weather, seasonal lattes, and upcoming holidays, this time of year is many people’s favorite for good reason. God gives us so many gifts, and having a community of family and friends with which to be grateful makes them even more special. There is, of course, so much to pray for during this time, including the victims of hurricane Ian, those in our community faced with the unexpected tragedy of loss, and our country as we go to the polls again to elect new leaders.
I pray that you and your family take solace in this HSP community grounded in our Catholic faith and the assurance of Christ’s victory. We are praying for your children and your families—please pray for us, your partners in this vital mission, as we continue this beautiful work of Catholic education.
In Christ,
Michelle Bertany
Christmas Boxes of Joy are Coming!
Intro video: https://youtu.be/BZsNR61qr_s
How to Pack Your Box of Joy Video: How to Pack Your Box of Joy - YouTube
WHAT IS THE BOX OF JOY PROGRAM?
A Box of Joy is a Christmas shoe box, donated and packed with toys, clothing, and school supplies by participants from U.S. parishes, schools, and groups. Each gift represents Christ’s love and may be the only Christmas gift children in developing countries are blessed to receive.
Participation is simple!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday, October 17: Kick off-event! Help us meet OUR GOAL OF 175 Holy Spirit Prep BOXES! Pre-order and reserve your Box of Joy today. Families can pick 1, 2, 5, or 10+ boxes to pack. Email your first and last name + phone number to Jessica Damián at mining.girl@gmail.com.
Monday -Tuesday, October 24-25: Pick up your empty box(es) during Afternoon Carpool Concierge Service. Families begin shopping and packing!
Thursday-Friday, November 10-11: Drop off your full box(es) during Morning Carpool Concierge Service. Drive up and go!
LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP:
Contact Jessica Damián at mining.girl@gmail.com or Ria Agustin at fxaveria@gmail.com.
Message from PVA
Bingo night was a huge success! Over 175 Cougars came together and enjoyed a night of food and Bingo. Thank you to the many parents, students, faculty and staff who came early to set up and stayed late to clean up. We are so proud of the Cougar nation.
Thank you again to all the local businesses who supported our event through prizes or in-kind donations. We are so grateful for their support of our school.
WIN-Taste of Bali
Southern Bistro
TCBY
Chick-fil-a Chastain Square
Cupanion
Frutta Bowls
Tacos and Tequilas
The Learning Express
Coach Paula "40 Gifts of Hope"
Pero's Pizza
Tupelo Honey Cafe
Snooze
Lower School PVA
Fall Festival will be held Friday afternoon, October 28. We will begin collecting candy for the Fall Festival starting on Monday, October 17. There will be collection bins in the front office. Thank you for supporting the Fall Festival. If you can help during this event, please email summers.sarah13@gmail.com.
School Store - 25% Off
The School store will continue the Bingo 25% off sale through next week. Please stop in to stock up on winter essentials!
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate homecoming with us! We had a wonderful time tailgating, celebrating our senior fall athletes, and cheering on the Cougars to a victory!
We also had a wonderful time honoring the homecoming court at half time and students danced the night away on Saturday at the Homecoming Dance.
Congratulations to the 2022 Homecoming King and Queen, Carlton Martin, and Kaelyn Bannon!
Please enjoy some pictures below of the game. More pictures to come soon!
The High School will be having adoration in St. Joseph’s chapel from 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM every Wednesday.
All students are welcome to drop by for a quick or longer time of prayer throughout the morning.
If you are a parent or student interested in volunteering or being paid to help with the school, we have a need at our Extended School Program (ESP)!
The Extended School Program is hosted at our Lower and Middle School every day from 3:00-6:00 PM. At ESP, volunteers oversee and spend time with the students that need to be picked up later in the day. Hours are flexible and may be catered to your schedule.
The role is open to anyone over the age of 16 and can be counted for service hours or for pay at $12/hr.
Please note that high schoolers must be able to transport themselves over to the Lower School at the end of the school day, and may only volunteer/work for hours after High School dismissal.
If you are interested and able to help, please contact Pete Radosta at pradosta@holyspiritprep.org.
The Used Uniform Store is accepting donated uniform items now.
The Used Uniform Store is based at the Lower School and is open from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.
