Dear St. Giles Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!
This week marks the first full week of Lent. Fr. Carl shared our theme of kindness and using our words to build people up. With love in our hearts, we focus on language and how we can show kindness and care for others, not just on giving up sweets or other vices. We challenge everyone to be mindful of their words at St. Giles, at home, in the community, and on sports courts. It is easy to be kind to others and we ask the same of them to us. Please take some time this week to discuss language with your Lions and how our words impact others.
Author Visit
This week, we welcome author Lisa Yee, who will speak to our 3rd-5th graders about her latest book, The Misfits. Did you get a copy of the book? It's not just for intermediate grades--pick up a copy to add to your home library and have it signed on Friday, February 23rd! Parents are welcome to join the presentation in McDonough Hall at 8:15 am. Scroll down to the PTO information to purchase your copy today! Thank you to PTO and Brigette Nold for bringing this wonderful opportunity to St. Giles.
iReady Update
Our Lions have shown great progress in our 2nd iReady Diagnostic. We continue to see significant growth and are on track to surpassing our goal, aligned with the Archdiocese, of 75% of our students meeting their typical math and reading growth by the year's end.
We continue to grow! Our teachers continue to collaborate to ensure each of our Lions are challenged at their level. We will review curriculum maps and standards in the coming weeks to address alignment at each grade level. Collaboration of our teachers is key to meeting our goals! If you have questions about your child’s testing, don't hesitate to contact their teacher. I would be happy to also answer any questions you may have as we work together with iReady.
5 Essentials Survey
We need at least 20 percent of St Giles parents to complete this survey to receive a parent supplement report. We appreciate everyone’s participation in this survey so that we can add this important data to our Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Click on the link below to access the survey. Your input matters!
The 5Essentials Survey will be conducted through March 22, 2024. Final reports will be sent to schools in May 2024.
2024-25 School Calendar
Next year’s calendar is available on the Family Portal. Click on the link below for an At-a-Glance version. The full calendar will be updated online this summer.
Here are a few dates to note:
August 20th, First Day of School, PreK-8
Due to Easter in 2025, we will have a week-long break and long Easter Weekend.
March 24th-28th, Spring Break, April 18th and April 21st, Easter Break
June 4th, Last Day of School
Have a wonderful week,
Meg
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Scroll down for details regarding:
Black and Gold Casino Night--4 weeks to go!
Spirit Wear--limited editions!
St. Giles Chicago Bulls Outing
Registration Payment Reminder
St. Giles Summer Camps
PTO News--March Madness, Plant Sale, Author Visit
Athletics
High School News
Parish News
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You’re invited To Casino Night!
March 9, 2024 from 7pm - 11pm in McDonough Hall
Join us as we FUN-draise for St. Giles School.
Register in Handbid and Buy your tickets TODAY! Tickets are $125 each and $150 at the door. Ticket price includes an open bar, great food and free casino entertainment for all! Guests will try their luck at casino games including Blackjack, Craps, Poker and Roulette. You can also buy a seat into a poker tournament with Fr. Carl or Principal Meg Bigane!
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Donate a ticket! Are you willing to purchase and donate an extra ticket? If so, your generosity can make it possible for another parent or a faculty member to attend.
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WIN FREE TUITION for 24-25!! We’re selling 150 tickets to this year’s Tuition Giveaway where one lucky winner will receive one student tuition at the parishioner rate ($7905). Once the tickets sell out, no more chances to win will be sold.
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WIN a trip to LAS VEGAS! This year’s Grand Opportunity is a trip to Las Vegas! One lucky winner will receive airfare and a 2-night stay for two. Alternatively, the winner can choose $2,500 in cash
Donate an experience for our auction! We are looking for families to host parties/events to be sold/auctioned at the event. Are you and/or your group of friends willing to host a party? You can customize the event, date, number of guests and location! Last year's most popular parties included a wine tasting with Fr. Carl, poker night, college game night and a week at a private home in Michigan. Have an idea? We'll help you turn it into an auction-worthy party to help raise money for our Lions!
See you on March 9!
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New Limited Edition Spiritwear Released!
Have your kids hit a winter growth spurt? PJ pants looking a little too loved? Spirit gear need a little refresh? Well, get excited … because new Winter 2024 spiritwear is here!
Starting today, you can order select brand-new pieces to show off your black and gold pride. We’re selling several new items via preorder at first, which you can purchase directly through our Spirit Store in the Family Portal. The pre-order sale will be open until Thursday, February 22 at which point we’ll place our order.
While we will do an overrun order of the items and sell them online after mid-March, there’s no guarantee that we’ll have enough inventory for ongoing sales. So if you want these pieces, now’s the time to buy them!
Imagine how you or your Lions will look in:
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23-24 Annual Spirit Tee ($15): Show off your paw pride! This fresh new design is printed on a black Bella tee comes in toddler, youth and adult sizes.
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Black & gold PJ pants ($25): PJ pants are our hottest-selling item in the online store. This new design features our school colors, the SGS monogram AND are a flannel jogger style. Sizes in youth and adult.
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Athletics sweatshirts ($30): The perfect addition to an athlete’s wardrobe, this hoodie is available for Basketball and Volleyball. And with youth and adult sizes, parents and grandparents can cheer for spikes and buckets wearing a new sweatshirt, too.
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Families that order the above new items will receive their spirit gear by the second week of March.
The Spirit Store online will continue to sell a variety of existing merchandise including hats of all kinds, socks, pom poms, past t-shirt and sweatshirt designs, water bottles and more. This year’s new online spirit wear store has been a success – thank you to the families who’ve used the store to order pieces throughout the year.
