Dear St. Giles Families,
8 weeks! We are entering our 8th week of in person learning and are so grateful to all of our families, students, teachers, and staff who have maintained all of our protocols. Our 2nd grade quarantined class returned on Friday to pajama day and it was great to welcome them back, healthy and full of smiles. We look forward to our 3rd grade quarantined class returning on October 19th and again, thank families and teachers for a smooth transition to remote learning.
Included in the reminders below are the protocols for students who may be ill, including the requirement to keep siblings home, as well as recent communication from the Archdiocese to parents regarding maintaining our protocols. We know we will be able to continue as long as we follow the guidelines and continue to remain safe, including wearing masks. As we enter colder weather days, please make sure your child’s masks fit properly and that they have an extra mask in their backpack.
As a reminder, St. Giles faculty, staff and families must adhere to all IDPH protocols, including travel quarantines. If you are going to be traveling to any states on the Chicago and/or Cook County list that require quarantine, (Wisconsin is currently on the list and Indiana is on the warning list) please contact the office. We will work with you and your students during your quarantine to provide the necessary assignments so that they do not fall behind. We all want to continue in person learning.
Have a wonderful week and stay well!
Meg
Staffing news: Ms. Mostek was unable to continue teacher art with us for the remainder of the year. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Caitlan An as our new art teacher. Mrs. An comes to us with experience in teaching art and dance in New York and Missouri and has recently relocated back to Chicago. She holds a degree in Art from The School of the Art Institute in Chicago. She will begin on Wednesday. Welcome, Mrs. An!
Reminders:
Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be virtual this year. We will hold conferences on Thursday, October 22nd and Friday, October 23rd. There will be no classes and no Kids Klub on either day. A special enews will be sent with details regarding times and sign-up information.
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Lion's Leap Wrap Up
Please encourage your donors to pay their pledges online by credit card or send a check / cash to the school office. We are keeping funrun.com open through 10/15. We have almost $4,500 outstanding at this time.
Families who have not met their minimum family contribution by November 1 will have it added to their November FACTS invoice.
Any questions about Lion's Leap-email Kelly
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This week the primary children thought about ways to get a break while socially distancing from others. We brainstormed actions that would wake us up if we were feeling tired or had low energy. We brainstormed actions to help us focus if we were feeling fidgety while sitting at a table or at a desk. Then we learned a new skill. We practiced a body scan together with classroom teachers participating as role models. A body scan involves paying attention to parts of the body in a gradual sequence from feet to head. By mentally scanning yourself, you bring awareness to every single part of your body, noticing any aches, tension, or general discomfort. During the scan the person relaxes and softens each body part. Try this short one today. Give three minutes to your child and yourself.
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New Faculty Spotlight
Name: Steven Siwek
Grade taught: PE, K-8
College/Universities attended: Undergrad- Physical Education Teacher Education, Illinois State University, Graduate- Adapted Physical Education, Northern Illinois University
Favorite Movie: The Avengers
Favorite vacation spot: San Diego
This is my 8th year teaching. I taught 6 years within the Catholic schools and 1 year in the public schools. I am married and have two young children. I am a huge sports fan, and enjoy playing and talking about most sports.
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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.
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Join us for our Virtual Shamrock Showcase and hear more about the unique programs at Saint Patrick! Then come see for yourself by attending an in-person group or personal tour. Zoom meetings are also available.
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St. Ignatius has several events/programs for prospective families underway this season, all of which are listed at www.ignatius.org/admissions/visit-saint-ignatius. We are offering a shadow-day-alternative for 8th graders (our Virtual Visit Experience), Admissions Coffees for parents, a range of athletic camps, a virtual Model UN conference (PACKMUN), a virtual Open House on November 15, and weekly virtual Admissions Lunch Chats.
Please contact Beth Carney, Director of Admissions, with any questions.
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Saturday Tours for 8th Graders
We have added an 8 AM tour on the following dates:
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, November 7
Saturday, November 14
Saturday, November 21
Tours are only open to 8th grade prospects at this time.
7th grade prospects will be invited to tour our campus Spring 2021.
No walk-ups will be allowed.
Those wishing to tour the campus must sign-up at least 24 hours ahead of the tour date and time.
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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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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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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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