Information regarding our uniform vendors and Used Uniform Store may be found below or at https://holyspiritprep.org/Other/BackToSchoolForms
Flynn O'Hara 6311 Roswell Road NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 260-7584 website
Sue Mills 5932 Roswell Rd., Suite B Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 255-2133 website
HSP Used Uniform Store (K-12th Grade) 4820 Long Island Drive Atlanta, GA 30342 (404) 255-0900 Store hours are 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Please see Maria Insalaca at the front desk for access and exact cash or check are the only forms of payment. The store is run by volunteers and we ask that clothes are hung or folded back up to keep the store presentable.
We are always accepting donations – please have them laundered or dry cleaned prior to donating them. If they are not in good condition, we will also take them and donate them to the uniform project or have them recycled. We will take anything with the HSP logo or name on it and find appropriate locations for the items.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the PVA website and sign up to volunteer there or contact Heidi Harrington at heidiharrington@bellsouth.net.
Make your 2023 GOAL Pledge today in support of Holy Spirit Preparatory School!
Applications are still open, and credits are being consumed at a higher rate this year! Secure your credits before they are gone! Apply HERE.
Contact Brittney Bailey at bbailey@holyspiritprep.org or call 678.904.2811 should you have any questions.
Please see the following letter from Michelle Bertany that was sent to the HSP Community today, regarding the 2022-2023 Annual Fund Kick-off!
Dear Holy Spirit Prep Family, It is hard to believe we are already one month into the new academic year. During the challenging circumstances of the pandemic that we continue to face, our Holy Spirit Prep community has continued to thrive, remaining faithful to the original mission of Holy Spirit Preparatory School - developing a communion of joyful souls dedicated to Catholic discipleship in holistic, classically-inspired education. As of today, Holy Spirit Prep’s 2022-2023 Annual Fund campaign is officially underway! The Annual Fund is our primary annual fundraising effort. If you have not already done so, please watch this beautiful message from Amanda and Rick Kuhlman, our 2022 - 2023 Annual Fund Chairs. Help us continue to improve, grow, and thrive. The Catholic Church has historically emphasized the critical role of parents, and the family in the process of educating the faithful. HSP strives to provide financial aid opportunities to qualified Catholic students who do not have the means to attend. This need-based approach is an effort to provide the highest quality Catholic education to entire families and to recognize the Church’s twin missions of teaching and evangelization. The economic realities relating to the cost of providing this type of education mandate a robust fundraising program and a commitment to proper stewardship of all the resources of the school. Without a community commitment to fundraising, it would be difficult for Holy Spirit Prep to survive as an institution supporting the family. Contributions to the Annual Fund demonstrate the community’s commitment to the proper formation of our children—and allow Holy Spirit Prep to maintain the highest quality Catholic education. We respectfully request every HSP family to participate in the 2022-23 Annual Fund to the best of their ability. Jesus taught us how. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” Proverbs 11:2 Over the next few weeks, you will receive regular updates and reminders about the Annual Fund. We encourage you to read these messages and reach out to our Director of Advancement, Edward Festa efesta@holyspiritprep.org with any questions. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs for charitable contributions made by their employees. Check if your company has a matching gift policy. The impact of your gift to Holy Spirit Prep could be doubled. Please support the 2022-23 Annual Fund at any one of the following Giving Levels by October 7, 2022. We are all called to make our best gift.
You may notice we added a new giving level, St. Joseph Calasanz. St. Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life to the education of poor and neglected children, including numerous schools where poor children could attend for free. I offer you my sincerest thanks for your support. God bless you and your wonderful families!
In Christ, Michelle Bertany
The Poor Widow’s Contribution. He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12: 41-44
As of this week, 100% of the Holy Spirit Prep faculty and staff have pledged or donated to the 22-23 Annual Fund! We are so happy to kick off this campaign with all of our faculty and staff on board.
For more information on how to donate, please see our website:
https://holyspiritprep.org/Giving/AnnualFund/
Please note that the doors of the Preschool are locked between 7:30 am-4:00 pm.
Please ring the doorbell for entry and be sure to sign your child in and/or out if coming into the school.
The Preschool is meeting with a Sandy Springs police officer at the end of September to assess our security and ensure best practices.
We enjoyed seeing many of you at Parent Night!
Please enjoy the below newsletter.
22-09-02 Preschool Newsletter.pdf
Preschool hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. If you wish to sign up for our early morning and/or after school programs, please sign up on the following registration form.
If you have any questions, please contact Georgia Tate at gtate@holyspiritprep.org.
