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February 25, 2024

Dear St. Giles Families, We are kicking off our One Book, St. Giles activity this week! This year's selected book is How to be a Lion by Ed Vere. This picture book tells the story of Leonard the lion and his duck friend Marianne. Leonard does not act like the other lions. He is gentle, likes thinking, and enjoys writing poems. The other lions try to tell him he needs to be fierce. However, Leonard does not accept peer pressure and decides to be himself. Each homeroom will receive a copy of the book and read aloud this week followed by a Buddy activity on March 6th. This year’s book connects well with our Lenten theme of kindness and reinforces our beliefs that everyone is an individual. While the book may be geared towards younger grades, there are important lessons for all of our Lions. Teachers have guides for age-appropriate activities in classrooms throughout the week.   How can you be involved at home? Miss Voss, who moderates our One Book, St. Giles program, has compiled a parent guide for you to follow at home with your Lions. You can check the book out of your local library, purchase a copy for home or listen with your Lion to a read-aloud by the author. Click on the links below for more information.  We will share pictures of the Buddy activity and how our Lions are using the book in classrooms this week and next. Thank you to Miss Voss for all of her work on this community activity. We are excited to welcome Leonard the Lion and Marianne the Duck to St. Giles!  No School Friday, March 1st Just a reminder that this Friday is an Archdiocesan Staff Development Day. There will be no school on Friday. Have a wonderful week, Meg

How to be a Lion Parent Guide

How to be a Lion read-aloud

Reminder: 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.

Climate, Culture and Catholic Identity Survey

Scroll down for details regarding: Black and Gold Casino Night--2 weeks to go! Ambassadors' Food Drive Girls on the Run Returns St. Giles Summer Camps PTO News Athletics High School News Parish News

Join us as we FUN-draise for St. Giles School Casino Night March 9, 2024 7:00 pm, McDonough Hall In less than 2-weeks we’ll be together in McDonough Hall, showing our Lion pride and supporting the school that has given so much to us! If you haven’t already, visit the Black & Gold Casino Night on Handbid to register and buy your event tickets and your raffle tickets. Get Ready to Bid: Silent Auction Goes Live March 4th The Black & Gold committee has been working hard to fill our silent auction with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, trips, “around town” packages and more. Register on Handbid today, as you don’t want to miss out on some of the incredible items we’re offering this year. Watch for a special eNews tomorrow with a preview of some of our auction items! Get the Hottest Tickets in Town Grand Opportunity tickets came home with your Lion last week. We ask each family to sell at least 10 tickets. One lucky winner will get a trip to “Forgive My” Sin City or $2,500 cash.  Tuition raffle tickets are on Handbid and only a limited number are sold. It’s your chance to win parishioner-rate tuition for one child for the 2024-25 school year. Get yours before they sell out! We Need Volunteers To help make B&G a success, we need you! Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities and see if you can share the gift of your time to ensure this year’s event is the best yet. From selling raffle tickets after Mass to event set-up to auction items delivery, there’s something for everyone! Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or get more information by emailing blackandgold@stgilesschool.org. See you on March 9!

Lenten Food Drive The St. Giles Ambassadors are organizing a food drive to benefit Beyond Hunger. During this season of kindness, please help us fill the pantries of those who rely on Beyond Hunger for their weekly meals. What are they asking for? Peanut Butter Jelly Canned Chicken Soup Cheerios’ cereal Canned Mixed Vegetables Diced Tomatoes Tomato Paste Bagged Rice (White or Brown) Dry Beans (Pinto and Black) Refried Beans Canned Pineapples Items will be collected in homeroom through Thursday, March 28th.

Girls on the Run! Girls on the Run is back! Mrs. Wynne and Mrs. Jones will be moderating the return of Girls on the Run this spring! Who is eligible? Girls in grades 3rd-5th When does it meet? Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm, March 19th-May 16th How do I sign up? Registration and payment are made directly to the Girls on the Run website linked below. Just click on the button and follow the registration prompts. Have any questions? Contact Mrs. Wynne or Mrs. Jones What is Girls on the Run? Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.

Girls on the Run Registration

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! Email Mr. Siwek with any questions.

