SUMMER 2021
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TAKE A BREAK AND PLEASE READ THIS SUMMER NEWSLETTER, CHOCK FULL OF EXCITING & USEFUL INFORMATION...
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

A staff member will be in the office in July for limited summer office hours. Messages will be checked. School info can also be dropped off at the rectory through the mail slot or during rectory office hours. The school office will reopen on Monday, August 2nd. Enjoy the sunshine!
We're so happy that you're here!
Where in the world is Francis the Falcon?


Take Flat Francis along on your Adventures!


1.) Color the Flat Francis template and cut around the dotted line.

2.) Take Flat Francis with you on your adventures this summer and don’t forget to take a photograph!

3.) Optional: Upload your photo to https://photos.app.goo.gl/FbRMWeP5EAn2kCWb8

Your picture may be used on the SFX social media sites!
August 24th: 1st day of school for K - 8th Grade (NOON dismissal)

August 25th: 1st day for PS3 and PK4
The Archdiocese Task Force will be waiting for the most up to date information from the CDC, the IDPH and other local health agencies to provide SFX with up-to-date guidelines.

Information will be coming in August on:

  • Re-opening Protocols (including School Hours, Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures)
  • Uniform Exchange
  • Pizza Days
  • Lunchtime Milk
  • PS3-PK4 Orientation
  • K-8 Back to School Nights
NEW SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

The Office for the Protection of Children & Youth, Archdioceses of Chicago has streamlined the registration process and submission of background check for volunteers. Now all volunteers are asked to visit: http://www.virtusonline.org where you will register for a live Virtus session called Protecting God’s Children for Adults. When you do, volunteers will also be asked to submit their background check in the Virtus System. When asked to select your primary site, please follow these guidelines:

Day School volunteers – St. Francis Xavier School – La Grange

You will also: Download the DCFS/CANTS form. Complete, sign and send to Peggy Evans, School Site Administrator. Your registration in the Virtus site will provide information for a background check which you will authorize on the last page.

Please read to the bottom of the page. It also applies to new volunteers. Click here for step by step instructions for the Virtus site. The links imbedded in the instructions are not linked. They are for demonstration purposes only.

ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST COMPLETE ILLINOIS MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING AT THIS LINK: https://mr.dcfstraining.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action?resetSucceeded=true

There is a certificate at the end. Please print and send to Peggy Evans. This is renewable every three years. There is also a certificate at the end of the live Protecting God’s Children program. Send it to Peggy.

CURRENT SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
WHO HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED A VIRTUS SESSION (Live or Virtual)

The work of protecting children is of the upmost importance to the Archdiocese of Chicago and St. Francis Xavier School/Parish. With that in mind, this year the Archdiocese Office for the Protection of Children & Youth requests everyone who has a Virtus account, which is everyone who has attended a Virtus (pedophile awareness) session, do a little updating to their Virtus account to make sure:

  • Your name is the same as it is on your driver’s license.
  • Your primary location is St. Francis Xavier School–La Grange (you may keep Parish if you volunteer at the parish, however, the school should be your Primary location).
  • Complete the background check information if asked. 
  • Everyone’s ROLE should be listed as “volunteer” even if you coach. List “coach” under your title or function section. Download, complete and return to me: DCFS/Cants form.

Once finished, please email me that your account is updated. Thank you and please direct all questions to me at pevans@sfxlg.org. If you need assistance with Virtus on line please contact Dina Garcia at: dgarcia@archchicago.org.

Thank you,
Mrs. Peggy Evans
School Secretary & Compliance Officer
HEALTH INFORMATION

STATE OF ILLINOIS STUDENT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR



PHYSICAL EXAMINATION / IMMUNIZATION RECORD:
Illinois State Law requires that all students prior to entering:
  • Illinois schools for the first time
  • Kindergarten
  • 6th Grade 
must have a current (conducted within one year of entering the given grade) physical examination with a current immunization record. Students entering sixth grade will be required to provide proof of Tdap vaccination along with the school physical forms that are also required for these grades.
Illinois requires students to have proof of immunization to enter school. We request that your child’s health/immunization form be in the school office no later than August 1, 2021. The completed health/immunization form (with parent section top of page 2 completed and signed) may be brought to the rectory mail slot or mailed to school. Students must have an Illinois Child Health Examination form signed by a physician, nurse in physician’s office, school nurse, or local health agency and the form has to show: the type of immunization given, number of immunizations and dates immunizations were given.

If the form is not received by October 15th, the child will be excluded from school until they can prove they received the required immunizations or proof of future doctor's appointment or unless the child has a valid medical or religious exemption.

DENTAL EXAMINATIONS:
The State of Illinois has mandated that dental examinations are required for children entering:
  • Kindergarten
  • 2nd Grade
  • 6th Grade
  • St. Francis Xavier School recommends children entering school for the first time to have a dental examination. 
Each child is required to present proof of examination by a dentist prior to May 15 of the school year.