We wanted to make you aware of the Green and Gold day schedule, as it will differ from the High School for the next two weeks:
Monday 10/10 - Fall Break
Tuesday 10/11 - Green
Wednesday 10/12 - Gold
Thursday 10/13 - Green
Friday 10/14 - Gold
Monday 10/17 - All Classes
Tuesday 10/18 - Green
Wednesday 10/19 - Gold
Thursday 10/20 - Green
Friday 10/21 - Gold
Greeting HSP Parents, We pray that this communication finds you all well. In the spirit of safety and cooperation, we are emailing you in regards to procedures for Lower and Middle school students that remain in our care after the end of the school day at 3:00 pm. As you know, carpool begins at 3:00 pm and usually runs for about 15 minutes. Students remaining after carpool should belong to one of three groups: ESP (Registered or temporary needs), Athletes (for a game or practice), or Cougar Hour/Tutorial. Any student not in one of those three categories should be picked up at carpool by a parent or guardian and have left school grounds. For those remaining, the procedures for supervision of the students in these three groups are as follows:
On Friday night, October 14th at 6:00pm we will be having our HSP Family Folk Dance night at the Lower School Gym. This may strike fear in your heart, but don’t worry, you will have fun! We are doing this so that our 1st - 3rd gade students can show you things they are learning in music, but an even bigger reason is that it brings us together as a HSP Family.
Lower and Middle School boys are invited to join the Boys Club every Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, starting on August 16.
The Boys Club is a program run by Father Andrew with the help of missionary volunteers who are taking a gap year before college to help minister to our youth.
Students in the Boys Club will play sports, learn about a saint and a virtue as well as have a snack. The Middle School students help the Lower School students prepare a presentation about what they learned. This provides a great opportunity for students to learn about healthy leadership and virtues while having fun.
Students who register to join the Boys Club will be picked up from their classrooms at dismissal time. Unless there is inclement weather, students may be picked up from the soccer field at 4:30pm.
Registration is required on the form below (even if you have emailed Father Andrew about participation)
Please use the following link if you would like to contribute a snack for the boys to enjoy.
BOYS CLUB SNACK SIGN-UP
Below is a link with the Cougar Hour activities available to Lower and Middle School students for the first semester for this school year. Registration will close on August 26th.
Should you wish to register your child for any Cougar Hour activity today, please click on the link below and scroll down to the Cougar Hour Registration Information for the ones that are presently available, where you will find the registration links. Registration is required to attend these clubs. Please note that registration for most of these offerings is with the vendor and not through HSP.
Our Extended School Program (ESP) is still available, as per usual, during this time as well. Our ESP program runs from 3:00pm - 6:00pm. Please note that ESP is not included in tuition.
Should you have any questions about ESP, please contact Mrs. Maria Insalaca at minsalaca@holyspiritprep.org.
Should you have any questions about any Cougar Hour activities, please contact Mr.Angelle at jangelle@holyspiritprep.org.
The Lower and Middle School's Early Morning Care (EMC) Program is available daily to students from 7:20am to 7:40am for a fee.
During this time, students will be supervised by faculty in the gym. Students registered for Early Morning Care may be dropped off at the staircase between the gym and Middle School Building beginning at 7:20am. All students will be dismissed to their Homeroom at 7:40am.
All students participating in Early Morning Care must be registered with the program using the registration form below.
In support of the Annual Fund, we are having a house competition at the high school!
The house that has the highest family participation in the Annual Fund will earn 75 points, second place will earn 50 points, and third place will earn 25 points. Any donation will be considered full participation for the purposes of this competition and no donation is too small!
Points will be awarded based on the percentage of families that participate for each house, so please help us to support our school, as well as your houses, as we push ever closer to our goal.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Foutch or Michelle Bertany.
For those who were not able to make it and/or would like to review the materials, linked below is the deck that was discussed. We are looking forward to walking with you and your student in holiness this year.
Parent Info Confirmation Night 2022.pdf
Below are also some important due dates and reminders.
Friday February 24th, 2023 | 8:30am - 12:30pm — Confirmation Retreat at Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Tuesday March 21st, 2023 | 3:30 - 4:00pm Confirmation Rehearsal at HSCC
Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 at 10am — Confirmation Mass and Ceremony at HSCC
Confession Times/Day before March 22nd – Fr. JP and I are still working on this and will publicize as soon as possible
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Marie Athaide (mathaide@holyspiritprep.org) with questions.