Teacher Spotlight Miss Kim Wilcer, Kindergarten BA Elementary and Special Education, Providence College (R.I.) Years at St. Giles: 2 years Favorite Book and/or Movie: Favorite Book - Daisy Jones and the Six, Favorite movie - Sound of Music Favorite Vacation Spot: Jupiter, Florida. We have a lot of family that lives in that area so love getting to see them and enjoy the warm, sunny weather! Fun Fact: I went to Fenwick High School and then onto Providence College, making me a Double Friar! I grew up in Western Springs and am the oldest of 3 girls. This is my 11th year teaching Kindergarten and I absolutely love it. When not teaching, I like to read, attend Pilates classes and work on a good puzzle. I also enjoy spoiling my 18 month old nephew and 1 year old goddaughter :) I love being a part of the St. Giles community and getting to know more students and families each year!

Did you miss our newsletter this week? You can find it here.

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!

Upcoming Events

Thursday, February 29th 6:00 pm, Middle School Movie Night McDonough Hall Friday, March 1st Archdiocesan Staff Development Day No School for students Tuesday, March 5th First Communion Prep 6:00 pm, Exploring the Mass, St. Giles Church Friday, March 8th PTO Fun lunch Saturday, March 9th 7:00 pm, Black and Gold Casino Night McDonough Hall Thursday, March 14th 5:30 pm, STEM Night Friday, March 15th End of Trimester 2 Boys' Basketball Jam the Gym

Hello Lion Families, Basketball Boys Basketball Playoffs are this week - Please look for TS Communications about the Brackets / Schedule. (Info will be shared later today/Sunday.) Boys JtG: Friday, March 15th … Details coming soon!    Volleyball Boys Volleyball Registration closes Thursday, 2/29!  Boys Volleyball Registration Register Today!  Come on out Boys! We are looking to increase Boys' participation this season! TeamSideline 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 athleticdirector@stgilesschool.org

The Week Ahead in Athletics Boys Basketball - Playoff Schedules / Brackets will be shared in the afternoon of Sunday, February 25th. Please be on the lookout for TS Comms and check the App for updates!  Girls Volleyball Monday      2/26/24      5:00p     Vincents 5       Giles G5     St. Vincent’s    Monday      2/26/24      6:00p     Vincents 6       Giles G6     St. Vincent’s  Monday      2/26/24      7:00p     Vincents 7       Giles G7     St. Vincent’s Monday      2/26/24      8:00p     Vincents 8       Giles G8     St. Vincent’s Wednesday   2/28/24      5:30p     SJV JV - White   Giles G5     St. John Vianney Wednesday   2/28/24      6:15p     SJV JV - Blue    Giles G6     St. JohnVianney  Wednesday   2/28/24      7:00p     SJV Varsity      Giles G8     St. John Vianney ** Scheduled Practices will appear on the Team Sites / App, and can be found below ‘Game Schedule’ on the Athletic Website. GO LIONS!

Fenwick High School Shadow at Fenwick: Check out their shadow day information below

Confirmation Update Ascension Campus: Saturday, March 9 - Confirmation Retreat 3-8 PM – Ascension Church and Pine Room  (parents/sponsors attend the evening portion) Giles Campus:  Saturday, March 2 - Confirmation Retreat 3-8 PM – McDonough Hall (parents/sponsors attend the evening portion) Saint/Sponsor/Mass Location due by March 1 - Please take a moment to let us know your child's saint name and sponsor information. Additionally, you can also select the location of where your child would like to celebrate Confirmation Mass. Saint/Sponsor/Mass Location Form

First Communion Ascension Campus: Decoding the Mass *Date/time selection reminders were sent out via email on 1/26. Thursday, Feb. 29 - 6:45 - 8:00 pm/Ascension Church Saturday, March 2 - 9:30 - 10:45 am/Ascension Church Saturday, March 2 - 1:00 - 2:15 pm/Ascension Church Giles Campus:   Exploring the Mass Tuesday, March 5 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm/St. Giles Church  Saturday, March 9 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm/St. Catherine/St. Lucy Church  The RE office will send an email reminder as we get closer to the event date.

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.

Click on the link below for exciting news from the Neighborhood Bridge--they are hiring! Check out the letter below with the job description and new website!

the Neighborhood Bridge

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