Dear St. Giles Families,
This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer and, while we will miss those carefree days, everything is off and running smoothly here at school! Our Lions have returned and those new to St. Giles feel like they have always been a part of our community.
Back to School Open House – Thursday Night!
This week we have our annual Back to School Open House for parents on Thursday night from 6:30-8:00 PM. This night is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers and see their classrooms. Teachers have recorded videos reviewing their curriculum and expectations for the year that will be available on their teacher web pages in the Family Portal on Wednesday evening. By providing this information via video, we free you up to simply engage with the teacher briefly and enjoy being inside the building. The evening goes quickly – so we ask families to reserve one-on-one conferencing for another time. If you have specific questions or needs regarding your child, please set up a separate appointment to meet with the teacher in a more private setting. We will send a reminder on Wednesday afternoon as well as a campus map with event entrances and the locations of our specials teachers.
Between your classroom stops, visit the courtyard next to the church to meet with representatives from PTO, School Board, and Athletics, and check out the uniform resale and spirit wear tables! I will be there with Kathy Lofgren, Michele Bibbey and Pam Wynne, our new counselor, to say hello and welcome everyone back. Need a new yard sign or car magnet? We will have those available, too. We hope you will join us!
Fall iReady Diagnostic – September 11th-15th
We are preparing our classes for the first iReady Diagnostic of the year, which must be completed by September 22nd. iReady is the standardized testing platform used throughout the Archdiocese and diagnostics are given three times a year in grades K-8. These test results are not included in classroom grades but provide us with data to review the curriculum, understand student achievement levels, show growth throughout the year, and assist with differentiation in the classroom. Between Diagnostic tests, students complete weekly lessons in Reading and Math that are individualized to the student and focused on their diagnostic score level. Data shows that students who successfully complete and pass two lessons per week and spend 30-40 minutes on those lessons show stronger growth in their academic success. Last year our Lions showed significant growth in iReady and we look to continue that again this year. Parents will be sent a family report after each Diagnostic to see their child’s progress.
In order to provide focus for our Lions during the diagnostic period, we do not have tests or at-home projects and limit homework throughout the week. There may be quizzes and in-class work but we want the focus to be on our Diagnostic so that we can assess where each of our Lions is in their learning and have accurate results to use moving forward, especially on this first diagnostic. Teachers alternate testing so that they are not taking Math and Reading on the same day. Students who may be absent or need any accommodations will receive that via Pam Wynne. How can you help at home? Encourage your Lion to get a good night’s sleep prior to testing and have a good breakfast each morning. We will celebrate the completion of the diagnostic test with an all-school spirit wear day on Friday, September 22nd.
All School Opening Liturgy
This Wednesday we will celebrate our opening school Mass at 1:00 in the church. All Kindergarten - 8th grade students will be in attendance and our students will participate in our choir, as readers, altar servers, and as ushers. Please join us to celebrate our theme, Shine Like the Stars! in prayer at 1:00. All are welcome!
Enjoy this long weekend and a Monday without alarm clocks!
Have a great 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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Great Grades Parties 2023
We are pleased to share the dates and locations for our upcoming Great Grades parties! A special St. Giles tradition, each fall we invite the parents of each grade to gather together for an adults-only evening to kick off the school year. Thank you to our generous hosts! Be on the lookout for additional grade-specific details as well as an Evite to RSVP – and get your sitters now!
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Get Ready for Lion’s Leap!
A St. Giles School tradition for more than three decades – Lion’s Leap – will kick off soon! 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.
St. Giles Lion's Leap | Save the Dates!
St Giles School families! Our St. Giles Lion's Leap fundraiser is kicking off soon! Look out for more information in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars with these key dates! Family and friends are welcome to come watch the fun!
● REGISTRATION OPENS - 09/11/2023 - Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
● St. Giles Lion's Leap Kickoff - 09/19/2023
● 6th-8th Grade Obstacle Course - 9/28/2023
● PreK-5th Grade Fun Run- 9/29/2023
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7th Grade Field Trip
Last week our 7th graders and their teachers went on the annual Irons Oaks field trip. The purpose of the trip is to enhance personal confidence and self-esteem, build trust and support, encourage effective communication and develop teamwork skills. This is an annual trip for 7th graders at St. Giles. They were all smiles throughout the course!
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New Teacher Spotlight
Miss Nicole Krumm, 7th Grade Homeroom, ELA/Social Studies
BS, Secondary Education and Psychology of Human Development, Ball State University
Favorite Book: Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Favorite Vacation Spot: French Quarter, New Orleans Louisiana
Fun Fact: I have a black cat named Pepper. She has been with me since I was in middle school.
As much as I enjoy the book version(s), I do still enjoy binge watching movie marathons and TV shows on the weekends. I also enjoy spending time with my cat, whether it be staring out the windows at birds or tossing a catnip mouse around. I spent a good portion of my summer at the various museums and exhibits around the city of Chicago. My favorite is The Shedd.