VISION EXAMINATIONS:
Vision examinations are required for children entering:
  • Kindergarten
  • Or upon first entry into an Illinois school beyond Kindergarten.
  • Before October 15 of the school year, each child to whom the eye examinations requirement applies is required to present proof of an eye examination by a licensed optometrist or medical doctor who performs eye examinations.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:
  • This completed Health Examination form may be substituted for the Athletics Physical form, however, the Athletics form cannot be substituted for the State of Illinois Certificate of Child’s Health Examination.
  • Please retain a photocopy for your own records.
  • Physicians must conform to State Law requirements regarding immunizations or your child may be excluded from school.  

LINKS TO THESE AND ADDITIONAL HEALTH RELATED FORMS MAY BE FOUND BELOW.
Thank you for your cooperation. Please call the school office at 708-352-2175 if you have any questions.

HEALTH RELATED FORM LINKS:
REQUIRED SUMMER READING & BOOK SUGGESTIONS

Readers Are Leaders! There's required summer reading for students in grades 4-8 and suggested reading for younger students. It's summer, but remember 4th-8th - there could be a quiz! CLICK HERE for the information!
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS



** School supplies may be purchased on your own, or conveniently ordered through the school sponsored vendor
ATHLETICS INFORMATION

Planning for the resumption of SFX athletic activities entails monitoring the safety guidelines from state and local health officials and the Archdiocese of Chicago. We will continue to implement the guidelines that we are given and evaluate how they will affect our sports program including, but not limited to guidelines relating to mask wearing, temperature checks, limitations on spectators, cleaning procedures, and quarantine protocols.

 As a volunteer organization, we could not offer these programs to our students without the continued support of our parent volunteers. You make it all possible by the generous donation of your time and talents! Be aware that there may be an increase in need for parent volunteers this year to help with screening or cleaning protocols that may be necessary. All volunteers for the athletic programs are required to complete the Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children training, a concussion training course and be trained on any Covid 19 protocols that will need to be implemented.

Annual Sports physicals, concussion forms and waivers will need to be submitted in paper form. Below are links to the required athletic registration forms and documents.
FSA VOLUNTEER SPOT

Dear SFX Families, Below is an overview of the volunteer sign-up process at St. Francis School. This information was sent to current school families in May. Please read through the committees & sign up for as many as you would like.** Thank you for all your time and talents. SFX is very lucky to have such amazing volunteers!!

Spring 2021 Volunteer Spot Sign-up for 2021/2022 School Wide Events
This online Volunteer Spot sign-up is for volunteer opportunities for the upcoming school year that are not classroom specific. Please sign up here... https://signup.com/go/PSQGtMH

August 2021 Grade Level Leadership Volunteer Sign-up
After class lists are available in August, this on-line volunteer sign-up will be sent out for Room Parent, Art Smart, or Service volunteers for your child’s specific class. (Please note that room parents primarily assign roles and send reminder emails for a volunteer list created with the teacher’s help. This could be a good fit for working parents or those staying home with small children.)

August 2021 Classroom Volunteer Sign-Up
Volunteer on-line sign-up for class parties, field trips, and service projects.

November 2021: Service Day Volunteer Sign-up
In the fall, you will receive a separate Volunteer Spot Sign-Up for Service Day.

There are many ways for parents to be involved. I hope that you will find the right fit for you and your family. 

** Please note: All volunteers who interact with children must be fully compliant with the “Protecting God’s Children” program.

Thank you for making SFX such a terrific school and community!

Emily Bersnak, FSA President
The school office is willing and eager to accept donated 8.5 x 11 paper and envelopes of any size. If you or your family and friends know of a business who will be changing their stationary, please consider SFX as the home of the soon to be discarded. Those families who have been here awhile remember many things sent home on the back side of various company logos. Contact school secretary Mrs. Peggy Evans pevans@sfxlg.org with questions. Thank you for your consideration!
SFX PARENT ROSARY

DATE: Every Thursday All Summer Long
TIME: 8:20am

JOIN US IN-PERSON & SOCIALLY DISTANCED:

PLACE: Mary Garden on the Spring Ave side of the church (inclement weather? We will gather in the church.)

Questions? Contact Katie Kanzer at k.f.kanzer@gmail.com
Support SFX on Amazon Smile!

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to SFX!


Thank you! Your purchases can make a difference!
Simply make a purchase of qualifying school supplies at Office Max/Office Depot, provide the SFX school ID at checkout (in store and online) and St. Francis Xavier School will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! It's a small act that can make a huge difference!

Use SFX ID # 70032987

The "Give Back to Schools" program is valid all year long! For more information https://www.officedepot.com/cm/school-supplies/give-back