Walking in a Webex Wonderland

Virtual backgrounds are fun, but let's see what our crafty kids can do when asked to create a real holiday backdrop for their online classes! Plan ahead and bring some holiday cheer to your Webex meetings on Thursday, Dec. 3. After we return to school, we'll also be bringing the fun there with ornaments that you can decorate and hang outside.

Christmas Around the World

Students will have the opportunity to learn how Christmas is celebrated in nations around the world and to participate in an activity about different traditions. This is a great time for families to teach students about their own family and cultural Christmas traditions.

On Friday, Dec. 4, download your Christmas Around the World worksheet and follow the instructions. On Monday, Dec. 7, students will discuss in class what they've learned about Christmas customs practiced in other nations and will share their families' own traditions!

Taste the Hops Virtual Beer Tasting

Join the St. Raphael School Community 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, for a fun-filled evening tasting beer with specially paired homemade chocolates under the tutelage of a beer specialist from True Respite Brewing Company. Experience the essences of malt, hops, and yeast and the flavors they impart on True Respite's award-winning beer. This experience will include a detailed production description, sensory analysis, and a guided tasting featuring four True Respite's beers currently in production.

Note: Open to those who registered for the event in November. Visit the event webpage for details.

A Day of Service to Raphael House

Mother Teresa said: "It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” On Sunday, Dec. 6, we will bring Christmas to Raphael House in three special ways:

• Provide holiday gifts for the residents
• Donate bingo prizes for the seniors
• Participate in an SRS Talent Show via Zoom

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Dine Out at Potomac Pizza (Traville)

Take a night off from cooking and enjoy delicious Potomac Pizza while supporting a great cause—the students of SRS and SRNS! Our Dine Out is 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, courtesy of Potomac Pizza in Traville. Order online (Traville location), go to the fundraising tab, select SRS, and we earn 20% of the proceeds! Buon appetite!

Place order

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Middle School Virtual New Year's Eve Party (Goodbye, 2020!)

Middle-schoolers agree: 2020 needs to be done. Now. And they don't want to wait until Jan. 1! On Friday, Dec. 11, the SRS Student Council cordially invites all middle-schoolers to ring in the new year a bit early! Event details will be sent directly to middle-school students from Mr. Henderson and the Student Council.

Sippin' on Spirits Virtual Wine Tasting

Enjoy spirits and wine from around the world as we embark on a journey of history and taste, presented by world-renowned E. & J. Gallo Winery, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. But it's not all educational—there is fun to be had and virtual social time to meet and get to know other St. Raphael parents!

Note: Open to those who registered for the event in November. Visit the event webpage for details.

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Christmas Cookie Day

Whether you bake your own or purchase the all-inclusive cookie decorating kit made especially for our school by local small business Sugar Belle Confections in Bethesda, spend this lazy Sunday afternoon decorating delicious holiday cookies with your family on Dec. 13! And if you want to share your creations with your SRS or SRNS friends, dial in to a Zoom meeting at your assigned time (get the meeting ID and password from the Wednesday Weekly or Friday Flyer—or contact the HSA President):

• SRNS:  2-2:30 p.m.
• Grades K-2:  2:30-3 p.m.
• Grades 3-5:  3-3:30 p.m.
• Grades 6-8:  4-4:30 p.m.

Ordering closed*

* Cookie kit available for purchase through Santa's SRS Shop, powered by Greater Giving. Act quickly: Decorating kits must be ordered by noon Dec. 5! Visit the shop to learn how to set up your account.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas Bedtime Story and PJ Day

A Christmas PJ Tag Day with a very special reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15—hosted by Teri Dwyer! Get the meeting ID and password from the Wednesday Weekly or Friday Flyer—or contact the HSA President.

School Mass and Class Celebrations

The last day of classes before the break will be filled with Christmas spirit as we celebrate Mass as a school (via YouTube live-stream) and enjoy the company of our classmates on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Letters for Santa Drive-by Drop-off

SRS and SRNS will join the greater parish community in welcoming Santa Claus to St. Raphael! From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Santa will be here to receive your Christmas wish lists and give out treats to all the boys and girls on his nice list (and we know that St. Raphael kids are always on the nice list!). There will also be music and lights for all to enjoy!

Download flyer

The Twinkle Tour

Take a tour of beautifully decorated SRS and SRNS family homes! This event takes the best elements of the Middle School Selfie Sprint and Spooky Squares to create a fun activity for the whole family. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, the tour will begin! A free mobile app will tell participants which houses are on their mission list, and the first "tourist" to post a selfie at each house on their list will win a gift card to Potomac Pizza!

- Signup is closed -