Dear St. Giles Families,
In this first full week of Lent, we reflect on how we can do for others and how we might improve ourselves. It also begins our final trimester of the year and provides the opportunity for a reset. Our transition to mask optional has gone smoothly and we have seen our Lions respect one another's choices. As we slowly move back to a setting we have not seen in the past two years, this is the perfect time for a fresh start and a chance to ask ourselves some questions: have I given my full effort in all that I do? Have I focused on my school work and responsibilities enough? Has my behavior been what it should be? Our teachers have taken time to talk about resets with our Lions, encouraging them to consider how they want to end the school year and to take this opportunity to improve. We encourage you to have these same conversations at home. Our goal is to end the year strong in mind, body and spirit and see success in all of our students as they strive for and reach their goals.
This week we also return to our Lenten 40 Acts of Kindness. We have celebrated acts of kindness throughout the year but Lent brings a special time of reflection on how we can treat and do things for others. Acts of kindness can be done at home, at school, or in the neighborhood for those who might need an extra hand. These may look like helping a friend with homework or an assignment they may not understand, carrying their books or helping a teacher clean up the room after the long day or week. Our Lions are already kind and we see these things every day. Going that extra mile at school, at home, and in the community makes a difference to everyone, and so we encourage our students, staff and families to incorporate 40 Acts of Kindness this Lenten season and see what a difference we can make in the lives of others.
Spirit Wear Days are back! Let’s Go Lions! Tuesday is our first Spirit Wear Day of the trimester. Get your spirit wear ready for Tuesday! Students may wear official SGS spirit wear, general black and gold attire, including pants other than school pants, or jeans as long as they are not torn.
Thank you to everyone for your kind notes and congratulations this week as I received the Principal of the Year Award from the Illinois Principals Association (West Cook). In case you didn't see Fr. Carl's lovely letter, you can read it here. I am humbled and this award means so much to me, but also for our school community. Our faculty and staff is the best I’ve worked with and their collaboration, compassion, camaraderie and enthusiasm for all things black and gold make coming to work a joy every day. And to you, our school families: your support, your patience and your partnership build me up, especially when things are difficult. I am honored by your decision to entrust me and St. Giles School with the education of your children. This award is for all of us and I look forward to celebrating with everyone on Wednesday.
Stay safe and well,
Meg
P.S. Be sure to scroll all the way through eNews this week! We have a lot of great information, upcoming events and information about Black and Gold!
Reminders
5Essentials Survey
Please take a few moments to complete the 5Essentials Survey. Click here to participate in the survey. The survey closes on March 18th.
Saturday, March 19th-Annual Black and Gold Virtual Gala
Monday, March 21st-No School
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2022-23 At-A-Glance Calendar
Our school calendar has been approved for the 2022-23 school year. You will find important dates, school breaks, etc. on the at-a-glance calendar. The full calendar will be available on the Family Portal once it is complete with all events and activities. We worked to align our breaks with area Catholic and public schools when possible. For planning purposes, our first day of school will be Monday, August 22nd for PreK-8th grade with a 2:00 pm dismissal.
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St. Giles Summer Enrichment registration is here!
Classes include Chess, Giving Artfully, Legacy Sports, Kids Klub and even ones our littlest Lions can enjoy! For a more detailed description, please look at the 2022 Summer Camp flyer. Most of our teachers have either scheduling conflicts or just need a break, so we have reached out to our vendors and they have responded! Sign up today!
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Junior Counselor Sign-Up!
Calling all incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders! For the first time, we are inviting our oldest Lions to assist with our summer enrichment camps as junior counselors. We are seeking responsible, high-energy and compassionate students to work with our Kids Klub Summer Fun Camp and Legacy Sports Camp to help ensure a safe, engaging and fun experience for all!
To apply to serve as a junior counselor, please complete the form below by April 1.
Sixth and seventh graders are invited to serve as junior counselors for our Kids Klub Summer Fun Camp. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders are invited to serve as junior counselors for our Legacy Sports Camp.
Please note: this is a volunteer position. Students will be notified of their acceptance and assigned dates via email by April 15th. All questions should be directed to Mr. Siwek. Sign up below:
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Infinity Arts Academy at St. Giles School!
