February 21, 2020
Dear School of St. Mary Families,
 
  I wanted to take some time to update you on our Annual Fund.  Please consider contributing to it, whether it be via the Gala, the online auction or a donation directly into the AF, it all adds up.  We are in this together as a community; a family!  Please also look into whether or not your company does Matching Donations!  It's an easy way to double or even triple your donation!  To learn more ways to give along with a partial listing of companies that participate in corporate matching,  click here.

Our Annual Fund as of today is shown below.  When we add in the funds raised from our Catholic Schools Week, Day of Giving, we have raised $125,638.02!  Although we still have a ways to go to reach our goal, what we really want 100% SOSM Family Participation!  Thus far this year we have had 33.47% participation.  Let's all join together to show support for our SOSM community, our hard working and dedicated teachers and most importantly, our students!


 
Dave Wieters
Principal

New Family Referral Program

New Family Referral Program:
  Would you like to receive a $1,000 tuition credit?
   
Parents are the best promoters of Catholic education and we want to thank all of you that have recommended the School of St. Mary (SOSM) to your family and friends.  Through our New Family Referral Program, you could receive a $1,000 tuition credit for each new family you refer to SOSM who enrolls a full-time student (see Rule #3 below) that is officially admitted to our school and meets all of the admission requirements as well as the rules and regulations listed below.
 
Here's How It Works!
 
Parents or guardians will receive a $1,000 tuition credit for each new family they formally refer to SOSM that is accepted based on our current admission requirements.  Tuition credits will be applied to the referring family's account after the new student has successfully completed one semester.  All referrals must adhere to the New Family Referral Program's rules and regulations.
 
Who is eligible/ineligible to participate?
  • All current parents, guardians, teachers, and staff members who currently pay tuition at SOSM are eligible to participate in this program.
  • Referrals of new families enrolling part-time students are very much appreciated but are not eligible for the referral incentive program.
Rules and Regulations
  1. It is your responsibility to submit a completed New Family Referral Form to SOSM for each new family you refer before the new family formally applies for admission.  No exceptions will be made to this requirement.  Referrals may not be made retroactively.  Forms are available in the SOSM Office or online at www.schoolofstmary.org.
  2. The referred family cannot already be in our school's database concerning a previous enrollment inquiry, have had children previously enrolled, or currently have siblings at SOSM.
  3. The new family must enroll a full-time Kindergarten (5K) through 8th grade student at SOSM.
  4. Regular enrollment criteria must be met.  Final decision for family acceptance rests with the recommendation of the Principal of SOSM.
  5. Students must enroll and successfully complete one semester before tuition credit will be awarded.
  6. If a new student begins attending school after the academic year has begun, the tuition credit awarded to the referring family will be prorated based on the student's first day of attendance.
  7. There is no limit to the number of families that you may refer; however, the total tuition credits received may not exceed your current tuition requirement in a given school year.
  8. If more than one family refers a student, the tuition credit will be divided equally among the referring families.
  9. The referral incentive program begins immediately; however, the tuition credit will be applied in the 2020-2021 school year, after the new student has successfully completed one semester.
  10. SOSM retains the right to reevaluate, revise or cancel this program at any time.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Mandy Castle at (847) 295-4830 or email at [email protected]
We are now accepting preschool applications for the upcoming 2020-21 school year!

We are excited to offer an additional section of our popular Little Angels Preschool Class. One section will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the other on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Families can select their preferred days in the application. Historically, this class has filled quickly, so please apply right away if you are interested.
 
We are also pleased to offer an All-Day Three-year-old Preschool Program next year. This class will, of course, be developmentally appropriate, including both lunch and a rest period. If you are interested in any of our preschool offerings, please follow these steps:  
  • Go to factsmgt.com
  • Click on the Parent login on the top right corner
  • Click on FACTS Family Portal (ParentsWeb) in the top right corner
  • Enter our District Code: SOSM-IL
  • Enter a user name
  • Enter a password 
If you are a current family, you already have a portal account as well as a password. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mandy Castle at 847-295-4830.
Click in the image to go to the site!


TCS Applications for 2020/21 School Year
TCS Donation Update: 2 for 1 TCS Matching Program
As of Jan. 28, we have eight schools that have reached the $50,000 cap. Only archdiocesan-run schools are eligible to participate in this matching program. Donations are coming in rapidly and we are over 70 percent through the match pool funds. Donations designated to a school will continue to be matched until the funds are depleted or Feb. 29, 2020, whichever comes first. There are 102 Catholic schools participating so far, but we would like to see all schools with eligible students involved in the program. It is not too late to start! Click  here  for information on how to get started. If you have any questions about the matching gift program, please contact Clare Sullivan at [email protected] .

