St Helen Elementary School

Mark your calendars for this fun event!

Parents, grab the kiddos and come cool off with free popsicles—our treat!

All are welcome to take part in the event....

We are one week away from the St Helen Festival. It takes many volunteers to make our festival a success including school parents, guardians and even students. Students can earn an out of uniform day to be used next year for every 4 hours worked by themselves or an adult in the family. Many booths are still in need of volunteers- it is a fun way to give back to our parish and school.... Sign Up Genius link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BA8A729AAFC1-63669939-festival?fbclid=IwY2xjawSGwbFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeaYBDF3BNVcmGZN38FiK--Nh6OGbddu7uuZe7x7qsZyz4CpwLw73LxC_arP8_aem_DB2u4cLi9ps_hSTI-DgWJg #/

Festival Volunteer Sign Up 2026 Please look for the booth and then the date/time you want to sign up for. Some booths allow stutdent volunteers, some are 18+ please pay attention for those directions. If working with alcohol YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ALCOHOL TRAINING.(Information in booth sign up) The chair of the booth should have th...

In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV turned directly to parents, and what he said is something every family needs to hear.

1) Don't Give Your Child a Phone Too Early

“Having a personal mobile device at too early an age and using it without adult supervision can exacerbate young people's vulnerabilities, foster addiction and expose them to isolation, bullying and cyberbullying, as well as to pressures to share intimate images or sensitive information.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 141)

The Pope goes further — naming pornographic content, AI‑manipulated images, fake profiles, and pressure to share intimate images as specific dangers that early, unsupervised device access makes worse.

2) Supervise Actively — and Know You Can't Do It Alone

“It is difficult for parents by themselves to resist the influence of business models that monetize attention and time.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 142)

He is not saying parents are failing. He says they are outgunned — up against engineers, behavioral psychologists, and billions of dollars of addictive design. The encyclical still calls parents to active supervision, not passive permission.

3) Teach Children to Recognize Manipulation — By Name

“It is also necessary to teach children, adolescents and young people how to recognize manipulation, defend their dignity and respect that of others in digital environments.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 142)
A child who understands what an algorithm does, why their feed shows what it shows, and why an AI chatbot's warmth is simulated rather than real is harder to exploit. Naming the mechanism is itself a form of protection.

Pope Leo adds:
“...thus can children and adolescents, who are entrusted to our care, be genuinely protected as a precious treasure.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 142)

In a world where every platform competes for your child's attention, the Pope offers a counter‑vision: your child is not a user. Your child is a treasure.

churchpop.com/3-things-pope-leo-xivs-magnifica-humanitas-is-asking-every-parent-to-do-right-now

Story time just got even better 📚✨

Come out to Read & Feed every Wednesday at 11:30 AM starting June 3rd at Stuart Patterson Park! Kids will enjoy a fun story, receive a FREE book, and get a FREE lunch 🍎🥪

Come read, eat, and grow with us—see you there!

Thursday, we celebrated the retirement of Mrs. Saunders, our incredible office manager, at the end of June. Her hard work, kindness, and dedication have made a lasting impact on everyone blessed enough to work alongside her. Thank you, Mrs. Saunders!

Another busy day as we wind down the year… 8th grade clap out and tree planting memorial service for the late Mr Huston.

Congratulations to our 8th graders will graduate this evening. Continue to live virtuously and build character!

We hope to see you at the upcoming St Helen Parish festival- either as a volunteer or patron!