For the  parents and families of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School


Dear Parents,

I am still smiling as I look over the pictures from Monday's Christmas program. What a beautiful evening! I get re-energized when all of our families gather together. Seeing all of our children was a perfect way to celebrate Christmas. The program continues to improve and the children continue to charm and warm our hearts! Thank you to all who were able to come out and celebrate the evening with us.

Thank you also for supporting our very important initiative with the 50-50 Grand Raffle. School families were the big winners and I couldn't be happier! We will be moving forward with the plans to upgrade the security entry points for the school. We are reviewing and securing bids to bring the entry point for the school to the gates.  

The information regarding the Tax Credit Scholarship program continues to evolve. We will continue to update you on the latest news on the program.  Currently, the Archdiocese of Chicago and Big Shoulders are working hard to reach out to potential donors to fund the scholarships so that this program becomes a reality for families wanting a non-public school option for their children.
 
We anticipate families will be able to apply for scholarships mid-January. Families are encouraged to apply to BOTH Scholarship Granting Organizations: (1) the  Big Shoulders Fund and (2) Empower Illinois. We will alert you when we know these organizations are accepting scholarship applications.  Please s ee the newsletter article included below for more information and useful links. 

Know that I am wishing you and your family all a very safe and peaceful holiday.

Blessings,
Ms. Cavallone
Principal

PS - The School Office will be closed for Christmas break from Friday, December 22nd at 11:30am until school resumes on Monday, January 8th.
New Tuition Scholarship Opportunity

Illinois' new  Tax Credit Scholarship Program  could provide the opportunity for eligible families to cover the full cost of tuition. The Archdiocese and St. Therese are currently planning to work with two Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) - Empower Illinois and the Big Shoulders Fund. Information regarding the application process and timeframes for these SGOs continue to evolve, but it appears that they will begin accepting scholarship applications mid-January.

St. Therese will continue to share information as it is known. In the meantime, the Big Shoulders Fund has prepared a  one-page summary  and a more  detailed FAQ in English  and in Chinese for your information. Families can also find a general overview of how to apply for a scholarship through this program here. 
Do We Have Your Intent to Return Form?
If not, please send to school tomorrow (Friday)

Please return your signed Intent to Return Form before Christmas Break. Please note that NO FEES are due at this time and your form will not be shared outside of the school. These forms were sent home in the December 15 Friday Folders; versions in English and Chinese are also available here to download. The letter accompanying the Intent to Return Form is available for download in English and Chinese. 
Students Treat Families and Friends to 
Magical Christmas Pageant Performance

Blinking Christmas lights, angelic singing and adorable dancing were some of the highlights of Monday evening's Annual Christmas Pageant. 

Students from preschool through 8th grade put on their finest holiday smiles and brought down the house with their talent and enthusiasm.


The students and teachers worked very hard to make each performance shine! 

A special thank you goes out to Ms. Susie Lofton, Ms. Jelly Sun Corbett, Mr. Michael Tooles, Mr. Joe Delfin, and ALL our teachers and staff for their talent and patience in putting the show together. 


 

The evening concluded with the exciting drawing of the 50-50  raffle winners.

We hope you enjoyed this annual tradition!  View more photos on the website's Family Photo Gallery here .
Students Selected for Brush Creek Ranch Science Camp

Left to Right: Xahil Gonzalez, Hailan Yu, Chloe Culen, Caitlyn Lee, Amelia Wong, Bernice Mai, Madison Chan, Teacher Jessica Stofko, and Matthew Hui
Eight St. Therese students were selected by the Big Shoulders Fund to attend Brush Creek Ranch in the summer of 2018 for a wonderful experience including hands-on science, ranch activities and camping in the mountains of Wyoming. Planned science-based activities will include testing  the quality of water, gazing at constellations and even the Milky Way, horse back riding, completing a challenging high ropes course, and studying the ecosystem of Wyoming.  Before their trip, students will also explore the museums and nature preserves of Chicago to find out how science is used in every day life. Thank you to Big Shoulders Fund for sponsoring this program.
Early Childhood Students and Teachers Enjoy Pajama Day

Who wouldn't want to come to school in their jammies? 
Students (and teachers!) always love this extra-comfy day at school.
Math Team Performs Very Well at QED Competition


Our Math Team did a wonderful job representing St. Therese at the December QED - A Mathematics Symposium Competition at Walter Payton High School in December. The following awards were received:
Amelia Wong (6th)
Hailan Yu (6th)		 The Golden Ratio in Beauty Successful Research
Alma Gyabin (7th)
Ephraim Balogun (7th)		 The Intriguing Topic of SOHCAHTOA Successful Research
Jackie DelRaso (7th)
Lael Saphir (7th)		 Trigonometry Successful Research
Niki Chen (7th)
Krystal Xu (7th)		 The Pythagorean Theore Distinguished Research
Selena Eng (7th)
Lucy Harley (7th)		 The Fibonacci Sequence Successful Research
Bernice Mai (7th)
Samantha Woo (7th)		 Math Patterns in Music Successful Research
Mandy Ruan (7th)
Renee Zhao (7th)		 The Pascal Triangle Distinguished Research
 
Student Choir Spreads Christmas Cheer
Student choir enjoy spreading some Christmas cheer through song at Ogilvie Center this holiday season - one of many choir performances this month. 
Congratulations again to our
50-50 GRAND RAFFLE WINNERS!raffle

CELINE YE (WANG) 
(Parent of Terrance, 3rd Grade)
Winner of the Grand Prize of $18,277.36

CAMERAN MOY (8th grade)
Winner of the 1st Prize of $2,820

XIAO MIN CHEN (Parent of Connie Tan, 5th Grade)
Winner of the 2nd Prize of $1,410

HENRY YU (5th grade)
Winner of the 3rd Prize of $112 in Gift Cards

TERRANCE WANG (3rd grade)
Sold the Winning Ticket and received a check for $1,000 

AIDEN JIANG (Preschooler)
Won the $1,000 Early Bird Drawing (announced in October) 

8th grade
Classroom Selling the Most Tickets per Student 
(this class will win a party!)

Top Student Sellers
These students win gift cards!
Sofia Mark (8th grade)
Cameran Moy (8th grade)
Tristan Lee (6th grade)

Proceeds from this fundraiser will help fund a new gate, voice and video identification of visitors, and upgrades to our electrical systems. With the continued increase in crime in our neighborhood, our School Board and School and Family Association determined that we must secure access to our school with a new exterior gate system as soon as possible. 

Thank you to all who supported 
this important fundraiser!

Advent Celebrated at Family Mass

In the third week of Advent, the Kusnoto family lit the rose colored candle as a sign of hope - in school, in life, in anticipation of the coming of Christ at Christmas!

For a list of all Christmas masses and celebrations at St. Therese Church, check out the church website. A list of Christmas and New Year's Masses is also provided here in this newsletter. 
Celebrate Christmas and New Year's Mass and Events
at St. Therese Church

Sunday, December 24 
Christmas Eve Mass with Children's Christmas Pageant at 5pm

Christmas Carols at 11:30pm
Monday, December 25 Christmas Mass 12am (Midnight Mass) 

Christmas Day Mass at 10am
Sunday, December 31 New Year's Eve Mass at 5pm followed by the Benediction and the traditional Hot Pot Dinner in the Community Room
Monday, January 1 New Year's Day Mass at 10am
 
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