Dear St. Giles Families,
As we move closer to Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, we also face the possibility of inclement weather. While we hope the snow doesn’t start this early, we need to be prepared for the possibility of closure due to weather conditions. It is important to remember that while most families live a close distance to school, most of our faculty and staff do not. Road conditions play a large part in our decision making and safety is the priority for all involved.
In the event of an emergency closure, due to weather conditions or other emergency, families will be notified via special eNews and text messaging through SchoolRush. We attempt to make these decisions as soon as possible and notify families the night before. Will we have a snow day with the implementation of remote learning? If necessary, yes, as we did last year. We may not have multiple days off or days in a row but will work to provide screen breaks when needed.
The closing date of the annual book fair was extended through today! Please take some time to check out the teacher selections and purchase books before it closes. You can find all of the details here. Thank you to our PTO Bookfair Co-Chairs, Becky Mangiat and Carolyn Serratto for a wonderful opportunity to promote and reinforce reading among our Lions and the opportunity to thank a teacher with a book.
Have a wonderful week!
Stay safe,
Meg
Reminders
Lockdown Drill
On Wednesday, November 17th, our School Resource Officer from the Oak Park Police Department will be coming to school to supervise our required lockdown drill. Per guidance from the state of Illinois, we will not be asking students to hide in classrooms during the drill. Teachers will talk to students regarding safe practices during a lockdown situation, and we will practice response time with locking doors, etc. These are important drills for us to practice and we pray that we never have to use them. If you would not like your child to participate on November 17th, you may keep them home from school that day. Please notify the office of their late arrival or absence that day.
Uniforms
As the weather gets colder, we’d like to remind all parents and students of our uniform policy. Please review this with your Lions and remind them of what is acceptable. If you have back-ordered items with Schoolbelles, please contact the office to let us know. For PE, alternative navy sweatpants may be worn if you are waiting for a delivery.
We continually take photos in classrooms for marketing purposes and want to make sure all students are in uniform. Thank you for your help!
Welcome Back!
Mr. Patterson returns on Monday from his practicum in Library Science. We are excited about his return and grateful to Mrs. Nelson for working with Mr. Patterson this trimester in all of our technology classes. Welcome back, Mr. Patterson!
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2:1 Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship
Matching Donation Program Begins Dec. 1, 2021
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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, 2021 and Jan. 10, 2022 (when funds typically run out). Here's how the program works:
1. 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.
2. RESERVE your tax credit for the current calendar year (2021 if you donate in Dec and 2022 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 when you make your donation. You will then receive your Contribution Authorization Certificate under your mytax.illinois.gov account correspondence tab almost immediately.
3. DONATE: Make your donation between Dec. 1, 2021 and Jan. 10, 2022 (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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St. Giles Annual Christmas Card Design Contest |
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Calling all artists! We are looking for a student to draw the front of this year's St. Giles Christmas card.
Requirements:
On 8.5 x 11" white paper
Use colors
Name on BACK
Religious themed
Submissions are due by Friday, December 3rd to homeroom teacher. The winner will receive a $15 gift card to a place of their choice. Last year's card was drawn by now 5th grader, Charlotte P. (pictured). We will again hang all of the submissions in the Corrigan lobby and Frawley lunchroom. Please encourage your child to participate and decorate the halls of St. Giles for Christmas!
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PreK Soccer League Kick-Off |
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Our first-ever preschool soccer league kicked off yesterday. Twenty-three PreK 3 and PreK 4 soccer stars played drills and games with four volunteer middle school coaches. The little Lions LOVED the attention from "the big kids" -- and our coaches did a wonderful job working with the preschoolers.
At St. Giles School, we're proud of the opportunities a PreK-8th-grade education can bring -- especially moments like these when our older students can serve as leaders for their younger fellow Lions. While the league is closed for preschool sign-up, there are still a few coaching spots left for dates in December. If your middle schooler would be interested in volunteering and working with our "little kickers," sign up today: https://signup.com/go/vzMbBvn.
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St. Giles Book Fair
Extended through today!
Our Fall book fair will be virtual this year. How to order:
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Follow this link: St. Giles Virtual Book Fair
- Click on categories 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.
- Thank a teacher with a book!
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All information can be found on our Family Portal.
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Way to go St. Giles!
Another successful CCW coat drive is in the books.
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We lovingly filled 75 Hefty bags and 20 grocery sacks with donations from our generous parishioners.
This year, donations benefitted A House in Austin, Augustus Tolton School, Chicago Survivors, Grace House, Housing Forward, New Moms, Sarah's Inn, Sister House, St. Leonard's House, St. Philip Neri and West Ridge Elementary School.
Much gratitude to our amazing volunteers: Beth Chlumecky, Margaret Burke Murphy, Maria Samatas, Janette Duewel, Janet Coffee, Jackie Reineke, Andrea Grote, Elizabeth Atchley, Barb Diehl, Judy Humowiecki, Lauren Locke, Julie Denise, Julia Harmon Bell, Sean Bell, Maeve Bell, Sharon Zinkula, Lucca Bibbey, Dorian Robinson and Rose McNamara.
A huge shout out to the event co-chairs, Anne Murphy, Stacy Callahan McEnery, Tara Smith and the CCW Co-Presidents, Theresa King Atchley and Peggy Connerty-Lau for the great planning, tireless efforts and hands-on effectiveness.
Thank you Anne Murray Brady for sharing your beautiful classroom so that we could collect, sort, stack and pack.
To Meg Bigane and Kelly Heintz Richard at St. Giles School, thank you for supporting our efforts so positively.
Rachel Faulman, Sharon Bresnahan and Larry Wardzala thanks to you and the Parish Staff for your tremendous helpfulness.
One last shout out to Sarah Reineke and the Reineke family for sewing the buttons back on a very warm coat.
Thank you to Laura McNamara for her leadership!
The way everyone comes together in service of others -- truly inspiring!
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Registration for the Catholic High School
Entrance Exam is Now Open
Please review this Special eNews sent last week for additional details. The test date is Saturday, December 4, 2021.
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Trinity High School Admissions Upcoming Events
Trinity Parent/Guardian Shadow Day
Wednesday, November 17
Join us for an opportunity to visit classes and meet members of the Trinity Administration and Admissions team. All classes will be open for observation, offering the opportunity to see instruction in both College Preparatory as well as International Baccalaureate classes. Guests welcome from 8:30AM - 11:00AM. Enter through the main doors on Lathrop Avenue.
Dinner and a Play
Join us for the first performance in Trinity’s newly renovated auditorium!
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