Newsletter - September 11, 2026
A NOTE FROM OUR HEADMASTER
Dear Families,
Here is a recording of the Mission & Culture Brief. Please note that the transcription was generated by Google and I have not (and will not) review it for accuracy. If you were not able to attend, please make time to listen to this.
The second note from this talk I want to emphasize is human formation. I’ll invite you to read from St. John Paul II’s document Pastores Dabo Vobis (I will give you shepherds), especially sections 43 & 44 on human formation. Though specific to priestly formation, it nevertheless applies with some stretching to the formation of the young person, and to the person who is doing the forming of the young person. Human formation is the foundation for the other modes of formation, and especially happens in youth.
Thank you, families, for your “yes” to Sacred Heart Academy!
In His Most Sacred Heart,
Sean Nolan
Headmaster
MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE
SEPTEMBER
11 - Deadline to sign up for conferences
13 - Hot Lunch sign up deadline
15 - Fall Conferences, 4-8pm (Sign up to contribute to Taco Tuesday for teachers!)
17 - Hot Lunch
18 - Fall Conferences 1-5pm, 12:15pm Dismissal
22 - Picture Day, Fall Conferences, 4-8pm
26 - MS Fall Social - Signup here!
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ACTION ITEMS
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Hearts in Harmony Celebrate Sacred Heart with a night out! Enjoy live music, strolling dinner and drinks & spending time with friends, old and new!
Thursday, October 15, 2026
6pm at The Broadway Avenue
1140 Broadway Ave NW
Cocktail attire preferred
RSVP here: https://shojgr.flocknote.com/signup/272453
TIES HAVE ARRIVED! The much anticipated ties from Lands’ End have arrived. Beginning now, we are selling all student ties from the office. The cost is $11 for girls’ ties and $20 for boys. If you do not already have a tie for this school year, please purchase them from the office within two weeks. If you are unable to purchase one within that time, we will give your child a tie, and you will be billed through FinalSite.
CONGRATULATIONS to the newly announced cast of Hans Christian Andersen JR! Our talented and hardworking students showed up once again for this year's round of middle school theater auditions, and this newly released musical promises to be a FUN one ... Travel with us to Copenhagen Dec 4 & 5 @ Sts Peter & Paul parish center!
REMINDER that our high school auditions for Titanic: The Musical are just around the corner ... We are especially in need of more males to round out the ship's crew! More info can be found at shgr.org/theaterarts .. See you Oct 7 & 8 at auditions!!
Picture Day Picture Day is Tuesday, September 22. Please go to here to place your order. Our order code is 0661KJF. Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Cash and checks are not accepted. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day.
Picture Re-take Day is Tuesday, November 10.
Yearbooks will be sold separately. The sale will be offered online after the new year. Yearbooks are not included in photo packages.
Class Composite pictures (i.e. whole class pictures) will be sold in the spring.
Please make a copy of your order for future reference (i.e. yearbooks, class composite).
Questions: Sara Klooster
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for September 15th, 18th, and 22nd. We would like to partner with you early in the school year. Please click here to schedule your children’s conferences! You are highly encouraged to sign up for a conference with your children’s homeroom teacher. If you wish, you may sign up for a conference with any of their other teachers as well.
Conference sign-up closes on Friday, September 11th. If you miss this deadline, you may contact the teacher you would like to meet with directly to set up appointments. If you have any questions, please contact Helen Kennedy, office@shgr.org.
To ensure quiet halls and that our staff get a break before conferences, pick your children up promptly at dismissal time. Students will not be readmitted to the building after dismissal. The Academy does not provide childcare before or during conferences. Please plan accordingly.
The Middle School Fall Social is set for Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm @ Post Family Farms in Hudsonville, MI. All 5th through 8th grade students are welcome to attend. The event will include a hayride, barn dance, corn maze, play area and homemade donut for each attendee.
Cost is $15/person. A parent is asked to attend (and pay) from each family to provide ample supervision. You may sign up and pay through Flocknote or at the school office. Questions? Contact Lisa Walton or Rachel Mullins.
Hope to see you there!
Yearbook Cover Contest
The Yearbook Club is hosting a cover contest, open to all academy students. All entries must be submitted to the school office by Friday, Oct. 16. Submissions must be drawn vertically (portrait) on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of white printer paper using colored pencils only and represent this year's Scripture Theme: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you...so as to give you a future of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. The submissions must also include the scripture verse written on it. Any questions, please contact Nicole May, Yearbook Advisor, at yearbook@shgr.org.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
6pm at The Broadway Avenue
1140 Broadway Ave NW
Cocktail attire preferred
RSVP here: https://shojgr.flocknote.com/signup/272453
TIES HAVE ARRIVED! The much anticipated ties from Lands’ End have arrived. Beginning now, we are selling all student ties from the office. The cost is $11 for girls’ ties and $20 for boys. If you do not already have a tie for this school year, please purchase them from the office within two weeks. If you are unable to purchase one within that time, we will give your child a tie, and you will be billed through FinalSite.
