Back to Contents
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.
On the evening of Friday 11/4, the Lower and Middle School will hold their fall concert and art show. In addition to the beautiful artwork, the concert will feature the 4th Grade Beginning Band, 5th Grade Concert Band and the Middle School Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, and Choir.
Sneak previews below!
Next week November 6-12, 2022 is National Vocations Awareness Week! This is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.
At the high school, we will be celebrating by hosting priests, Sisters, and consecrated women for a Q&A Panel next Thursday, Penny Wars to fundraise for the Sisters of Life, and discussing vocations videos.
Each house will have a bin in the Liberal Arts Rotunda next week. Pennies and dollar bills are positive points, and silver coins are negative points. You can put silver coins in the other houses' bins to subtract points from their total! The top 3 houses will win 75, 50, and 25 house points respectively.
Start gathering your spare change this weekend. Let the games begin!
Book Swap and Campout Reading
The Library is having its annual book swap the week of November 7th - 11th. Students are asked to bring in books to swap with other students. Guidelines for the type of books to bring in would be ones that are in good condition that your child has outgrown or become tired of. Students should have your permission prior to bringing the books into school.
During Book Swap Week the students that have brought in books to swap are allowed to select up to three books from the book swap table or can “swap” books with other students during their class library time.
Grades K-5 will celebrate Book Swap Week with a campout reading time in tents set up in the courtyard on November 10th. Grades 6-8 are welcome anytime during the week to swap books. This is an enjoyable time for all students as they are able to ‘buy’ new books by trading in their old books. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. Fickett.
In Christ,
Mrs. FIckett
kfickett@holyspiritprep.org
Dear Holy Spirit Prep Families, We invite you all to join us for the ROMA Fundraising Dinner on Wednesday, 9 November 2022! The ticket purchase link may be found here: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/D8cbjy98
ROMA is a special HSP annual event that helps support sending our Seniors on a pilgrimage to Rome. Please join us for an authentic Italian festival at Holy Spirit Upper school gym Wednesday, November 9 from 6:00 PM -8:30 PM.
Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner, Italian market, coffee & dessert bar, Senior skit & service, and festivities for the whole family (face painting, balloon animals, games & more)!
We will also have a $5 dress-down day on both campuses on Wednesday, 9 November to prepare for the event! Bring $5 and dress in the colors of the Italian flag!
*Please dress down following the handbook guidelines!
Ticket Information
$25 regular price ($30 at the door)
$15 Under-13 price ($20 at the door)
Family Maximum: $100 ($120 at the door).
You can make a donation to the cause here: https://factsmgtadmin.com/give/appeal/xgKPqLMNT
Purchase event tickets here: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/D8cbjy98
*Childer under 5 will be admitted to the event free of charge We hope to see you there! Deus te benedicat, Thomas Cole
Calling all Cowboys and Aliens!
It is time to mosey on down to the dance. Beam into to the LS/MS Dinning Hall for all the cosmic fun. The 7th/8th grade Social will be November 11th, 6:00PM- 8:00PM in the Lower School Dining Hall.
All 7th and 8th grade students are invited to this year's 7th/8th grade Social, which is themed Cowboys vs. Aliens. Please have your student dress according to the theme.
We've made it casual and fun - no need to be in dresses or suits. Please make sure your student adheres to modest standards when choosing the outfit (no short-shorts, short skirts, or bare midriffs). *See HSP handbook for attire guidelines!
There will be music, snacks, and photo opportunities. Tickets are $15 per student. You may Venmo Stephanie Cusimano (@stephanie-cusimano) or drop off cash/check at the Front Office with Stephanie's name on the envelope.
Please scan the QR Code to register for the dance and for info:
Save the Date for the Men’s Dinner at Eric Gunderson’s home November 11, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
We hope to see you at "Paella with Padres"!
http://evite.me/VPU58eDBgG
Our Connections group is going to have a Mom's group to meet once a month and our first meeting is Sunday 11/13 at 6pm in McDonough Hall.
When it comes to parenting in today's environment, do you feel like you are swimming against the current ? Do you want to have a group of like-minded moms to meet with to share ideas, parenting techniques, successes, challenges, etc. ?
If so, the HSP Mom's group is for YOU.
If you want to attend the gathering on 11/13 sign up here.
