Dear Parents and Guardians,
This coming Wednesday we will be celebrating our grandparents and grandfriends! We will begin with Mass at 8:15am for students in K-8 and move into the school building after Mass. Students will be seated with their class during Mass and dismiss with their class back to their classrooms. After the students have cleared the church, I will welcome our grandparents/grandfriends and let them know our schedule for the morning. Please note that preschool students will not be attending Mass.
To allow for a somewhat organized traffic flow, we are asking all grandparents/grandfriends with students whose last names begin with A-M go to the classrooms first. Grandparents/grandfriends with students whose last names begin with N-Z will go to the gymnasium first. Students with the last name N-Z will meet their grandparent/grandfriend in the gym. If you are going to the classroom first, I would encourage the grandparent/grandfriend to go to the oldest child’s room first. The oldest child can help navigate to the other classrooms.
When the grandchild/grandparent is ready to transition from the classroom to the gym or the gym to the classroom, they may do so. There will not be any bells announcing a time to switch or any formal presentations. This day has been designed to be very relaxed and laid back to allow our grandparents/friends to enjoy the time with their grandchild. Grandparents may sign their grandchild out with the homeroom teacher and enjoy the afternoon together. All remaining students will dismiss at 11:00am. There is no aftercare on 10/18.
Cyclone Athletics– Help us pack the house this Saturday as we celebrate our fall athletes! We will be recognizing our 8th grade athletes and their parents as well. Games begin at 8am and will conclude at 11am.
Ghost and goblin season is here! Join us Saturday, October 21st from 10am-12noon for a Spooktacular Trunk or Treat event in the north parking lot. You can still join in the fun even if you don’t want to decorate your trunk- all are welcome to enjoy the morning together.
Halloween– Students PS-4th may wear their Halloween costumes to school on Halloween. Students in grades 5-8 can bring their costumes and change at lunch time. An all-school parade will take place at 1pm with classroom parties immediately following. Parents are invited to join us for the parade. If there is inclement weather, we will have our parade in the gym. Parents are invited to that as well. However, please note that only designated room parents will be allowed to enter the school building for the classroom parties following the parade.
Football Mania- Congratulations to our week 4 and week 5 winners! Brian and Erica Lesiewicz won $400 in week 4! Our $25 winners are Dio Manalanson (on a ticket sold by the Czaplewski family), Sherwin Thattil, and Lena Nicker (on a ticket sold by the Sison family).
Picture Retakes– If your child was absent for fall pictures, or if you would like your child to retake his/her picture, photo retakes are Monday, October 23rd in the morning. Students taking pictures do not have to wear their uniform to school on picture retake day.
Local Institute Day– Friday, October 27th is a local institute day for our school staff. School will not be in session as our staff will be in data team meetings throughout the day.
Observed fire drill– In compliance with Illinois School Code, every school in the State of Illinois must annually complete an observed fire drill by their local fire department. Our observed fire drill is scheduled for next week Tuesday.
Scholastic Book Fair– Thank you to Michele Marsico, Jaclyn Dabeca and their team for coordinating our fall book fair! This is always such a fun event that all of the kids look forward to! We could not have been successful without the help of our volunteer parents. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
School start time and end time– Just a reminder that our official school day, as filed with the Illinois State Board of Education, is 7:50am-2:50pm. That means the day begins at 7:50am and the day ends at 2:50pm. Any students who enter the main school doors after the 7:50am bell are marked tardy. We do follow Illinois School Code regarding absences, tardies, and truancy.
2nd Grade Parents– Don’t forget to attend the upcoming First Reconciliation Parent/Child Formation Night. It will be offered two evenings, October 24th and October 25th, at 6pm in the church. You can pick which evening works best for your family. This is a mandatory meeting for First Reconciliation. Please contact the faith formation office with any questions.
Tomorrow’s fieldtrips– Unfortunately the unpredictability of our weather makes it difficult to plan the perfect outdoor fieldtrip. Regardless of the weather, kindergarten will still be attending their fieldtrip to the apple orchard. We are not able to reschedule that trip. However, we were able to reschedule the 3rd and 4th grade fieldtrip to the farm. Kindergartners, please dress appropriately to be outdoors tomorrow. More information will be coming home from Mrs. LeMone and Mrs. Stafford regarding the 3rd and 4th grade trip to the farm.
October and the Most Holy Rosary- Because the month of October is dedicated to praying the rosary, below are some thoughts shared by Father Burke Masters. They have stayed with me over many years and I reflect on them every October.
Why should we pray the rosary?
It is Scriptural. In our prayer, we meditate on the mysteries of Jesus, based in the Gospels, from the Annunciation through the resurrection. The Our Father is the prayer that Jesus taught us. The Hail Mary is based on words from the angel Gabriel and Elizabeth in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke (1:28, 1:42).
It leads us into the mysteries of faith. While we pray the rosary, we are to meditate on the mysteries of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, which are also scriptural. It is not meant to be just a repetition of words, but an opportunity to enter into the deep mysteries of Jesus Christ. Take time to place yourself in the scenes of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Imagine being with Mary when she encounters Gavriel, Elizabeth, the three kings, Simeon, and so many others. Stand with Mary during the passion and death of her only Son.
Mary told us to pray the rosary. Mary appeared to St. Dominic (1170-1221 AD) and asked him to spread the news to pray the rosary. When she appeared to the three young people in Fatima, Portugal, she identified herself as “Our Lady of the Rosary”. Read about these apparitions. Mary never asks for attention. She always points us to her Son and asks for repentance and conversion of hearts. She continues the mission of her Son.
The rosary moves hearts to Jesus. Our world needs peace and conversion of hearts to Jesus, especially right now.
Pray the rosary as a family in your homes. If you’ve never done it, there’s not a better time to try it!
God Bless,
Mrs. Alimento