Dear St. Giles Families,
Here we are...our final week of full-time learning in 2020. It is amazing that we have gotten this far and are so grateful for the many sacrifices all of our families have made this year. After this week, it is time to rest, relax, and enjoy time with family as we anticipate Christmas.
Our teachers have been preparing for our return to full remote learning beginning January 4th. This week they will work with their students to provide all the necessary information for them to begin fresh that Monday morning and to ensure all necessary books and materials are sent home with students this week.
Each day of full remote learning will mirror our Wednesday schedule beginning at 8:20 am and ending at 2:00 pm. We will begin each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer, as we do each day at school. Teachers will share schedules with families so that parents can plan their days around when supervision is necessary. Every class will have both live instruction and independent work time with a break for lunch and movement. For our younger classes, teachers will share more detailed information regarding their expectations ahead of January 4th. Our in-person and remote learners will be together for those two weeks and Mrs. Spencer will ensure a smooth transition. As a reminder, the dates for remote learning are January 4-14th. January 15th is a staff development day and January 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; there will be no school on either day. On January 19th, we will return to our normal schedule, with in-person learners returning to campus and our remote learners returning to work online with the support of Mrs. Spencer.
We know that many of our families, faculty, and staff will be traveling and gathering with families during the Christmas break. We ask that anyone in the St. Giles community traveling for the holidays returns home by January 4th in order to quarantine before we return in person on January 19th. If you are unable to return by January 4, we ask that you quarantine the necessary days beyond January 19; we will coordinate with you to have work sent home for your students. Additionally, if your children will be absent at all this week, please either email or call the office to let us know.
Before I close this final enews of 2020, let me say a huge thank you to our parent community for the tremendous support you’ve shown our teachers and staff this year, but especially these last couple weeks. It is no secret that these are challenging times for our teachers, and the words of encouragement and daily drops of items to cheer us are working. Teachers have been so amazed by the thoughtfulness of our parents -- thanks to all of you who have sent a kind note, said a prayer for strength, or donated something to brighten our days. We are so grateful to be part of such a supportive community.
I’d like to especially thank our entire community for your donations to this year’s Teacher Appreciation Fund. We are overwhelmed by your amazing generosity during these difficult times. We will share a more formal thank you and how we are using your gift after we return in the new year.
So that all staff members can take time off to enjoy the season and spend time with family, the school office will be closed until January 19. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best health and good wishes in the new year. May God bless all of us!
Merry Christmas!
Meg
Reminder: Friday, December 18th dismissal is at 11:45, and Kids Klub will not be available.
Empower Illinois Reservation Night 2021
We are excited to announce that families can make a reservation for a 2021-2022 Empower Illinois tax credit scholarship on January 13, 2021 at 7pm! Contact Michele Bibbey with any questions.
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During the advent season, some Catholics have a unique Nativity tradition in their home. They add straw to soften the manger in preparation for Jesus. A few of our classrooms keep a Nativity in the classroom and invite children to place straw in the manger when they complete an act of kindness. When the straw is added, the children are making the cradle warm, comfortable and safe for the Baby Jesus. The added straw is a visual reminder of the acts of kindness committed by the children to help build classroom community, making our school a warm, comfortable, and safe place for each other. Thinking of adding this tradition to your home and need ideas? Take a look at this children’s random acts of kindness Advent calendar.
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There's still time to get your order in! The Book Fair will remain open until tonight at midnight.
It's easy to participate - here's how:
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Go to www.abcfairs.com
- Click on the categories that you are interested in. (Can’t find a book, use the search bar.)
- Click (Add to Cart) for each book you would like to purchase.
- Fill in the required fields on the Checkout page, including your School Name and City. Please include your Student and Teacher’s names.
- Please note there is NOT a tax exemption for online purchases.
- Choose whether you'd like your books delivered this Wednesday to your student or shipped to your home.
- Review and complete your online order!
(Wishlists will be bundled and delivered directly to teachers)
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2:1 Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship
Matching Donation Program Begins Dec. 1, 2020
The Archdiocese of Chicago has once again secured matching donors for the Empower Illinois Scholarship Program. St. Giles will receive an additional $2 for every dollar that you contribute between Dec. 1, 2020 and Jan. 20 (when funds typically run out). Here's how the program works:
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REGISTER with the State of Illinois at mytax.illinois.gov, unless you already have an online account. It usually takes 10-14 days to receive a letter with the ID number required to set up an account, so click on the "Sign up Now!" button in the Login box to start the process as soon as possible.