We wanted to make you aware of the Green and Gold day schedule, as it will differ from the Middle School for the next two weeks:
Tuesday 10/11 - All Classes
Wednesday 10/12 - PSAT - Dismissing at noon - No School for Seniors
Monday 10/17 - Green (Special Speaker on Campus)
Tuesday 10/18 - All Classes
Please feel free to contact meet@uga.edu if you have any questions regarding these events or logistics on how the virtual events work. See dates and sign up here: http://www.peachstatetour.org/students.html
They depend entirely on donations from the community to fill the Begin Box. These boxes are a concrete example to the families we work with that they are supported and cared for. The impact of the Begin Box extends far beyond burp clothes and bottles; many of our caregivers tell us that receiving the Begin Box made them feel more confident and less alone, they felt connected to a community that really cared about them. The Begin Box amazon wish list is provided below, along with some pictures of the boxes.
Thank you so much for helping and filling a Begin Box with lots of love!
Mariana Munoz
Begin Box
All Upper School students are welcome to join our Encounter Groups starting the week of 9/19 during lunch.
Previously marketed as Bible Studies, these are a chance for students to Encounter Christ in Scripture, grow in fellowship with other men and women in your grade, and continually come back to your identity and worldview in and with Christ as you move forward this school year.
We will have separate studies for young men and women and varied grades. If students are interested, please fill out this form:
Encounter Interest Form 22-23
Reminder that all high school students are required to serve and log 25 hours by April 21, 2023. The Service Hours Form can be found on the website and is linked here.
Please turn in complete forms in the folder to the left of the Campus Ministry white board outside of Fr. JP’s office.
Ideas of service opportunities will be posted to the website and Green and Gold over the coming weeks, but students are welcome to talk to Ms. Athaide about any other service work they do or would like to do.
This past weekend we had three students participate in the Double Reed Day over at Georgia State University!
Mariella Haller, Agnes Lindholm and Rafael Pelaez were able to attend Master Classes, the Guest Artist recitals along with participating in the HUGE Double Reed Ensemble.
The list of influential teachers/performers that they got to hear and learn from are amazing. Dr. Alyssa Morris (Oboe) and Dr. Susan Maxwell (Bassoon) from Kansas State, as well as Dr. Lara Dahl (Oboe) and John Grove (Bassoon) from Georgia State.
All had a wonderful time and we hope to have even more students attend in the future!
On Wednesday 9/14, the High School Wind Symphony hosted Dr. Rich Sparks, Director of Bands from the University of Maryland (retired). He served as our first guest conductor of the year bringing a fresh musical approach to our rehearsals. Dr. Sparks’ many years of experience were invaluable as we prepare for our performance at Walt Disney World in March.
Symphony No. 9 - by Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Born December 16, 1770 Bonn, Germany
Died March 26, 1827 Vienna, Austria
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer born in Bonn who spent his musical career in Vienna. A pivotal figure in the development of the Romantic style, he is one of the most respected and influential composers of all time. In a career that spanned the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic period, Beethoven made his mark in every major instrumental genre of his day, including the symphony, the string quartet, the piano sonata, and the concerto. Beethoven's name is synonymous with Classical music: it is his name which invariably first comes to mind when people are asked to name the archetypal composer. The reason for this is his unique combination of innovative genius, moral rectitude and high seriousness.
Beethoven was born into a Bonn family of Flemish descent. Both his father Johann and his grandfather Ludwig were musicians at the Court of the Elector of Cologne which was based in Bonn. The young Ludwig was taught music by his father but by the age of nine he had already outstripped his father's musical knowledge and was taken under the wing of Christian Neefe, organist at the Bonn Court, who gave him a conservative but thorough musical training. He later received musical training from Franz Joseph Haydn and Albrechtsberger.
In musical form, Beethoven was a considerable innovator, widening the scope of sonata, symphony, concerto, and quartet, while in the Ninth Symphony he combined the worlds of vocal and instrumental music in a manner never before attempted. His personal life was marked by a heroic struggle against encroaching deafness, and some of his most important works were composed during the last 10 years of his life when he was quite unable to hear. In an age that saw the decline of court and church patronage, he not only maintained himself from the sale and publication of his works but also was the first musician to receive a salary with no duties other than to compose how and when he felt inclined.
Beethoven’s Ninth and final Symphony (“Choral”) represents, on a number of levels, a summit of the immortal composer’s artistic life. The text of the Symphony’s finale, based upon the 1785 Ode “To Joy” by the great German writer, Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805), held a lifelong attraction for the composer.The Ninth is by far the most epic of Beethoven’s Symphonies, both in terms of length and performing forces. The revolutionary introduction of vocal soloists and chorus in the finale was a bold masterstroke that forever expanded the potential of symphonic expression.