If you have any questions about the new spiritwear items, please reach out to Brigette Nold at brigette.gaucher@gmail.com.
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St. Giles School Group Outing with the Bulls!
Cheer with us this season at the United Center! Join St. Giles School for a legendary group outing with the Chicago Bulls.
Share the excitement of Bulls basketball and the NBA’s leading entertainment experience as the team takes on the Indiana Pacers.
Proceeds from each ticket purchased will go to St. Giles School.
Get your tickets now through the link below!
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2024-25 Registration
Re-enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is complete and charges have been added to your Facts accounts. Registration fees are due by Feb. 28 and the first tuition payment will be due in July. Please log into your Facts account to make your payment and review all charges. Let Michele Bibbey know if you have any questions.
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Drum Lessons!
Are you ready for the drums at home? Is your Lion interested in being a drummer?
Come join Mr. Dave Bernat for drum lessons! These lessons will be provided the same way as band. Students will be taken out for a half-hour session once a week, at different times each week. Click on the link below for details.
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St. Giles Summer Camps
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS ARE HERE!
Registration will open for summer enrichment on Monday, February 5th. We have new classes like Mad Science, Legos and Simple Machines and old favorites like PreK Splish Splash Camp, Kids Klub, and Legacy Sports. Check out our teacher offerings this summer!
Go to the family portal and look for the Summer Enrichment tab. Be sure to check back regularly--additional camps may be added. Watch this space for updates!
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Teacher Spotlight
Dr. Maria Hawk, 3rd Grade self-contained and Social Studies for both
EdD, Loyola University, Chicago;
MA, Administration, Dominican,
MAT, National-Louis, BS, UIC
Years at St. Giles: 5 years
Favorite Book and/or Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere out west as I am a cowgirl at heart. We also love camping along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Fun Fact: I absolutely love horses and volunteer at a therapeutic barn and also take weekly riding lessons.
I have always loved being active and still ride a bike, hike, kayak, swim and go for a walk almost every day. Teaching third grade has always been my favorite assignment. The best part of it is to see the tremendous growth of my students from August to June.
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Did you miss our newsletter this week? You can find it here.
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The St. Giles Annual Spring Mother's Day Plant Sale has arrived!
Order on-line using the link or QR Code below.
All orders will conveniently be delivered to the St. Giles Church parking lot for pick up the Friday of Mother's Day weekend, May 10th, or we can deliver right to your door!
All proceeds will go towards helping our students plant seeds in the good soil!
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Hello Lion Families,
Basketball
- There are two weeks left in the Boys' season - Playoffs begin on 2/26!
- Boys JtG: Friday, March 15th! Details are coming soon!
Volleyball
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Boys Volleyball Registration Is OPEN! Boys Volleyball Registration Register Today!
- Come on out Boys! We are looking to increase Boys' participation this season!
TeamSideline
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Please access your Student-Athlete’s Team Site through the TeamSideline App - The APP is your Go-To for all things about your Student-Athlete’s Sports Season. TS App Sign In - TeamSideline.com Please ‘RSVP’ for events so coaches can plan accordingly!
Basketball/Volleyball Family Season Pass: The Family Pass is back this year!
The Family Pass allows all members of your immediate family admittance to all Basketball/Volleyball games this Winter Season. The Family Pass can be purchased for $50 on the Athletic Website: Family Season Pass / Donations button at the top/right. Event Admission at the door is $2/person for individuals over the age of ten (10).
Thank you,
Sean Clancy
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The Week Ahead in Athletics
02/20/24 5:00pm DP 4 Boys 4th DP
02/20/24 6:00pm DP 5 Boys 5th DP
02/20/24 7:00pm DP 7 Boys 7th DP
02/20/24 8:00pm DP 8 Boys 8th DP
02/21/24 5:00pm Boys 5th Marys 5 St. Giles Gym
02/21/24 6:00pm Boys 6th Marys 6 St. Giles Gym
02/21/24 7:00pm Boys 7th Marys 7 St. Giles Gym
02/21/24 8:00pm Boys 8th Marys 8 St. Giles Gym
02/22/24 6:00pm Catherines 6 Boys 6th Catherines
02/22/24 7:00pm Catherines 8 Boys 8th Catherines
02/23/24 5:00pm Ascension 5 Boys 5th Ascension
02/23/24 6:00pm Ascension 6 Boys 6th Ascension
02/23/24 7:00pm Ascension 7 Boys 7th Ascension
02/23/24 8:00pm Ascension 8 Boys 8th Ascension
** Scheduled Practices will appear on the Team Sites / App, and can be found below ‘Game Schedule’ on the Athletic Website.
GO LIONS!
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Fenwick High School
Shadow at Fenwick: Check out their shadow day information below
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St. Patrick High School
Shadow at St. Pat's: Check out the opportunities below to experience being a Shamrock!
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Trinity High School
Upcoming Trinity Events
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7th Grade Math Competition: 7th-grade girls are invited to compete in Trinity's Annual Math Competition! After the competition, students will participate in a problem-solving workshop in Trinity’s state-of-the-art math room! Saturday, April 13th. Click on the image below for details.
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Please support St. Giles alumni and parishioners as they raise funds for their July 2024 trip to Appalachia. Over 150 teens and adults will spend a week making houses warmer, safer, drier. Funds pay for transportation and the ASP participation fees. A portion of sales will come back to St. Giles ASP.
Prefer just to make a donation? Click here.
Thank you for your support.
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Click on the link below for exciting news from the Neighborhood Bridge--including their new website! |
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