Dear St. Giles Families,
I know this week has been difficult with the news that we have had to quarantine 3 Prides in one week. However, I’d like to offer some perspective on how our protocols are working and address questions we have received about those numbers:
- Prides currently quarantined are unrelated and no spread has occurred in any quarantine thus far. Our internal systems of disinfecting, masking, physically distancing, and cooperation of our faculty, staff, and students continue to work.
- There is no definitive metric about how many cases or quarantines are needed to automatically shift to full remote learning for the entire school. That decision would be made by the Archdiocese in conversation with Fr. Carl and me. As we continue to monitor individual cases, we are in regular contact with the COVID-19 Team and health care workers at the Archdiocese who continue to praise us for how we have managed this year.
- Families have been extremely cooperative and understanding in keeping students and siblings home and contacting physicians regarding testing. We know this is not easy and appreciate how difficult all of this is for parents to manage. Thank you.
- It is important to continue monitoring our outside behavior and curbing indoor gatherings. With the current weather, we are lucky to be able to remain outside after school and on weekends and I encourage everyone to be outside when you are able. If you are not able to be outside, please do not take the risk of even the most simple gathering. With the significant increase in numbers locally and statewide, contracting COVID is becoming more and more common and likely. No one is spreading this intentionally; it is a silent illness that is inadvertently shared. Sharing is not caring during COVID.
- Our Lions have been outstanding throughout this year. It’s been hard not seeing their friends in other Prides at recess and lunch or even during change of classes in the hallways. They have shown their St. Giles Pride every day in caring for themselves and others and facing a pandemic none of us had to endure at their age. KUDOS to you, their parents, and to them for stepping up to the challenge.
I would also like to share updated information regarding the 2 weeks after Christmas break of full remote learning. The intent of those two weeks is to allow faculty, staff, and families to gather and celebrate Christmas with loved ones, travel if needed, and then quarantine when necessary for two weeks in order to return to school safely. Our faculty and staff have been working tirelessly and also deserve this opportunity for travel and family gatherings. Therefore, we will not be able to offer extended day care during those two weeks of remote learning.
Our schedule will be as follows:
January 4-14 - remote learning for all students
January 15 - staff development/no classes
January 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/no classes
January 19 - in-person learners return to school
More information regarding scheduling and expectations will be sent closer to our Christmas break.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding, and a special shout out to our families who have shifted to remote learning this past week. We will get through all of this together!
Stay well,
Meg
P.S. Scroll down to see information on how you can support the St. Giles Parish Sharing tree for those in need this Christmas!
Reminders:
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In school, in our professional lives, on committees, and in our community we need to have the ability to understand another person’s point of view or perspective. We have the children work collaboratively to learn the social skills of conflict resolution because this is such a necessary life skill. Acknowledging differences of opinions is one of the first steps to solving a conflict. Try the steps found from the children’s website socially skilled kids. Remember to send the message that conflict is normal and natural, it helps us grow our relationship skills. We do not have to agree all the time, we do need to acknowledge other people may have a different opinion. Remember to model behavior you want to see your child demonstrate. The MSU website has age level guidelines with age specific activities.
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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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November Fun Lunch Registration Open
Mark your calendar for Friday, November 20th for our next PTO fundraiser lunch! Alpine subs are back!!
Ordering closes 11/24! Click HERE to visit the site.
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November PTO Meeting
Please join us for our November PTO Meeting.
We will alternate having evening and morning meetings.
Topic: St. Giles PTO Meeting
Time: Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020 07:00 PM
Meeting ID: 631 513 8634
Passcode: lmilder
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Check out St. Patrick's upcoming events.
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Check out Trinity's upcoming events.
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Check out St. Ignatius upcoming events.
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Check out Fenwick's upcoming events
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Check out DePaul Prep's upcoming events.
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What is HFS Chicago Scholars?
HFS Chicago Scholars helps economically disadvantaged Chicago high school students flourish in and out of the classroom by providing educational enrichment through our lifelong mentoring, college readiness and academic excellence programs, as well as providing financial assistance to attend top Chicago-area schools. More information can be found here and application details can be found here.
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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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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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