10.18.2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today we completed Trinity's first open house of this school year. As with everything this year, it was a brand new adventure. We had reservations only, small group 'pods' moving about the building in unison to ensure social distancing, and even a few outdoor stations. The planning was meticulous and I want to give kudos and congratulations to the Institutional Advancement team on a job well done.

There is always so much going on at Trinity, but I am happy to be able to say that what is going on right now is just normal school-year stuff. We've celebrated fall athlete senior nights (with swimming still to come), Spirit Week, and Hispanic Heritage Month. The amazing IB Art and Design projects are evolving daily and the Fall Play very creatively being planned.

The only thing putting a damper on our great year is the news that Sr. Michelle Germanson is preparing to go on to her eternal reward. She has been the very soul of Trinity High School since her arrival in the 90's. Our Juniors and Seniors remember her well, and the faculty members who worked with her are fondly recalling her "awesome'" energy in the halls. Please keep Sr. Michelle, her Sinsinawa Dominican sisters, and all of the Trinity Community who love her dearly in your prayers. 

Sincerely,
Laura Curley
President
Congratulations! Trinity Faculty selected as the only school in Illinois for the University of Notre Dame Seminar
Trinity was the only school in Illinois and one of 20 schools in the country chosen by the University of Notre Dame to participate in a seminar that encourages 'dialogue between science and religion in Catholic education.' 
Important Updates
It's A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play
Trinity is getting ready to host our first Trinity 1940's Holiday Radio Hour featuring the perennial classic It's A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play. To ensure that our holiday spirit is obvious across all mediums, we are looking to borrow the following items:

  • Christmas Wreaths
  • White Christmas Lights
  • Christmas Trees (all shapes and sizes)
  • Garland 
  • Brightly colored holiday Wrapping Paper 
  • 1940's style Hats
  • 2- 6 foot long wooden tables (will be used as foley tables)

The more vintage/ nostalgic these look, the better. But beggers will not be choosers!

Please contact Anslee Rainwater (arainwater@trinityhs.org) if you have questions or to arrange a socially distanced drop off and pick up. Also, if bringing in multiple items, please label all pieces with an itemized list. We want to make sure all of your pieces are returned in great shape. 
Free-day, Monday November 30th
Last week, Trinity completed its walk-a-thon, an annual philanthropic opportunity for Blazers. It was great seeing them walk miles independently - though they were truly in it together!  

The Trinity Blazers did an amazing job this year, and exceeded all expectations! With dollars raised and dollars left to collect, we will surpass our goal! Therefore, to celebrate this achievement, Trinity students will not have classes on Monday, November 30th, extending the Thanksgiving holiday one more day!  

Big shout out to the top walk-a-thon pledge collectors: Senior Eriel Sexton, Sophomore Isabella Bercan, and Senior Alexandra Petruncio.  

Thank you to students, faculty, and staff who were able to make this another successful year for Walk-A-Thon. Thanks to all of you, our Trinity parents/guardians, for your tremendous efforts and support. We truly are #InThisTogether
Blazers Against Cancer Pink Out
In BAC news, we are hosting 'Pink Out Day' next Friday, 10/23/20. Blazers can wear this shirt with as much pink spirited gear as possible to commemorate October as Breast Cancer Awareness month. BAC officers designed a shirt for this year's event which has a tribute to Sister Michelle. We will be raffling off three Pink Prizes next Friday. 
Live Virtual meeting
Join the River Forest Police Crime prevention Unit for a live Zoom conference on October 21st from 6:00PM - 7:30PM for their Quarterly Safety meeting.
Athletics
Tennis Wins GCAC White Division
Congratulations to the Trinity Tennis team on winning the GCAC White Division for the third straight season. The Blazers' doubles teams of Ellie Smith/Anna Cozad, Alexa Padula/Mia Weber and Sophie Ritzler/Melissa Rodriguez won all three doubles championships while Josie Poe and Lily Scully-Granzeier were the runner-ups at both singles flights.
Trinity Golf in Sectionals
Katarina Sheirok '21 placed 20th individually out of 64 golfers at the IHSA 1A Seneca Sectional on Monday. Sheirok shot a 91 on a cold, wet, windy day at the Creek in Morris, IL.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed it)
Important information from last week's newsletter
2020-21 Student Handbook
On Friday parents were sent a letter regarding information about Trinity's 2020-21 Student Handbook. By the end of Block 1 on October 27, 2020, students, parents and guardians must sign the Student Handbook Contract Agreements and must submit Emergency Forms which can be found on pages 29-31 of the Student Handbook or attached to this letter. Please print them, complete them, and bring a hard copy to the main office or email the completed copy to the main office at mainoffice@trinityhs.org.
Update on block one final exams 
Block one final exams are scheduled to take place on Wed. Oct. 28th and Thurs. Oct. 29th this year. The way that students will take exams will not be formal written examinations. Similar to the final exam format in block 4 of the 2019-20 school year, this time around the exams will be fully virtual. Therefore, students will not be in attendance on either of the two dates. Instead all of our students - both in-persona and eLearners - will complete and electronically submit a final project or assessment for each of their 4 courses. 

On Friday October 23rd each teacher will assign students a final project for their course. The objective of the final project is to allow the students to demonstrate mastery of the content and skills they have developed. Additionally, the students will have an opportunity to reflect on their learning. In the final 2 class days of the block teachers will work with students and give them time to work independently on the projects. On the days marked as final exam days, during the designated exam period, (see calendar below) the students will have the opportunity to Zoom with their teachers to ask any last minute questions regarding the project. Students will electronically submit their final project for each course at the end of each exam period. If a student is ill and will not be able to submit her final project, a parent must call in and report the illness. If a student is experiencing technical difficulties at the time an exam is due, a parent must call in and report the technical problem. If there is no parent contact and a student submits her project after the time it is due a percentage will be taken off of her final score: 

  • Up to 2 hours late - 10 % reduction in grade for the final project
  • More than 2 hours late - 15 % reduction in grade for the final project.


Virtual Exam Day Schedule (No in-person learning)

Wednesday, October 28 
Period 1 - 8:30 to 10:30 / Exam due on Google Classroom by 10:30 AM
Period 2 - 11:30 to 1:30 / Exam due on Google Classroom by 1:30 PM

Thursday, October 29 
Period 4- 8:30 to 10:30 / Exam due on Google classroom by 10:30 AM
Period 5 - 11:30 to 1:30 / Exam due on Google classroom by 1:30 PM
Virtual Chapel Prayer Book