Our 2nd Session show, "Alice@Wonderland" will star 20 incredible St. Giles Students grades K-8! The show is Thursday 3/10 at 6:30 p.m. on the stage in the St. Giles gym. Admission is $5. Masks are strongly recommended. Come out and support these amazing performers!
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Special "Sips" for Black & Gold
Back by popular demand, we're offering special VIP drink packages for Black & Gold. Sip on Bourbon Punches, Margaritas, or both in a fun party pack -- complete with garnishes and two special edition St. Giles School stainless steel wine glasses. Drinks are delivered to your home in time to watch on the 19th! Watching from someone else's home? No biggie -- we'll deliver there too! Purchase today through the event site, Handbid.
Black & Gold Homeroom Contest
Help your child's homeroom win a pizza party! Just head to Handbid and register today: https://handbid.app.link/gvQKEKPO2nb. That's all it takes. Once you're registered, you'll be able to bid on auction items and donate. The class that has the most families registered will win a pizza lunch.
Calling All Community Stories
Black & Gold is more than a fundraiser -- it's a celebration of our community. We have a few special things planned for the 19th to show off what it means to be a Lion. If you have a story about what the SGS community means to you, along with any pictures you'd be willing to share (think: Great Grade parties, bowling, events, etc), please send to development@stgilesschool.org.
Questions about Black & Gold Pride? E-mail Development anytime. Use the QR code below to register!
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Marla's Lunch Update
It's not too late to order school lunches through Marla's! Parents can jump in anytime. Ordering has a weekly lockout so you can order week to week, month to month or for the entire remainder of the school year. There are many great options with rotating vendors. Check out the updated registration page and additional information here.
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Lenten Mission – House to Home Project
This Lent St. Giles School & Religious Education and Ascension Religious Education are coming together to support a local nonprofit, Housing Forward in the creation of “House to Home Kits”. The concept is simple: donations from families will be used to purchase household items, from cleaning supplies to small appliances. Housing Forward then identifies a client who is ready to transition from homelessness to housing stability. On move-in day, the client is presented with a “House to Home Kit” filled with the items purchased by our families along with house-warming cards written by our students.
Resources on Catholic Social Teaching and details on how to contribute to the mission can be found here.
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Miles for Giles
Our virtual fun run is scheduled for March 26th and 27th. Run anywhere anytime....treadmill, vacation, neighborhood, alone or with a group!
Register here by next Friday 3/11 to guarantee a t-shirt! All participants will automatically be entered in a drawing to win a fitness related prize!
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PTO at a Glance
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Plant sale ordering is open
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Next Fun Lunch 3/10
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March Madness squares are on sale
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PTO meeting Tuesday, March 15th 7:00 pm
- Miles for Giles 3/26 & 27
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Mia Nardello, class of 2019 is a member of Team Smiles and a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Students of the Year campaign. We are so proud of Mia and all of her accomplishments! You can read more about her campaign and fundraising goals here. Way to go Mia!
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Every woman who is part of the St. Giles community is automatically a member of the St. Giles CCW! There is no registration or fee to join.
CCW strives to offer something for everyone with a focus on faith, friendship and fun. We hope you find many ways to enjoy the group and get involved in the things that are of interest to you.
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Lenten Soup Supper
St. Giles CCW is partnering with Starship Restaurant, 7618 Madison Street in Forest Park, to support charitable works of the Fraternite Notre Dame Sisters. They serve the Austin community with meal distribution and a food pantry. Starship Restaurant & Catering has been serving the community for over 44 years.
Every Wednesday during Lent, we invite you to warm up with Starship’s homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and more. Starship will donate 20% of all orders placed on Wednesdays. The offer includes pickups, deliveries, and online orders, including catering orders.
- IMPORTANT – You MUST mention ST. GILES
- WHO – You, Your Family and Friends
- WHAT – Order a meal, take out, delivery, and catering – GRUB HUB orders not included
- WHEN – March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6
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HOW – Online at starshiprestaurant.com or 708-771-3016
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