February 16, 2023
February 16, 2023
Dear Wildcat Families,
Happy Thursday!
We indeed have so much to be thankful for at SJB. We have had a great week of learning and activities. To name a few, on Monday, our seventh and eighth grade students had their second session with our dance instructor, Andy, in social dance. I enjoyed watching them navigate the nuances of the rock step and both partners learning their parts to do turns. On Tuesday, we went to Mass in faith families again. It is so nice to see our older students sitting with our younger students and assisting them in finding the correct hymn to sing, and encouraging them with the Mass responses, etc. New friendships are budding and forming. All classes enjoyed the Valentine’s Day parties on Tuesday. Thank you to all the room parents who planned and provided such wonderful parties. Much fun was had! Fifth grade and second grade book buddies got together for part two of their Jan Brett author study yesterday, and enjoyed drawing animals in the style of Jan Brett. They also recreated their favorite page of the Jan Brett books that each pair read. Our seventh graders spent an hour on a Zoom call with Doctoral student, Corey Schultz, from the University of Georgia. Schultz studies how microbes affect corn and how corn affects microbes, identifying the microbes corn inherited during stressing times. Students were able to ask questions and learn about being a scientist and a graduate level student.
The Knights of Columbus Annual Spelling Bee contest for fourth – eighth grades was held last Friday. The following students represented their class: Isaiah Alanis (4), Nixie Vargas (4), Madelyn Buchmann (5), Karina Sivertsen (5), Michelle Philip (6), Levi Renzulli (6), Michael Thang (7), Henry Weitz (7), Brielle Borner (8), and Lucia Vang Nu (8). Michelle Philip, Karina Sivertsen, and Lucia Vang Nu came in first, second, and third place, respectively, and will be moving on to the Regional Spelling Bee held in March. Forty-four rounds were completed to determine the winners this year! Congratulations to all our class and building winners! Thank you to our judges, Mrs. Ascenzo, Mr. Hollatz, and Miss Martin. Bernie Madden served as the moderator; Jackie Madden was our pronouncer; and Al Kalitzky was the recorder. We are thankful to all!
Please be sure to return your registration forms and remit the family registration fee of $150 by March 17 to qualify for the Early Bird Registration for K-8 and lock in this year’s tuition rate for K-8 students. Please see the posting for details.
Our Cook’s Night Out at Pal Joey’s in West Chicago on January 31 was a huge success! We received $528 for our Athletics Program! Thank you to everyone who took part in this fundraiser! Every dollar helps our program. We are extremely thankful for everyone’s generosity and participation!!
Speaking of Athletics, we had a fantastic pep rally this afternoon whereby we honored our basketball teams and had a staff vs. 8th grade team basketball game. Sadly, the staff lost, but they certainly were entertaining to watch and played hard. The MVP for the 8th grade team in today’s game was Liam Zbierski, and the MVP for the staff was Mr. V, as determined by the 8th grade team. Thank you to our Athletic Director, Jason Woodbury, for introducing our teams and running the scoreboard. Many thanks to Charles Stith for serving as our referee and Coach Jim Cabrera for coaching the eighth grade team. The beloved four corners game was even played at the end of the pep rally and student led by eighth grade boys.
Our final home games for the season are on Saturday, February 18 at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM. Our eighth grade players will be recognized and honored just before their game at 5:00 PM. Let’s pack the stands!
Here’s the link of eighth grade student and vice president of our Student Council reading chapter 14 of Aven Green Baking Machine: https://youtu.be/OedmcJMkQks
Our last chapter of the book will be shared tomorrow. We truly hope that your family has enjoyed the book, and we are hoping to have a special guest help us celebrate the completion of the book. More to follow later.
Tomorrow marks the end of the second trimester. Report cards will be published on February 24 after 3:00 PM. It is hard to believe that the second trimester of the year is almost over, and that the last trimester will be commencing on Tuesday. There is so much spiritual, academic, social, and physical growth yet to take place. Learning will continue to abound!
As we begin our third trimester on Tuesday, February 21, please be reminded that the tardy bell rings at 7:45, and that students should be in their classrooms and in their seat at that time. They should not be dropped off at 7:45 AM. As a reminder morning drop-off begins at 7:30 AM. It is important that all students are on time and prepared for their day of learning. Our school handbook was recently revised to add the absence and tardy policy that was required of nonpublic schools in Illinois. It states:
‘“Chronic absences” means absences that total 10% or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause, and out of school suspensions. The Catholic Schools Office considers absenteeism excessive when it significantly interferes with a student’s learning, as reflected in academic performance or social development. Excessive absenteeism includes excessive tardiness.”
Next Wednesday, February 22, is Ash Wednesday. All classes including preschool will be attending 8:15 AM Mass in the church and will receive ashes. As always, you are welcome to join us. Please be reminded that all students must bring a lunch on Wednesday. We will be not serving Chick-fil-A on Ash Wednesday. We will also be going to Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 2:00 PM in the chapel. Please know that you are welcome to join us for Stations as well. Please check backpacks for the Lenten booklet, “Trust in the Lord a Lenten Path for Families.” As I shared last week, the booklet shares a passage from the Bible and adds a short reflection each day. Then, families are asked to put their faith in action- not just read about it, but to do it. We hope that you find that this little booklet provides you with an opportunity to embrace your faith as a family as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. Grades 3-8 will also be going to Feed My Starving Children during Lent. You should have received permission slips recently.
Looking ahead to next week, we have a few very exciting events on Friday. Our preschool has invited the dads for Donuts with Dads on Friday, February 24. Dads of students in our preschool are welcome to join our preschool classes in St. Cecelia Hall beginning at 8:00 AM. Next Friday, our Student Council is also sponsoring a Dress Down Day for Leukemia/Lymphoma Society (LLS). All proceeds will go to the St. Francis LLS Club which will be donating the money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Students are invited to wear orange to support Leukemia research with a minimum of a $1.00 donation. Any free will donation will be accepted. Lastly, our Mother Son Bingo is next Friday, February 24, in St. Cecilia Hall from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. It is sure to be a fun night of Bingo with a delicious dinner, and an opportunity to win awesome prizes. Reservations for this event were due today, but there is still room for more mothers and sons. Please send in RSVPs by Tuesday, February 21.
SAVE the DATE
Attention! Attention! We have some exciting news to share. SJB will be hosting its first Roller Skating Party on March 15th at Funway Amusement Center. More details to follow, but please SAVE THE DATE!! We look forward to seeing you all there!
As a reminder, we do not have school tomorrow due to a Teacher Institute. We will not be in session on Monday, February 20, in honor of Presidents’ Day. School will resume on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Enjoy the four-day weekend! It’s the perfect time to see if your child needs a haircut or trim. We have noticed that a few boys’ hair is growing so fast, and that their hair is now at shoulder length and/or their bangs have grown below their eyebrows. Please see the handbook for further details to make sure that your child is compliant.
With joy,
Joanne