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Save the Tax Credit Scholarship!
Tax Credit Scholarships need your help!
As you know, the Illinois State Government will be voting in November if the Tax Credit Scholarship continues or if they end the program. There is great concern that this program will end and we need your help in the 39th Senate District reinforcing to Sen Harmon, Rep Lilly, and Rep Norma Hernandez that we want this program to continue.
If you're looking for ways to help, please attend the Advocacy Training at the Field School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 6:30 pm at The Field School.
Representatives from Empower Illinois will be there to help explain what we can do to help our legislators know that this program is vital and we need it to continue.
If you cannot attend this night, there will be another Advocacy Training at St. Catherine - St. Lucy later in September and we will share those details when they are available.
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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.
In order to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, the Archdiocese requires volunteers to complete several compliance requirements. Some need to be done only once, while others need to be completed more frequently or annually. If you are new to volunteering in the Archdiocese, you must complete everything. If you are a returning volunteer, you can log into Virtus to see which requirements are due.
Contact Heather Kroll with any questions. She will ensure your compliance and verify that you are able to volunteer at St. Giles.
Parent Volunteer Compliance
Compliance Requirements:
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Register in Virtus Online, http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/
Select “Chicago - Archdiocese”
Select “St. Giles School” (not Parish) for location.
Select "Volunteer" as role
Complete the criminal background check online (Updated every 3 years)
Sign the Archdiocese Standards of Behavior (Updated every year)
Complete the online class "Protecting God's Children" or the online renewal class "Keeping the Promise Alive" (Updated every 3 years)
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Complete the Cants 689 (DCFS background check - updated every year) - return to office.
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Complete the Mandated Reporter online class (updated every 3 years) - email the completed certificate to office.
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Complete the Cants 22 (Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement - updated every 3 years) - return to office.
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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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Let's Start a Coding Club!
Is your Lion interested in coding? No previous experience required! Ms. Kroeker would like to gauge interest in stating a Coding Club for students in grades 1st -8th. Please complete the interest survey below and additional information will be forthcoming.
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Fall Enrichment is Looking for our Lions!
Fall Enrichment Registration is still open! Are your Lions looking to try something new? Would they like to return to after school favorites? Be sure to check our after school enrichment offerings for this fall. Students can choose from some of our returning favorites; Infinity Arts, Legacy Sports, Chess Ed, Scratch Games, and Wonder Robotics.
Sign up for one, or more than one! Registration will be available until the day before the first day of camp. Below, please find the link to register. We have moved to a new system and have some new classes so be sure to check them out. Contact Mr. Siwek at ssiwek@stgilesschool.org if you have any questions!
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Beginner Band Members!
As band registration opens up, please review the following message from Mr. Gloppen if you are going into BEGINNER band.
***IMPORTANT**I need to meet all students with a parent in the week(s) prior to the start of the class to help with choosing and fitting them to an instrument. This meeting is usually 15-30 minutes.
I have availability to meet Sept 6th after school from 2:30-5:00 PM...please call or text me at the number below to make an appointment with me on one of those days. If none of those days are convenient, please call and I will try to find you a time to meet.
Bob Gloppen
773-209-7134
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From the Athletic Director |
Hello Lion Families,
I hope everyone is getting back into the swing of things!
All student-athletes require a sports physical in order to participate. - More information can be found on the Athletic website: TeamSideline--click on the link below
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The Cross Country team took part in their first meet yesterday!
Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the May Watts Invitational in Naperville!
The team would also like to welcome their new coach, Mrs. Cecelia Jones - Thank you!
The Soccer teams will play their first games of the season this week - Schedules and Calendar can be found on the Athletic website: TeamSideline
Girls' and Boys' Basketball Registration is right around the corner … Coaching opportunities are available - Please contact me if you are interested!
Please consider becoming a member of the Athletic Advisory Committee (AAC). Contact Sean Clancy or Kristen Reale for more information.
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If you have not signed up to receive text notifications from the Athletic Program, please do so below: |
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
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News & Noteworthy Bulletin |
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Mark your calendars for our first PTO meeting of the year! Please join us on Tuesday, September 12th at 8:30 am in the McDonough Conference Room.
Is there a grandparent, family member or caregiver you'd like added to the PTO email list? Please contact us at pto@stgilesschool.org.
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8th grade parents--in case you missed the special eNews regarding high school and scholarship information, click below! |
Trinity High School News
Shadow Visits begin on September 11th!
Trinity High School will begin welcoming shadows to Trinity on Monday September 11th. 7th & 8th grade girls can shadow at Trinity Monday - Friday.
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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Future Blazer Art Workshop
Trinity invites interested young women to join them for an art workshop on Saturday, September 9th. 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 2 at 8:30am: Monthly Feeding the Community (at Beyond Hunger).
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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