Faculty and staff from Everest and East Lake Academy kicked off the year with a joint retreat and in-service. | |
Message from Principal Hamilton | |
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September 6, 2024
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Everest Families,
It is great to be back in school! I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at our Opening All-School and Founders Day Mass! I can hardly believe that this is our 15th year in this building!
As I mentioned at Parent Orientation, our theme for the school year is Growing in Grace, Building God's Kingdom. With this in mind, I invite parents and families to take part in initiatives that will help all of us grow in...
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UPCOMING EVENTS and DEADLINES*
-> Sept 5, 10, 11, 12 | 8-9:30am MAP Tests will be taken in the morning. Make-up tests will be given after school as part of Homework Help.
-> Sept 6 | 8:15am - Founder's Day | Mass and Special Activities
-> Sept 6 | 9:40am - 4th/5th Grade Field Trip to Cantigny
-> Sept 6 | HOME Volleyball Games
- 6pm | 5th/6th Girls vs. St. Michael
- 7pm | 7th/8th Girls vs. Noonan Academy
-> Sept 7 | Family Retreat: Saturday morning (9am-12pm) Babysitting provided.
-> Sept 10 | Deadline for ordering October Hot Lunch at Midnight
-> Sept 11 | 1:20pm Patriot Day Ceremony
-> Sept 13 | 8:15am All School Mass - We will be offering Mass for 1st Responders. Please feel free to invite family and friends to attend.
-> Sept 18 | School Picture Day - Wear full school uniform
-> Oct 2 | 1:00pm Living Rosary
-> Oct 10 | Deadline for ordering November Hot Lunch at Midnight
-> Oct 18 | 6pm-8:30pm Harvest Fest
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*Updated 2024-2025 Year-at-a-Glance* | |
Special notes about the Updated Calendar: | |
-> All Early Dismissal times are now 1:30pm | |
-> K-8 student attendance is mandatory for Christmas Production and Spring Concert, as well as Parent-Teacher conferences for Middle School Students | |
**Basketball Registration** | |
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Basketball registration for the 24-25 school year is OPEN!
Boys | 4th-8th
Girls | 4th-8th
PLEASE REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 13th. No exceptions.
4th Grade students are now able to register as well!
**Registration does not guarantee there being a team. We need a minimum of 7 players and a coach. If anyone is interested in coaching, please contact Principal Hamilton at chamilton@everestlemont.com
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Kick-Off Retreat This Saturday, September 7 | |
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Saturday, September 7
Retreat Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Exposition/Meditation/Silent Prayer
10:15 a.m. Conference Talk: Growing in Grace
10:45 a.m. Rosary
11:15 a.m. Benediction & Mass
After Mass, there will be a lunch and special presentations for anyone interested in learning more about Regnum Christi.
Please click here or gold button below to RSVP - denote in the form if you are in need of babysitting and to purchase lunch.
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We’re thrilled to offer more opportunities for families to host Father Michael for dinner. Visit our app or click here to view available dates and sign up!
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New Faculty/Staff Spotlight! | Ms. Melissa Achenbach - 3rd Grade | |
GREETING: Hello! My name is Melissa Achenbach. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at Everest Academy and entering my position as the third grade teacher!
BIO: Miss Achenbach obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University. She continued her education, obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching from Concordia University-Chicago. Miss Achenbach has worked with many elementary and middle school students throughout the Lemont community, most recently at Old Quarry Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and making friends with all animals.
| Mrs. Tamie Ramirez - Staff Accountant | |
GREETING: Hello. My name is Tamie Ramirez and I am truly happy to join the team at Everest Academy as the new Staff Accountant! I feel blessed to continue my accounting career, working in this Catholic institution and participating in carrying out their mission, alongside their wonderful staff.
BIO: Tamie is a Certified Public Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. Xavier University bringing with her more than 25 years of accounting experience. Through her various roles in healthcare, public accounting and non-profits, Tamie has developed a diverse set of skills which includes tax preparation, auditing, budgeting, and financial analysis for small to medium size organizations. Recently as the Finance Manager of the Beverly Arts Center, located in the Southside of Chicago, Tamie found her passion for nonprofit accounting. She discovered she could utilize her accounting experience to make a difference in an organization with an emphasis on building community and fostering an appreciation of the arts. She'd like to continue this passion in her new role as Staff Accountant while supporting the team in their faith-based mission at Everest Academy in Lemont.
| Mrs. Christine Fewkes - PreK/Front Office Assistant | |
GREETING: Hello! My name is Christine Fewkes and I am blessed to be a part of Everest Academy. I am grateful for the privilege to be able to assist in forming your children academically as well as spiritually. I look forward to meeting your children and having a wonderful year!