(Program Notes excerpted from classical.net, britannica.com and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra)
Recommended Recording: Beethoven: 9 Symphonies - Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan (Deutsche Grammophon)
Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify
Further Listening: All of the other Symphonies (see above)
In Atlanta we are blessed to be the home of one of America's greatest orchestras, the Atlanta Symphony. Here is a link to purchase tickets to hear Beethoven’s 9th performed live by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Beethoven's 9th tickets
HSP is happy to continue their association with the Ascension Music Academy to offer music lessons on both our campuses.
Performing music every day has a direct correlation to higher test scores, aptitude, and critical thinking skills. Numerous studies show that students who perform in their school performing ensembles daily score from 200-500 points higher on the SAT, depending on their level of musical advancement. Students at the All-State Level score closer to 500 mark. Almost every All-State student takes private lessons. There is no better way to master your instrument than to receive one on one instruction.
If you are interested in registering for the fall semester, please fill out this form and return it, with payment, to either school’s front desk. Please contact our Fine Arts Director, Len Insalaca (Linsalaca@holyspiritprep.org), if you have any questions or would like more information.
Dear Families,
During the first few months of school, we are working through the Theological Virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love. We receive these virtues at our baptism. They are given to us as a free gift from God. The virtue of Faith perfects our intellect, while the virtues of Hope and Love perfect our will. I wanted to write a little about Hope since this is our virtue of the month for October.
Today, we can have anything we want at any moment of the day. The quickness with which we live and the urgency that grows around us only increases day by day. It also seems as things become more efficient, the amount we have going on only increases. This all impacts our will, our desires are met instantaneously and we don’t take time to make good choices. When we don’t use our will our desires are out of order, the ability to endure suffering diminishes, and our self-confidence crumbles. Hope perfects our will, placing correct order in our decisions, enduring suffering, and giving us confidence in the happiness we will enjoy in the world to come.
Without Hope, we don’t take the time to reflect on what is important to us, rather we focus on the immediate pleasure or get caught up in the urgent response that doesn’t bring true satisfaction. Since we are not attending to our truest needs, we begin to think that we are not worthy to be taken care of. And because we flee from suffering and don’t endure something for the sake of a true good that is waiting for us, the only answer we give ourselves is dissatisfaction and despair.
We are all in need of true renewal of Hope in our lives. Hope comes from taking time to see the good, choose the good, and endure till we attain it. Learning to hope for something that is not present and cannot be present to us right now is essential to perfecting our natures. We can develop that by teaching our wills to hope for smaller hopes of the day. It is ok to wait to eat that chocolate chip cookie after I have eaten my veggies, it is ok to not answer the text message or email right now, and it's ok to take some time to pray. These choices can perfect our will, fulfilling the small hopes of life, and help us recognize the gift of the Hope that was given to us at Baptism, desiring above all to arrive in heaven.
I wanted to end with a paragraph from Pope Benedict XVI who wrote a wonderful encyclical on Hope. In paragraph 30 he writes something that I think summarizes what I was trying to explain:
Day by day, man experiences many greater or lesser hopes, different in kind according to the different periods of his life. Sometimes one of these hopes may appear to be totally satisfying without any need for other hopes. Young people can have the hope of a great and fully satisfying love; the hope of a certain position in their profession, or some success that will prove decisive for the rest of their lives. When these hopes are fulfilled, however, it becomes clear that they were not, in reality, the whole. It becomes evident that man has need of a hope that goes further. It becomes clear that only something infinite will suffice for him, something that will always be more than he can ever attain. In this regard, our contemporary age has developed the hope of creating a perfect world that, thanks to scientific knowledge and scientifically based politics, seemed to be achievable. Thus Biblical hope in the Kingdom of God has been displaced by hope in the kingdom of man, the hope of a better world which would be the real “Kingdom of God”. This seemed at last to be the great and realistic hope that man needs. … over time, however, it has become clear that this hope is constantly receding. Above all it has become apparent that this may be a hope for a future generation, but not for me.
God bless! Fr Andrew, LC
Video of the virtue of the month made by the students on Hope
https://youtu.be/bqX5fDTEzAs
Please save the date for our Women's Advent Candlelight retreat on December 11th!
The event will take place in McDonnough Hall from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
We hope to see you there!
