July 2023 NEWS & UPDATES | STPHILIPS1600.ORG | |
30 Years of Service -
"BUT GOD"
It is with a mix of joy and sadness that we announce the retirement of Telissha Wesson after an incredible 30 years of service. In May, we gathered to celebrate her remarkable contributions and shower her with love from the SPSCC community and her sorority sisters.
Telissha's unwavering dedication and passion for this institution have left a mark on the lives of countless students, colleagues, and friends. Her commitment to excellence, compassion, and mentorship has shaped the very fabric of our community and has touched the hearts of all those who have had the privilege of working alongside her.
Her impact will be felt for years to come as her legacy continues through the Telissha Wesson Scholarship for students of faculty and staff that achieve 30 years of employment.
As Ms. Wesson embarks on this new chapter of her life, we wish her the utmost happiness, fulfillment, and well-deserved relaxation. Though she may be retiring from her official role, we know that her spirit will forever remain an integral part of St. Philip's.
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Check Out the Latest Issue of The 1600 Magazine
The summer edition is here!
Read about our middle school expansion, the impact of our WE BELIEVE campaign, amazing alumni and much more! We encourage you to share the magazine with a friend so they can learn about the incredible things happening at St. Philip’s.
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“Turning Up the Volume on Mental Health”
This weekend, St. Philip’s is hosting the Dallas County Youth Mental Health Symposium. The symposium will include a forum of licensed mental health professionals discussing mental health resources for young people as a method of early intervention.
This event begins at 10 AM Saturday, July 8th and is open to all parents, educators, school administrators, and policy makers who are interested in learning ways to communicate with young people about their mental health. Youth ages 10-18 are also invited to attend, share, grow, and learn new advocacy skills. Registration for this community event is FREE. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register today!
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Line Dancing Lessons for Seniors
On Tuesday, July 11th and July 18th, Ms. Myra Jones will be teaching the beloved senior citizens of our community to line dance in the Miller Family Legacy Gym. Line dancing is not only a terrific way to stay active but also an enjoyable social activity that can bring people together.
Offering free activities like dance classes is an excellent way to promote a sense of community, health, and enjoyment among the senior population. At St. Philip’s, we know that it is up to us to encourage and care for our elders. We are so glad to be able to provide fun and free activities like dance classes for our local senior citizens to enjoy.
For more information, or to RSVP, contact Mr. Jorge Perez at 214-421-5221 or visit our website.
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Community Talent on the Main Stage
St. Philip’s, along with the All-Stars Talent Show Network, is showcasing our talented community on July 29th at 2:30 PM at the South Dallas Showcase & Competition to culminate our summer program. Performers ages 5-25 are invited to display their talents and have the chance to win the $500 grand prize. Routines will be 2½ minutes maximum. To perform, compete, volunteer or learn more submit a registration form OR contact James Adams at 214-484-2112 or jadams@allstars.org.
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Frisco Fighters donate to SPSCC
On Saturday, July 1st, the Frisco Fighters dedicated their last home game of the season to support us! St. Phillips was chosen as the "Non-Profit of the Night", highlighting our significant work.
The Frisco Fighters generously pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to St. Phillips. Students and their families attended and cheered the Fighters on to a 56-15 win! We’re grateful to partner with the local indoor football team and be recognized for our impact on this community.
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Summer Reading
It’s time for summer reading! All students have been asked to put down their electronic devices for a while, read their required book, and complete a project connected to their learning.
Reading is a priority at St. Philip's because it improves memory, increases focus and concentration, increases empathy and creativity, improves cognitive function, and helps you learn something new. Visit this website for more reasons to read a book.
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June Lacrosse Clinic
We're reliving the excitement of our Lacrosse Clinic! From intense drills to unforgettable goals, our campers gave it their all on the field. It was a day filled with friendly competition, teamwork, and passion. Thanks, Coach Flanagan and Coach Hooper, for inspiring our young athletes! Check out the highlights and see the future stars in action. We had such a blast that we're doing it again, keep scrolling for more!
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Stay connected with St. Philip’s by following us on social media. Click on the links below for a few highlights, in case you missed them!
We're hiring!
Summer at St. Philip's
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Dr. Flowers's Words of Wisdom
"Research reveals that during the school year, children’s screen time in America averages 7.5 hours a day. The greatest casualty of this undercover custody battle is the reality that excessive screen time is associated with lower math scores, increased obesity and social-emotional declines."
Read the Blog
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Alumnus, Sebastian White, is a champion of people, particularly the marginalized. His passion advocating for at-risk adolescents has been fueled by his desire to walk with the forgotten to experience the beauty in the human journey. His organization, The Evolved Network is an impactful model that utilizes the culinary arts as a tool for transformation for at-risk youth. It creates unique opportunities for youth with a focus on restaurant development, teamwork, creativity, community, sustainability, nutrition, and communication. The program is currently operating in seven schools with hopes to expand to an actual on-site restaurant space with more staff.
Read more about Sebastian and the graduate class of 2017 in the latest edition of The 1600 Magazine.
If you went to St. Philip’s or participated in Athletics at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, we want to hear from you! We would love to stay in touch and continue to support you in all your future endeavors. Please send updates, graduation announcements, and contact information to Breanna Turnley bturnley@stphilips.com
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Cheer and Dance Registration is Now Open!
