July 10th, 2020

Today, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Jim Rigg, announced the Archdiocese's plans for reopening Catholic schools for in-person learning this fall. Please read through this important letter here . This letter contains a Summary of the Reopening Plan along with a Parent FAQ .

Save the Date for this Monday, July 13th at 7pm for a Zoom Presentation on the Planning Scenarios of the Reopening of SJ and SFX Schools. School parents are invited to join Principal Colleen Barrett and Fr. Wayne Watts for a Zoom presentation this Monday, July 13th at 7pm. We will share the Zoom link via the Newsblast prior to Monday's presentation. Monday’s presentation will review considerations and background regarding base case planning for fall in-person learning, as well as additional planning scenarios including hybrid (in-person + at-home) and remote learning. These scenarios were introduced in this letter from Miss Barrett and Father Wayne on June 29th. A more detailed overview of procedures, based on today's Reopening Plan from the Archdiocese, will be shared later this summer.

3 Year Old Preschool and Junior Kindergarten are proud to offer extension programs after regular morning classes end at 11:30am. Please contact the office at office@stjosephwilmette.com to update your child's schedule. Tuition rates for these programs can be found here .

Students enjoy lunch and recess with their classmates after morning preschool programs. This program is offered on an a la carte basis, up to five afternoons per week from 11:30am-12:45 pm. Students are welcome to leave after Lunch Bunch, or may continue with Enrichment through 3pm.

Our afternoon Enrichment program begins after Lunch Bunch and consists of rest time, snack, and play. Children further develop creativity, fine and gross motor skills, and language skills…all while having fun! This program is offered on an a la carte basis, up to five afternoons per week from 12:45-3pm.

School Liaison Touch Base Members of our school leadership boards seek to connect with school parents to hear feedback, answer questions, and discuss any hopes or concerns in anticipation of our return to school this fall. This initiative is undertaken to incorporate critical family input and to be responsive to parent suggestions and concerns as we proceed with fall reopening planning.  Parents who are interested in sharing input or asking questions are encouraged to complete this form no later than Friday, July 17th . Board members will work over the coming weeks to schedule calls and in-person meetings according to parent preference. Questions regarding this communications initiative may be directed to Tim Horton at  thorton@polaleshorton.com .

We look forward to welcoming a new group of families into our community this summer before their children join us in August. Are you able to serve as a mentor to a new family who will be joining your child’s grade this fall?  Mentors are still needed to guide, answer questions, and help introduce families to classmates this summer and through the coming school year.  Mentor families are a true gift to the newest members of our community and the commitment is minimal and fun! If you are willing to lend a hand, please contact  miamontemurro@stjosephwilmette.com .