Many of our students, teachers and staff have participated in service projects around our community this Advent Season. Thank you for sharing them with us so that they may share the light of Christ with our community!
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Saint Peter Catholic School will host an open house for prospective PreK and Kindergarten families on Tuesday, January 29, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. The PK3 program is open to students who will be 3-years-old on/before August 31, 2019. The PK4 program is open to students who will be 4-years-old on/before August 31, 2019. Kindergarten is open to students who will be 5-years-old on/before August 31, 2019. You can claim our PreK programs on your income tax returns. The Kindergarten program is not eligible to be claimed on tax returns; however, tuition assistance is available for families who qualify. Funds from a 529 account may also be used for tuition at a Catholic school from grades K-12. Little ones love it here! Let us show you why. Please join us on January 29. Your children are invited as well! The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress on December 22, 2017 adds new section 529(c)(7) to permit qualified tuition plans to make nontaxable distributions for tuition in connection with attendance or enrollment at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school, up to $10,000 incurred during each tax year, on a per-student basis.
A significant benefit of a section 529 plan is the ability to grow income tax free until amounts are distributed for a “qualified higher education expense,” which now includes tuition and other expenses for attendance at K-12 Catholic schools. Thus, the change benefits those who can and do take advantage of 529 plans. What is a “529” plan? A 529 plan is a special, tax-advantaged account designed to encourage saving for college. The federal tax advantage is that earnings on funds contributed to 529 accounts are not federally taxed. Example: Parent deposits $1,000 into a child's 529 account at birth. The 529 account is worth $2,500 when the child attends college. If the $2,500 is properly used to pay college expenses, there is no federal tax on the $1,500 earned. Why are you telling me this? What’s changed? While 529 accounts have been available for use toward paying college expenses for decades, effective 1/1/2018 federal law expands the allowable use of 529s to include K-12 expenses. What can I do? Consult with your personal accountant or financial adviser to determine if a 529 account is appropriate for you. Top 5 questions to ask your tax advisor now: 1. Is a 529 account right for me? 2. What are the specific benefits and limitations of 529 accounts in my state? 3. Am I better off waiting until my state clarifies its 529 rules before taking action? 4. What impact do 529 savings have on financial aid? 5. What is the interplay between 529 contributions and gift tax limits? This is a community service update. It is not tax advice. Consult with your tax adviser to determine your best course of action. Saint Peter Catholic School participated in the Hour of Code during Computer Science Week, December 10 - 17. The Hour of Code is a nationwide campaign held during Computer Science Week to spark students' interest in coding and careers in computer science. This is also a component of Middle School STEM/STREAM education.
Coding encourages students to think logically and be creative with technology. Studies show that in 2020 ther will be more jobs available in computer science fields than there will be students to fill these positions. Students in first through eighth grades learned about coding with Mrs. Shari Crumpler, our computer teacher and technology facilitator. She also invited Mr. Ryan Butcher, a parent of four at SPCS and co-founder of eAudit.com, to talk with the students about coding and careers in coding. In total, SPCS students completed 31,521 lines of code! Congratulations, and keep coding! Thank you to everyone who donated so far to the Tree of Warmth, a collection of new hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. The SPCS National Junior Beta Club organized the effort to donate dozens of items to Catholic Charities. The students have also collected dozens of gently used winter coats for children.
Donations continue through Friday, December 21. At Saint Peter Catholic School, we have four pillars: spirituality, academics, stewardship and service. The Tree of Warmth is a beautiful example of our service to others. We are so grateful to all who helped us help those in need this season! You're invited to Coffee & Chat with the Principal on Wednesday, December 5 at 8 a.m. in the SPCS Library. Come get to know Mr. Jones better, and enjoy coffee, treats and fellowship with other parents! This relaxed event aims to help strengthen our school community through communication. Some topics may be better discussed in a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Jones. To make an appointment, call (252) 752-3529. If you prefer to submit a question anonymously, click the button below! The Saint Peter Wiredcats FIRST Lego League robotics had a great day at the NC FIRST Lego League regional robotics tournament on Saturday, November 10th, at South Central High School in Winterville.
Wiredcats Green was one of four teams that qualified for the NCFLL State Championship tournament in Greensboro on February 3. Wiredcats Green also won the prestigious 1st Place Champions Award. This is the award for best overall team of the sixteen teams in the tournament. According to the FIRST website, the Champion’s Award recognizes a team that “embodies the FIRST LEGO League experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project.” The Green team's research project features robotically adjustable liquid lens glasses that automatically adjust to accommodate changes in an astronaut's astigmatism due to pressure on the rear of the eyes which occurs during long periods in zero gravity. Wiredcats Blue was named as one of two alternates for the NCFLL State Championship tournament. Wiredcats Blue won the 1st Place Innovative Solution Award for their research project on a suit for astronauts that helps prevent muscle atrophy and bone loss caused by extended periods of time in zero gravity. Faculty members Mr. John Bell (head coach), Mrs. Chelsea Haigwood and Mrs. Katie Howard, as well as SPCS parents Mr. Kevin Pandya and Mr. Bernardo Saucedo, worked together to coach our teams on tournament day. The parents of our team members performed various supportive duties throughout the day and and were instrumental in making this a positive experience for our students. Dozens of veterans came to Saint Peter Catholic Church on Friday, November 9 for the school's annual Veterans Mass. Veterans sat with students attending the school during a Mass that was dedicated to them. In addition to the patriotic songs sung during the celebration, students also performed a full Salute to the Armed Forces, singing the hymns for each of the five branches of the military. You can view the video below. Following the Veterans Mass, the veterans and their family members were invited to a special breakfast. It was a wonderful event to honor the great men and women who have served our great nation! The Saint Peter Athletic Association is now offering an athletic pass system for admission to all Saint Peter Catholic School home games. Forms will be sent home in folders during the first and second week of November. You may also print the form here and send it back to school with payment. These passes give admission to home games. They are not valid at away games or tournament games. Wildcat Package (2 adult passes): $175 Wildcast Pass (1 adult pass): $100 Student pass (Non-SPCS student): $20 *All current SPCS students get free admission to all home games Greenville Mayor PJ Connelly will speak to the Saint Peter Catholic School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 a.m.
Mayor Connelly played on the ECU Baseball team. After graduating, he played professional baseball for a few years for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim before returning to Greenville. He started a real estate business in Greenville before being elected to the City Council and then elected as mayor. |