TCS Matching Gift Funds
The TCS matching funds will be provided to schools via the EI portal approximately two weeks after the match program closes. Donations designated to a school (pre-match) are reported currently in the EI school portal and will be available next week when Empower Illinois begins to make awards. 

Donating to Empower Illinois
Next week (January 15) the Empower Illinois Scholarship application goes live to families interested in attending Catholic Schools but who need scholarship assistance.  We have the opportunity to donate to help fund scholarships while also earning a 75% Illinois State tax credit; and through February 29, 2020 the 2-for-1 Tax Credit Scholarship (TCS) Gift Program is open.  Any TCS donations designated to a school between now and February 29 (or until funds are depleted) are eligible for a 2-for-1 matching gift.  

The process to donate is a four-phase process.  It involves first requesting a letter ID from Illinois, activating your account at mytax.illinois.gov, reserving your credit and then making the donation.  The details around the whole process may be found at this link: How to Donate for Tax Credit Scholarship Program .  

  1. Clic on "Request a Letter ID"; under the "Miscellaneous section:
    • If you already have an account enter your username and password to verify
    • If you do NOT have an account, click the 'individual' tab
  2. Enter your Social Security Number and one of the following: 
    • IL-PIN
    • Most Recent Adjusted Gross Income
    • IL Driver's License Number
    • IL State Identification Number
  3. Click 'Submit' and enter and confirm your email address; then click 'OK' to submit and receive your confirmation.
  4. Your Letter ID will be mailed to the address on your last year's tax return.  You should receive it within 7-10 business days.
  5. Then proceed to the second phase of the donation process: Activate Your Account
Please consider donating to Empower Illinois and designate School of St. Mary. We will be able to accept more families with generous donations, particularly if donations are completed by February 29, 2020. Please contact Mandy Castle with any questions on how to donate ( [email protected] ).
Spring Gala!
Gala Online Silent Auction is now Live!
The Roaring into the Twenties Silent Auction is open! Click on the link below to start bidding on your favorite items and spread the word to your family and friends!

You will need to create an account and add a credit card in order to submit bids. Every dollar raised goes towards our kids' education! So bid well and often - have fun, Crusaders!!!

Click on the image to go to the online auction site!
Click on the image to see the Raffle's Rules and Regulations


Fishing Club!

Attention all Upper Grade Center parents and students:  SOSM will be having a fishing club this Spring!  Students should be in grades 4-8 and should be accompanied by an adult.  3 dates are planned - April 11, April 25, and May 30 (all Saturdays) - at local ponds and lakes.  If you and your child/parent would be interested in joining, please email  [email protected] .  Jim Castle (Father to Owen grade 7 and Kyle grade 4) will be coaching, and will provide all needed equipment.  All you have to bring is yourself, an Illinois fishing license for those age 16 and older (very easy to obtain on the web), and sun/eye protection.  Sign up may be limited, so please email soon.
Click on the image to register!

The Lake Forest High School Hockey Association would like to notify community members that registration for 2020 Spring Hockey is now underway.  Spring Hockey is open to current 8th grade boys through high school players.  The 2020 Spring Program will consist of eight skill sessions and an interclub league all at Hot Shot Ice Arena in Lake Bluff from April 6th to May 27th.  More information and online registration can be found at  scouthockey.com .




School of St. Mary Parents' Association 
Father - Child Night of Service at Feed My Starving Children
 
Who : School of St Mary Fathers & Children. Recommended for 2nd graders and up. See minimum age and required adult/child ratios below. Space is limited.

What: Join your fellow Dads for a night of community building and service! Help turn hunger into hope by packing nutritious meals. You'll hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals for shipment to the neediest children  around the world.

When: Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Feed My Starving Children - 742 East Park Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048

How : Registration is 100% on-line and easy. Simply use the following link to find our session & register:

https://www.fmsc.org/join-group?joincode=39L2Y7      Our group's Join Code is 39L2Y7.

Space is limited!

The minimum age for volunteering is 5 years old. For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 are not allowed to participate in packing sessions.