For additional information, please contact Erin Messer at erinjmesser@gmail.com
High School Parents,
If your student is enrolled in an AP Course for the 2022-2023 Academic Year, please complete the below payment form. Each exam costs $105. Exams are required for all students in the courses.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Andrea Vargas at avargas@holyspiritprep.org.
Keep an eye out for an email from HSP Communications with further details!
FACTS AP Payment Form: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/NvFLOaPT
On Tuesday, November 15, please join us for a Lower School Fireside Chat with Pete Radosta and Michelle Bertany!
We will be convening at 8:00 AM in the LS Library.
Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/KyfVZSu5rrR2sbrc8
Regnum Christi is hosting monthly morning retreats for women at Holy Spirit Prep! The next one is on November 19th from 8:30-11:00 AM.
The retreats are on the 3rd Saturday of the month through March. Please see flyer below for more details. Mass is in St. Joseph’s at 8:30 followed by breakfast, meditation and practical talk in the boardroom. All women are invited to attend!
Please reach out to Denise Gunderson (denisegunderson@me.com) with any questions.
On Wednesday, November 30, please join us for Family Advent Night from 5-7 p.m.
Save the date!
More details coming soon.
Please save the date for our Women's Advent Candlelight retreat on December 4th!
The event will take place in Malta Hall from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
RSVP Link Here
Friday, November 4th
Varsity Football - GISA State 1st Round
Saturday, November 5th
CMLA Basketball Games - Week #1
Co-Ed Varsity Clay Targets - Practice Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds
Varsity Swimming - West Hall Fall Frenzy 9:00am - 3:00pm • Frances Meadows Aquatics Center
Tuesday, November 8th
Girls Middle School Basketball vs. The Museum School 4:00pm - 5:00pm • The Museum School
Boys Middle School Basketball vs. The Museum School - B-Team 5:00pm - 6:00pm • The Museum School
Boys Middle School Basketball - A-Team 6:00pm - 7:00pm • The Museum School
Friday, November 11th
Varsity Football - GISA State Semifinal
Middle School Swimming - AGS Meet 4:30pm - 7:00pm • Georgia Tech Recreation Center
Varsity Swimming - AGS Meet 4:30pm - 7:00pm • Georgia Tech Recreation Center
On All Saints Day, events were held on each campus!
See below for some highlights of the wonderful day of celebration.
All the saints in heaven, pray for us!
Hi Cougar Fans,
Our Varsity Football team will be playing tomorrow in the First Round of the Playoffs in Camilla, Georgia at 1:00!
We will be trying to livestream the event via Google Meet.
Click here for the Google Meet!
We are excited to offer this potential livestream, but please be mindful that this is our first attempt at an action filled google meet!
GO COUGARS!
Kristina
Please Save-the-date for the following events!
Tuesday, November 15 - Lower School Fireside Chat with Pete and Michelle at 8 a.m. in the LS Library. Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/KyfVZSu5rrR2sbrc8
Wednesday, November 30 - Family Advent Night at 5-7 p.m.
Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team on finishing 6th out of 23 teams in the GIAA State Championships in Macon, GA last Saturday.
4 out of 7 of our HSP runners broke the 20 minute mark - and 3 of our runners had a PR time.
Reagan Neff placed 7th overall at the Region Cross Country meet securing her spot in the State Championship! She has worked extremely hard this season and her efforts earned her a spot in the championship race!
Congratulations to our Boys Varsity Football team securing their spot in the First Round of the State Playoffs. The beat Dominion Christian last evening in their last regular game of the season.
As of today, we are not exactly sure when or where will be playing. GIAA will be making an official announcement over the weekend as to the final rankings and games.
We know we could play Thursday/Friday or Saturday either at HSP or away! Stay tuned for more information as we get it.
Thank you all for attending our Fall Festival! Our deepest gratitude to all of the teachers and volunteers that gave their time to preparing the event and to Sarah Summers for overseeing coordination!
Below are some highlights of the day. Please enjoy!
Our 3rd Annual Music Under the Stars was a great success! Guests were entertained by the middle school jazz band and several soloists, including vocals by 10th grader Alondra Olguin, alumna Elliana Henriquez-Quallo and a tenor saxophone solo performed by 10th grader Adam Young, all before dancing the night away to our featured performers, R&B Inc.; Atlanta's hottest rhythm & blues band. The Visual Arts Department put on a fantastic art exhibit and competition showcasing our talented HSP students. We have so much talent at HSP!
