Dear St. Giles Families,
Thank you to all of you for your patience and understanding as we navigated the winter weather on Friday. Deciding about a snow day is extremely difficult, especially when dealing with predicted weather and not actual snow on the ground at the time. Given the road conditions and continuous snowfall, closing was the right decision. I know it's difficult for families and childcare, but the safety of everyone is our priority. I hope everyone is able to enjoy this longer weekend in spite of the weather!
This week will be colder than we have been used to in the past couple of years! Please ensure your Lions dress appropriately with coats, hats, gloves or mittens and boots. I know it's "not cool" for middle school kids to wear coats, but we don't want our Lions to get sick. Even if they go from the house to the garage to the car, they need a coat for recess or walking to PE and other specials classes. Given predicted temperatures this week there may not be outdoor recess but we will provide movement breaks for everyone.
iReady Testing
We are gearing up for our 2nd iReady Diagnostic Test this week. As you are aware, our kindergarten through eighth grade students complete a minimum of two iReady instructional lessons every week in Reading and Math and then participate in three diagnostic tests throughout the year to measure growth. Teachers have worked together to schedule these important assessments throughout the week and schedules are posted on their teacher pages. Given Friday's snow day, if teachers need to adjust their testing schedule, they will share that on their teacher page. Homework will be minimal this week so that our Lions can focus on iReady. That doesn’t mean learning stops, however! There may be quizzes here and there and continued reading and review throughout the week.
Because these assessments are a critical indicator of each student’s growth, we want to make sure students perform at their very best. In school, teachers have been having data chats with each student to show where they are individually and how they can grow – and remember, growth is growth! Every student learns differently as an individual; scores should not be shared. We are proud of how our Lions grow and develop each year in their own way and we look forward to seeing that continue.
How can you support your child’s assessments from home this week? Speak to your child about the Diagnostic this week and remind them of their importance. They should take their time and do their very best. Make sure that your child has quality sleep this weekend and throughout the week, that your child has a good breakfast and that your child packs a healthy snack/lunch and water bottle. If your Lion is sick, please let their teacher know–we have allotted additional time beyond this week for those who may not be able to test. We want all of our Lions to be at their best for their assessment. We have a few fun treats planned for the week and will give our Lions a dress down day after the assessments are completed to reward them for their hard work. We are so proud of our learners and can’t wait to see how well they do!
Finally, as we enjoy a day off of school tomorrow, let us all take a moment to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his service to others. We are busy planning Catholic Schools Week and will be including service opportunities for our Lions. More information to come!
Have a wonderful week!
Meg
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Scroll down for details regarding:
2024-25 Registration Information
PreK Soccer Registration
Winter Enrichment
Veteran Teacher Spotlight
PTO News
Athletics
Parish News
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REMINDER - 2024-25 Registration Information
- All current students will be automatically re-registered for next year.
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Now through January 7, 2024 - Priority registration for current families with NEW SIBLINGS that you wish to register. Beginning Jan. 8, all registrations will be a part of the general pool of all new registrations. New Sibling Registration
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January 30, 2024 - deadline to email office@stgilesschool.org if you are NOT returning so that we do not charge you a registration fee.
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February 1, 2024 - Registration fees will be posted to your FACTS account.
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February 20, 2024 - $200 Registration Payment is Due. If you are set up on automatic withdrawal (ACH) in FACTS, there is no need to do anything and this will be deducted like all other payments. If you are set up with an invoice payment, you will need to log in to FACTS to pay.
- 2024-25 Tuition Schedule
2024-25 Scholarship Information
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St. Giles Scholarship Application is NOW OPEN through April 15. Log on to your Facts account and click on Grant & Aid to apply.
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Preschool Soccer is back!
