All smiles on the playground 😊💙 Our little Knights are soaking up the fresh air, laughter, and friendship as they play and grow together! | | |
UPCOMING EVENTS and DEADLINES*
→ February 20 | SPIRIT DAY | No All School Mass | 4th & 5th Grade Mass and Retreat @ 8:15am | Stations of the Cross @ 8:15am | 5/6 Home Basketball Game @ 5pm | 7th Home Basketball Game @ 6pm
→ February 21 | 7th Basketball Game @ 12pm, St. Joan of Arc | 5/6 Basketball Game @ 1pm, Noonan Academy
→ February 25 | Last Day to Pay Tuition in Full to Receive Discount | Graduation Portraits & Winter Sports Photos | PK/K Mass @ 8:15am
→ February 26 | 2nd Grade Mass @ 8:20am
→ February 27 | NO SCHOOL – Faculty Lenten Retreat
| Message from Executive Director, Mary Tellefsen | In Case You Missed It: Lenten Annual Appeal Now Underway | Yesterday, on Ash Wednesday, we officially began our Lenten Annual Appeal, Orange You Committed? | Last week, we shared a special message reflecting on a year filled with faith, growth, and community at Everest Academy. The video highlights many of the beautiful moments that have shaped our school year and invites our community to prayerfully consider supporting this important initiative during the season of Lent. | As we journey through these forty days of prayer, sacrifice, and renewal, we are grateful for your continued partnership, generosity, and trust. Your support helps ensure that Everest remains a place where children are known, challenged, loved, and formed in both mind and heart. | If you have not yet had a chance to watch the video or participate in the appeal, we invite you to do so today. | | Message from Principal Hamilton | | We began Lent yesterday with Mass and the distribution of ashes. Thank you to Fr. Greg Podwysocki from Our Mother of Good Counsel for assisting Fr. Andrew. | During this sacred season, we are invited to focus on the three pillars of Lent - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - and at Everest, we are blessed to offer ways for our students and families to make a meaningful Lenten journey. | - Prayer: All are welcome to join us for Stations of the Cross (see the schedule below). As Fr. Andrew mentioned at Mass yesterday, Lent is also an opportunity not simply to add more prayers but to pray more intentionally and go deeper in the prayers we already say.
| - Fasting: While “giving up” something we enjoy is a common way to make a sacrifice, we also like to encourage our students to do something extra out of love for Jesus. The bulletin board across from the Chapel offers a daily challenge - an act of service or prayer - that a student can offer. (Thank you to Ms. DeRoche for preparing this activity for our school!)
| - Almsgiving: Student Government is collecting cleaning supplies to fill Buckets of Hope to be sent to communities affected by natural disasters. Please read this letter to learn more about how your family can participate.
| Thank you to everyone who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences and for taking the time to meet with teachers and discuss ways to support your child’s growth and success. If questions or concerns arise at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or to me. I always welcome the opportunity to connect. | Next week, Mrs. Tellefsen, Mrs. Lambert, and I will be attending the annual RC Education Leadership Summit. We are looking forward to the opportunity to learn from experts, share best practices, and be inspired by other RC school leaders from across the US and Mexico. | As we begin this year’s Lenten journey, I share this prayer from the Magnificat Lenten Companion graciously provided to our families by the St. James of the Sag Bridge Mission Society: | Loving Father, bless this holy time of Lent. Through it, may we come to know you more intimately and to serve our brothers and sisters more generously. | Praying that each of you has a holy and blessed Lent. | |
Rejoicing in gratitude for God's blessings,
Candy Hamilton
Principal
| | Marked with ashes and united in prayer, our Everest community began Lent together—turning our hearts to the Lord and preparing for a season of deeper faith, sacrifice, and love. Receiving a resounding sung Stolat, Fr. Greg also got a taste of what it’s like to have your birthday celebrated at Everest! | | 🚗 Parking Spot Auction – St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 | Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 17 at 8:15am and get ready to bid for one of our exclusive parking spots! | This fun St. Patrick’s Day tradition gives families the chance to secure a prime parking space while supporting our school community. Spots are limited, so don’t miss your chance to claim a little “pot of gold” convenience all year long! | More details will be shared soon – happy bidding! 🍀 | | Support Our Everest Knights! 🏀 | |
Crouching Tigers Karate
Ages: 3-6
Day: Wednesdays (14 classes)
Note: No Class on 4/8
Tuition: $283 per unit or 4 payments of $75
Grades: Pre-K - Kindergarten
Mondays, Feb 23 - March 30 | 3:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Diana Piña
Contact: dpina@everestlemont.com
Tuesdays, Starting January 13 | 3:30pm-4:00pm
Polish School
September 30, 2025 – June 4, 2026
Tues, Wed, Thurs | 7:00am-7:45am
Rate: $150/month
Instructor: Malgorzata Lesiak
Contact: margaretlesiak@yahoo.com
🎨 Art Club
Grades 3–8
Mondays
Instructor: Megan Reznicek
Contact: mreznicek@everestlemont.com
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
♟️ Chess Club (New Session!)
