A Message to Fellow Parents
Dear Parents,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the St. Giles BSJ (school board) leadership is taking this opportunity to share our gratitude for the faculty and staff at St. Giles who have dedicated themselves tirelessly to keeping our students safe and who never waver in their commitment to deliver a high-quality academic experience. As we reflect on our blessings this holiday, our teachers are at the top of our list.
Because of the pandemic and its impact on our school, teachers are in overdrive addressing the needs of all our learners. Whether our children are learning remotely or in person, our teachers have stepped up to educate and support students academically, emotionally and spiritually. Today, that is a particularly tall order -- and one that very few other teachers have been asked to do.
Last week, Miss Bigane surveyed her staff to assess their well-being and understand how things are going in their classrooms, how they are balancing remote and in-person learning, and how they felt about the COVID situation in and out of school. Miss Bigane shared survey results and teacher responses at Monday’s BSJ meeting and they were striking. Teachers are feeling a real mental and physical toll of teaching during COVID, including balancing in-person and remote learning, the last minute nature of juggling quarantines, worrying about exposure, and spending nights and weekends overwhelmed by work, leaving many on edge and burnt out. In spite of that, they expressed a deep commitment to the students and to delivering the best learning opportunities for them.
As parents and board members, we believe the well-being of our beloved teachers is something we simply can’t ignore. These are the individuals who have chosen to work at St. Giles School, where they earn less and have greater responsibilities than their public school counterparts. Who showed up in August to teach our children IN PERSON when most teachers in Illinois would be teaching from home. Who have sacrificed travel and time with family and friends to keep our school community safe from COVID. Who teach our children for seven hours a day and still find time to grade and plan and meet with remote learners after hours. And now, who are at the brink and overcome with stress.
We believe small changes can help make a big impact. Together with Miss Bigane, we have crafted immediate actions we hope will mitigate what teachers are experiencing in the near-term.
School Calendar Changes: With the intention of giving teachers some valuable time back, we will be making the following adjustments to the December schedule:
- Monday, December 7 will be a teacher inservice day with NO SCHOOL for students.
- Fridays in December will be early dismissal. On Friday, December 4, and Friday, December 11, students will dismiss at 2PM. As previously scheduled, on Friday, December 18, students will dismiss at 11:45AM. Kids Klub will be available beginning at 2PM on December 4 and 11; Kids Klub will not be available on December 18.
These hours away from school may have a minor impact on our family schedules, but give a significant return to our teachers.
Pick-me-ups: The PTO and BSJ will be coordinating ways for parents to show our teachers how much we care with different opportunities to brighten their days. From dropping off boxed lunches and Bubly to individually wrapped sweet treats, we parents can donate items that make life a little easier and their days a little sunnier. Watch for separate communication from PTO and BSJ about how you can get involved.
Teacher Appreciation Fund: Speaking of showing how much we care, our final ask is that all parents consider giving as generously as possible to our annual Teacher Appreciation Fund. As you know, our typical Christmas bonus has been shifted to November to show our THANKS and to get extra funds in the hands of our teachers as soon as possible. If ever there was a year to give more, it is this one. Click here to give your donation now or text Givethanks to 708.554.4218. Donations are being accepted through November 30.
Our school community has worked together to get where we are today and we should be proud. As we close out the year, let’s not let our guard down -- please continue to follow the Archdiocesan protocols and those laid out by Miss Bigane. We know that the decisions of one family can impact many others, and as we take this moment to think about our teachers -- please consider what a COVID exposure in December might mean to them, some of whom plan to see family at Christmas for the first time since March. Let us remain diligent in protecting ourselves, our teachers and each other. And as we continue to face the unprecedented stresses of today’s reality, let’s embrace a spirit of kindness in all we do.
Our teachers have shown up. Now let’s show up for them … with a strong finish to 2020 that leaves little doubt about how deeply this community cares.
Thank you,
Board of Specified Jurisdiction Executive Committee
P.S. - Teachers are deserving of our recognition and incredible thanks, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t recognize the efforts our students make every day, too, staying compliant with protocols, adaptable in the face of sudden quarantines, resilient in the loss of treasured traditions and favorite activities. That’s why Fridays in December will be spirit wear days for all of our Lions -- a little something to say we notice all they’re doing, too!
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Recently someone asked how learning social emotional skills relates to academic learning at St. Giles. During our school years and beyond we will continually need to collaborate with other people. Part of learning during a group project is ensuring the academic standards are demonstrated as well as learning the SEL standard of being able to use interpersonal skills to communicate with others.
Our middle school students learn their social emotional skills using evidenced models with a focus on communication, decision making, and goal setting. The students learn during social emotional lessons that good grades are important, but they aren’t the only things you need to be a success in life. Confidence, perseverance, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and work are also needed to succeed in school, in work, and in life. One of the evidenced based programs we use here at St. Giles has a blog. Check out the Obstacles blog for more lessons to use at home.
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2:1 Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship
Matching Donation Program Begins Dec. 1, 2020
The Archdiocese of Chicago has once again secured matching donors for the Empower Illinois Scholarship Program. St. Giles will receive an additional $2 for every dollar that you contribute between Dec. 1, 2020 and Jan. 20 (when funds typically run out). Here's how the program works:
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REGISTER with the State of Illinois at mytax.illinois.gov to secure your letter ID (this takes 10-14 days). You can start this process NOW!
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RESERVE your tax credit for the current calendar year (2020 if you donate in Dec and 2021 if you donate in Jan.; designate St. Giles School as your school of choice; and receive your Contribution Authorization Certificate (CAC) via email.
