October 18, 2020
Weekly enews
Dear St. Giles Families,

I am so thrilled to let you know that we made our goal for Lion's Leap this year! Thank you to all of our families, extended families, alumnae, and friends for helping to reach out $90,000 goal. Fr. Carl and I will compare calendars and watch for a good weather day to hand out popsicles to everyone at the end of the day. We'll do it safely!

We are also excited to welcome back our 3rd grade classroom from quarantine on Monday and have everyone back safely and healthy! Our students and families shifted to remote learning quickly and didn't miss a beat. Let's all continue to wear our masks, avoid large gatherings, and be safe.

This is a short week for our Lions with Parent-Teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday. As a reminder, there is no school on either Thursday or Friday and no Kids Klub. If you have not signed up yet for conferences, spaces are filling up! Please check out the sign up instructions here. If you are unable to meet with a teacher for any reason, please reach out to them directly. Don't forget to check PowerSchool for your child's latest grades.

Thank you to everyone for all of your kind words of Congratulations on my receipt of the Magis Award. I am truly blessed to be part of the St. Giles community and appreciate your love and support!

Have a wonderful week and stay well!
Meg


Reminders:
We continue to go outside as much as possible for mask breaks and fresh air. Please make sure your child is dressed to be outside with coats, etc. as the weather gets colder.

Subscribe to the Archdiocese Family Newsletter
Protocols for Student Illnesses and Doctor’s Notes 10.2.2020
Archdiocese Communication 10.1.2020
Lion's Leap Thanks and Wrap Up

A BIG thank you to our teachers who not only work so hard in the classroom everyday to keep our students here safely, but for helping so much with Lion's Leap this year!

Help us plan NEXT YEAR! We're asking for your opinions - please take a short survey to help us assess this year and make next year even better! Click

Please encourage your donors to pay their pledges online by credit card or send a check / cash to the school office. Donors were able to make pledges before the run and opt to pay after the run so now these funds need to be collected. If you received an email, please check your child's funrun.com dashboard to see whose pledge is outstanding.

Families who have not met their required minimum family contribution by November 1 will have it added to their November FACTS invoice. Letters will be coming home letting you know if you have a balance. Funds can be raised from friends, family or neighbors and are considered tax deductible contributions!

Email Kelly with any Lion's Leap questions.
“Mom can I get a cell phone?” is a question all parents seem to face earlier and earlier these days. The question leads to other questions like how to limit time spent on electronic devices, how to limit content on electronic devices and how to navigate social media. Now in the days of COVID, even more time seems to be spent online for our children and us. Walking past a child without a response due to the child being engaged with an electronic device has become the norm. Wondering how to ensure your child has the skills to navigate through the trails of this electronic age? Check out this free virtual speaker through the Glenbard parent series. Dr. Carter offers tools to cope with modern pressures, and tactics parents can use to instill joy in children that will point them toward meaningful, and productive lives.
New Faculty Spotlight

Name: Caitlan An

Grade taught: Art, K-8

College/Universities attended: School of The Art Institute of Chicago: Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing

Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Favorite Movie: Princess Bride

Favorite vacation spot: South Korea

Mrs. An is an artist who works primarily in painting and drawing. She is starting her MAT K12 Art program this month. Caitlan lives here in Chicago with her husband Uigyu and their two cats Buddy and Fancy Nancy. Aside from making art, she enjoys doing ballet, cooking Korean food and spending time with her husband.
The Class or 2021 is having a fundraiser! They have had special St. Giles logo masks made and are selling them through the Family Portal.

*Masks are $10 each or 3 for $24
*Purchase on the Athletic Website on the Family Portal
*Smaller sizes will be available soon for our little lions.
**Get them now while supplies last!
Parent Volunteer Compliance Information 
(Click on parent Involvement)
Kids Klub Information & Registration (Click on Kids Klub)
Fun Lunch and Marla's Lunch Registration
School Calendar
Download the Schoolrush App
October Fun Lunch Registration Open
Mark your calendar for Thursday 10/29 for our October PTO fundraiser lunches! 

Sign up is open! Click HERE to visit the site - the deadline for ordering 10/25.
Fun Lunch Registration
Check out St. Patrick's upcoming events.
Contact Mike Fabrizio '08, Admissions Director 
Check out Trinity's upcoming events.
Contact Katie Alvord-Wendling '00, Admissions Coordinator

Check out St. Ignatius upcoming events.
Please contact Beth Carney, Director of Admissions.
Check out Fenwick's upcoming events
Please contact Kathleen O'Laughlin with any questions.
Check out DePaul Prep's upcoming events.
Contact Tom Kleinschmidt, Director of Admissions.

Check out out IC Prep's upcoming events. 
Contact Nikki Kanzia, Director of Admissions
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.
To All Parents of St. Giles Students in 2nd Grade and Above-

Although it will look different this year, we will continue to support your students who wish to prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion in January and April 2021, respectively. As with all sacrament preparation and celebration at St. Giles, First Reconciliation and First Communion is done at the parish level so students from our Religious Education programs and St. Giles School prepare and celebrate together. 

Please read the information below to see if your student is eligible to prepare and celebrate this year, and then follow the directions in #3 to register by Monday, October 19th.

1. Eligibility -
If your family is Catholic, and your student meets these requirements below, you may begin preparations for First Reconciliation and First Communion this year: 
  • Is in 2nd grade or higher this year at St. Giles School;
  • Has been baptized in the Catholic Church or in a Christian denomination whose baptism is recognized by the Catholic church*
  • Completed formal faith formation in 2019-2020 in either a Catholic school or a Catholic parish Religious Education program - here at St. Giles or elsewhere
*If baptized in a non-Catholic church whose baptism is recognized, the student will simply complete a Profession of Faith in the Catholic Church during preparation for First Communion

2. Preparation & Celebration -
We will not be meeting in person this year for any preparation events including the Parent and Child Retreats of years past. However, materials will be provided to all families who register and At Home retreats for both sacraments that are done as a family will be sent with instructions on how to complete.

3. Registration -
If your student meets the eligibility requirements above, you must register by Monday, October 19, 2020 so that the appropriate materials may be ordered for you and your family included on all further information regarding preparation and celebration. The Google Form link to register is here:  https://forms.gle/sh6HoNBgVVrE2eAx7

Peace to you,
Marrey C. Picciotti
St. Giles Parish Life & Formation Director
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