For the  parents and families of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School


Dear Parents,

It has been an exciting, inspiring, busy, and overall pretty successful first week of school! What a great pleasure to see so many students busy learning, getting to know their new teachers and classmates, and sharing lunch together. We were also happy the weather cooperated for us on the first day of school - the opening prayers in the courtyards set the right tone for a successful, blessed school year at both of the St. Therese School Campuses. Check out the photos included in this newsletter below of the prayer service as well as some other fun first day highlights.

As we start to settle into new routines, I look forward to working together to make this the best school year ever for everyone in our expanding school community. We are dedicated to providing the best experience for our students and families. As I have mentioned before, do not hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns.
  
I want to extend an invitation to all parents to join us at this Thursday's Opening School Mass, which will also celebrate the feast day of our new patron saint, Sister Teresa of Calcutta. Mass will be celebrated at 10am at the St. Barbara Worship Site. 

Today's newsletter contains information that we have shared previously as well as some new information to keep everyone informed about what is going on at school. Note that the Friday Folders are also an important source of information from the school and your child's teachers, so please take the time to review the folders carefully as well. Do not hesitate if you are experiencing any difficulty receiving this information. 

Best,
Ms. Lisa Deborah Oi
Principal

St. Therese Campus Parent Night Date Has Changed!

The St. Therese Campus Parent Night (for parents and guardians of students at the St. Therese Campus) has been moved to Monday, September 16, 2019 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm due to a schedule conflict with the original date .
Extended Care Program

After school care began this week at both campuses. Before school care at the St. Barbara Campus will start on Monday, September 9th at 7am if there is enough interest in the program. 

SBC Families should complete the Before Care Interest Form (available at the SBC School Office) if you are interested in before school care.  

Punch Cards for Extended Care programs may be purchased in the Main Office at either campus. More information about the Extended Care Punch Card program was sent home to families and can also be found on our website here

Please Join Us



Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. St. Therese parents are welcomed to attend.

St. Therese School 
2019-2020 Parent  Handbook

The parent handbook provides important information concerning specific rules, policies, and procedures related to the safety and operation of our school. In order for our campuses to operate safely and efficiently, you and your student(s) must be familiar with and abide by the expectations, procedures, and rules outlined in this handbook. 

You may view and download the Parent Handbook on the Families Tab of our school website. Note that you must sign in to the website first to have access to the document.

PLEASE NOTE THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, September 6
Out of Uniform: Dress Down ($1 donation to support St. Therese)
Sunday, September 8
Family Mass (10:30am Mass) at St. Barbara Worship Site
Back-to-School Bash (Noon-2pm) in School Lot
Wednesday, September 11
Jr. High Orientation (students at both Campuses) 
5:30pm - 6:30pm at the St. Therese Campus
Thursday, September 12
Picture Day for students at the St. Therese Campus
Friday, September 13
Out of Uniform: Spirit Wear Day 
(students Wear "Blue 2x" or any other St. Therese Wear)
Sunday, September 15
Catechetical Sunday (10:30am Mass) at St. Barbara Worship Site
Monday, September 16
St. Therese Campus Parent Night (5:30pm - 7:30pm) at St. Therese Campus
Tuesday, September 17
St. Barbara Campus Parent Night (5:30pm - 7:30pm) at St. Barbara Campus 
Friday, September 20
Dress Down Day ($1 donation to support St. Therese); 
HALF DAY - 11:30am Dismissal

Tuesday,  September 24
Picture Day for students at the St. Barbara Campus
Accessing the Parent PowerSchool 
and School Website Accounts

Parents will receive login instructions for signing in to the PowerSchool Program and the School Website in your child's Friday Folders on August 30th.

Instructions for signing in to the school website can also be found here.
After School Extracurricular Program

Students will be coming home with an interest survey on which the student can indicate their interests in a variety of extracurricular programs.

Please be sure to complete and return this form. The final roster of programs, including campus location, will be established based on student interest. 

Mr. Chrusciel, our Athletic Director, has already sent home information about the Flag Football Program and will be sharing information with students about Girls' Volleyball soon. Please contact Mr. Chrusciel with any questions about the extracurricular sports programs.

Spirit Wear Days and Dress Down Days

Throughout the school year, the school will have scheduled Dress Down Days and Spirit Wear Days.  These dates are posted in the newsletter, the School Website, and reminders will also be posted in the school buildings.
 
Each new student at St. Therese is provided with one "Blue Ribbon x2" t-shirt at no cost to the family. These shirts are used when students are off-campus for events such as field trips. These t-shirts may also be worn for Spirit Wear and Dress Down days. 

Families may purchase additional Blue Ribbon and other St. Therese t-shirts, including sizes for parents/adults, for $10/each. Our current t-shirt stock is limited, but we will be placing another order for more shirts. 

The deadline to submit your order and payment for additional t-shirts is Wednesday, September 18th .  You will be notified when your t-shirt is available for pick-up. An order form for purchasing Spirit Wear can be found here .
REMINDER:  BELL TIMES
EVERY MINUTE COUNTS




Early Childhood: Grades PK, JK, & Kindergarten

7:40am
Early Childhood Classroom doors open
Parents can drop students off in their classroom
Note: Early Childhood students may join older students for breakfast in Basement/Lower Hall at 7:30am. Early Childhood  students will be escorted to their classrooms once breakfast is over.
 
8:00am
Class/Circle Time Begins
(Tardy Bell - students not in their classroom at this time may receive a tardy)

 
Students in Grades 1 - 8
7:30 am   Arrival/Breakfast in Basement/Lower Hall
7:40 am   First Bell: Morning Prayer and announcements Basement/Lower Hall
7:45 am   Classes line up and proceed to classroom 
7:50 am   Second Bell: Students in classrooms, Homeroom begins 
(Students not in their classroom at this time may receive a tardy)
3:15 pm   Dismissal Readiness Bell
3:20 pm   Dismissal Bell. Students are dismissed through the main doors.
Thank you to all of the parents who joined us for the Early Childhood Orientation Session on the first day of school. 

A copy of the presentation can be found on our school's website. Parents can find information on what to expect, including an overview of what your child's day looks like, nap time needs and routines, lunch and snack details, and other important topics.

Welcome Back to School, St. Therese!
Students, parents, teachers, and staff began the day gathered in the courtyards for an early morning prayer in the warm sunlight, led by Pastor Fr. Francis Li. Afterward, students gathered by class and followed their new teachers into their new classrooms.
Check us out at:
     St. Therese Campus:  247 W. 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60616    
St. Barbara Campus: 2859 S. Throop Street, Chicago, IL 60608 
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