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DONATE: Make your donation between Dec. 1, 2020 and Jan. 20, 2021 (So that we can get our 2:1 matching funds).
You will receive 75% of your donation that can be used as a tax credit on your Illinois tax bill. Last year, we were able to secure $50,000 in matching funds due to our generous donors which helped 17 children in need! Our goal this year is to secure the full $100,000 in matching funds available to each school. Here is a step by step guide to make your donation and the Empower Illinois Donation Page for more information. Contact Michele Bibbey Business Manager at St. Giles School or Carolyn Burke, parent advocate with any additional questions.
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Please encourage your child to enter the contest to be the front of this year's St. Giles Christmas card!
Requirements:
On 8.5 x 11" white paper
Use colors
Name on back
Religious themed
Submissions due by December 4 to homeroom teacher. Winner will receive a $10 gift card. Last year's card was drawn by now 7th grader, Meghan C.
NEW this year - we'd like to make a photo montage of all students & their drawings. You can take a picture of your child holding their drawing & email Kelly or we'll take their photo at school. The more submissions, the merrier!
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Teacher and Staff Appreciation Fund
The deadline for our Teacher and Staff Appreciation Fund is 11/30. The St. Giles PTO organizes this annual fund to show our teachers and staff how very, very thankful we are that they are in school each day with our children. Show your gratitude for their hard work and commitment to our students and our families by making a contribution. Our goal is 100% participation to show our community support for their dedication to our children.
Please be as generous as you are able - but any amount is greatly appreciated! There are a few ways to give:
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Cash or Check: Send your envelope to the school office. Make checks out to St. Giles PTO.
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Online Donation: Click here to make online donation.
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Text to Give Donation: Text Givethanks to 708-554-4218.
**If you use one of our electronic options, please consider adding 3% to your donation to cover platform fees.
If you have any further questions, please contact TAF Coordinator,
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Drop-Off / Pick-Up
As the weather turns colder, more cars will be outside in the carpool lanes. Safety is our concern. PLEASE...
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- Be courteous
- No cell phones while driving
- Use the cross walks
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Make sure you are in the correct pick up line. See the MAP HERE.
- No students in the street at anytime (accessing trunks, exiting street side or getting into a car)
- Do not block an intersection, alley or another carpool lane.
- Keep moving forward in line (so cars behind you can pull up to pick their children up too)
- Do NOT exit your car. Teachers will help get children to the correct cars.
- Patience, we're all in this together!
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How Can Our Lions Stay Warm?
While we need to keep windows and classroom doors open for ventilation as one of our COVID protocols, we want our Lions to stay warm during the day. With every old building comes heating challenges and fluctuations throughout the day. How can they stay warm? Layers! Our uniform code provides many options for layering in class without wearing coats in the classroom.
- SGS Uniform sweatshirt or fleece quarter zip, which is navy blue with the window logo.
- White, blue, or navy cardigan sweater (solid color)
- T-shirt or turtleneck, white, black, or navy under uniform polo
- Uniform pants or leggings/tights under uniform skirts
- 8th grade has permission to wear their class sweatshirts on Fridays
We will continue to go outside for PE, recess, and any other opportunity to allow for mask breaks during colder weather. Please make sure your child/ren have coats and layers for outside and inside so that they do not catch a chill when coming back into the classroom.
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REGISTER NOW for the Winter Session 2020-2021 of Chess-Ed's Virtual Enrichment Program!
The 10-week Winter session is offered Monday through Friday at a variety of times (4, 5, and 6 pm) with Beginner, Novice, Continuing, and Advanced program levels. The chess program runs from 11/30/20 to 2/19/21 and is taught by Chess-Ed instructors using Zoom, lichess.org, and other chess software. Please refer to the Eventbee registration site for chess level guidelines.
To register, students must have a FREE username at lichess.org so they can be paired by the chess instructor during the game playing portion of the lesson.
Register NOW at www.r-winter-virtual-chess-ed.eventbee.com. Be sure to register early to take advantage of EARLY FEE pricing. For more information about the program, please refer to the program flyer and Eventbee website.
Chess-Ed is looking forward to seeing your CHESS ENTHUSIAST this Winter!
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We will postpone the all-school popsicle "party" until spring when we can celebrate in safer and warmer conditions. |
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Time for Caring and Sharing:
The St. Giles Sharing Tree
The pandemic has brought challenges for all of us. But it has also offered us the opportunity to show our spirit of love to those families who have been significantly impacted at the parishes we support each year on the Sharing Tree. This year, we are unable to set up the trees in church or collect gifts in the rectory garage. However, your support is needed more than ever.
For those who are able, we are asking for donations of gift cards to Jewel, Walmart or Target OR you can make a donation (checks payable to St. Giles CCW) in any amount which we will apply towards purchasing gift cards. Mail or drop off your donation at the Parish Center, 1025 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 or drop it in the Offertory collection boxes at the entrances of Church marked Sharing Tree.
So that we have sufficient time to purchase and allocate the gift cards to those needy families, please respond by Sunday, November 22. I’m sure you agree that the Sharing Tree is one of the traditions that makes our Parish so special. Anything you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions, please contact Madeleine Butler at 708-267-7572 or Pat Micucci at 312-972-8808.
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Registration is now open for the Catholic School Entrance Exam on December 5th. Please see the individual school's website for registration information. |
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Follow and like us on social media. Stay up to date with what's going on at school and see pictures of your children engaging in educational activities with their classmates during the school day. |
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