Bobcat E-Envelope
April 7, 2022
Dear SPS Parents and Family Members,

As we draw nearer to Holy Week and the completion of our Lenten journey, I hope you have been able, in the midst of daily tasks, to create time for moments with the Lord that bring you light and truth. Putting your hands together in prayer is a gesture of gratitude and I believe prayerful moments grow our relationship with God and also Jesus the man, the human being like us, who gives us “strength for the journey to illuminate the way….

Around SPS…

As we anticipate the celebration of Easter Resurrection and Spring Break, we are still in the afterglow of a wonderfully successful Spring School Production. Thank you once again to all those who gave of their time, talent, and treasure to our students and to our school community! We set a second best attendance record!

On Tuesday, April 5th, Mrs. Bartley-Bogard hosted a day of insects (affectionately called “bug” day. The guest presenter was Mr. Dean Hansen, of Trouts Unlimited. Mr. Hansen spoke to the 7th and 8th grade students about…insects! Mr. Hansen brought mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, hellgrammites, and other nymph forms of aquatic insects. He explained the role of these insects in the trout’s environment while the students handled the live insects, and examined their body parts. Don’t forget that the Trout Field Trip is on Monday, May 2nd. The trout raised this year by the 7th grade will be released in Waddams Creek in Lake Le- Aqua-Na State Park, Lena, IL. It will be a fun day!

April is National Poetry Month and is celebrated throughout the U.S. The 4th and 5th grade students entered the poetry competition, and we have the SPS winners!
Mrs. Holly Oszakiewski, recently announced the SPS poetry winners who participated in the Poetry Contest sponsored by the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans:
4th grade winners are Thomas Buss, Preston Bobek, Patrick Deliberto, Aleksandra Dudlo, Sarah Nyenbrink, Lilana Pituch, Helena Poulos,Cecilia Stoklosa, Evelun Strcaula,and Nicole Zigmunt. 5th Grade winners are Michael Bieda, Magdalena Czerwosz, Maja Galik, Henry Ingolia, Anna Kwak, and Vivienne Laureckas. These students will be published in the 2022 edition. Congratulations to all! Mrs. Oszakiewski commented: “ Carl Sandburg said, “ Poetry is an echo asking a shadow to dance.” National Poetry Month is an opportunity to celebrate poetry and our very own poets. We applaud these young St. Patricia writers who share their poetic talents with us. We look forward to all of the 4th and 5th grade students being published in our annual SPS poetry anthology, Fresh Ink 2022, coming soon!”

I want to thank our students who volunteered to be part of the Living Stations on April 15th, Good Friday at 12 noon. Our students and the religious education students are participating together to reenact the Stations of the Cross. We hope you can attend at noon on Good Friday. Thanks to our parents who are allowing their children to participate and thanks to Mrs. Christine Swiderski Mrs.Tina Glogowski, and Mrs. Christine Ramos who assisted in preparing and 
organizing this endeavor. Remember that you are welcome to attend the final all school Stations of the Cross tomorrow at 2:15 in St. Patricia Church.

SPS Progress Reports will be distributed on our final day of school before Easter/Spring break. Please expect your child’s progress report on Wednesday, April 13th, our last day of school until we return on April 25th. Classes resume on April 25th.

Please be aware that information on our combined school/religious education May Crowning, and end of year special events will be forthcoming in future e-newsletters. Here is what I can share with you now: May Crowning is on May 12th at 6:30 pm. All are invited!

Awards Night for the class of 2022 is May 19th at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center. More details to come and please check the e-newletter for additional information as it becomes available.

Have a peaceful weekend as you enter Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

All blessing,
Mary Iannucilli
Interim Principal
St. Patricia School
Important Dates

  • 4/8 - Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm
  • 4/9 - Mom & Son Event 3pm
  • 4/10 - Palm Sunday
  • 4/12 - Parents Club Meeting 7:30 pm
  • 4/13
  • 4/14 - Holy Thursday
  • 4/14 - 4/24 Easter Break
  • 4/15 - Good Friday
  • 4/15 - Living Stations 12pm
  • 4/16 - Holy Saturday
  • 4/17 - Easter Sunday
  • 4/25 - Classes resume
  • 4/30 - First Holy Communion
  • 5/2 - Trout Field Trip
  • 5/3 - Take Out Tuesday - The Patio
  • 5/4 - Springfield Trip
  • 5/5 - 7th & 8th grades No School
  • 5/5 - Cinco de Mayo
  • 5/5 - Taco Teen Night
SPS Good News
In the Lab
The 7th and 8th grade students experience an Insect Wet Lab this week in the Science Lab. Mr. Dean Hansen with Trout Unlimited conducted the interactive session. Students had the opportunity to observe the insects that the trout being raised eat in their natural environment. They also had lots of hands-on time identifying insect body parts, while learning about the lifecycles of the species.
Our Faith in Action
The 2nd grade students enjoyed a retreat this week in preparation for First Holy Communion. They made rosaries, reflected on their journey this year and the loved ones who have guided them, and prepared their hearts to receive the Eucharist on Saturday, April 30th.
Important Information
2022-23 Registration is Now Open!
St. Patricia School has begun to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year and asks our current families for the following information to secure their seats for the upcoming year.