This Week at Holy Spirit
Weekly Bulletin
For High School Basketball and MS/V Swim - practices will begin the week of October 17. For LS & MS Basketball, practices will begin the last week of October 24. Cheer will continue to practice as currently scheduled.
If you would like to contact the coach directly, please contact the following coaches:
Please register here for MS Basketball, MS Swim, MS Cheer, V/JV Basketball, V Swim, and V Cheer.
For our little cougar basketball players in 2nd - 5th grade boys and girls and 6th grade boys, please register here.
Please review the rosters below and register here. Thank you to those of you that have already registered.
3rd grade boys: 7 total (Coaches - Sacco/Carico) Siler Wolf Nico Munoz Nicholas Sacco Porter Milsap Jubal Gatwood Mason Carico Teddy Alverson Porter Millsap
4th grade girls: 8 total (Coaches - Summers/Richmond) Hannah Summers Cora Pietrantonio Quinn Richmond Catherine Meder Paular Millsap Rebecca Pelaez Avery Garza
4th grade boys: 3 total as of now (Need coach)- Xavier Twomey Oba Browne Karim Santillian PLEASE TALK WITH OTHER BOYS IN YOUR GRADE
5th grade girls: 7 total (Cusimano/Behunin) Gabby Cusimano Ansley Behunin Livi Wilhelm Lucy Mulcare Rose Taylor Violetta Garzon Ivana Catellanos
5th grade boys: 6 total (Need coach) Jack Wolf David Tate Arthur Labbe Dominic Alverson Kolbe Nuar Abel Mathieu
6th grade boys: 6 total (Need coach) Rafa Firmin Lucas Kichler JJ Kichler Matias Castellanos Mario Munoz Michael Martinez
If you are not planning on playing, please let me know.
We are still working out the practice schedule. All of our MS basketball games are on Tuesday so we will not have any practice on Tuesday.
Please reach out to the students that you don't see on this list and encourage them to join the team!
Here's to a great season!
Please register HERE for MS Boys and Girls Basketball. If you're not on the list, it's OK. Just let me know and register today! :) Practices will start around Oct. 17.
MS Girls Game Schedule (as of today):
6th - 8th grade Middle School Girls: Payton Palmer Logan Baker Myriam De Santolo MJ Twomey Catherine Slinkard Maia Slinkard Avery Lanier Bella Cusimano Ariana Lajara Rachel Meder Thersa Meder Gianna Mulcare
MS Boys Schedule (as of today):
7th & 8th Grade Middle School Boys:
Aaron Summers Luke Sacco Isaac Twomey Evan Craig Ryan Prieto Lewie Chapman Feranmi Browne Rafael Pelaez Evan Sipos Nolan Mathieu Logan Lanier Felipe Duran
Please let me know if you have any questions!
This past weekend, the Holy Spirit Clays Team participated in a practice match held at the Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds. Shooters from 6 schools attended, all shooting four rounds of skeet.
The weather was perfect, albeit a bit windy due to the hurricane coming from the south. Since the teams shot four rounds of skeet only, our athletes were able to concentrate on one discipline while calibrating their performance against their peers from other schools.
Although only a practice match, a competitive spirit prevailed. Competition induces more stress than does routine practice, and the added variable – stress – impact different people differently. It is impossible to predict who will be impacted by stress and how. The only way to know is to be in the situation and observe how things turn out. What is predictable, is that the more of these situations someone experiences, the more stress inoculation they develop, and the better they handle stressful situations in general. Competition is another form of practice.
