August 2019

Dear St. Rita Family,

Believe it or not the new school year has arrived! We are excited to welcome back all of our Ritamen and welcome our newest Ritamen of the Class of 2023. Below are some important reminders and updates regarding the 2019-20 School Year.

President Search: As you know St. Rita is currently in the process of conducting a search for its next President, a strong leader who will join the St. Rita Family as it continues to build upon its storied 115 year tradition of excellence. Catholic Schools Management, a division of Christian Brothers Services and a firm the Augustinians have used in the past with other schools, has been engaged for this process.

This summer CSM has conducted interviews and focus groups with representatives from the various constituencies of St. Rita as well as reviewing best practices in contemporary Catholic secondary education as we define the leadership needs at St. Rita at this moment and time. We are very encouraged with the direction that CSM has provided us. The input and level of commitment offered by the representatives meeting with CSM thus far has been of tremendous substance. The next and final rounds of constituency interviews will take place August 8 and August 12 and shortly after this the position will be publicly posted. A Search Committee of 10 individuals representing all constituencies has been established. The Search Committee will interview the most qualified candidates and will recommend the ideal candidate to the Augustinian Provincial Council for approval and then appointment as the next President of St. Rita High School. We will keep all updated as we move forward in this positive direction.

As the search process continues, the day-to-day operations of the school are being led by Interim CEO & Vice President of Academics, Mr. Wes Benak, Vice President of Student Life, Mr. Josh Blaszak and Vice President of Finance, Ms. Eileen Spulak.

St. Rita's Senior Administrative Team along with its other administrators, faculty and staff are committed to providing the entire St. Rita Family with the very best!

Class Schedules : Student Class Schedules are available on PlusPortals . The schedules will aid you in purchasing textbooks and other materials for the start of the school year. The textbook list for 2019-20 along with downloading instructions are posted on our website at www.stritahs.com . See the “Purchase Textbooks" link. All students must have their textbooks and any required apps downloaded by Monday, August 19. All students will also receive a printed copy of their full year schedule on their first day of class.

Schedule Changes: If you feel there is a need to make a change to the schedule please contact Director of Guidance Mrs. Jill Nagel at jnagel@stritahs.com . We will do our best to accommodate requests. However, class sizes are limited and not all changes are possible. Thanks for your understanding. All schedule changes must be completed by Thursday, August 29.

Required Summer Reading: Each student is expected to complete a summer reading assignment for his upcoming English course, and each student is expected to have completed the reading by the first day his English class meets. The reading is not optional, and the student will be given a formal assessment of the reading for a grade by his English teacher at the start of the school year. All of the texts for summer reading are listed on the textbook portal . If the student has any questions regarding the reading, he should immediately contact his English teacher.

iPads and Apps: Please be sure to check the website at www.stritahs.com for recommendations and requirements regarding iPads and apps for school work. If you have any questions regarding iPads and apps please contact Director of Technology Mr. Paul Harrington at pharrington@stritahs.com .

Revised Bell Schedule: We have made some revisions to the bell schedule for the coming school year. We will continue to have a rotating schedule, however lunch periods will now be 9 minutes shorter (32 minutes each) and the class day will end at 2:35 p.m. You can click here to view the 2019-20 Bell Schedule.

Class of 2023 Orientation: Freshman Orientation (The Augustinian Experience) will begin on Friday, August 16 promptly at 8:30 a.m. All freshmen are required to attend. The Augustinian Experience will conclude on Saturday, August 17 at 8:30 a.m.

The First Days of Classes:
  • The first full day of classes for freshmen and sophomores only will be Monday, August 19. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:35 p.m., following the Monday Schedule. Freshmen and sophomores do not have classes on Tuesday, August 20.
  • The first full day of classes for juniors and seniors only will be Tuesday, August 20. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:35 p.m., following the Tuesday Schedule.

First Day of Classes for All Students: The first day with all students in attendance is Wednesday, August 21. Students must report to their A Period class by 8:30 a.m. In lieu of Mass that morning, we gather together in the Shrine Chapel at 10:15 a.m. for our Academic Convocation which will officially kick off our new school year. All students are required to wear their Chapel shirt and tie. Freshman will be given their St. Rita tie during the Convocation ceremony; they do not need to buy one. We invite parents to join us for our Convocation which will conclude by 11:30 a.m.