BIO: Christine graduated from Eastern Illinois University, with a B.A. in Psychology. After graduation she worked for Encyclopedia Britannica supporting their Britannica CD-ROM product, eventually working closely with their Development and Quality Assurance Divisions. After marrying her husband, Jim, she took several years off to raise a family and homeschool their three sons. Chris, a member of Regnum Christi since 2008, is devoted to her family, loves attending daily Mass and Adoration, and spending time outdoors.
| Mrs. Amy Lepper - Physical Education | |
GREETING: I am excited to be the new Everest Academy Physical Education Teacher. My approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that physical education is not just about sports and exercise but about building lifelong habits and confidence in my students. I look forward to meeting all of my new students and families.
BIO: Mrs. Lepper has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education Teacher Education and Master’s Degree in Physical Education Pedagogy both from Illinois State University. She comes to us from Homer Junior High where she taught Physical Education, Foundations of Fitness and Health for the past 11 years. Mrs. Lepper’s goal is to create a class environment that emphasizes personal growth, encouraging students of all abilities to participate and finding something they love to become a lifelong mover. Whether it's through innovative games, fitness challenges, or outdoor adventures, she strives to make every lesson exciting and impactful.
| Mrs. Vanna Saleh 1st Grade Teacher Assistant | |
GREETING: My name is Vanna Saleh, and I am the mother of three, with two of my children currently enrolled at Everest Academy. I am delighted to join the school as a Teacher's Assistant for the 1st Grade class, where I look forward to contributing to the development of future Christian leaders and creating a supportive learning environment.
BIO: Mrs. Saleh holds a Master’s Degree in Theology with a concentration in Dogmatic Theology from Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Additionally, she has specialized expertise in orthopedic surgical devices, blending together both academic knowledge and practical experience. Reflecting on Pope Benedict XVI’s statement, “The important thing is not to achieve success, but to have a strong will to serve Christ and humanity,” Mrs. Saleh is dedicated to making this academic year exceptional for both students and staff at Everest Academy, feeling privileged to be part of this beautiful community.
| Ms. Courtney Cary - Kindergarten Assistant | |
GREETING: I am excited to be working at Everest Academy as the Kindergarten Assistant. Getting to work with young students allows me the opportunity to grow alongside them. As a new mom to my son Trace, I am learning every day how to create a loving and safe environment, conducive to life-long learning. I look forward to bringing my experience as a mom into my classroom, and my experience in the classroom back home to my son.
BIO: After graduating from Carl Sandburg High School, Ms. Cary continued her education at Moraine Valley Community College. She worked as a dental assistant for several years before deciding she would like the challenge of working with younger students in a classroom setting.
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-> Thank you to Parents Association and all the parents who came and helped to set up, cook, and clean up at the Back to School Barbecue. | |
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-> Parent Orientation - Thank you to all current Everest parents who participated in parent orientation. Thank you to all our returning Everest parents who greeted and gave a warm welcome to our new Everest parents. Thank you to all who attended more than once.
-> Back to School Mass & BBQ - Thank you to Logan Guerra and Billy Zabilka for setting up the gym for the mass that took place before the Back to School BBQ; to the Carbone Family for filling the water jugs.
Thank you to all families who contributed items to share with everyone.
-> Back to School Coffee - Thank you to Mrs. Stephanie Booth for organizing, to Mr. Jan for setting up, and to all the parents who participated in the morning. It was great to see so many families, especially our newer ones, join us! Thank you for making the time to come out!
| -> PrePlanning for Faculty and Staff - Thank you to Mrs. Rhonda Olivares for the emergency medical training IEW training with Linda…. | -> Thank you to Mrs Stephanie Booth for hosting our annual Moms and Margaritas. And thank you to all the moms who came out! | |
-> For Lisa, the niece of Sr. Jimeyne, a former Everest Academy staff member, whose cancer returned this past July and who has been undergoing treatment. May she remain strong in body, soul, and mind, may the cancer be eradicated and may she trust in the Lord’s will and good providence. | -> Please pray for Br. Keiren Hamilton (Everest Academy Class of 2018) as well as the other young men who recently made their first professions with the Legionaries of Christ. That they may be strengthened and renewed in their journey of pursuing the love of Christ and His bride, the Church. Set their hearts forever on fire so that they may renew the face of the earth! Bless them in their studies, may they grow in wisdom, and feel forever pulled to serve and to love the Church and her people. | -> For the repose of the soul of Chester Koziol. Brother to Mrs. Jane Bleka, great uncle to numerous graduates and students at Everest Academy. May Chester rest in peace and may Christ’s perpetual light shine upon him. | |
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayers!
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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. | | | | |
