Everest Academy Newsletter | January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

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Knights in Service: Friendship Day brought students and guests together for a day of connection and joy 😊🎉

Quick Reminders!

UPCOMING EVENTS and DEADLINES*

-> January 22 | Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn

-> January 23 | AS OF 3PM THURSDAY, SCHOOL IS STILL ON!
-> January 23 | All School Mass | 1:30pm EARLY DISMISSAL - No Aftercare | 5th/6th Grade Basketball Game @ 5pm, St. Cletus

-> January 25 | WinterFest Mass at 11:00am | WinterFest begins at 12:30pm
-> January 25-30 | Catholic Schools Week!

-> January 27 | Celebrate Your Country

-> January 28 | Celebrate Your Community | Pre-K / Kindergarten Mass @ 8:15am in the gym

-> January 29 | Celebrate Your Faith | 2nd Grade Mass @ 8:20am

-> January 30 | Celebrate Your Students | All School Mass @ 8:15am

-> January 31 | 1pm, 5th/6th Basketball Game @ St. Pius

Message from Principal Hamilton

Dear Everest Parents,

Our MLK Knights in Service Friendship Day was a huge success! Please join me in thanking Mrs. Wodka for planning such a meaningful and well-organized event. I am incredibly proud of how our students interacted with our special guests and with one another. I was also impressed with the many alumni and parents who volunteered their time to help make this event a success.

Our guests were touched by our hospitality and I am confident that the recipients of our apostolic projects will be equally grateful. Together, our students created 156 Valentine Cards for Veterans, 158 Pet Toys for animals at a local shelter, and 128 Blessing Bags for the homeless - a beautiful witness to service and compassion!

In case you missed it, earlier today I sent a letter to K-8 parents providing some important updates regarding math instruction. Please click here to access that letter.

Next week is Catholic Schools Week! We are excited to celebrate the value and impact of Catholic education. Our teachers have planned special activities throughout the week, so please be sure to look for reminders and notes coming home regarding special attire for each day.

As we continue this joyful season, I encourage your family to join us this Sunday as we kick off Catholic Schools Week with 11:00am Mass in the gym. The Open House and WinterFest are wonderful opportunities to celebrate our community, invite friends and neighbors, and share the joy of our school with others.

I am looking forward to seeing many families this Sunday! Please continue to pray for the success of our Open House and WinterFest.

Rejoicing in gratitude for God's blessings,

Candy Hamilton

Principal

Principal Pics

Our MLK Day of Service reminded us that faith is lived through love in action. From serving others to building friendships, our school community lived our mission with joy! Enjoy these highlights from Monday!

Catholic Schools Week Schedule

Bundle Up for Recess! 🥶🧤

As the weather gets cooler, please remember to send your child to school each day with a coat, hat, and gloves. Our students go outside for recess whenever possible, and we want everyone to stay warm and comfortable while enjoying fresh air and playtime!

Crouching Tigers Interest Form

We are exploring the possibility of offering a Winter Session of Crouching Tigers Martial Arts at Everest Academy for students age 2-7 interested in building strength, focus, and coordination. The proposed schedule would be one day per week on Wednesdays from 2:30–3:30 p.m., after the regular school day ends.

Please fill out this short form to help us gauge interest.

Extracurriculars!

BAM Theater | Hits from Little Mermaid!

***First 10 families that register will be entered into a drawing for $100 off the registration fee***
Grades: K-8

Wednesdays, Feb 18, 2026 – April 29, 2026
Tuition & T-Shirt: $275

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Story Time & Tea Party

Grades: Pre-K - Kindergarten

Mondays, Feb 23 - March 30 | 3:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Diana Piña

Contact: dpina@everestlemont.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Soccer
Grades: Pre-K - Kindergarten

Tuesdays, Starting January 13 | 3:30pm-4:00pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Polish School

September 30, 2025 – June 4, 2026
Tues, Wed, Thurs | 7:00am-7:45am
Rate: $150/month

Instructor: Malgorzata Lesiak
Contact: margaretlesiak@yahoo.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

🎨 Art Club

Grades 3–8

Mondays

Instructor: Megan Reznicek
Contact: mreznicek@everestlemont.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

♟️ Chess Club (New Session!)

Grades K–8

Tuesdays, Dec. 2 – March 3, 2026 (12 sessions)
3:30pm-4:45pm

Instructor: Theo Poulos & Stephanie DeRoche

Theo Contact: tpsilopoulos@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

✍️ Creative Writing

Grades 6–8

Mondays | 3:30–4:30 PM

10 Sessions | $15 per session ($150 total)

Location: Room 17 (6th Grade Homeroom)

Instructor: Lynn Abramic

Contact: labramic@everestlemont.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Upcoming Events

Community News

Sisters Tutoring Help

The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King are once again offering one-on-one tutoring for students in grades K–8 at Mt. Assisi Convent in Lemont. Experienced Sisters are available to assist with math, reading, writing, organization, and other skills to support students’ growth.

📍 Location: Mount Assisi Convent, 13900 Main St., Lemont
📅 When: October 2025–May 2026 (school year) and mid-June–early August 2026 (summer sessions)
💰 Cost: Free-will offering
📞 Contact: Sr. Marjorie or Sr. Jimene at (630) 257-7495 to schedule sessions.

Bernadette the Musical

Produced by Kelsey Grammer

Prayer Intentions

→ For the success of the March for Life being held on Friday, January 23 in our nation’s capital: that the Lord may accompany those who walk, heal those who mourn, and protect those who are yet unborn. We pray especially for our students and alumni who are marching.

→ For an increase in the virtue of endurance: As we journey through this new year at Everest Academy, may our students grow in the virtue of endurance, learning to persevere with courage, patience, and trust in God. In moments of challenge, fatigue, or uncertainty, help them to remain faithful and steadfast, drawing strength from Christ who walks with them each day. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, may our students learn to endure with hope and humility, growing in resilience and inner peace. Holy Spirit, guide the Everest Academy community to form hearts that persevere in faith, ready to serve God and neighbor with joy and conviction.

Everest Academy is an independent PK-8th grade Catholic school committed to providing the highest quality education while cultivating the whole human person: intellectually, humanly, spiritually, and apostolically. Our mission is to form Christian leaders who are eager to exercise their leadership with a spirit of joy and service in order to impact culture and transform society.