Grades K–8
Tuesdays, Dec. 2 – March 3, 2026 (12 sessions)
3:30pm-4:45pm
Instructor: Theo Poulos & Stephanie DeRoche
Theo Contact: tpsilopoulos@gmail.com
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
✍️ Creative Writing
Grades 6–8
Mondays | 3:30–4:30 PM
10 Sessions | $15 per session ($150 total)
Location: Room 17 (6th Grade Homeroom)
Instructor: Lynn Abramic
Contact: labramic@everestlemont.com
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
| Kicking Off Lent with Dr. Paliakas | Thank you to everyone who joined us for Dr. Steven Paliakas’ talk on the healing benefits of fasting for mind, body, and spirit. It was a meaningful and informative way to kick off the season of Lent. We are grateful to Dr. Paliakas for sharing his expertise and to our parent community for participating in this special opportunity for growth and reflection. ✝️ | |
Knights Fun Run Coming Soon | SEEKING CLASSIC CARS FOR NEW SUMMER EVENT! | As we prepare for this summer’s Cruise & Tunes Music Mondays, we are looking for classic car owners who would like to showcase their vehicles at our June 8, July 13, and August 10 events. | If you or someone you know has a classic car and would be interested in participating, we would love to connect. Please email info@everestlemont.com for more information. | Help us make these summer nights even more memorable! | | The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King are once again offering one-on-one tutoring for students in grades K–8 at Mt. Assisi Convent in Lemont. Experienced Sisters are available to assist with math, reading, writing, organization, and other skills to support students’ growth. | 📍 Location: Mount Assisi Convent, 13900 Main St., Lemont
📅 When: October 2025–May 2026 (school year) and mid-June–early August 2026 (summer sessions)
💰 Cost: Free-will offering
📞 Contact: Sr. Marjorie or Sr. Jimene at (630) 257-7495 to schedule sessions. | | |
Bernadette the Musical
Produced by Kelsey Grammer
| | Couples are invited to a beautiful day of prayer, reflection, and celebration centered on the gift of marriage. This special event includes a welcoming talk, Mass with the renewal of vows, and a festive lunch reception. Whether you are newly married or celebrating many years together, this is a meaningful opportunity to pause, give thanks, and renew your commitment in the presence of the Church and community. | | → For the grace this Lent to draw closer to God through faithful prayer, joyful sacrifice, and selfless service. | → For all Catholic schools, especially Everest, that we may be places where we learn to listen to God’s call and follow Him with joy | → In thanksgiving for our faculty and staff, may God give them the graces they need to help our students grow in God’s love | | Everest Academy is an independent PK-8th grade Catholic school committed to providing the highest quality education while cultivating the whole human person: intellectually, humanly, spiritually, and apostolically. Our mission is to form Christian leaders who are eager to exercise their leadership with a spirit of joy and service in order to impact culture and transform society. | | | | |
