News

Join us for Girls' Night Out

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:30:00 GMT

Discover the Magic of St. Raphael School's Girls' Night Out!

Calling all amazing ladies! Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun, laughter, and empowerment at St. Raphael School's Girls' Night Out! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 24th, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and prepare for an event designed just for you.

Join us for an evening where every woman shines bright! Girls' Night Out is the place to be!

Connect with Like-Minded Women: Forge new friendships and strengthen existing bonds as you mingle with incredible women of all ages and backgrounds.

Indulge in Delicious Treats: Savor delectable bites and sip on refreshing drinks while enjoying lively conversations and laughter.

Win Amazing Prizes: Enter exciting raffles and giveaways for a chance to win fabulous prizes that will make your night even more memorable!

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the incredible women in your life and treat yourself to a well-deserved night of fun and relaxation. Bring your friends, sisters, mothers, and daughters for an evening of sisterhood, laughter, and empowerment.

Date: Wednesday, April 24th | Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. | Location: St. Raphael School

Our fantastic vendors will be joining us for

Girls' Night Out 2024!

BellaMare Designs - Handmade custom jewelry
Chouquette Chocolates - Chocolates for all occasions, seasons and reasons.
Decorative Art by Cathy - Hand Painted Glassware and Gifts
Grace & Griffin - Gently loved classic children's clothing
Green Papaya - candles are crafted with care, are organic, and promote well-being and sustainability.
Little Stumbler - Bohemian funk boutique
LuLaRoe Valerie Kunin - Women & children modest clothing including Disney leggings
Mary Kay - Skincare, makeup, beauty products & gifts
Potomac Tack & Supply - Equestrian-inspired gifts, apparel & accessories
Teachers Shirts and More - Custom-made shirts for all occasions (including birthdays, baby/wedding showers)
The Thinks You Can Think - Crocheted gifts and accessories for kids and adults!
TRESSE - Home & Fashion Accessories
Yolanda Prinsloo Art Studio - Commissioned portraits of people and animals, art for your home and office

Thank you to our 2023-24 Wings Sponsors!

Schools News: February 2024

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School News: April 3, 2022

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 23:00:00 GMT

School News April 3, 2022—read the latest about St. Raphael School and Nursery School! Pick up a copy in the school lobby or at Mass this weekend. $(document).ready(function() { }); School News April 3, 2022—read the latest about St. Raphael School and Nursery School! Pick up a copy in the school lobby or at Mass this weekend. $(document).ready(function() { });

School News: March 27, 2022

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 14:39:00 GMT

School News: March 20, 2022

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Spring Soiree: Saturday, April 2 — Ticket Registration Open

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 23:27:00 GMT

Girls' Night Out: Wednesday, March 16 (7-10 PM)

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 22:39:00 GMT

Girls' Night Out is this Wednesday, March 16 (3/16) from 7 PM to 10 PM. We look forward to our community gathering in honor of this special SRS tradition. Grab your friends, spread the word, & come out to support local businesses! * FREE ENTRY * $(document).ready(function() { });

School News: March 13, 2022

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School News: February 27, 2022

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

SRS Career Day 2022

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School News: February 20, 2022

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for Girls' Night Out on March 16 from 7-10 p.m.

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 19:56:00 GMT

After two long years, we are thrilled to announce that St. Raphael’s Girls' Night Out event is back this Spring. Hooray! All are welcome to this community event. Grab your girlfriends, spread the word, and join us for a fabulous time on Wednesday, March 16 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $(document).ready(function() { });

School News: February 13, 2022

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School News: February 6, 2022

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, Feb. 1: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:00:00 GMT

A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools During Catholic Schools Week, the national campaign A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools begins at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1 and runs for exactly 24 hours. Our community is invited to donate toward unanticipated expenses taxing the budgets of SRS and SRNS during COVID-19. With your help, we can continue to fulfill our mission of offering a St. Raphael Catholic education. Thank you, Guardian Angels! Donate Now $(document).ready(function() { });

School News: January 30, 2022

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

St. Raphael School Lands 2019 Blue Ribbon!

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:43:48 GMT

SRS Lands 2019 National Blue Ribbon! from St. Raphael School on Vimeo.