The event was only 3 hours but took months of planning to come together. Special thanks to the committee members that made it happen: Serena Young (lead), Stephanie Cusimano, Renee Grubbs, Maria Insalaca, Tyra Nuar, Clara Olguin, Michelle Sipos, and Kathryn Sturgeon.
Congratulations to the winners of the table decor contest:
Honorable Mention - Heidi Harrington and Kathryn Sturgeon table
Runner-up - Tyra Nuar table
WINNER! - Maria Insalaca and Melanie Pflug table (and tent)
It was a wonderful evening and we look forward to doing it again next year! If you haven’t already joined our Arts Alliance, please consider doing so at a level that is comfortable for you.
Join the Arts Alliance
Thank you to all the friends, family, students and faculty who came out to celebrate the” Music Under the Stars” Pre-K -12 “Art from Around the World” visual arts show. The Pre-School, Lower School and Middle school artists under the inspiration of Mrs. Stephanie Nguyen displayed amazing artwork from across the globe. The Preschool students created artwork to celebrate the Virgin Mary Birthday Cake, Kandinsky inspired Apples, and Warm and Cool Cat Tempera Sticks.
The Kindergarten students created inspired by Ancient Egypt Scarab Beetles, first grade exhibited mixed medial Egyptian landscapes, second grade showcased Ancient Roman Mosaics, third grade presented their Prehistoric Southwest Native American Personal Navajo Rugs, fourth grade created personal Bas Relief Plaques, the fifth grade created Mesopotamia stamps, Medieval Saint cards
The 6th and 7th middle school students showcase their Navajo Sand paintings, and the 7th and 8th grade artists created African Bead Art!
The High School Artists in Intro to Studio Art and Studio Art II under the guidance of Mr. James Morse exhibited their observational graphite still-life drawings inspired by master artists from around the globe.
Mrs. Stone’s Honors Studio Art III and AP Art and Design Students exhibited their personal Cyanotype masterpieces. Cyanotype is a cameraless photographic process that produces a Prussian blue image discovered in 1842 by Sir John Herschel in England. It involves the process of mixing potassium ferricyanide with ferric ammonium citrate to form a photosensitive solution. This is applied to the surface of (paper or fabric). Prints are then made by exposing the coated surface with a suitable negative (object or transparency) to sunlight. The prints are then developed in cold water with a dilute solution of hydrogen.
Guests were invited to experience these works of art and then vote on their favorite student Masterpiece in six categories.
The High School students' artwork is now exhibited in the Upper School Commons Rotunda Library Gallery. Students, Faculty, and Staff were invited to experience the artwork and vote on their favorite masterpieces in the same six categories. Please all congratulate all the students whose artwork is exhibited in this new show. Also, congratulate the following students who were winners in the various categories. All are invited to experience these “New Epiphanies of Beauty” in the Rotunda Library Gallery .
Best of Show
People’s Choice (Music of the Night): 1st Mackenzie Manning, 2nd Beau Donner
Faculty Choice : Mary Anna Cumbie
Student Choice: Ana Alessandrini, Beau Donner
Floral Inspired Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Ava Sipos, 2nd Mims Hammond
Faculty Choice Award: Mims Hammond
Faith Inspired Artwork
People’s Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Beau Donner, 2nd Mary Anna Cumbie
Faculty Choice Award: Mary Anna Cumbie
Student Choice Award: Beau Donner
Personal Expression Inspired Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Ana Alessandrini, 2nd Reagan Neff
Faculty Choice: Ana Alessandrini
Student Choice award: Ana Alessandrini
Personal Still-life Drawing
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Michelle Sande, 2nd Robyn Omolon
Faculty Choice Award: Michelle Sande
Student Choice Award: Brooke Nguyen
Photography Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Dominic Plachy, 2nd Betsy Trenado-Bautista
Faculty Choice Award: Ansley Patrick
Student Choice Award: Betsy Trenado-Bautista
November Give Thanks Sale!
Throughout November, all uniform items will be 50% off. Come shop for winter uniforms which will begin after Thanksgiving.