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RESERVE your tax credit for the current calendar year (2020 if you donate in Dec and 2021 if you donate in Jan.). Once your account is set up, log into your online account at mytax.illinois.gov (Empowerillinois.org will eventually take you to the same page.). Click on the link to your individual account under the "Accounts" tab. Then, under "I Want to" in the top right corner of the page, select "Contribute to Invest in Kids". Navigate through the form, selecting Cook County, Empower Illinois as the scholarship granting organization, and the amount you will be donating (to all schools). You will have the opportunity to select St. Giles (and any additional schools) when you make your donation. You will then receive your Contribution Authorization Certificate under your mytax.illinois.gov account correspondence tab almost immediately.
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DONATE: Make your donation between Dec. 1, 2020 and Jan. 20, 2021 (So that we can get our 2:1 matching funds).
You will receive 75% of your donation that can be used as a tax credit on your Illinois tax bill. Last year, we were able to secure $50,000 in matching funds due to our generous donors which helped 17 children in need! Our goal this year is to secure the full $100,000 in matching funds available to each school. Here is a step by step guide to make your donation
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This year's winner of the St. Giles Christmas card contest is fourth grader, Charlotte Pauwels. She submitted a beautiful drawing and it will be the cover of our 2020 school Christmas card mailed to friends and donors. Congrats Charlotte!
Thank you to ALL our talented students - we had over 60 submissions this year! These student drawings are hanging in the Corrigan and Frawley buildings for the students to see.
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Parent Leadership Training
Starting, Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM (Zoom)
Training helps parents and families:
- Set goals for themselves, their family and the community
- Breakdown the goal setting process into actionable steps while getting the support of their peers and the training facilitators (all the facilitators are parents from Oak Park!)
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More information can be found here.
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Let's shop local!
During this season of gifts and giving, consider shopping these amazing businesses owned by St. Giles School families!
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Flapjack Brewery
6833 Stanley Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402
We are Berwyn's Small-Batch Brewery & Wood-Fired Pizzeria. Located just on the outskirts of downtown Chicago in Berwyn’s historic Depot District. Come and enjoy our small-batch handcrafted Flapjack beer on 8 rotating taps and wood-fired pizza!
The Macchione Family, Grade 2
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Mima’s Taste of Cuba
2925 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 654-3075
The Best Cuban Comfort food in Chicagoland!
The Alvarez Family, Grades PreK 3 and 3
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The Daly Bagel
130 Chicago Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-613-5263
East coast bagels with a Midwest twist :)
The Daly Family, Grades 3, 6, 8
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2 Fools Cider
1665 Quincy Ave. #155
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 995-9973
Your Local Hard Cider Manufacturer and Retailer
Available at most retail outlets!
The Summers Family, Grade 3
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Sugar Fixé Patisserie
119 N Marion St
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 948-7720
Bakery and cafe specializing in French pastries and custom cakes.
Serving La Colombe coffee.
The Summers Family, Grade 3
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Do you own a small business? Do you have a store, restaurant, or other business that we can help support? If you do, please complete this form for Shop SGS Local. We will create a page in the family portal listing businesses affiliated with St. Giles families. Just another way we can support one another during these difficult times.
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St. Giles logo masks are in! Order now while supplies last. Available in adult and child size, both with adjustable ear straps, and made of three layers of soft cotton. Order here today to receive them in time for Christmas stocking stuffers! All proceeds benefit the 8th grade graduation fund. Thanks for your support! (Masks can also be found on the school website family portal. Look for "Co-Curriculars" then "Athletics" then "Online Store."
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Trinity High School is hosting a Christmas Tree Decorating Contest!
Welcome the Christmas season by decorating your own Trinity Tree. Registration fee is $5 to receive a 4-foot silver tree from the Trinity Admissions Team. Decorate your tree with blue and white and send pictures of your best Trinity Tree! Captain Blazer will be posting these Christmas trees starting Monday, December 21st to Facebook and Instagram to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Send your pictures to Trinity's Admissions Team! Contest winners will be announced Monday, December 21st. Sign up at www.trinityhs.org/trinitytree
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Dear Parents,
I have contacted your child’s school looking for students to participate in a radio program I am producing about the 1958 Chicago fire at Our Lady of the Angels School. I am writing a script and focusing on a particular room in the school, Room 207, which was referred to as, “The Cheese Box,” because of its small size. Sister Geraldita was the teacher that day. I have reached out to several schools in your area and would be happy to include your child in this project.
If you are interested and have more questions about the project feel free to contact me directly. I plan to put together a list of interested students and then provide a sample script for them to read via a Zoom call which will act as an audition. I will then make my final selection for the radio program.
Attached is a promotional flyer for the project.
God bless you and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Larry R. Cappetto
Filmmaker, Producer
PHONE: (970) 208-6853
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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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