To know thyself under stress is rarely discussed. Fine motor skills and visual acuity are oftentimes the first casualties of stress, and are basic to clays shooting. Stress inoculation is key to success in our sport. Clay shooting is among the best ways to learn to manage stress and be prepared for life. - Coach Harrington
Clay Targets: Nathalie Anaya-Ruiz "Nathalie Anaya-Ruiz is the Clays’ team Athlete of the Week. At a recent practice match, Nathalie’s shotgun malfunctioned and when she switched shotguns, she went from a 20 gauge to a 12 gauge gun that was bigger and more powerful. Nathalie took this all in stride and completed the match, not allowing anything to undermine her positive outlook and enthusiasm. Shooting, like golf, is 90% mental. The ability to remain level-headed under all conditions is one of the most important and difficult things to learn. Good shot, bad shot, wind, rain, gun malfunctions – none of these undermine a successful shooter. Nathalie has accomplished this skill in her first year!"- Coach Harrington
Varsity Volleyball - Mel Menay "Mel Menay is one of a vanishing breed of athletes that stands out as someone who is "All In" for whatever needs to happen, to make herself and her teammates the very best they can be. While her coach, has created high standards for the program, Mel continually stands out as someone who thrives on challenge and responsibility, whether on the court, or behind the scenes organizing, setting up, and delivering a game day experience which makes working with her and the Volleyball Program a real pleasure!!" - Coach Bridget
Past Cougar Athletes of the Week:
Middle School Cross Country Luke Sacco Evan Craig Catherine Slinkard
Varsity Cross Country - Davis Braun Adam Young Jacob Wilhelm Reagan Neff Keira Jessop Jackson Sacco
Varsity Clay Targets - Dillon Harrington Carlton Martin Keaton Neff Aram Santillian Kaitlyn Hatchew Brady Van Oss Bradley Magnusson
Middle School Cheer Evelyn Labbe Camila Castellanos Audrey Nguyen
Varsity Cheer Layelin Zamora Michelle Sande Kira Taylor Sophia Napier
Middle School Volleyball Ariana Lajara Isla Page Camilla Haller Theresa Meder
JV Volleyball Camila Florentino Lauren Wilhelm Mackenzie Manning Marlyn Pineda
Varsity Volleyball Reagan Twomey Ava Sipos Blair Ecker X2 Mary Anna Cumbie
Varsity Football: Jacob Meder
Volume 22, Issue 6 | October 4, 2022
How Trauma Affects Young Athletes
Young athletes today are dealing with more trauma than ever before, experiencing a growing number of issues at home and in local communities. The global pandemic served to compound these issues; while some children lost loved ones, nearly all children experienced some loss of in-person school, sports and social interactions with the family and friends closest to them. Even in areas where full shutdowns were relatively short-lived, experts have shown that this experience continues to affect our children. The result is that the vast majority of children today have encountered some form of trauma that has had an impact on their mental and even physical health.
Sports can be a tremendous platform to help our children overcome this trauma. As Dr. Amanda Zelechoski points out in the video above , physical activity can offer a much needed outlet where kids can channel positive energy. Sports also offer a tremendous opportunity for kids to build confidence, mastery and resiliency.
As coaches, we can have a significant impact in the lives of these children. This begins with being aware that young athletes on our teams may be experiencing some form of trauma, then becoming "trauma-informed." The trauma-informed coach strives to ensure that all athletes feel physically and psychologically safe at practices and games, works to build trust with athletes , fosters a supportive environment among teammates , and collaborates with players on important team decisions , empowering them and making sure everyone on the team has a voice . In addition, the coach creates an environment where all members of the team respect each other regardless of background or cultural differences. Champion coaches will have already been creating a culture that includes these principles. Becoming trauma-informed will help coaches to better understand the issues their athletes face and be proactive in helping children overcome trauma.
Watch Dr. Zelechoski's comments in the video, then evaluate your effectiveness in each of the six principles listed in bold above. In what areas can you improve? Create a plan to become more trauma-informed. Doing so will make you a better coach and foster a team culture that benefits all the children on your team.
Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10
Join Us for the Champion Book Club: What Made Maddy Run
"By all accounts, Madison in high school was this young, happy, vibrant, wildly successful human being, who was destined — according to everyone around her — to do amazing things with her life," says author Kate Fagan.
When Madison Holleran took her own life midway through her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, it sent shockwaves through the college and athletics community, sparking questions about mental health and prompting coaches and administrators to reassess how they care for student-athletes. In her New York Times Bestseller , Kate Fagan details Madison's life, including her struggles with depression and the pressures facing young athletes. Join Play Like a Champion for our inaugural "Champion Book Club" as we explore this book and discuss the broader issue of athlete mental health detailed within its pages. During the month of October we invite you to read the book, then join us at Noon EDT on Wednesday, November 2nd for a lively conversation with fellow leaders in youth and high school sports.
Click here to find the book on Amazon or purchase it wherever books are sold. Don't have time to read the full book? Don't sweat it! No matter what you read (even nothing) you're invited to join us. Simply click the link below to register and we'll send you a reminder and a link to join on November 2nd. We look forward to seeing you there!
A Prayer for Coaches
Dear Lord,
Guide me as I try to coach this team,
to build each player's character
and boost their self-esteem.
May I keep an even temper,
and remember that it's just a game.