Please contact Heidi Harrington at heidiharrington@bellsouth.net with any questions.
We are excited to continue the family mission trip for a second year. This year, we plan to visit Cusco, Peru for our mission. A visit to Machu Picchu would be at the end of the mission. We will hold informational meetings to discuss what this trip will entail.
Friday, October 21st, 7:40 AM in the LS conference room
If you are interested and would like to attend an information session (in person or zoom), please fill out this form.
https://forms.gle/NYQDsXtkgtQwjNSs7
To support the annual fund, we are having a House competition to see which House has the best participation! Points will be awarded based on percent participation, so please help support your House as well as our wonderful school! No donation is too small, and the donation amount does NOT affect the House point competition.
The current standings are as follows:
4th place - Nicaea with 45%
3rd place - Chalcedon with 46%
2nd place - Trent with 52%
1st place - Lyons with 62%
Congratulations to the 2nd Grade for reaching their 100% Annual Fund participation goal! They join the 1st Grade in reaching that level. Overall we are now at 76% and climbing. Please see below for the full list of current class rankings.
It is not too late. Please donate today. The Annual Fund is vitally important to our school.
Support by making a gift: Give
Support by making a pledge: Pledge
Ed Festa and Catie Johnson Advancement Office
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
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.
On All Saints Day, our preschoolers dressed up and paraded around the Upper School quad! Please enjoy some highlights of this lovely event.
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.
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.
On December 10th, there will be a "Middle School Boy’s Advent Bash" hosted at the Bertany's house!
The event will be held from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. We hope you can join!
Please RSVP here: http://evite.me/aazrzP4pjJ
The Middle School had its first House Patron Saint Feast Day celebration on Friday. The House of Lyon celebrated St. Jude. There were some spiritually uplifting and fun activities planned. The House of Lyons also had their House lunch and served for the Middle School Mass this week.
The newly elected Middle School House Leadership held their first meeting. Some of the items covered were: what does it mean to be in leadership and how these leaders might be called upon to serve this school this year. They will also be choosing House Apostolates and planning for All Saints Day activities.
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:
Holy Spirit Preparatory School • 4449 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 • 678.904.2811
On the Solemnity of All Saints, we had an exciting announcement for our house system! As you all hopefully know, each of the four houses at our school have a patron saint. These saints were chosen when the house system was instituted, and the school has celebrated and asked for their intercession over the years: St. Peter for Nicaea, St. Thomas Aquinas for Chalcedon, St. Jude for Lyons, and St. Anthony for Trent.
Over the last couple of years, many of the administrators and teachers at the school, including our former chaplain Father Juan, and our current chaplains Father JP and Father Andrew, have been brainstorming ways to select additional patron saints for each house. The goal was for the new patron saints to relate to the councils for which each house is named, as well as incorporate female saints to intercede for each house. To this end, the campus ministry and house system teams met to brainstorm options for each house.
These options were prayerfully considered and were chosen with a particular council and house in mind. The options were presented to the house presidents of each house, who, together with their leadership boards, considered which saint would best represent their house.
Nicaea - This council focused on fundamental doctrines of the church, so the saints that were presented are all doctors of the church.
Chalcedon - This council focused on the two distinct natures of Christ (human and divine), so the saints that were presented are mystics and Marian saints (as Mary is Mother of God due to Christ’s divine nature).
Lyons - This council is associated with the crusades, so the saints that were presented are known for being fighters.
Trent - This council is described as the counter-reformation, so the saints that were presented each had a path to sainthood that would not be considered “typical,” such as a married convert or a former slave.
Here are some words from the House Presidents to announce the new patron saints and why the leadership boards were drawn to these particular choices:
Riordan Gatwood, President of the House of Nicaea: “The new patron Saint for the House of Nicaea is St. Catherine of Sienna. Our leadership board picked her because she was unafraid to speak out against heresy and corruption, she performed some of the best miracles, and she exemplifies determination and devotion to Christ.”
Alexa Padilla, President of the House of Chalcedon: “The new patron Saint for the House of Chalcedon is St. Bernadette. Our leadership board picked her because she willingly accepted her great sufferings in faithful fulfillment of her Lady's request for penance, and she is a model for us to have faith in all of Jesus’s teachings”
Nick Purvis, President of the House of Lyons: “The new patron Saint for the House of Lyons is St. Joan of Arc. Our leadership board picked her because Joan of Arc exemplified what it meant to be a soldier of the Faith, as she fought and was even executed for her Faith in the Lord.”
