The School Scoop - October 26, 2016

October 26, 2016

Dear Parent & Faculty Member,

Amongst the colors of fall this week, we also see a lot of royal blue and red, due to our Chicago Cubs being in the World Series. As a long-time enthusiastic Cubs fan, this epic and historic occasion (long-awaited, too!) is something I will cherish and remember for a very long time. May the Cubs continue to be blessed with much success throughout the post season.

Seeing a lot of red this week reminds us of Red Ribbon Week, recognizing drug and substance abuse prevention. This year's theme is "I'm too smart to start!" We have many events going on this week as outlined in the memo you received earlier this week. I would like to thank our Student Council for helping organize the week's activities.

On a social and family note, I would like to thank Matt and Carrie Wangard for their generosity and hospitality, along with our School Board, for hosting a Teacher Appreciation Dinner last Friday. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend and to speak a few words about how much I love being your principal and a part of your families.

With regard to our faith, I witnessed my first "living rosary" by our students yesterday in our church. I was also reminded of one definition of Catholicism: Grace... Mediation... Sacrament. Grace is God's active, passionate, and desperate presence between, within, and amongst us. God really wants to g et to us! Mediation is a conduit--the 'vehicle' through which God does what He wants to do: g et to people. And finally, Sacrament is the heartfelt experience of God's presence--a moment when God is successful doing one of the only things that He wants to, which is, to get to us. Therefore, by the saying the rosary, God reminds us of His mercy, joy, hope, intimacy, generosity, delight, compassion, courage, surprise, energy, laughter, trust, passion, adventure, healing, vitality, belonging, connection, beauty, forgiveness, risk, truth-telling, accomplishment, inspiration, comfort and love. Wow. These are a lot of positive attributes and gifts from God to us.

I must acknowledge Dr. Terry Nelson Johnson for the above-mentioned ideas. Dr. Nelson Johnson is a theologian, former colleague, friend, and powerful presenter on topics such as love, building community, bullying, faith, and Sacraments. I plan to bring him to our school for an assembly on community, anti-bullying, Sacraments, and love.

One last thought to share from Dr. Nelson-Johnson. God not only wants to get to us, He wants us to receive and mediate His Grace by being a conduit of his love to one another. God bless, and remember, it is a GREAT day to be a Cardinal! And one more thing, Go Cubs!

"Blessings and Best!"

Mr. Thomas Chinske

Principal, St. Cletus School

Dates to Remember

October 27 and 28: Vision and Hearing Screening

October 31: Halloween Parties (Pre-K through 5), 2:00 p.m., Classrooms

November 1: All-School Mass: All Saints Day, 9:00 a.m., Church

November 1: School Board Meeting, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Rectory Basement

November 2: Welcome Wednesday: Early Childhood Open House (Pre-K

& Kdg.), 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Enter through School Office

November 2: All Souls Day

November 4: NO School: Teachers' In-Service

Visit the School Website to view the full calendar.

School News & Information

Fathers' Club Meeting is Tonight

Join us for our next meeting, tonight--Wednesday, October 26, at Armand's Pizza in La Grange (located at the corner of Calendar and La Grange Road in downtown La Grange). We will begin at 8:00 p.m. but will start arriving around 7:30 p.m. See you there!

Halloween Celebration

This year, we will celebrate Halloween at school on Monday, October 31, with parties and costumes. Pre-K through 8 students should come dressed for the morning in your costumes, ensuring to adhere to the guidelines listed below.

Costumes must be comfortable.
Leave all props at home: wands, gloves, brooms, whistles, plastic swords, light sabers, etc.
No masks; try make-up instead. Remember, the children will be wearing this make-up all day.
Wear comfortable shoes--gym shoes are preferred. We will still have gym class and recess.
Costumes must be school appropriate--NO violent or gory costumes, such as Freddy, Jason, etc. However, skeletons, witches, Dracula, etc. are fine.
NO clown costumes are allowed, due to the recent nationwide upsurge of clown pranksters and intimidators.