Saturdays 8:30-9:30 AM – St. Giles school gym located in the Corrigan building
1/27, 2/3 , 2/10, (no class 2/17), 2/24, 3/2, 3/9
This casual league brings together older St. Giles students as “coaches” for a fun hour of soccer play. This is informal — designed to give the students some exercise now that cold weather season is upon us and spend a little time with friends outside of the classroom. Added bonus: Parents can socialize and get to know one another! (This is NOT a drop-off program. A parent must remain in the Corrigan building the entire time)
Register today; spots are limited. After January 2, we’ll open the sign-up to preschoolers in the parish.
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WINTER ENRICHMENT IS HERE!
Looking for some after-school fun during the winter months? Look no further, we have plenty of opportunities available for our Lions! Below is just a glimpse of what is available--be sure to check out all of the courses in the parent portal.
Winter Enrichment registration is open now at the link below.
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Cheer Team!
Cheer Team registration is now open. There will be a K-2 team as well as a 3-8 (there is a possibility that 3-8 will split into 3-5 and 6-8 based on enrollment)
Please visit the link below to register!
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Teacher Spotlight
Mrs. Kathleen Brooks, 2nd Grade
B.A, Elementary Education, DePaul University
Years at St. Giles: 2 years
Favorite Book and/or Movie: My favorite book is The Little Engine That Could. I truly believe that people can do anything they want to if they put their mind to it. My favorite movie is Elf. I love how he is so excited for Christmas!!!
Favorite Vacation Spot: I love San Francisco, California
Fun Fact: I attended the first Cubs World Series Game in 2016.
I have been a teacher for over twenty years. I am truly blessed and grateful to be part of the St. Giles Community. One of the greatest things about being a teacher is seeing students achieve their goals and go beyond with confidence and a positive self esteem. I also love watching students work with one another to help everyone set up for success.
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Please join us at our next PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 pm in the Gleeson Conference Room.
Sign Up for Fun Lunch & Smoothies
Fun Lunch & PTO Smoothie ordering is open for January - May 2024. Please use the link below to place your orders. If you missed the last newsletter with the Fun Lunch schedule, you can find it here.
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Hello Lion Families,
Basketball - Girls' Jam the Gym
This event is being postponed so as not to interfere with our student-athletes’ focus on iREADY Testing this week. Please stay tuned for more information about the rescheduled date for this Girls' Jam the Gym.
Note: There will be changes to the Practice and Game schedules this week … Please check the App frequently for updates - Team Communications will be sent out as necessary.
Please access your student-athlete’s Team Site through the TeamSideline App - The APP is your go-to for all things about the Basketball 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).
Girls Volleyball Registration Is OPEN … Please register today!
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Thank you,
Sean Clancy
The Week Ahead in Athletics
Due to iReady Testing this week, there will be changes to the Basketball Game Schedules … Please refer to the TeamSideline App often to check for updates. Team Communications will be sent out to notify individual teams of changes to their schedule.
** 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
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Sunday is Fun Day at Fenwick!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 21, when you and your family are invited to Fenwick’s Annual Winter Carnival. Bring the little ones to enjoy pizza and carnival games and work out all that cooped-up winter energy in our bounce house!
The entire family is invited for a fun day at 505 Washington Blvd.
Pricing is $10 per person and $40 for a family of 4 or more. Children under 2 are free!
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A Rockin' Night Out
You're Invited
and... Bring a few Friends!
Getting Started is an awesome local band made up of Fenwick alumni, playing everything from CCR and John Cougar Mellencamp to Taylor Swift at a cool new venue - all supporting SCSL School! What's not to love?!
Let's make this a huge success!!
St. Catherine – St. Lucy School
Rockin’ Fundraiser
1/19/24
Getting Started, an awesome local band, made up of Fenwick alumni and our very own St. Giles grad Jack Gallo, will be playing everything from CCR and John Cougar Mellencamp to Taylor Swift at a cool new venue to support SCSL School!
Getting Started
Robert's Westside
7321 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL
1/19/24
Doors open at 6:30pm
Band goes on at 8pm
Click on the link below to purchase tickets and get additional information.
This is an 21+ event. Under 21 allowed with Parent/Guardian
Cash bar
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