Student Handbook: The 2019-20 St. Rita Student Handbook can be found on the St. Rita website and also by clicking here .

Dress Code: The student dress code will be enforced beginning Monday, August 19. Please be aware of the complete student dress code which can be found by clicking here . We ask that all students arrive to school clean shaven in proper attire with a proper haircut.

Student IDs and Lanyards: All students will be issued a St. Rita ID for the 2019-20 School Year in a plastic holder. Freshmen will also be issued a St. Rita lanyard in a color designated for their class. All students must wear their St. Rita ID in the plastic holder on the St. Rita lanyard in the color designated for their class while present in the building. Lanyard colors will remain the same for each class from year to year, for example, the Class of 2020 will once again have red St. Rita lanyards. If a sophomore through senior needs a new lanyard they are available in the Mustang Store through Wednesday, August 21 for $2. After August 21 all replacement lanyards must be purchased from the Dean of Students for $4.

Random Drug Testing: The Administration has decided that the Random Drug Testing Program that was instituted last school year will be suspended for the 2019-20 school year. No random drug testing will take place during the upcoming year.

Student Parking Permits: Parking permits must be purchased by all students who drive to St. Rita through the Dean of Students Mr. Andrew DiMarco. Spaces will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. All students driving must have a pass by Friday, August 23. The permit costs $25. Students must also submit a Parking Permit Contract signed by a parent. The contract can be obtained from the Dean of Students or by clicking here .

MealTime Dining Accounts: All students should be sure they have a My MealTime account set up. Families are encouraged to add funds to student accounts prior to the start of school. Anyone who deposits funds into their account between August 5 and August 15 will receive an additional 10% to their account balance. Please click here for more information. If you have any questions please contact Food Service Manager Mrs. Julie Crain at jcrain@stritahs.com .

St. Rita Bus Service: If you have questions about the St. Rita Bus Service please contact Mrs. Sharon Smolik at ssmolik@stritahs.com .

School Drop-Off/Pick-Up: Students being dropped off and picked up from school will primarily utilize the 77th Street Circle Drive and Shrine Chapel entrance. Drop-off on the Circle Drive is between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.; pick-up is between 2:35 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Outside these times, please drive carefully and use the rear parking lot and entrances. Please use the light at 77th & Western to access the Circle Drive for drop-off and pick-up.

2019-20 Calendar: The 2019-20 School & Athletic Calendars are posted on the school website. You can also click here to access them. We do not anticipate major changes to the school calendar so we ask that you please begin to consult it when planning doctor appointments, family trips, etc. The Athletic Calendar is updated regularly based upon individual sport schedules.

School Vacations/Final Exams: It is extremely important that all families check the school calendar regarding school vacations. Final exams for the 1st Semester will be held on December 18-20. All students are required to be in attendance for their exams. Please make certain that you do not schedule vacation travel when classes or exams are in session.

2019-20 Tuition Payments: Tuition payments for the 2019-20 School Year began in July. Tuition payments must be current in order for students to begin school. Please contact Mrs. Sandy Somrek at ssomrek@stritahs.com if you have any questions.

Mustang Store Summer Sale: School uniform items can be purchased during the Mustang Store Summer Sale taking place Tuesday, August 6 & Wednesday, August 7 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please park in the back lot and enter through the Athletic Wing Entrance (Door 14).

Class of 2023 Physical & Dental Exams: Per Illinois law, freshman students are required to turn in a current, completed physical exam, with current vaccination records, to the school prior to October 15. If you have not already done so, please turn it in as soon as possible. You can access a copy of the form here . Please note that the IHSA athletic physical does not fulfill this requirement. Freshmen who do not have the proper physical forms completed and submitted by October 15 will not be eligible to participate in any sports or activities, and will be kept out of school, until this requirement has been met.

Per Illinois law, all freshmen students are also required to submit a current, completed dental exam form. You can access the form here .

R.O.S.E. Hours & Caritas Projects: A reminder that any student who has past due R.O.S.E. Hours must complete those hours in order to start the new school year. The Class of 2020 is also reminded that their Caritas Projects are due Monday, September 9. Seniors are encouraged to submit photos from their Caritas Projects to campusministry@stritahs.com . If any student or parent has questions regarding the R.O.S.E. Hour Program or the Caritas Project please contact Mr. Andy McIntosh at amcintosh@stritahs.com .

