Dear St. Giles Families,
Thank you to all of our parents who joined us at Back to School Night! We had a lovely evening and it was just the first of many events we look forward to celebrating with you this year. If you were unable to make it, please check out your Lion’s teacher page for a video regarding their plans for the year and expectations in the classroom. If at any time you need to connect with a teacher, please email them and set up a time for a call. We’re here to help!
iReady Diagnostic Week
iReady Diagnostics begin this week! We are confident that our Lions will start out strong and continue their growth throughout the school year. As a reminder, please make sure your Lion gets plenty of sleep, eats a good breakfast and has their water bottle each morning. Teachers have varied the schedule so that they will not be taking two tests in one day and are limiting homework for the week. If your Lion is sick, we have time for make up tests next week built into our testing schedule. One correction: our spirit wear day will be Thursday, September 21st due to the staff development day on Friday, September 22nd. There is no school on Friday, September 22nd.
St. Giles Buddy Program
This week we have our first Buddy activity of the year! The Buddy program at St. Giles is a long standing tradition that partners “buddies” across grade levels. Once a month, Buddies will work with their partners and begin a project that flows from our religion curriculum and our theme for this year, Shine Like the Stars!. Our PreK Lions will not be left out; they will participate in their classrooms, and throughout the school year multiple grades will join PreK classrooms for a variety of partnered activities.
COVID Protocols
We have received some questions regarding COVID protocols for this year. The Archdiocesan protocols are the same as any other virus. If anyone experiences symptoms of any illness, they should stay home until symptoms have resolved for 24 hours. There are no minimum exclusion lengths, masking requirements, or reporting protocols. Our hope is that everyone remains healthy but we know that with the upcoming cold and flu season, we will see an increase in illnesses. Please use caution and keep your child home if they are sick. Teachers will work with students to make sure they are caught up with their work.
Lion's Leap
Lion’s Leap is almost here! Be sure to scroll down for important information and registration details to get started. Our kickoff will be next Monday, September 19th but registration is open now for families to get a head start! We will keep you informed on progress, challenges and additional information you may need as we strive to reach our goal of $90,000 this year. Spoiler alert–I will be taking a pie to the face again for each top earner in PreK, Primary, Intermediate and Middle School Units if we reach our goal! I’m ready for it!
Have a wonderful week,
Meg
Reminders:
Pets on Campus: We love our furry friends and know they want to join the walk to and from school. As much as we love them, we ask that you keep dogs off campus during drop off and pick up. Not all students can be around dogs for safety reasons. If you drop off or pick up your child while walking your dog, please ask them to cross the street to come to the doors or to meet you in the afternoon.
Smart Watches
Please review our cell phone and smart watch policy on page 20 of the School Handbook on the Family Portal. Students are required to turn in their cell phones and smart watches at the beginning of the day. We strongly encourage smartwatches to remain at home.
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Lion's Leap is Fast Approaching!
A St. Giles School tradition for more than three decades, our annual fundraiser, Lion’s Leap, will kick off next Tuesday, September 19th for all our Lions. This fall fundraiser is packed with excitement and fun for everyone! With the halls decorated and students in spirit wear, classrooms get excited – and ready! – to raise $90,000 and give back to a school that gives so much to us all.
Students will be bringing home a flyer this week detailing how to register and get started fundraising. Be sure to check backpacks, but you can also read below for all the scoop you need to know!
Lions Get Ready to LEAP!
Next Monday, students will be introduced to this year’s theme, “World Changer Workshop,” which will inspire them to be change agents and handle the challenges they will face as they grow. Each day, our Lions will watch videos and content introducing them to ways to make changes in our world. Take a look at this video that will help you understand the process and registration. We will keep you updated on the progress throughout the program. While we don’t begin officially until next Monday, registration is open now for anyone who wants to get a jump start on their fundraising. Don’t forget to share on your social media platforms with friends and family – there are additional prizes available for shares. Two years ago, one of our families won a family trip to Disney World!