Let me not have favorite players,
but treat them all the same.
Grant me patience with them as I praise or correct. Remembering that I must work,
to earn each one's respect.
Lord, whether we may win or lose,
may all who watch us see,
the kind of coach at every game,
that You would have me be. Amen.
Prayer found online at lpgcards.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/43336.jpg
Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
PO Box 72, Notre Dame, IN 46556 | information@playlikeachampion.org
www.playlikeachampion.org
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Thank you to our current Booster Club Members! Click here for more information on how to join.
Gold Members ($1,000+) David & Stephanie Cusimano The De Santolo Family Chris & Megan Durham The Grubbs Family Nicholas & Tricia Mulcare Ashok & Kim Reddy The Slinkard Family Harold & Lisa Wyatt
Silver Members ($500+) Chris & Alexandra Burris Kelly & Collen Craig Mike & Carolyn Ecker Albert & Sallie Forrester Kendall Kerew Scott Kerew Peter & Jennifer Manning Erik & Holly Richmond Kevin & Ellen Twomey Ryan & Kristina Wilhelm
Green Members ($250+) Anonymous (1) Mark & Rebecca Bernier The Cabrara Family Brooks & Kate Castellaw The Hutchins Family Joe & Maria Kichler Rick & Amanda Kuhlman Kathleen, Kelly and Bradley Magnusson Chris & Margaret Martin Juan & Mary Martinez Mike & Kathy Prieto Chris & Christian Riley Whitney & Ashley Wolf
Members ($100+) Anonymous (1) Cesar & Clara Olguin Javier & Alanna Oliver The Santillian Family Stacey Weiss The Zelaya Family
Calling all Cougar Fans! It's time to the 2022-23 Athletic Booster Club!
Support our student athletes through joining the Holy Spirit Prep Athletic Booster Club!
The Holy Spirit Prep Athletic Booster Club has one goal - to enhance the experience of our student athletes on all three campuses. The HSP Athletic Booster Club funds will enhance our budget, allowing us to provide supplemental equipment, coaching, and programs to improve the athletics experience for all our students. These funds will be obtained through HSP Athletic Booster Club membership, restricted athletics donations, spirit gear sales, and event ticket and concession sales.
The HSP Athletic Booster Club recognizes that participation in school athletics benefits everyone. In addition to financial support, the HSPABC promotes opportunities to build and strengthen relationships among all constituencies through enthusiastic participation of volunteers, students, coaches, parents, school faculty and staff, sponsors, community members, alumni and grandparents.
Depending on the level of membership, personalized admission passes will be issued to you for a select number or all regular season home games!
For additional information on levels, please click here. On behalf of all students, coaches and fans here at HSP, thank you for your support!
Please contact Kristina Wilhelm, Director of Athletics, for additional information, at kwilhelm@holyspiritprep.org.
The Athletic Booster Club is seeking Corporate Sponsorships!
As we prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, we are seeking corporate sponsorships to support the Athletics budget. Please click here for additional information.
Sponsorship Visual Benefits:
Limited 4x6ft vinyl outdoor banner on the baseball fence on the High School campus, the soccer/football field on the High School campus, and the soccer field fence on the Lower School campus.
Additional Benefits for all Corporate Sponsors
All the benefits included for the highest level of Athletic Booster Club Membership
To learn more about the opportunity to become a Corporate Sponsor, please contact Director of Athletics Kristina Wilhelm at kwilhelm@holyspiritprep.org.
We celebrated our 6 Senior Volleyball Players this week at their last game at HSP. Congratulations to:
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories!
We honored 18 Seniors this past Friday Night at our Homecoming Football game.
Congratulations to the following Senior Fall Sport Athletes:
Football:
Cheer:
Cross Country:
Clay Targets:
We are so proud of all you have done here at HSP on your different sport teams!
Humility: “giving the credit to God”
A moral virtue: a virtue gained through human effort which builds on the theological and cardinal virtues (Mt 11:29)
Humility is a moral virtue that keeps a person from reaching beyond himself. It is the virtue that restrains the unruly desire for personal greatness and leads people to an orderly love of themselves based on a true appreciation of their position with respect to God and their neighbors. Religious humility recognizes one's total dependence on God; moral humility recognizes one's creaturely equality with others. Yet humility is not only opposed to pride; it is also opposed to immoderate self-abjection, which would fail to recognize God's gifts and use them according to his will.
"If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." - Mother Teresa