Principal's Newsletter
October 12, 2018
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Dear School of St. Mary Parents,
Last week our School of St. Mary 5
th
graders went on a field trip to
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
. Our students took part in two fun and educational activities while there. The first activity centered on
food chain monitors
and taught students how energy passes through the food chain. Students walked through the preserve looking for examples of the food chain in action. After the walk, students were asked to put together an action plan for what the food chain would look like for an animal of their choice. For example, if the students picked a rabbit, they had to determine what the rabbit eats, and what would be a danger to them to conclude what the food chain for that specific animal looks like. The other activity our students participated in was about seeds. The students went through the preserve to find seed pods. They then picked the pods, processed them and were able to redistribute them into the prairie. Our students had an enjoyable and enlightening experience. Thank you to Katie Darraugh and Nicole Graham, our two 5
th
grade teachers, for arranging this!
During Mass on Tuesday at the Church of St. Mary, we installed our 2018-19 School of St. Mary Student Council. The purpose of Student Council is to promote service, leadership, and Christian leaders. Elections were held last May. Our 8
th
graders serve as the Student Council Board. Students selected as Ambassadors and to other Council positions prior to 8
th
grade automatically receive Student Council positions in 8
th
grade. Students elect homeroom representatives from 4
th
- 8
th
grades during the 1
st
quarter of the school year and they serve the remainder of the year. New classroom representatives are chosen each year.
This year's Student Council Board and Officers are:
President - Clara Bartusiak
Vice President - Ciara Carroll
Secretary - Mary Grace King
Treasurer - Connor Boyle
Spirit Officer - Quinn Knight
Spirit Officer - Cami Edwards
Spirit Officer - Sophia Rosinski
P.R. Coordinator/Ambassador - Katy Beranek
We are very excited to see what this group of dedicated students will do for our school this year!
Spirit Week is here. Activities for next week are as follows:
- Monday, October 15 - Comfy Clothes Wear Day: No pajamas or slippers allowed. If you choose to wear leggings your shirt must be long enough to cover one's bottom in the back.
- Tuesday, October 16 - Sports Wear Day: Wear your favorite sport's team attire.
- Wednesday, October 17 - Homeroom Wars Dress-Up Day: Dress up in the category your homeroom class choses.
- Thursday, October 18 - Decade Dress-Up Day: Dress up in clothes from your favorite decade! 80's, 70's, 60's, or 50's attire would be great.
- Friday, October 19 - School Spirit Dress-Up Day: Show off your school pride! Dress in School of St. Mary Crusaderwear or blue and white.
We ask that all students keep outfits school appropriate. Please refer to the Halloween costumes from last week's newsletter.
If dress code rules are broken, students may lose the privilege of dressing-up for the remainder of the week. This will be at the determination of the school administration. If student choose not to participate in dress-up day activities during Spirit Week, they are expected to wear their regular school uniforms.
Friday is our Pep Rally, beginning at 9:00 am in the UGC Gymnasium. It's a time for all the students at the school to gather and cheer on all of our sports teams, as well as show pride in our school.
Our school has a special tradition where each of the 8th grade students is called up by name at the Pep Rally and presents their mother (or parents) with a flower in front of the all of the UGC students in attendance.
Finally, Monday, October 15
th
is the last day students will be allowed to wear uniform shorts until next Spring. Please plan accordingly!
Dave Wieters
Principal
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Photos from the fifth grade field trip to the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
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Chicago Blackhawks' Halloween Candy Drive!
The Chicago Bla
ckhawks are proud to present a Halloween
extravaganza for local children on October 31, 2018. This event will give
300 students from local non-profit organizations the opportunity to
trick-or-treat in a safe and fun environment. In addition to trick-or-
treating, students will be able to participate in a variety of
Halloween themed activities including ice-Skating, face painting,
balloon Animals, pumpkin painting and Blackhawks shoot the puck.
Here's where we need YOUR help! To make this event happen we
need to collect bags of candy to handout to all the kids attending.
Our goal is to collect over
300 bags of candy!
S
o when you buy candy for your house,
please grab a bag to donate!
Buy a bag, Give a bag!
*Please drop candy bags in the front office of the Upper Grade Center by October 19*
If we reach our goal of 300 bags we get a Blackhawks casual day!
