E-backpack, 1/14/2021

Weekly News and Updates

January 14, 2021

As we look to resume in person learning on January 19, we need to continue to be vigilant in our adherence to our health and safety protocols. It was good news to see the first health care workers and first responders receive the COVID-19 vaccine during the last month, but it is not time to become lax in our health and safety protocols. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and stay physically distant!

Please continue to report positive cases and close contacts with positive cases to the office as soon as possible. During remote learning, please report to me any positive student cases so a return to school date can be set. As reported in an email communication from Dr. Rigg to all families on 1/12/21, the Archdiocese is requiring a 14 day quarantine for students who travel out of state. While this differs from the Chicago Travel Ban, the 14 day quarantine is best practices according to local health departments. If you have any questions regarding a positive case, close contact, quarantine dates, or anything else relating to our COVID procedures, please contact me.

Registration is entirely online this year. Use this link to register for 2021-22. We will open registration to new and prospective students during Catholic Schools Week beginning January 31, 2021. We have many prospective families waiting eagerly to register for the 21-22 school year including families who have been on a waitlist for this year.

I want to thank each family for your continued support of St. Edward School, for your adherence to our health and safety protocols this year, and for your ongoing prayers.

If you have any questions, please reach out.

St. Edward, pray for us!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sara Lasica

Principal

slasica@stedwardschool.com

2021-22 Registration is open!

Register before February 28, 2021, to "freeze" your tuition at the 20-21 tuition rates and to secure your spot for next year!

Registration is online this year. Click here to register!

TRIP update: E-gift cards can be purchased through the Raise Right app at anytime!
Next TRIP due date: 1/28/21

Please review the illness protocols distributed by the Archdiocese based on updates from the CDC and local health departments by clicking here. By following these guidelines and taking care of your families outside of school, we can continue to learn together in-person this year.

New Year's Prayer

Lord, You make all things new.

You bring hope alive in our hearts And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year

For all the potential it holds.

Come and kindle in us

A mighty flame

So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God

And live forever to praise Your glorious name.

Amen.

Strong families foster strong children. As Catholics, our source of strength comes from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the best way to develop a relationship with our loving God is to pray! Make a new year's resolution to pray as a family daily. Grace before dinner, a Hail Mary before bedtime, an Our Father on the way to school in the morning. Find a time, pick a prayer, and grow closer to God!

Missionaries from NET Ministries will be staying in our convent from January-May. These missionaries are college aged young adults who have sacrificed a year of studies to lead retreats for junior high and high school teens. They normally travel across the country leading retreats, but due to COVID they will be staying in our convent and lead virtual retreats. They are in need of assistance with meals! Can your family please provide these 11 missionaries (ages 19-22) with lunch or dinner a few days? Please click this link to sign up: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/e5q34l

SEPO Meeting Q&A

Question: Will there be an e-learning session following spring break?

Answer: The Archdiocese is discussing possibilities for spring break to keep our staff and students safe and healthy. Not all schools in the Archdiocese take the same spring break; schools in the suburbs usually take the last week of March as break and city schools tend to take Easter week as break. Spring testing dates complicate that discussion as well. More information will be forthcoming.

Question: Are there any updates regarding vaccination for St. Ed teachers?

Answer: The first round of COVID vaccines have been going to doctors, nurses, front line workers, and other health care workers who have contact with patients. According to information from the State of Illinois, teachers are in the second part of the first round of vaccines. The Archdiocese has been updating employees on information regarding the vaccine.

Question: What date will Confirmation be on: 3/21 or 3/07?

Answer: Confirmation will take place on two different Sundays to accommodate capacity limits in the church. Fr. Dominic has sent information to 8th grade families regarding Confirmation.

Question: Are there any updates to Renew My Church for St. Edward?

Answer: Yes, the recommendations from the grouping committees has been sent to the Cardinal. St. Edward will receive the group decision on January 23. St. Edward Parish and School is in a grouping with Our Lady of Mercy, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Resurrection Parishes. St. Edward School is the only school in this grouping.

2020-21 School Calendar

Upcoming Dates and Events

Monday, January 18: No School in honor of MKL, Jr Day

Tuesday, January 19: Classes resume in person

Wednesday, January 20: Fall Picture Retake Day (see info below)

Thursday, January 21: Early Dismissal Thursday (1:50, 2:00, 2:10)

Friday, January 22: Midpoint of the 2nd Trimester, NUT Card Day

Saturday, January 30: Virtual Trivia Night--More information below!

SAVE THE DATE: Spring Virtual Auction, March 20, 2021--Big Red House Party featuring Pat Tomasulo!

Fall Picture Retake Day

January 20, 2021

Please notify the office if you are interested in taking retakes. Students who are participating in retake day can wear school-appropriate dress clothes.

8:15-9:00 AM for Catapult Students

Students in person at St. Ed's will be taken from class for retakes.

Virtual Trivia Night is here!

Do you shop on Amazon?

Shop AmazonSmile and earn money for St. Edward's! Amazon will donate a portion of your order amount to St. Ed's. Click here to shop!

St. Edward School uses an online directory for family contacts. Please login to update your information for the 2020-21 school year or sign-up.

Click here to join!