How It Works
Students solicit pledges and donations for minutes they’ll complete in the upcoming obstacle course (September 28 for 6th-8th graders) and fun run (September 29 for PreK-5th graders). Boosterthon is our fundraising partner and helps us operate all aspects of Lion’s Leap. You’ll find everything you need to know on Mybooster.com– the online hub for collecting donations and tracking progress. Once you register your Lions, they can begin soliciting donations from friends and family based on a per-minute pledge or lump-sum donations (which will automatically be converted into per minute).
How Do We Keep Everyone Motivated?
Homeroom teachers will set goals to motivate all students with opportunities to earn theme days like crazy hair day, mismatched sock day, out of uniform days, etc. Units also have challenges to meet–the homeroom in each unit that raises the most funds at the end of Lion’s Leap wins a pizza lunch with Miss Bigane served in our outdoor classroom! At the end of our Lion’s Leap, if we reach our overall school goal, the top fundraiser in each unit will win the opportunity to Pie the Principal! (insert pic from last year)
Looking for Volunteers
We are looking for parent volunteers for both events, the middle school obstacle course on September 28th and PreK-5 fun run on September 29th. Are you able to volunteer? Please sign up here to join us for fun filled days!
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New Teacher Spotlight
Mrs. Pam Wynne, School Counselor
BS, Indiana University; MA, Social Work, Loyola University
Favorite Book: Fish in a Tree By: Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Favorite Vacation Spot: The beach
Fun Fact: My favorite animal is a pig
I am so excited to join the St. Giles community. I enjoy being outside, running, eating ice cream and spending time with family. My son is in 8th grade and my daughter is in her sophomore year of high school. We have two dogs a guinea pig and a snake.
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Important School Reminders |
Parent Volunteer Compliance
At St. Giles School, we LOVE our volunteers – because we couldn’t do what we do without you! We welcome parent involvement and there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in your child’s life as a Lion this year. Compliance requirements can be found on our website in the Family Portal.
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Student Medical Forms Due
Student Medical Forms are NOW DUE for All New Students, Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 6th Grade and all Interscholastic Sports Participants. Please refer to the Information and Resources section of the family portal for details. Submit forms to medicalrecords@stgilesschool.org or in the school office.
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Fall Enrichment is Looking for our Lions!
Enrichment Registration Needed!
Last call for registration for enrichment classes! Take advantage of these great opportunities for your Lion to have a new experience or try a new after school activity. We are in danger of canceling several classes due to low enrollment. Be sure to register today!
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Hello Lion Families,
The Cross Country and Soccer teams are off running and kicking!
A reminder that ALL student-athletes require a sports physical in order to participate in athletics this year - More information can be found on the Athletic website: TeamSideline
The Cross Country team took part in their second meet this past weekend! Congratulations to all the runners who ran around the grounds of the Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club! Nice Job!
All four Soccer teams played their first games of the season last week and all of our teams are looking strong! A special welcome to Becky Mongiat; she has offered to assist in coaching the 5th grade soccer team! Home games are played at Field and Taylor Parks - Come on out and support our Lions!
Schedules and Calendar can be found on the Athletic website: TeamSideline
Please ensure you are connected to your student-athelete’s Team Site for information and updates.
The ‘RSVP/Attendance’’ function for Games/Practices has been corrected - It now works!
Girls Basketball Registration is NOW OPEN! Coaching opportunities are available - Please contact me if you are interested! Boys Basketball registration will be coming soon!
Reminders:
Please consider becoming a member of the Athletic Advisory Committee (AAC). Contact Sean Clancy or Kristen Reale for more information.
If you have not signed up to receive text alerts from the Athletic Program, please do so here: Notifications Sign-up
The St. Giles Athletic Program always welcomes your feedback! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me!
Go Lions!
Thank you!