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Parents Association Update
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The first Grade Level event of the year took place last Thursday on October 4th, hosted by Sofia and Peter Westmeyer for our second grade families.
Approximately 30 second grade parents met up for drinks and appetizers.It was a great opportunity for parents to meet new people from their child's grade as well as catch up with friends.
All the parents of 2
nd
graders were invited and encouraged to attend.
The Parents Association has been actively seeking out people to run an event like this for each grade. A few more have been scheduled, a few are in the planning stages and we are still looking for someone to organize the 7
th grade gathering.
We would also like to remind you to keep an eye on your inbox for information about upcoming grade level gatherings and other events that are in the works.
If you would like to help support the school you can make a donation to the Annual Fund by clicking here.
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 Please make sure you are placing your orders for hot lunch by clicking
here. We are happy to again be working with such a great organization to bring our students hot lunches, for more information on this great program please read this
story from the AP about how they are changing school lunches.
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Needlepoint Club
Please join Miss Madsen and Mrs. Madsen for a canvas needlepoint club! You will make an ornament to put on your tree. Classes are Wednesday November 7, 28 and December 5, 12 and 19 from 3:45 until 5:15pm for students grades 3-8. The classes are $160 for the whole session and includes all materials and holiday snacks. To get the registration form please click here.
Craft Camp
Get your creative juices flowing and create a personalized wooden sign. Using an or iPad to print a stencil, then choose your paint colors to embellish your sign. Please join Ms. Darraugh Mondays in November from 3:45-5:15pm for students grade 4-8. Craft Camp is $150 for the whole month and includes all material costs. To get the registration form please click here. |
| School of St. Mary Sacrament Schedule |
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Upper Grade Center Book Fair
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| Community Events and resources for School of St. Mary Families |
Lake Forest High School PSAT testing
Dear Class of 2023 Family:
We are offering the assessment on the following two dates:
While actual testing time is 2 hours and 25 minutes, pre-administration, breaks, and the actual test amount to just over 3 hours. Drop-off and check-in should occur between 8:00am-8:25am by the entrance under the blue awning. The assessment will begin promptly at 8:30am. Students should bring #2 pencils and any calculator. Either a graphing or non-graphing calculator is acceptable. Those who qualify for special education or a 504 plan will receive their accommodations prior to the day of the assessment. To assist with planning for the assessment, please complete this form to let us know when you plan to attend the assessment. If you submit the form and need to make a change, after submitting it, please contact my office. Additionally, if you have an extenuating circumstance and are unable to attend the dates above, please contact me.
LFHS continues to utilize the suite of SAT assessments for grades 8 through 11. The PSAT 8/9 serves as one data point among several in making informed placement decisions for incoming 9th graders. Results of this exam will be shared with us and with you when they are received from the Collegeboard. Information regarding the PSAT 8/9 can be found by using the following link:
Our Instructional Directors (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language) will make placement decisions by early February 2019 based on multiple data points. Such data includes qualitative and quantitative indicators like grades, standardized assessments (the aforementioned PSAT as well as the MAP &/or ASPIRE tests), middle school teacher recommendations, and information on their readiness for their next level of challenge based on the student's acquired skills. This process also serves to assist us in identifying and providing supports to help your student succeed at their next level of challenge.
We have used many of these same data points in the past to inform placement. We have simply formalized the process, ensuring consistency while also discussing each child as an individual, being more explicit in our communication, and adding an assessment to support us in the process. The assessment will not only help to inform placement recommendations, but will also support the district in a more longitudinal analysis of student growth.
Other important components to support preparation for freshman year include the following:
- Class of 2023 'Scout Experience' at LFHS - January 2019 - details forthcoming
- Mid-February will mark the beginning of you and your child having individual appointments with your LFHS counselor.
- From mid-January to late-February, students with IEPs will have transition meetings with Special Education personnel from both LFHS and the middle school.
Ensuring that your student's freshman year is a smooth experience is our utmost priority. We are making concerted efforts to ensure that each student has a positive year of learning and engagement! We look forward to welcoming your student.
Feel free to contact my office with questions. We are happy to assist.