The St. Philip’s Cheer and Dance squad is back this year with new high-energy routines! Girls ages 4-12 are invited to sign up for a season of fun. Saints Cheer & Dance is not just about performing; it's a sisterhood that uplifts and encourages each other. By becoming a member of this team, girls will gain lifelong friendships and develop valuable skills in teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Register today!
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Set, Dig, Spike! Volleyball Clinic coming to St. Philip’s
The St. Philip’s Volleyball Clinic will be July 19th from 9 AM to 4 PM. Registration is currently open to 1st through 8th grade girls. Led by experienced coaches and players, the clinic will cover various aspects of the game, including serving, passing, setting, spiking, and defense. It's a great opportunity to improve technique, enhance your understanding of the game, and connect with fellow volleyball enthusiasts!
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Lacrosse Clinic is back July 15th
Back by popular demand! The St. Philip’s Lacrosse clinic will return on July 15th. Boys and girls of all skill levels are invited to join us for another day of fun! Registration is now open for 1st-8th graders. Save your spot today!
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WE NEED YOU - Volunteers Make the World Go Round
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Fresh Food Transporters Needed!
Volunteers continue to pick up surplus meals daily from Snap Kitchen at Mockingbird/Skillman. These meals are distributed through Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, and through other nearby partners when our pantry is closed. Please sign up here if you are interested in helping with this effort. Pick-ups are in the mornings.
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Saint Andrew’s Middle School Mission
Not only does St. Andrew Methodist Church continue to bless St. Philip’s and our neighborhood through their regular cleanup workdays, but they also recently sent students to our campus for their Middle School Mission Trip! 32 middle school students, along with 10 chaperones and interns, spent two full days helping around our campus.
Volunteers arrived on buses each morning ready to serve, and they accomplished so many projects! They worked in the food pantry, picked up trash in the neighborhood, distributed flyers, and beautified our gardens. With their help we organized donated supplies for summer camp, school, the Thanksgiving Feast, the Christmas Store, the Mother’s Day Gift Store, and the Fancy Hat Tea Party. It was all hands on deck!
We are so thankful for St. Andrew Methodist Church for your continued commitment to serving St. Philip’s and our community!
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Naomi Lax, 4th Grade Published Author
In the book, titled “Together Always”, Naomi writes about blended families from a child’s perspective. The book is now available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. Congratulations to Naomi! We know she will continue to do remarkable things in the future.
At St. Philip’s we are extremely proud of our students, and moments like these remind us of why we promote creativity and strive for excellence.
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Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry
is Moving!
Our cherished food pantry will be temporarily closed for the month of July. The closure is necessary as the organization undertakes preparations for transitioning to a new location. The new site, conveniently located just 81 steps away from the current one, offers improved facilities and space to better serve our neighbors.
During this transitional period, staff and volunteers will be focusing on various tasks to ensure a smooth and successful move. We need your help to pack, transport and organize products. Sign up to volunteer with us!
While the pantry will be closed to the public during July, efforts are being made to minimize the impact on the community. If you, or someone you know, is in need please call 214-421-5221 for help with alternative arrangements.
Once the transition is complete and the new location is fully operational, we'll resume our regular services, and continue making a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity. The updated facilities and enhanced services at the new location will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of providing resources for those in need.
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Forest District Safer Neighborhood Initiative
We're collaborating with the Communities Foundation of Texas to offer free Ring doorbells to our neighbors! 🚪
St. Philip’s will be purchasing and installing Ring Doorbells for eligible residents residing within the Forest District boundaries.
The primary objective of this project is to empower residents with advanced home security technology that will provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind. Learn more today!
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Welcome Saints
St. Philip’s is excited to welcome new and familiar faces for our 2023-2024 school year! Applications for the 2024-2025 school year open November 1st, 2023. For questions about our admissions process, please contact admissions@stphilips.com
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You could win $1,000 for reviewing your St. Philip's School and Community Center experience!
Reviews and testimonials that publicly share stories about parent, student, and teacher experiences at St. Philip's are critical for helping new families discover our school and understand what it’s really like.
We would greatly appreciate if you left a brief review on Niche to help other families consider St. Philip's for their child.
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Friends of St. Philip’s continues to generously support the mission of St. Philip’s through various volunteer opportunities, including the food pantry, athletics, faculty and staff appreciations and tutoring. | |
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Renew Your Membership
If you have been an annual member in the past, it’s time to renew your membership or if you would like to join us (memberships begin at $50) please click here.
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WE'RE LOOKING FOR GREAT TALENT | |
Join Our Team
YOU are our best source of referrals! If you know someone who is interested in a career opportunity within our organization that holds these Core Values: (1) Servant Heart (2) Respectful (3) Trustworthy (4) Pursuing Excellence (5) Collaborative, and (6) Dedicated – send them to our website to learn more!
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St. Philip's Merch Store
Our merch store offers a variety of apparel and limited edition 75th anniversary items.
Every purchase you make at the St. Philip’s Merchandise Store supports the organization’s operational initiatives. Shop the Merch Store.
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Experience Feedback Box
We want to hear from you! We now have an anonymous form that can be submitted electronically to offer feedback regarding your experience, suggestions, or compliments.
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How You Can Help
For those who have asked what you can do to support St. Philip’s – PRAY and DONATE. Our needs and that of those we serve continue and grow daily. You can make an online charitable donation here to support our families.
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