Laura Elizabeth Rauch—the woman whose great generosity to the Academy resulted in the gymnasium being named in her family’s honor—has died at the age of 92. Mrs. Rauch was the mother of The Honorable Lucy Rauch, Academy Class of 1968.

Mrs. Jane Cannon, our former Alumni Director, shared the address she gave at an awards dinner honoring Mrs. Rauch some years ago:

When I was asked to say a few words on behalf of the Sacred Heart Academy about Elizabeth Rauch, a number of words popped into my mind—probably the same words that are on the tips of everyone else’s tongues when they think of her. Words like: assertive, down-to-earth, enthusiastic, optimistic, positive and, of course, the ever-popular “generous.” And then there are a few that give Elizabeth Rauch her unique panache. Words like: wit, style, and a very old-fashioned one: “pep”!

KMOV-Channel 4’s Steve Harris recently featured one of our Fifth Class students, Grace P., in his weekly “Harris Hero” segment. Eleven-year-old Grace has been hosting an annual pancake breakfast since she was five years old to raise funds for sick children.

Click here to learn more/view the segment.

Tours of classrooms, displays of student work, tours of historic areas of our campus, and refreshments in the White Center await visitors on Grandparents Day, Sunday, March 13. We are eager to welcome these very special members of our Academy community! The day will begin for ASH students and their grandparents at 10 a.m. with liturgy in Rauch Memorial gym.

• Students are allowed to bring a VSP (Very Special Person) in place of grandparents who are unable to attend.
• Please enter through Rauch Memorial.
• Please do not use St. Charles Borromeo parking lots for this event, as Sunday masses will be in progress there.
• Grandparents will be receiving a postcard reminder in the mail.
• For further information, call 636-946-6127.

Several of our students play cricket regularly. Susan Harris from the American Cricket Academy and Club came to school this week to demonstrate cricket with Parth Patel for the students in Classes 3-8. She brought equipment with her and guided some of our students in play. She was also kind enough to leave a set of equipment with us so that we can play with our students, which we plan to do in the spring. The game is somewhat similar to baseball and played on a field two soccer fields long. Our students really enjoyed it! We are grateful to Ms. Harris and Mrs. Patel for arranging this demonstration.

Are you curious about the Academy of the Sacred Heart? Come learn more at our Talk and Tour Tuesdays.

With so many educational options in the area, it can be challenging to find the best school for your family. But imagine your child happily growing in a place where students are energized and eager to learn … where courtesy is modeled and expected … where students become confident and capable learners … where graduates are prepared to succeed, lead and contribute … where love is taught by loving!

Join us for a Talk and Tour Tuesdays Feb. 9, 16 and 23, beginning at 9 a.m. Please contact Admissions Director Lisa Tebbe to schedule your visit.

We are proud of our nearly 200-year heritage as a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Louis! Several years ago, HEC-TV created a documentary entitled Mission to Educate: A Faithful Past, a Faith-Filled Future. It is a rich historical review of how St. Louis earned the title ‘Rome of the West’ and how St. Louis Catholic schools constantly evolved to continue the tradition of excellence.

St. Philippine Duchesne and the Academy are featured throughout the film.  Click here to view Mission to Educate. 

Click here to watch a shortened version of the film (approx. 10 min.).

We join Catholic schools in the St. Louis area in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week Jan. 31 – Feb. 5.

We look forward to having Bishop Edward Rice preside at our First Friday liturgy Feb. 5 at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to join us in Rauch Memorial.

One element of our Catholic curriculum is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, in which our youngest students nurture their understanding and relationship with Jesus. Our Pre-Primary through First Class students regularly visit the Atrium, a learning space created for Catechists and students to do their “work.”

The Feb. 15 deadline is approaching to bid on two valuable books (now out of print) that were given with the suggestion that proceeds from their sale might add to the memorial established in the name of Cindy Cannon Brooks ’75. These books have particular appeal to Sacred Heart people, who will recognize the name of Louise Callan, RSCJ as the historian who wrote so beautifully about Philippine Duchesne and about the Society of the Sacred Heart. The titles of the books are:

• The Society of the Sacred Heart in North America, published in 1937
• Philippine Duchesne, Frontier Missionary of the Sacred Heart, published in 1957

Congratulations to these students in Classes 3-8 who took part in last week’s Spelling Bee finals. It was an amazing contest that last 31 rounds. High fives for our winner, Anastasia, and runner up, Mary Kathleen. They’ll be ready to represent the Academy in the regional Scripps Spelling Bee competition.