Director of Teaching & Learning
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Real Life Catholic Program at Prince of Peace in Lake Villa
For two days in October, Thursday the 11th and 18th come celebrate with the Real Life Catholic program at Prince of Peace in Lake Villa. Let internationally renowned speaker and author Chris Stefanick, along with top performing live music artists, help you REDISCOVER God, and REDISCOVER the life you were made for.
REBOOT! is the fun, inspiring and practical experience for all (ages 12 and up), of applying the beauty and genius of the Gospel to every aspect of your life, from prayer and spirituality, to work, dating, marriage, parenting, health and more!
It's time to start living the Life you were made for.
To purchase tickets or get more information please click
here.
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Lake Forest / Lake Bluff Learning Differences Association (LDA)
The Lake Forest / Lake Bluff Learning Differences Association (LDA) met on September 26, and invites you to join us for our monthly meetings. We regularly meet on the last Wednesday of every month at the West Campus of Lake Forest High School from 9:30-10:45.
All parents are welcome to come learn about the many resources, trends and issues our students with learning challenges experience. It is a friendly group that talks with District / school administrators, hears about grant and financial updates and provides support for families. We meet on the second floor of the West Campus of Lake Forest High School on the following days this year: October 31, November 28, January 30, February 27, April 24, and May 29.
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Mobile Therapy Centers Trunk or Treat
Mobile Therapy Centers wishes everyone a Happy October!
We know that the season of pumpkins, spooky decorations, costumes,and candy is upon us, and this can be an overwhelming time for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have sensory sensitivity.
On October 25th,
Mobile Therapy Centers will be hosting a Trunk or Treat event designed specifically for children with ASD in our office parking lot.
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Saturday, October 13, 2018
- PSAT 8th grade Assessment for the LFHS class of 2023 @ 8:30am at Lake Forest High School
Sunday, October 14, 2018
- 8th graders attend Mass @ 10am
Monday, October 15, 2018 - Comfy Clothes Day
- Crusaderwear sales at the PGC @ 8:30am
- Pep rally @ PGC @ 9:00am
- 8th grade Confirmation Student, Parent and Sponsor Meeting @ UGC @ 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - Sports Wear Day
- UGC Mass @ 9:00am @ St. Mary Catholic Church
- UGC Students Pray the Rosary following Mass
- 6th Grade Volleyball @ Pope John Paul XXIII @ 5pm
- 8th Grade Volleyball @ Pope John Paul XXIII @ 6:30pm
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - Early Dismissal - Homeroom Wars
- PGC Mass @ 9:00am @ St. Patrick's Catholic Church
- Professional Development @ 2:40pm
Thursday, October 18, 2018 - Decade Dress Up Day
- 8th Grade Loyola Academy Shadow Day
- Theresa Allen Archdiocese of Chicago OCS Director of Instructional Technology visiting UGC @1:30pm
Friday, October 19, 2018 - Crusaderwear Day
- Pep Rally @ UGC @9:00am
- Coffee with the Principal @ UGC @ 10:00am
- PGC Students Pray the Rosary @ 2:15pm in IMC
Saturday, October 20, 2018
- PSAT 8th grade Assessment for the LFHS class of 2023 @ 8:30am at Lake Forest High School
Sunday, October 21, 2018
- PGC Choir Sings @Church of St. Mary Mass @10:00am
- 2nd Grade First Communion Parents meeting @ Church of St. Mary @ 2:00pm
Red Ribbon Week October 22-26
Monday October 22, 2018
- 2nd Grade First Communion Parents meeting @ UGC @ 7:00pm
- 6th grade volleyball @ Our Lady of Perpetual Help @ 6:00pm
- 7th grade volleyball @ Our Lady of Perpetual Help @7:00pm
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
- UGC Mass @ 9:00am @ St. Mary Catholic Church
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
- PGC Mass @ 9:00am @ St. Patrick's Catholic Church
- Linking Efforts Against Drugs Presentation by Andy Duran @ 9:30am @ UGC
- 6th and 7th grade SING @ UGC @6:30pm
Friday, October 26, 2018
- 7th Grade Confirmation Retreat Holy Fire @ 7:15am
- UGC Students Pray the Rosary @ St. Mary Catholic Church @ 9:00am
- 7th and 8th Grade Halloween Dance @ UGC @ 7:00pm
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