Fall Athletic Tryouts: Information regarding Fall athletic tryouts can be found by clicking here . If you have any questions regarding participation in any Fall sports please contact the coaches listed or Athletic Director Mr. Roshawn Russell '08 at rrussell@stritahs.com .

Fathers’ Club Meeting/Fathers’ Club Raffle: The St. Rita Fathers’ Club meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month with dinner available prior to the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Every St. Rita Dad, past and present, is a member of the Fathers’ Club!

The next meeting is Wednesday, August 14 at the concession stand of the stadium, and we especially invite all of our dads from the Class of 2023 to attend with their sons for a special welcome event. Dinner will be offered at 6:30 p.m. and we will have activities for the freshman boys during the meeting. Following a brief meeting a Freshman Father/Son Bags Tournament will take place.

The Fathers’ Club is also once again holding it's Annual Tuition Assistance Raffle. Information was mailed to all parents in July but can also be found by clicking here . Tickets are $50 each or two for $75. The drawing will take place at the Freshman Parent Reception on Friday, August 16. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $4,000 cash prize with a 2nd place winner of $2,000 and 3rd place winner of $1,000. The raffle is open to all St. Rita families.

Mothers’ Club: The St. Rita Mothers’ Club meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month in the McCarthy Center. This year's first meeting will be on Thursday, September 12. All St. Rita Moms are welcome!

Wednesday All School Masses/Assemblies: Parents are always welcome to join us for weekly All School Masses/Assemblies which take place most Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. beginning with our Academic Convocation on Wednesday, August 21. We ask that all parents who join us park in the rear parking lot and enter through the Main Entrance (Door 15) unless otherwise indicated.

Mini-Schedule Night: All parents are encouraged to save-the-date for Parent Mini-Schedule Night on Thursday, August 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Shrine Chapel. This evening allows parents an excellent opportunity to meet their son's teachers and receive an overview of the school year ahead.

School Pictures: Freshman through juniors will have their 2019-20 School Pictures taken on Wednesday, September 4. All freshman through juniors wear their Chapel shirts and ties for pictures. Order forms will go home with students during the first weeks of school. All seniors will have their Graduation Pictures taken on Monday, September 16 (last name A-L) or Tuesday, September 17 (last name M-Z). All seniors wear a shirt, tie and sport coat of their choosing for pictures. Additional information will be sent home to Class of 2020 families later this month.

Class of 2020 NHS Induction: Those seniors who have met the criteria for the National Honor Society will be inducted during a special ceremony on Monday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall. More information will be sent to these families in the coming weeks.

Family Mass: Our first Family Mass & Breakfast of the year will be on Sunday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. in the Shrine Chapel. All St. Rita Families are invited. Students who earned straight As this past semester at St. Rita will be honored with the Heeney Award during the breakfast.

Family Contact Information: If your home address, email address or cell phone number has changed within the last year, please send your updated information to Mrs. Noreen Kelliher at nkelliher@stritahs.com . Always include your son’s name in this communication. Correct email addresses and cell phones are critical for full communication with you.

School Office Hours: Regular School Office Hours resume on Monday, August 12. The Main Office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with all other offices open from from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. If you are looking to meet with a particular administrator, faculty or staff member it is always encouraged that you call/email that individual in advance of your visit. Please Note: Due to Opening Faculty/Staff Meetings ALL school offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, August 15.

Shadow Days: Our Admissions Shadow Day Program for 7th and 8th graders will begin after Labor Day. If you know any young man in your family or community who is interested in shadowing for a day at St. Rita please have him contact our Director of Admissions Mr. Ed Leiser '04 at eleiser@stritahs.com or check out the St. Rita website for more details.
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If there is anything we can do for you to make your transition into this new school year better, please do not hesitate to ask . We look forward to a successful school year and are honored to serve you as St. Rita's Senior Administrative Team.

Welcome back and together let's make this a great year!
Mr. Wes Benak '81, Interim CEO & Vice President of Academics
Mr. Josh Blaszak '02, Vice President of Student Life
Ms. Eileen Spulak, Vice President of Finance