Amid a sea of blue confetti and "No. 1" blue foam fingers—and against a backdrop of a giant blue banner proclaiming, "We did it!"—St. Raphael School in Rockville celebrated its first National Blue Ribbon on Sept. 26. The youngest school in the Archdiocese of Washington, SRS opened in 2006 and earned the prestigious honor the first year it was eligible.

Operated by the U.S. Department of Education, the Blue Ribbon program honors public and private schools that have graduated at least five classes. Non-public schools are recognized as “exemplary high performing” if student achievement in English and math is in the top 15 percent in the country. With scores well above the national average and exceeding the archdiocesan average, SRS has consistently surpassed Blue Ribbon requirements.

"The award is a shared blessing among all of our families, students, teachers, and staff," said teacher Jerry Nash, a 2019 recipient of the archdiocesan Golden Apple Award. "It is an affirmation of the leadership that Teri Dwyer brings as principal.”

"The Principal of the Year, the NCEA award, and our Golden Apples were all individual accolades," said Dwyer, who was honored as the ADW's Principal of the Year in 2018 and recognized among the country's top educators by the National Catholic Educational Association in January. "But this recognition is for our team—students, parents, staff, families, parishioners. We weave Christ into everything we do. This Blue Ribbon is like a gold medal validating a job well done!"

50 Memories for the SRNS 50th: No. 9

Sun, 21 Apr 2019 17:37:05 GMT

Mission: Find the person who drew “Raffi,” the familiar children’s drawing in the logo for St. Raphael Nursery School. The quest begins in 2015, when the school Development Office publishes a “Who Drew Me?” item in School News of the parish bulletin. An unidentified caller leaves a voicemail, saying the drawing was made by the child of then SRNS Director Janet Brewer. The number is tracked to parishioner Sharon Discavage, who gets credit for the first great clue.

MJ Zafis-Garcia of the Development Office pores through parish directories and the internet in search of Janet Brewer. She uses other online tools to narrow down the possibilities by age and location, eventually zeroing in on a woman in Potomac whose profile seems to check all the boxes. Zafis-Garcia mails a letter and waits. Janet Brewer calls. The Janet Brewer. And her information is gold.

No, it wasn’t her child who drew Raffi, but she remembers who it was. It was a student named Elizabeth O’Connell. It was probably 1976, she estimates, back when St. Raphael Nursery School was a co-op run by parents. The school had the 4-year-olds draw pictures, and the parents chose the winning drawing. “We put it on T-shirts and tote bags,” Brewer says. “It’s still on T-shirts and tote bags!” Zafis-Garcia replies. Brewer even remembers the name of Elizabeth’s parents, Maureen and Dan.

The mission to find Raffi’s artist gets overtaken by more pressing needs, and the project is put on hold. When 2019 arrives—the year of SRNS’s 50th anniversary—Zafis-Garcia resumes her search. She finds three people who seem to be a match for Elizabeth, Maureen, and Dan O’Connell, and she mails more letters. Jackpot. Elizabeth O’Connell calls. The Elizabeth O’Connell (now Elizabeth Stanislav). “I actually did draw that,” she says giddily on a voicemail. “My mother will be so excited.”

Stanislav still lives in the area and turns 47 this month. She is a physical therapist for the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program. The Stanislavs are parishioners at St. Patrick’s. Zafis-Garcia invites her to stop by SRNS to see the school. On her recent visit, she is surrounded by students of all ages—rounded up by SRNS Board President Ashley Mendez with help from teacher Camila Samper—all wearing SRNS T-shirts and sweatshirts in her honor. Stanislav is beaming as she comes upon the sea of kids wearing her drawing. She talks about the contest to draw the school logo. “I remember them making a big fuss of it and telling me how awesome it was,” she says. She mentions she has a hazy recollection of the picture being of her mother. So maybe Raffi is really…Rafaela?

It is a happy visit, with hugs and smiles, backdropped by the ambient sounds of children playing—multiple generations woven together by a drawing made by a little girl 43 years ago.

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The SRNS 50th celebration is June 1! Visit the anniversary webpage for details and to RSVP. Walk down Memory Lane with us by visiting the ongoing photo gallery.

Dwyer Named Principal of the Year

Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:23:34 GMT

In a surprise announcement made at the school-wide Morning Prayer Sept. 10, Teri Dwyer was selected as Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Archdiocese of Washington. The Catholic Standard documents the day and captures Dwyer's amazing spirit.