Bobcat E-Envelope
September 16, 2021
Dear St. Patricia community,

As we continue to get into the swing of our daily routines, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support.
 
Arrival
This week you may have noticed that there is more help in the parking lot. Thank you to our morning patrol students! These students come to school early to help facilitate our morning arrival procedure. I have quickly realized they were the missing component in our arrival procedures. Moving forward, the patrol students will help get your child out of the vehicle to move things along more rapidly, so parents do not need to get out of their cars. Please continue to have your child ready at drop off with masks on, backpacks ready, and final ‘I LOVE you’ said. If you need more time, please use the south lot to walk your child to the entrance.
 
Safety Drills
Next week and the following week, we will be starting our safety fire drills. On Tuesday, September 21, we will be conducting a fire drill. The teachers have practiced with the students, so they know how to exit the building properly. After all drills, I will notify families that the drill was only a non-emergency drill.
 
Masks
Kudos to our students, teachers, and parents! We are doing a great job of wearing our masks - even covering our noses! In the lunchroom, we have marked each table with tape to indicate where each student sits at the table. By marking the tables, each student is at the proper distance from the other while eating.
 
With deep regret, I have accepted Ms. Margaret Carey’s resignation as the art teacher for St. Patricia School. We appreciate the service that Ms. Carey has given to St. Patricia School over the years. Please wish Ms. Carey the best of luck in her future endeavors. In the interim, Mrs. Vondruska will be serving as our art teacher.
 
In our continued effort for non-violence and the end to terrorism, please pray Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and from Terrorism daily.
 
Peace,
Veronica Skelton Cash, Principal
Important Dates

  • 9/17 - Mum Sale Pick Up 9am-3pm Parking Lot
  • 9/18 - Girls Basketball at St. Patricia Gym
  • 9/19 - Catechetical Sunday 9:30 am Mass
  • 9/20 - Charleston Wrap Fundraiser begins
  • 9/20 - Junior Honor Society & Student Council Induction Ceremony - 1:30 pm in Church
  • 9/21 - International Day of Peace
  • 9/22 - Frozen Treat Orders Due
  • 9/25 - Parent Club Drive in Movie Night
  • 9/29 - Parish Leadership Meeting - 6:30 pm in Church
  • 10/2 - Homecoming
  • 10/2 - Installation Mass for Fr. Meany - 4:00 pm in Church
SPS Good News
2021-22 Student Council News
Student Council held elections on Friday, September 10th. Each candidate spoke to all students and grade levels and shared their ideas for the 2021-22 school year. Candidates also made campaign posters that they hung around school throughout the week. Congratulations to our elected Student Council officers!
Students of the Month
Evelyn Stevens - PreK
Emma Alkhader - Kindergarten
Chester Poulos - 1st grad
Mia Miltenis - 2nd grade
Destiny Davis - 3rd grade
Abi Iyengar - 4th grade
Scarlett Valdez - 5th grade
Oliver Raczkowski - 6th grade
Anthony Janczy - 7th grade
Zach Larson - 8th grade

Congratulations to the above students who have shown RESPECT to others.
We are proud of you!!
Parking Lot Patrol
Thank you to our students who serve on Parking Lot Patrol! They play a vital role in our morning drop routine. Give them a smile and wave as your make your way through arrival and let's help them start their days off with some positive vibes!
Important 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!
Medical and Required Forms due to the School Office ASAP
Student Data Check Forms
Calling all Student Data Check Forms!
We are still missing Student Data Check Forms from Organization Day for a number of our families. These are our PowerSchool emergency cards and are very important for student records. They were provided in your Organization Day folder for your review and signature. The forms are to be returned with or without changes and your signature shows you did review the form.
Please check your Organization Day, (colorful folder of information that was provided to each family) and return the Student Data Check form as soon as possible along with any other documents you may find within your folder.
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 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.
Common Sense Media - Tech Tips for Families
St. Patricia School is proud to be a Common Sense School! We qualify for the recognition by completing professional development, student instruction, and family outreach to demonstrate to our commitment to responsible, effective technology use.