Alek Grigorian, President of the House of Trent “The new patron Saint for the House of Trent is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Our leadership board picked her because of her profound impact on the Catholic School System in the U.S., her resolute faith in Christ despite the numerous difficulties that she encountered, and her life which encompassed the full range of human experience.”
We hope you all find comfort, inspiration, and council from these amazing saints!
You are invited to join us for the National Art Honor Society induction and Art exhibition on Wed. Nov. 9th during the first lunch 11:40 AM in the Libral Arts building Rotunda. Please, join us for this great celebration of the visual arts at Holy Spirit Prep!
There will be a light lunch reception following the ceremony and art exhibit.
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.
The standings as of November 3rd are as follows:
4th place Nicaea with 45%
3rd place Chalcedon with 46%
2nd place Trent with 52%
1st place Lyons with 62%
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.
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
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.
Several existing service opportunities may be seen in the attached spreadsheet, but students are welcome to talk to Ms. Athaide about any other service work they do or would like to do. Please open the link below with a valid "HSP" email address.
HSP Service Opportunities - 22-23
Empty Bowls: The National Art Honor Society students and the High School Visual Art classes are creating Empty Bowls to raise awareness of those who are hungry and to help alleviate hunger one bowl at a time. All students, parents, faculty, and staff are invited to come to Room C103 and make their own Empty Bowls on Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays from 8:45 AM-3:15 PM in room 103 whenever they have a “free moment.” Just send Mrs. Stone an email at astone@holyspiritprep.org and let her know when you are coming.
It takes about 25-35 minutes to make a bowl depending on the mold and the design you select. You can come back the next week to glaze your bowl or ask a NAHS student to glaze it for you. No artistic experience is needed. We have all the tools to make your bowl a success! You will thoroughly enjoy this experience and you will be glad you took the time to into your God-given artistic potential. The contribution for a bowl ranges from $15 - $40 depending on the size of the bowl. You can donate to keep your own bowl or donate it to the cause so someone else can select your bowl.
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to alleviate hunger. The basic premise is simple: Potters and other craftspeople, educators, students and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to make a ceramic bowl and invited to either donate the bowls to the cause or reserve the bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
The money raised will be donated to St. Francis Table at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal for those who are hungry in Downtown Atlanta.
1812 Overture and Marche Slav - by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Born May 7, 1840 Votkinsk, Russia
Died November 6, 1893 St. Petersburg, Russia
Pyotr Tchaikovsky is the most popular Russian composer of all time. His music has always had great appeal for the general public in virtue of its tuneful, open-hearted melodies, impressive harmonies, and colorful, picturesque orchestration, all of which evoke a profound emotional response. His oeuvre includes 7 symphonies, 11 operas, 3 ballets, 5 suites, 3 piano concertos, a violin concerto, 11 overtures (strictly speaking, 3 overtures and 8 single movement programmatic orchestral works), 4 cantatas, 20 choral works, 3 string quartets, a string sextet, and more than 100 songs and piano pieces.
Many Tchaikovsky compositions have remained popular with concertgoers. His most popular works are characterized by richly melodic passages in which sections suggestive of profound melancholy frequently alternate with dance-like movements derived from folk music. Tchaikovsky was an exceptionally gifted orchestrator; his ballet scores in particular contain many striking effects of orchestral coloration. His symphonic works, popular for their melodic content, are also strong (and often unappreciated) in their abstract thematic development. His ballets, notably Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, have never been surpassed for their melodic intensity and instrumental brilliance.
The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is a concert overture in E? major written in 1880 to commemorate the successful Russian defense against Napoleon I's invading Grande Armée in 1812. The fifteen-minute overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and a brass fanfare finale. It has also become a common accompaniment to fireworks displays on the United States' Independence Day. The 1812 Overture went on to become one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works, along with his ballet scores to The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.