For Dads bringing multiple children, FMSC requires the following adult to child ratios:
  • Grades K-2: 1 student to 1 adult
  • Grades 3-6: 3 students to 1 adult
  • Grades 7-9: 4 students to 1 adult
  • Grades 10-12: 5 students to 1 adult
Alumni Committee

We are looking for parents to be a part of our Alumni Committee!  Help us grow our Alumni database, you don't have to be an alum to be a part of this committee, just a willing parent!  Sounds like you?  Please contact John & Rose Hancir at:  [email protected]  or   [email protected]
The Parent Association is looking for parents who volunteers for some end of the year volunteer activities!

We are always looking for parents who want to be a part of the Parents' Association who have ideas on how to bring the community together both socially as well as to raise funds for our Annual Fund

Interested!?!  Please contact John or Rose Hancir at:   [email protected]  or [email protected]

Click on the image to register online.
Shadow Days for Carmel Catholic, Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican & Woodlands Academy
Registration is open for Shadow Days at Loyola, Carmel Catholic, Regina Dominican & Woodlands Academy.

Parents can access information and register at 
https://www.goramblers.org/admissions/shadow-program#
     

Visit carmelhs.org/shadowday/ to learn more and register. 

Visit https://rdhs.org/admissions/shadow-preview-days/ to register for Regina Dominican.

Visit Woodlandsacademy.org/ for Woodlands Academy
Upcoming Calendar Dates
  • Saturday, February 22nd
    • 5th grade Basketball
      • 9:00 AM Girls St Mary vs St. Francis - GLD
      • 9:50 AM Boys St. Mary vs St. Francis - GLD 
      • 10:40 AM Boys St. Athanasius OLPH - O 
  • Sunday, February, 23rd
    • 3rd graders attend 10AM Mass
    • 2nd Grade 1st Communion Parent Meeting, 1:15-2:15PM
  • Monday, February, 24th
    • 2nd Grade 1st Communion Parent Meeting, 7:00-8:00PM
    • Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  • Tuesday, February 25th, 
    • 8th Grade Palm Burning 2:40pm
    • Mid-Year Band Dress Rehearsal at St Joseph Catholic School
      • Beginners: 6:00 - 6:30 pm 
      • Intermediate: 6:30 - 7:10 pm 
      • Advanced: 6:50 - 7:30 pm
    •   Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  • Wednesday, February 26th
    • All School Mass, 10AM, Ash Wednesday
    • Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  • Thursday, February 27th
    • Mid-Year Band Concert at St Joseph Catholic School 6:30-8:00PM
    • Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  • Friday, February 28th
    • UGC Stations of the Cross, 9:00AM Playoffs, TBA
    •  Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  •  Saturday, February 29th
    • 2nd Grade First Communion Retreat at UGC- MPR, 9:00AM-Noon
    • 8th Grade Musical Practice at UGC, 12:30-5:00PM
    • Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
    • School of St. Mary Gala at Cuneo Mansion 6:00-11:00PM
  • Sunday, March 1st
    • Scout Sunday at 10AM Mass
    • Scout Sunday Reception: Parish Center Conference Room 11:00-2:00PM
    • 8th Grade Musical Rehearsal 1:30-5:30PM
    • Basketball
      • 8th grade Playoffs, TBA
  • Monday, March 2nd
    • 8th grade Musical, 12:30-2:00PM
    • 8th grade Musical, 6:30-8:00PM
  • Tuesday, March 3rd
    • UGC Mass at 9:00AM
  • Wednesday, March 4th
    • PGC Mass at 9:10AM
  • Thursday, March 5th
    • First grade will go to Marriott Theatre to see Princess and the Pea, 9:30-11:30AM
    • Early Dismissal: PGC- 2:00pm; UGC - 2:21 pm
    • Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-8:00PM
  • Friday, March 6th
    •  No School, Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8:00-Noon
  • Saturday, March 7th
    • 2nd Grade 1st Communion Retreat, 9:00-Noon
    • Solofest: Frassati Catholic Academy - Elementary & Middle School, 316 W Mill St, Wauconda, IL 60084 10:00-11:00AM, Student Call times vary.
  • Sunday, March 8th
    • PGC Choir sings at 10AM Mass
  • Monday, March 9th
    • American Heart Association, Grades 6-8, 9:00-10:00AM
    • School Advisory Council Meeting, 6:45- 8:45PM
    • 8th Grade Confirmation Rehearsal in church, 7:00-8:00PM
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile  is a website operated by  Amazon  with the same products, prices, and shopping features as  Amazon .com. The difference is that when you shop on  AmazonSmile , the  AmazonSmile  Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the School of St. Mary. 

To use amazon smile go to smile.amazon.com and then select School of St. Mary Lake Forest, IL as your organization of choice.