CONGRATULATIONS to the newly announced cast of Hans Christian Andersen JR! Our talented and hardworking students showed up once again for this year's round of middle school theater auditions, and this newly released musical promises to be a FUN one ... Travel with us to Copenhagen Dec 4 & 5 @ Sts Peter & Paul parish center!
REMINDER that our high school auditions for Titanic: The Musical are just around the corner ... We are especially in need of more males to round out the ship's crew! More info can be found at shgr.org/theaterarts .. See you Oct 7 & 8 at auditions!!
Picture Day Picture Day is Tuesday, September 22. Please go to here to place your order. Our order code is 0661KJF. Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Cash and checks are not accepted. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day.
Picture Re-take Day is Tuesday, November 10.
Yearbooks will be sold separately. The sale will be offered online after the new year. Yearbooks are not included in photo packages.
Class Composite pictures (i.e. whole class pictures) will be sold in the spring.
Please make a copy of your order for future reference (i.e. yearbooks, class composite).
Questions: Sara Klooster
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for September 15th, 18th, and 22nd. We would like to partner with you early in the school year. Please click here to schedule your children’s conferences! You are highly encouraged to sign up for a conference with your children’s homeroom teacher. If you wish, you may sign up for a conference with any of their other teachers as well.
Conference sign-up closes on Friday, September 11th. If you miss this deadline, you may contact the teacher you would like to meet with directly to set up appointments. If you have any questions, please contact Helen Kennedy, office@shgr.org.
To ensure quiet halls and that our staff get a break before conferences, pick your children up promptly at dismissal time. Students will not be readmitted to the building after dismissal. The Academy does not provide childcare before or during conferences. Please plan accordingly.
The Middle School Fall Social is set for Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 6:30-8:30pm @ Post Family Farms in Hudsonville, MI. All 5th through 8th grade students are welcome to attend. The event will include a hayride, barn dance, corn maze, play area and homemade donut for each attendee.
Cost is $15/person. A parent is asked to attend (and pay) from each family to provide ample supervision. You may sign up and pay through Flocknote or at the school office. Questions? Contact Lisa Walton or Rachel Mullins.
Hope to see you there!
Yearbook Cover Contest
The Yearbook Club is hosting a cover contest, open to all academy students. All entries must be submitted to the school office by Friday, Oct. 16. Submissions must be drawn vertically (portrait) on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of white printer paper using colored pencils only and represent this year's Scripture Theme: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you...so as to give you a future of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. The submissions must also include the scripture verse written on it. Any questions, please contact Nicole May, Yearbook Advisor, at yearbook@shgr.org.
Yearbook Club Starts Wednesday, Sept. 30
The yearbook club will meet twice a month on Wednesdays during recess/study hall. The first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 12:20-1:05 p.m. Yearbook is open to any students in grades 6 -12. The yearbook club is responsible for selecting the winning yearbook cover, designing page backgrounds and layouts, and taking pictures that will be included in the yearbook. If your student has an eye and interest in art, design, and organization, this club is a great way for them to explore those interests! Parents of interested students, please email yearbook@shgr.org indicating your child's interest. Students can also just show up to the first meeting.
Families, Sacred Heart Academy is looking for these roles for the upcoming year. Please consider helping us and please consider sharing with your network if you know of anyone who might be interested in and qualified for one of these roles:
Discernment and Formation - Parents of upper school students should bookmark the Office of Discernment and Formation Page to stay up to date. If you have a student in high school, you need to make sure you have an operable CLT account. If you have already created an account you do not need to make a new one, but if you have not created one, please email Tim Walsh twalsh@shgr.org for instructions.
Volunteer Drivers If you plan to drive students for field trips, you must be Virtus trained and complete a driver form. Please note: Driver information usually expires every six months, so you will most likely need to complete a second form throughout the duration of the school year. Questions: Sara Klooster
VIRTUS - All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and all drivers must submit a Driver Information Sheet. See VIRTUS Registration Instructions. Forms must be completed BEFORE transporting students. Please return this form to the office or via email to Sara Klooster.
The yearbook club will meet twice a month on Wednesdays during recess/study hall. The first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 12:20-1:05 p.m. Yearbook is open to any students in grades 6 -12. The yearbook club is responsible for selecting the winning yearbook cover, designing page backgrounds and layouts, and taking pictures that will be included in the yearbook. If your student has an eye and interest in art, design, and organization, this club is a great way for them to explore those interests! Parents of interested students, please email yearbook@shgr.org indicating your child's interest. Students can also just show up to the first meeting.