The piece begins with the simple, plaintive Russian melody of the Eastern Orthodox Troparion of the Holy Cross (also known as "O Lord, Save Thy People") played by four cellos and two violas and sometimes sung by a chorus. This represents the Russian people praying for a swift conclusion to the invasion. Then, the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise", is heard, representing the invading French army. Then, the melody of "La Marseillaise" is heard competing against Russian folk music, representing the two armies fighting each other as the French approached Moscow. At this point, five cannon shots are heard, representing the Battle of Borodino. This is where "La Marseillaise" is most prominent, and seems to be winning. After this, a long descending run represents the French army retreating out of Moscow as the freezing winter winds rage on. At the end of this run the opening motif is repeated, which can be interpreted as prayers being answered. The grand finale culminates with eleven more cannon shots and the melody of "God Save the Tsar!".
Marche Slav in B-flat minor, Op. 31 (also known as Slavonic March), is an orchestral tone poem written in 1876. It was written to celebrate Russia's intervention in the Serbian-Ottoman War. The march is highly programmatic in its form and organization. The first section, written in the somber key of B-flat minor, describes the oppression of the Serbs by the Ottoman Turks. It uses two Serbian folk songs, "Sunce jarko, ne sijaš jednako" (Bright sun, you do not shine equally), by Isidor Ciric and "Rado ide Srbin u vojnike" (Gladly does the Serb become a soldier) by Josip Runjanin. This eventually gives way to the second section, written in the relative key of D-flat major, which describes the Russians rallying to help the Serbs. This is based on a simple melody with the character of a rustic dance that is passed around the orchestra, until finally it gives way to a solemn statement of the Russian imperial anthem "God Save the Tsar". The third section of the piece is a repeat of Tchaikovsky's furious orchestral climax from the first section, reiterating the Serbian cry for help. The fourth and final section describes the Russian volunteers marching into battle to assist the Serbs. It uses a Russian folk tune, this time in the tonic D-flat major key and includes another blazing rendition of "God Save the Tsar", prophesying the triumph of the Slavonic people over the Ottomans. The overture finishes with a virtuoso coda for the full orchestra.
The piece is frequently paired in performance with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," which also quotes "God Save the Tsar.
(program notes excerpted from classical.net, Britannica, and wikipedia)
Recommended Recording: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture; Marche Slav - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi (Deutsche Grammophon)
Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify
Further Listening: Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich (Deutsche Grammophon)
This past Wednesday evening the Wind Symphony hosted our second guest conductor of the year, Ms. Audrey Murphy. Ms. Murphy is the Director of Bands at Hopewell Middle School. Her ensembles have earned consecutive Superior ratings in performance evaluation appearances. Under her direction, the Hopewell Middle School Advanced Band appeared as a guest performing ensemble at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The Hopewell Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, one of the most prestigious music festivals in the country.
Ms. Murphy has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator throughout North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. She has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on multiple occasions for her contributions to the field of concert band, and was named Teacher of the Year for Hopewell Middle School.
We had a great time hosting and learning from Ms. Murphy as we prepare for our fall performance and Disney Trip in March.
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.
Regnum Christi is hosting monthly morning retreats for women at Holy Spirit Prep!
The next one is on November 19th from 8:30-11:00 AM.
Dear Families,
The month of November is quickly approaching, and with it comes the holiday season. 2022 is also coming to a close. We are at the final sprint, and it seems to be a very steep uphill. So much going on and so much to prepare for. Each year it seems like we have more to do. We also have new challenges that we have had to face this past year, which create a little bit of baggage as we have family coming into town or we have to go visit. Maybe we have a lot of mixed feelings towards these coming days, from feeling happy to a sense of feeling overwhelmed with all we have to do. At the Lower School, we will be working on gratitude this next month. This virtue can help us live these coming days in the correct disposition.
John Paul II said we should look at the past with gratitude, the present with enthusiasm, and the future with confidence. As anxiety could creep in looking forward in these months, only when we take a moment to look back on this year and take a moment to say thank you for all we have accomplished, can this give us peace to look forward with confidence?
Maybe we hear the word thank you often, but to live this virtue is more than a habit of saying thank you. To be grateful is to have a disposition of heart that when we look back on any object, situation, event, or even person, we can recognize the love that was offered to us in the form of a gift.
Gratitude is considered the most exotic flower in the garden of virtues by Henry Ward Beecher. Seeing our soul as a garden full of flowers helps us envision the beauty of our life. Gratitude as the most exotic, or rare, can help us understand how special it is. When we meet a grateful person, we feel good and recognize something special in that person.