DirectorySpot School Family Directory is Now Available

Click HERE to access our 2016-17 directory.

Fall Sports Pictures: Thursday, November 3, Morrissey Hall

Cross Country, 4:30 p.m.
6th Grade Girls Volleyball, 4:40 p.m.
Cheerleaders, 4:50 p.m.
5th Grade Girls Volleyball, 5:00 p.m.
JV Football, 5:10 p.m.
7th Grade Girls Basketball, 5:20 p.m.
8th Grade Girls Basketball, 5:30 p.m.

We will also be collecting uniforms on this day, so please prepare accordingly.

A Special Message from the Eco Club

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "Breathing exhaust fumes increases the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma, and allergies, especially in children." Please join the effort to help reduce fumes by reducing idling time, especially when nearby schools. See the Eco Club's Idle-Free Schools Flyer .

Veterans Day Mass

If you or someone you know is a military veteran, St. Cletus and the National Junior Honor Society would like to acknowledge your service. NJHS is planning a special Mass for Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, and all are welcome to participate. Please complete the following Veterans Day Mass Form so that we know how many to expect. E-mail Mr. Kittlaus if you have any questions.

NJHS Service Event

The National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a service event this week called "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF." Students in grades 1-8 received a box and will ask for small donations as they go trick-or-treating. The money raised will be used to provide food, clean water, clothing, education, and many other necessities of life to children around the world. Donations don't need to be large; the spare change in your pocket goes a long way. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to this cause, e-mail Mr. Kittlaus.

Domestic Violence is Everybody's Business

Join us on Tuesday, October 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Church for an event to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury and death for women of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and affects up to 1 in 10 men and 1 in 3 teens. This event will focus on the problem of domestic violence in our community. Together, we will learn more about this epidemic, hear the personal journey of a parishioner-survivor of domestic violence, and learn what we can do to help. This event might not be suitable for children. Please see this Flyer for more information.

Parish Youth Choirs Informational Flyer Registration Form

All students in grades three through eight are invited to join one of the two Youth Choirs. There is still time to register and participate, and if you are in sports this fall, perhaps you'd like to start mid-year. See the registration form and attached flyer for rehearsal times. Questions? E-mail Mrs. Ziemba , Choir Director, or call (708)-710-0644.

Rainbows Group

Is your child coping with the loss of a loved one, divorce, prolonged family illness or other significant event trauma? Rainbows is a group that helps guide children through these difficult periods in their lives by providing a safe place where they can feel free to discuss their emotions. We work together to maintain a level of trust and confidentiality within the group. If you would like your child to attend Rainbows, click HERE for the form--please complete, sign and return it to the school office--Attention, Mrs. Becky Mahr.

Holiday Vendor Fair Flyer Contact Coordinator

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Click HERE to read some information (week 4) featuring "Five Things You Should Know About Dyslexia." Another great resource is this website: Bright Solutions . If you have questions, e-mail Mrs. Bentley or Mrs. Keane .

Parent-Student Handbook Agreement: Required from All School Families

Please click HERE to review the Parent-Student Handbook, print the Agreement page, have all parties sign the document, and return it to the school office. Agreements are due immediately.

School Office Hours

Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Aftercare Pickup

Please park in the angled parking spaces along 54th Street (behind the school building), walk up the sidewalk between the church and the school building, and go to door # 6. Ring the doorbell on the north outside wall at door # 6 to let the aftercare staff know you are here. A staff member will greet you at the door, bring you to Room 99 (aftercare pickup room), and call your child(ren) to the room for pickup. To contact the aftercare staff, call (708) 215-5408 after 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Attendance and Extended Care Notifications

Please notify the school office and teacher(s) for student attendance and/or extended care changes/requests:

School Office: attendance@stcletusparish.com or call (708) 352-4820

Teacher E-mail: [first initial last name @ stcletusparish.com]