May 4, 2023
May 4, 2023
Dear SJB Families,
What a fantastic Gala we had last Friday! The gym was transformed and was a wonderful setting for A Night at the Oscars! It couldn’t have been done without the many volunteers who assisted in preparation for the night. Thank you for all your help! And the Oscar for the best Committee chair… goes to Gretchen LeMay with the best committee supporting roles awarded to Andrea DeMola and Christina Moreci! They put in countless hours into making the evening a night filled with excellent food, great music, and fun. Thank you to all who were able to attend in person, and all who took part in the online bidding! Numbers are still being tabulated; however, it was truly a successful and memorable event. Thank you, thank you for the ways in which you took part and for your support and donations to this important SJB fundraiser. Your generosity is undeniable and truly appreciated. My heart is full! Please save the date, February 24, 2024, for next year’s Gala.
During this month of May, our commitment to our faith and Catholic identity is indeed apparent as we honor Mary, our Queen Mother. On Tuesday, our second grade and eighth grade students assisted with our crowning of Mary in church. Our second grade students processed into Mass with carnations which were then presented to Mary by eighth grade students Mia Grantz, Alexa Murray, and Faith Owens. Aaliyah Silva and Tyler Stith crowned Mary accompanied by our eighth grade court of Adan Barcenas Alanis, Augustine Cin, Anthony Emlen, Kim Nguyen, Alina Thorson, and Lucia VangNu. We were thankful that the parish music director, Mrs. Rose, provided music for the crowning ceremony and our cantors led us beautifully in song. The third grade class offered the Salve Regina in Latin to Mary reverently and with sweetness. Yesterday, Father Chris led our preschoolers in a simple prayer service in the Mary Garden. Joanna Gorski from the four year old class, crowned Mary. Afterwards, each child, presented her with a flower. The delight and reverence they exuded was a true joy to behold. Next week, we will be gathering to honor Mary as we pray the rosary and do the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our preschool classes also did a special service project and surprised our teachers with colorfully painted May Day baskets throughout the week. They were filled with handmade flowers. What a sweet May tradition, and a wonderful way to thank our teachers and staff for all they do for the SJB family.
Speaking of preschool, Preschool Moms have been invited to our first Muffins with Moms on Monday, May 8. We are so excited to finally be able to launch this new tradition. Preschool Moms, please enter door 9 at 8:00 AM on Monday. We can’t wait for you to come!
The eighth grade had a wonderful graduation trip to Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin yesterday. They participated in team building games as well as the high ropes course while there, and learned about the importance of communication, collaboration, accepting ideas, persevering, and succeeding in challenges. Pictures will be added to the SJB FB page after all the eighth grade students have been honored. From Covenant Harbor, we went to Popeye’s on the Lake for lunch followed by some time in the town and a stop for ice cream. Before heading home, we took a boat ride on Geneva Lake! We learned about some of the mansions on the lake and the history of the area. What a beautiful setting it was for their time together on a gorgeous day!
Today our fifth grade students graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., Program. We were privileged to have Chief Schar and some Winfield police officers here to present the certificates. D.A.R.E. is led by Mrs. Redar in a series of classroom lessons over twelve weeks and teaches students how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug, alcohol, and violence-free lives. We were fortunate to have Chief Schar and Officer DePue from the Winfield Police Department assist with the program during D.A.R.E for a few lessons, and are thankful for the partnership with the WPD. Congratulations go to Camila Ascencio Perez, Danielle Borner, Madelyn Buchmann, Luca Genuardi, Caden Grantz, Alessia Jais, Viviann LeMay, Filip Mikrut, Sophia Moreci, Nathan Nelson, Karina Sivertsen, Landen Stith, Joseph Sullivan, Dominic Thawm, and Christopher Woodbury. Each student wrote an essay demonstrating what they learned and pledging a drug free life as a requirement for the program. Additionally, each student narrated a slide highlighting their learning that was shared during the graduation. Special thanks go to Mr. Hollatz for recording the students and assisting them with the slides, to Mrs. Redar for purchasing the cake for our fifth graders and guests, for coordinating it all, faithfully teaching the lessons; and to the parents, for your support and for joining us for the celebration. Congratulations to all!
Please plan to join us for our spring production, Snow White and the 7 Endings on Friday, May 12 at 7:00 PM and/or Saturday, May 13 at 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Our cast and tech crew have been working incredibly hard on this musical comedy. You are in for a real treat. Tickets are on sale at www.showtix4u.com/events/SJBTheater with limited tickets available at the door. Online sales end 24 hours before each performance. For sneak peeks, ticket information, and the latest updates, please visit the SJB Theater FB page by searching SJBTheater or clicking this link: www.Facebook.com/SJBTheater "Nacho Day" is next Thursday, May 11 during school lunch for only $3 (cash only/ no pre-orders) to benefit the Theater Department.
Get your raffle tickets for a chance to win amazing prizes! Prizes range the gamut from weekend getaways to Symphony and Improv tickets, restaurant gift cards, delicious treats and cosmetics, PLUS an amazing portable bar. Family and friends also get a chance to purchase a beautiful, limited edition keepsake for our Snow White and the 7 Endings production! Raffle tickets will be on sale during the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, May 7 from 8 am to 11 am in Sebahar Hall and during our performances May 12 and 13 in St. Cecilia Hall. Winners will be announced after the Saturday, May 13 evening performance.
Looking ahead to our Field Day, we once again will be treating our Wildcats (K-7) to a free hot dog lunch on Wednesday, May 24. Please see the posting for the order form. Your K-7 grade child also received a form today, so please check the backpack. If you are interested in helping, please email Mrs. Norton at pnorton@sjbwinfield.org. Volunteers will need to have a Vitus account, have taken Protecting God’s Children, and have an active background check on file. If you want to know if you are compliant with the requirements, please contact me. I can help you with the process. As part of our Field Day, we will be doing a service project. We are collecting items for Alex’s Bags. Mrs. Pierscionek’s brother started this project, and we are delighted to be taking part in it. Please see the posting for suggested items by grade level to donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Don’t forget that tomorrow is a spirit wear day to show that we are SJB proud!
On Saturday, Mrs. Pierscionek, 7th grade homeroom and grades 5-8 math teacher, and Miss Policht, 2nd grade teacher, will graduate with a Master of Science degree in Administration and Elementary Education, respectively, from Lewis University. Please keep them in prayer and join me in congratulating them. This is the second master’s degree for both of them.
Lastly, the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8:00 – 11:00 AM in Sebahar Hall. Don’t forget you will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for fantastic baskets with proceeds supporting our Theater Department.
Have a lovely weekend and week,
Joanne