Gratitude requires us to stop and reflect. The flower can only bud when the roots have been grounded in a time of reflection. Rather than just a quick thank you, a person who lives the virtue of gratitude ponders the gift received. The gift given fills them with wonder and awe. Taking time to write a thank you note or saying what we like about the gift can be helpful ways to take more time in our thank you’s.
The flower buds colorfully when the right nutrients are there. Humility is the most important of those nutrients. When our gratitude is nourished with humility, we can acknowledge the good someone else offers to us. When I was a little boy I would go pick clover flowers and bring them to my mom. She was so grateful for those weeds, although I had thought I was offering flowers. She saw in the weed an attempt to show affection. A humble heart recognizes that everything is a gift.
One of the reasons gifts are special is because they reveal the relationship of love that exists between two people. The gift is important because it unites two people in love and when received in wonder and admiration, the beautiful fruit produced is one of gratitude. When we are not grateful we are blind to the love offered.
May the end of this year be a time to remember the love that has been present and may these memories carry us through to 2023.
God bless!
Fr Andrew, LC
Video on Virtue of the Month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFviY6_C9_M&ab_channel=AndrewGronotte
Video on Gratitude
This Week at Holy Spirit
Weekly Bulletin
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.
Save the date for our Marriage Renewal Weekend!
The retreat will be held February 3rd - 4th, 2023 at the Upper School Library.
RSVP coming soon!
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.
Basketball - JV/V Boys: practice:
Basketball - Varsity Girls: practice
Swim: - MS/Varsity
Middle School Boys Basketball:
Middle School Girls Basketball:
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.
Please review the rosters and practice times below. If you haven't registered yet, please register here.
3rd grade boys: 8 total (Coaches - Sacco/Carico) Practice Fridays 4:15-5:15 LS gym Siler Wolf Nico Munoz Nicholas Sacco Porter Milsap Jubal Gatwood Mason Carico Teddy Alverson Evan Pietrantonio
4th grade girls: 14 total (Coaches - Summers/Richmond) Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 Hannah Summers Cora Pietrantonio Quinn Richmond Catherine Meder Paular Milsap Rebecca Pelaez Avery Garza Veronica Wingate Emma Wulz Isabel Firmin Ximena Cervantes Ava Noble
5th grade girls: 6 total (Coaches - Cusimano/Behunin) Thursdays 4:00-5:00 Gabby Cusimano Ansley Behunin Livi Wilhelm Lucy Mulcare Rose Taylor Violetta Garzon
5th grade boys: 7 total (Coaches Ashley & Whitney Wolf) Friday 3:15-4:15 Jack Wolf David Tate Arthur Labbe Dominic Alverson Kolbe Nuar Abel Mathieu Xavier Twomey Jackson Neff Karim Santillian Oba Browne
Here's to a great season!
Practice is as follows for this week. Please make sure that your son or daughter is regstered as we will be handing out t-shrits and uniforms before the first game. Please see the
MS Boys A and B teams:
Monday 4:30-6:00 Tuesday 3:15-4:30 (until the first game on November 7) Thursday 5:00-6:00
MS Girls Practice Times:
Monday 3:15-4:30 (starting Oct. 31) Wednesday 3:15-4:30 (Starting Oct. 26)
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! :)
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 Elle Cobb Rachel Meder Thersa Meder Gianna Mulcare
MS B team Boys Schedule (as of today):-
MS A team Boys Schedule (as of today):-
Middle School Boys:
Aaron Summers Luke Sacco Isaac Twomey Evan Craig Ryan Prieto Lewie Chapman Feranmi Browne Rafael Pelaez Nolan Mathieu Logan Lanier Felipe Duran Rafa Firmin Lucas Kichler JJ Kichler Matias Castellanos Mario Munoz Michael Martinez
Please let me know if you have any questions!
"Saturday, October 29th, eight Clays Team members ventured to the Big Red Oak Plantation in Gay, GA, to this year’s final competition before the State Championships. 72 competitors from ten schools each shot one round of skeet, one round of trap, and a 100-shot round of sporting clays.
The weather was a bit chilly, yet morale remained very high, and everyone had a good time.