Sean Clancy
The Week Ahead in Athletics
Soccer
- 9/12 4:00 pm St. Giles 8th vs.St. Lukes 7th, Field Park
- 9/13 4:00 pm St. Giles 8th vs. St. Mary’s 8th, Taylor Park
- 9/14 5:30 pm St. Mary’s 8th vs. St. Giles 7th, Veterans Park
- 9/14 6:30 pm St. Mary’s 6th vs. St. Giles 5th, Veterans Park
- 9/14 7:00 pm St. Giles 6th vs. FP, Veterans Park
- 9/15 4:15 pm St. Luke’s 8th vs. St. Giles 8th, Centennial Park
- 9/15 5:15 pm St. Luke’s 5th vs. St. Giles 5th, Centennial Park
- 9/16 5:00 pm FP vs. St. Giles 7th, Veterans Park
- 9/16 6:00 pm St. Giles 8th vs. RF3, Veterans Park
Cross Country
- Saturday 09/16/2023 9:00 AM Meet #3
Hosted by St. Joan of Arc @ Marmion Academy, Aurora
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News & Noteworthy Bulletin |
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Please join us for our first PTO meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 12th at 8:30 am in the McDonough Conference Room.
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Trinity High School News
Shadow Visits begin on September 11th!
Trinity High School will begin welcoming shadows to Trinity on Monday, September 11th. Please have a look at the information below for a special athlete shadow day for 8th grade girls on Tuesday, September 26th.
Students can sign up at the link below.
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Future Blazer Gathering
Trinity invites interested future Blazers to join them for an information session on Sunday, September 10th. Click on the image below for registration information.
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Fenwick High School News
Future Friar Shadow Days
Get the Fenwick Friar experience by signing up to be a Friar for a day. Future Friar Shadow Days are open to current 8th graders during Fall of 2023! Click on the image below for details and registration information.
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Willows Academy News
Fall Open House: Your 7th and 8th grade students and their families are invited to our FALL OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, October 15th at 1:00 pm. RSVP at the link below.
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Volleyball Clinic: Calling all 7th and 8th grade girls for a free night of high school volleyball Friday September 15th, 5:00-7:00. Watch a high school game, attend a free clinic by our Varsity High School coach and enjoy pizza and prizes. RSVP is required at the link by clicking the graphic below.
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St. Patrick High School News
Shadow Days are now available! Click on the graphic below to register for an upcoming shadow day and be sure to check out our Open House!
St. Pat's has an all-new Career and Technical Education department in which our young men can discover pathways for engineering, manufacturing, technology, trades, civil service, business development, arts and communication. This complements our college prep and advancement placement programs as well. We believe that every young man is a unique learner and we want to prepare them for whatever they feel is their next step post high school.
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79th Annual St. Giles Men’s Society Golf Outing
Monday, September 11
At Riverside Golf Club
Get ready to tee off and have a swinging good time at the most divine golf event of the year!
Not only is your participation in this awesome event likely to leave you rolling on the fairway with laughter, but it will also help an incredible 8th Grader continue their journey of a Catholic Education in High School. So, bring your clubs, your witty repartee, and most importantly – lots of cash for the raffle tickets!
Main event is a 4-Man Scramble, let the best crew win! – This event is NOT exclusive to St Giles parishioners. PLEASE bring your friends, neighbors, associates, and clients for a fun-filled day on the golf course and enjoy the new patio at Riverside Golf Club.
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Upcoming CCW events
September 26, 2023 at 7:00pm: Book club discussing Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O'Connor, Parish Center living room. Contact Jackie Carey at jackie@jmcarey.com for more information.
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Does your child like to sing? Pro Musica Youth Chorus is looking for children who would like to sing. Come to a Tuesday rehearsal to find out more about it! Email promusicachorus@gmail.com for more details
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Kids Unlimited has their fall calendar available now! Check out their offerings below or visit their website for full details of all available services. |
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