  • Please complete and return the below ReRegistration Form to secure placement for next year
  • Include the non-refundable $200 per family re-registration/commitment fee. This fee is credited to next year’s tuition.
  • You may also register online and pay with a credit card

Please return the form and payment to the school office as soon as possible. Completion and submission of this form and re-registration fee is required for your child(ren)’s enrollment for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to Catholic education.

Registration is now open for new and current families. Seats are first-come, first-serve. Please note that our Kindergarten and 1st-grade classes are filling up fast!
Monday Hot Lunch - May/June
Orders and payments are due by Monday, April 11th.
Please note that 8th grade, PreK, and Kindergarten students will not be in session on Monday, June 6th.
Monday Special Lunch, sponsored by SPS Parent's Club, is taking orders for May/June. There are 2 options to order - online or download form and print. Please choose the method that is best for you. Payment is to be submitted to the School Office. Thank you!
Nothing Bundt Cakes Pick Up
Jr. High Trout Field Trip Fundraiser
Support this year's Trout Trip to release the trout! The Jr. High students have been engaged in a long term Life Science project of raising trout from eggs to release in the Spring into a local waterway. Purchase your Smencils in the School Office!
Parent's Club April Meeting
Join us on Tuesday, April 12th at 7:30 pm for a Parent’s Club meeting! The meeting will be hosted at Prime Time Restaurant and available on Zoom. 

Hear updates on planned events and activities and learn more about how you can get involved at St. Patricia School! Parents will receive 1 volunteer hour for attending the meeting.

Questions? email stpatriciaparentsclub@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
Living Stations of the Cross - Good Friday at 12:00 pm
Join us in church for our inaugural Living Stations of the Cross performed by SPS 4th - 8th grade students.
Save the Date - St. Patricia Wine Mixer
Parish Happenings
Holy Week Schedule
Community News
Hills Chamber of Commerce - Easter Food Drive
Reminders
Parent Referral Bonus Program
A St. Patricia School family who refers a new family to St. Patricia School is eligible for a one-time $300 referral bonus upon the new family's student(s) enrolling in PreK-8th Grades, completing the school year, and satisfying all financial commitments. Refer more than one family and receive multiple bonuses! For questions or more information, contact the school office at 708.598.8200 or spsinfo@stpatriciaparish.com
Lunch Supervisors
Parents, we need your support! It is through your volunteering efforts that we are able to give our Teachers a well-deserved lunch break in the faculty lounge. Please consider coming and helping out, your time is greatly appreciated!

Lunch supervisors watch classes during lunch and recess. Each day a supervisor works 2 lunch periods, 11:20-11:55 am and 11:55 am- 12:30 pm. The supervisor earns $4.00 per lunch period. If you wish to use this as volunteer hours towards your family's 20 required volunteer hours for the year, you will not be paid for the shift. You may volunteer to work as many days as you like, all are welcomed.

VIRTUS training is required to volunteer. Volunteers will be asked to supervise wherever the need is for their chosen shift. We cannot guarantee you will be placed with your student.
COVID-19 Information
Please visit our website's Reopening Plan page to keep updated on COVID-19 protocols and procedures at St. Patricia School. We have added a COVID-19 Dashboard that was created to provide the St. Patricia School community with current information regarding COVID-19 metrics on our school campus and in our surrounding area. The dashboard will be updated each Tuesday.
This information is subject to updates based on current guidance. We will communicate updates as they are received from the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools. Thank you for your support!
Virtus Training
As a reminder, Virtus training is mandatory for all wishing to volunteer at St. Patricia School. This program is required by the Archdiocese of Chicago. If you have any questions, please direct them to the school office. Thank you for your support!
Bobcat Bonanza
Have you joined our Bobcat Bonanza Facebook Raffle Group?

In 2020-21 we raised over $60,000 and used the funds to offer 1:1 Chromebooks to all students K-8th grade. Our 2021 goal is to raise funds toward the renovation of our School Hall (lunchroom) including installing air conditioning in order to expand our after-school enrichment programs by raffling off prizes through our private Bobcat Bonanza Facebook group. Join our group, share with friends and family, and support St. Patricia School! Click the button below or scan our QR code and it will take you directly to our group page. This is a private group to fundraise for St. Patricia School. Have fun and score some awesome stuff! Questions? email stpatriciaparentsclub@gmail.com
Follow us on Social Media
We share photos, updates, and more on our school's Facebook and Instagram Accounts. Check us out!
Gotta Scoop?

If you or your group have something that you would like to have included in the weekly Bobcat E-Envelope please email our Communications Director, Jen Ahern at jahern@stpatriciaparish.com. The deadline for submissions is on Tuesdays by 3:00 pm.
Emergency Closings
In case of inclement weather or other emergencies where the school needs to be closed, we will report to https://wgnradio.com/weather/emergency-closing-center/
A message from SchoolMessenger will be sent to receive on your phone, email, and text.