Families, Sacred Heart Academy is looking for these roles for the upcoming year. Please consider helping us and please consider sharing with your network if you know of anyone who might be interested in and qualified for one of these roles:
- Lunch/recess monitors: Sacred Heart Academy is looking for paid or volunteer parents to help with lunch and recess from 11am to noon every school day. We are looking for three individuals who will commit their time to being present each day for lunch and recess from 11am to noon. This role will ease the burden of time off of our teachers, enabling our elementary staff to collaborate, plan, and engage with students, families, and each other.
- Seeking New Yearbook Advisor - Are you creative, organized, and looking for a fun way to get involved? We're seeking a new yearbook advisor for the 2027-2028 school year. Nicole May will serve one more year before stepping down as her youngest graduates, making next year the ideal time to assist and learn from her experience. Interested? Yearbook Advisor Duties Want more information? Contact yearbook@shgr.org.
Discernment and Formation - Parents of upper school students should bookmark the Office of Discernment and Formation Page to stay up to date. If you have a student in high school, you need to make sure you have an operable CLT account. If you have already created an account you do not need to make a new one, but if you have not created one, please email Tim Walsh twalsh@shgr.org for instructions.
Volunteer Drivers If you plan to drive students for field trips, you must be Virtus trained and complete a driver form. Please note: Driver information usually expires every six months, so you will most likely need to complete a second form throughout the duration of the school year. Questions: Sara Klooster
VIRTUS - All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and all drivers must submit a Driver Information Sheet. See VIRTUS Registration Instructions. Forms must be completed BEFORE transporting students. Please return this form to the office or via email to Sara Klooster.
Basketball Season
Registration for the Winter Basketball Season is now open. If your son or daughter in grades 7 and above is interested in playing, you must complete this form.
Registration for 5/6 Boys Basketball is open now and closes on September 30th.
You can sign your child in grades 5 & 6 up using this link.
Registration for the Winter Basketball Season is now open. If your son or daughter in grades 7 and above is interested in playing, you must complete this form.
Registration for 5/6 Boys Basketball is open now and closes on September 30th.
You can sign your child in grades 5 & 6 up using this link.
PTC AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Teacher Appreciation Team Members Needed: We are still looking for volunteers to help with our Teacher Appreciation efforts, but you do not need to commit to the entire year! There are four main areas: fall conference meals, the Christmas Gift Drive, spring conference meals, and Teacher Appreciation Week. With several volunteers, each person could coordinate just one activity, making the commitment very manageable. Much of the work can be coordinated remotely, and turnkey notes and templates from previous years are ready to go. We are looking for one or more volunteers willing to coordinate one or more of these activities throughout the year. You can choose an area that works well for you, and you don't have to do it alone! If we are unable to find volunteers to coordinate these activities, we will need to suspend the Teacher Appreciation Team for the time being. We would love to see this important ministry continue and appreciate everyone who is able to contribute.
Immediate Need: Fall Conference Meals
Fall conferences begin next week, and we have an opportunity to help provide meals for our teachers and staff during these long conference days.
Tuesday, September 15 – Taco Tuesday: We are still looking for families to provide food for our teachers and staff. Even one item makes a difference!
Please use this SignUpGenius link to contribute.
Tuesday, September 22 – Mediterranean Potluck: We originally planned to have families provide a meal for this conference night as well. Since we have not had enough volunteers to make that possible, the school has graciously stepped in and will provide dinner for the teachers and staff. School staff will also handle setup and cleanup, so no parent volunteers are needed for September 22.
Young Families Group - All moms are welcome! We are excited for another year at Sacred Heart Academy. Please join us for every first Thursday of the month at 9 am for coffee, snacks and fellowship with other Academy moms. All are welcome, both CEC and Full Time. We will meet on the school playground when the weather permits, and in rotating homes when the weather turns cold. I hope to see you there! Please email edarga1@yahoo.com to be added to the group text.
Upcoming dates:
- September 3rd
- October 1st
- November 5
- December 3rd
PARISH NEWS
Noelle Divozzo - parishoffice@shgr.org
Movie Viewing in Cebelak on Friday, September 11
Holy Grounds Weekend, join us for refreshments after ALL Masses
OCIA and Adult Education Classes begin Monday, September 14
8-Week Rescue Project, welcoming teens through adults on Tuesdays!
September 19, Middle School Youth Group Bike Event
Discernment Opportunities in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Jubilee Year of St. Francis Feast Day Mass- Cathedral, October 4th
High School Youth Group Adoration and Frisbee, October 10th
March for Life 2027 in D.C.
Damascus Summer Camp-Spots Open for 2027!
Meal Train Corner: There are so many reasons to be thankful in this Parish. Please help bless some of the families of our parish who recently welcomed a new little one or are going through a difficult time. The Valente Family, The Vanderhyde Family, The Frantz Family
Fr. Ron's Prayer Intentions for September: For our students and faculty at the Academy as they begin a new academic year, may they be strengthened by the Sign of the Cross through which they will conquer every challenge.