One lesson everyone learned, albeit in a tacit manner, is that you must be prepared to perform in a multitude of conditions, some of them not favorable. Wearing gloves and jackets makes things feel differently, which matters in a sport requiring precise eye/hand coordination and sharp reflexes. What separates the good from the best is often how the best can perform regardless of the conditions, while the less skilled allow the conditions to impact performance.
Getting up very early on a Saturday and spending all day outside in the elements, teaches people about themselves things they cannot learn while indoors on a computer. The only way to learn is by doing. You cannot predict with any accuracy who will be affected by what until they’re in that situation. Only by using your equipment in field conditions can you really get to know how to use and maintain it. There is no substitute for actual experience.
Last, by shooting at different locations, progress may seem slow, but it has a broader base – that is, the shooter learns to perform in different lighting, with different reference points, etc. To be truly good is to score well under a wide variety of conditions.
For the first time this season, a Holy Spirit shooter, Dillon Harrington, tied for first place in trap and second place in skeet. Our consistent practice and competition schedule has helped the whole team improve, as the team members internalize the many lessons learned this season. As a coach, I’m very proud of our team as they have shown dedication and determination, while having a good time and preparing for the State Championships."
Clay Targets: Luke Craig
"For the Holy Spirit Clays Team, this week’s Athlete of the Week is Luke Craig. Luke joined the team and started shooting shotgun this year. Eager to learn and to help out, Luke can be relied on to help get things set up before practice, and help get things put away afterward. During practice, Luke always puts forth his best effort and his effort is reflected in his scores. After practice Luke takes the initiative to clean his shotgun and helps the other shooters clean theirs. Doing so ensures that everything is ready for our next meet and the shooters can focus on performance." Coach Harrington
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 Nathalie Anaya-Ruiz Maddie Van Oss Ava Sipos Evan Craig
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 Mel Menay
Varsity Football: Jacob Meder
Volume 22, Issue 10 | November 1, 2022
The Evolution of Coaching
Theresa Grentz is a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, having amassed 681 wins across a coaching career that led her to St. Joseph's, Rutgers, Illinois and Lafeyette. She was also the head coach of the US Olympic Women's Basketball Team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where she led the team to a bronze medal. Her oustanding coaching career followed a historic run as a player: the Immaculata College star was a three-time All-American and the AMF Collegiate Player of the Year as she led the famed "Mighty Macs" to three straight National Championships between 1972-1974. There are few men or women more qualified to talk about coaching.
In the short video above, Grentz speaks about the evolution of coaching across her career . What are the things a coach today needs to be aware of? What is the most important thing for today's coaches to address? Listen to the wisdom of an all-time great and consider how this applies to your own efforts, whether at the youth or high school level. Do you need to develop a better understanding of how to best interact with the athletes you coach? Could a change in your emphasis or behavior yield better results in athlete development and success on the field or court? The best coaches are always evolving; take a moment to consider how you can grow in your role as a coach minister in the seasons ahead.
As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 2:6
Join Us for Our Next Partner Meetup on November 16th!
Play Like a Champion will host our third Partner Meetup of the year on November 16th, an opportunity for youth and high school partners to discuss important topics in sports and share best practices with fellow leaders. Each session lasts just one-hour and offers a guest speaker, time for discussion, and an opportunity to ask questions or raise topics of interest with the group. This month's "meetup" will feature a recap of the Vatican's international summit on Sport for All: Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to Each Person . Kristin Sheehan and Peter Piscitello will share about their experience, with key takeaways on the Church's mission for sports and practical application for youth and high school leaders in the United States.
If you have not already, click the link below to register for free and join us for the remainder of this year's meetups. We'll send you an email reminder and link to join prior to this month's event!
A Prayer for Teams
Today is All Saints Day, a Holy Day in the Catholic Church celebrated on November 1st each year. This day celebrates all those who have attained heaven. Among the most well-known modern saints is St. Teresa of Kolkata, best known as Mother Teresa. She wrote the poem below, which is engraved on the wall of her home for children in Calcutta. It makes a great prayer for young athletes.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend a year building someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today people will forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God, it never was between you and them anyway.
Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
PO Box 72, Notre Dame, IN 46556 | information@playlikeachampion.org
www.playlikeachampion.org
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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 The Hossain-Aguilar Family 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
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.