Check out the vide Family Tips below on the topic:
5 Reasons to Consider Co-viewing Media and Tech with Your Kids
Upcoming Events
Fall Mum Sale
Flower pick-up will be on Friday, September 17th between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Parking Lot by the shed. Thank you all who supported the sale!
Frozen Treat Orders
Friday, September 24th will be the first Frozen Treat Day sponsored by SPS Parent's Club! Please return all order forms with payment by Wednesday, September 22nd. Thank you!
Charleston Wrap Funderaiser - Begins September 20th!
The proceeds of every purchase will make a BIG difference in the Parent's Club fundraising efforts this year! Our goal for this fundraiser is $1600. There are a lot of great items in the catalog; with over 1,500 great products we hope everyone will be able to find something they like.

Get started today!
  1. Set up your child's account online by going to charlestonwrapstore.com and enter our Organization ID 11688
  2. Invite friends and family to shop and support! Send emails, share on social media, and text the fundraising link to your friends & family to quickly spread the word!
  3. Turn in your Daily Drawing Coupon to collect each Roller Botz.
 
Earn tuition reimbursement (50% of the profit you raise goes right back to your student(s) tuition)! Charleston Wrap Fundraising ends Wednesday, October 6, 2020.

Questions: contact Renee @ [email protected] or Danielle @ [email protected] 
Parent's Club Meeting
Join us on Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 pm for a quick Parent's Club meeting! The meeting will be available on Zoom... but we're also trying to make it live (at a local restaurant/bar). We'll share our fundraising progress from last year, upcoming fundraisers, and any future events. Parents will receive 1 volunteer hour for attending the meeting. Please sign up below.

Questions? email [email protected]
Parent's Club - Drive-In Movie Night
Drive-in Movies are back at St. Patricia! We are excited to offer this family-friendly activity that brings families together (while socially distanced) and helps raise funds for St. Patricia 
School. Drive-in Movie Nights will be hosted in the St. Patricia parking lot and family-friendly movies will be shown. 

Join us Saturday, September 25th at 7:00 pm for a welcome back to school gathering!
Dress up in your school spirit wear (or favorite college/high school spirit wear) and watch Monster's University. The parking lot opens at 6:30 pm and the movie begins at 7:00 pm. We'll sell snacks/drinks at the entrance and everyone can wear their favorite school Spirit Gear! Don't miss out on this night of fun!

Presale tickets are $25 per car and are on sale now! Day-of tickets will be $30 per car. 
Payment is accepted via cash or check (made out to St. Patricia School) in the school office or online via Venmo. Venmo payment details - @Bobcat-Bonanza with the code SEPTDriveIn. Your reservation will not be processed if we have not received payment by September 24.
Parish Happenings
Parish Leadership Meeting
Fr. Meany plans to gather all the Parish Leadership together on Wednesday, September 29th at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate our accomplishments and review some of the goals for the year. The “Renew My Church” Document will be reviewed and discussed. All are welcome to attend to share ideas and learn more about Parish happenings!
Installation Mass & Reception for Fr. Meany
The St. Patricia Parish & School Community is invited to the Installation Mass of Fr. Mike Meany on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 4:00 pm in the Church. Bishop Wypych will celebrate the Mass. All are welcome and we hope many of our school families will join us for this occasion and support our new pastor, Fr. Meany!

A reception dinner will directly follow in the Parish Center. Please R.S.V.P. to attend online or via the Parish Office at 708-598-5222.
Community Information
St. Laurence High School - Leader/Scholar Award Nominations
Eighth-grade boys and girls who are in exemplary academic and disciplinary standing and are involved in the community are invited to apply for our Leader/Scholar Award!
St. Rita High School Admission Events
Open House at St. Rita High School - All grade school students and their families are invited to the St. Rita High School Open House on Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Guided tours and presentations will begin at 12:30pm and 1:30pm. This is a great opportunity to experience the St. Rita Family. No pre-registration required. 

Any questions contact Mr. John Bonk, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at [email protected].
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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 [email protected]. 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/
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St. Patricia School
708-598-8200