Charger Check-In
August 27, 2023
A Note from Ms. Owens
Well, we made it through the ridiculous heat and humidity on Wednesday and Thursday. I was wiped out with just two days of this weather. And parts of the country have been dealing with this type of weather for several weeks. Our faculty and staff were able to keep the building quite comfortable. I'm grateful for their flexibility and for technology!
There are already quite a few thanks that need to be given even though we've just started the school year.
- Thank you to Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Connolly for organizing and hosting FSA's Teacher and Staff Luncheon on Monday. We were treated to a food truck from Nicky V.'s which included hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken pitas and cheese fries!!! Faculty and staff also received new SCA t-shirts to show our Charger Pride! Thank you to FSA for the spirit wear!
- Thank you to Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Schultz for hosting a super successful Ice Cream Social in spite of the heat and humidity. We had lots of kiddos running around the parking lot and the grass and lots of adults connecting with friends.
- Thank you to Mrs. Jordan and all the lunch/recess parents who jumped right into the first week of lunches with two days of indoor recess. This year, we are working to bring more calm to students as they transition out of the lunch room and as they re-enter the school from recess.
Famiiles who use our Morning and/or Extended Care Program will see a small increase rates this year. This decision was made in response to increased expenses - the rising cost of snacks for the children and well-deserved increased pay for the staff. The rates for these prorams have not been increased in at least eight years.
- One child: $6
- Two children: $8 (corrected 8/28)
- Three or more children: $10 (corrected 8/28)
For morning care, the rates will remain a flat fee rather than based on time. For extended care, the rates will be per hour as they have been.
Morning Entry Routines
- Our PK students will continue to enter the school via the playground door. Doors open at 8AM.
- Our K-2nd grade students will continue to gather on the main parking lot no earlier than 7:50AM. Teachers will be present to supervise students beginning at that time. Classes will enter the buidling at 8AM.
- Beginning Monday, our 3rd and 4th grade students will enter the building via the kindergarten doors (Door 9) at 7:50AM. They will report directly to their classrooms.
- Our 5th and 6th grade students will continue entering the builidng at 7:50AM via the Alexandria Center doors (Door 11). They will report directly to class.
- Our 7th and 8th grade students will continue to gather at the church doors (Door 2) on Kedvale no earlier than 7:50AM. Teachers will be present to supervise students beginning at that time. Classes will enter the buidling at 8AM.
- School doors close at 8:10AM and those students who arrive after that time are considered tardy. Students who arrive at school after the doors have closed should enter via the church doors on Kedvale (Door 2). They will be buzzed into the building and should report to the Main Office.
FSA's Eat & Earn is Monday, August 28 at Lou Malnati's (5621 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn). Our FSA sponsors Eat & Earns about once per month during the school year. I encourage you to share the Eat & Earn information with family and friends and to support these events when they occur. Last year, Eat & Earns brought in over $1,880 to help FSA support our teachers and students.
A Bit More News...
- Curriculum/Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, August 30. Scroll down for more details!
- Our Athletic Board is working to publicize schedules for our sports teams. Stay tuned!
- This link will take you to a PDF of the Schoolbelles Uniform Buying Guide for 2023-24. This link will take you the online ordering page for Schoolbelles. St. Catherine's school code is s0775ta
- PE uniforms and regular school uniforms can be purchased at Schools Are Us [3146 West 111th Street, Chicago (773) 779-0172]. They do not offer online sales.
- If you know of an SCA family who owns a small business that we can publicize here to help support them, please reach out to me via email. Scroll down to see local businesses we can support.
Curriculum/Back-to-School Night
- 6:20 - School doors open for families
- 6:30 - Classroom presentations
- 7:00 - School-wide presentation in church
- 7:30 - Classroom presentations (same as 6:30 presentations)
Clarifying Information
- Teachers will give presentations that cover their classroom expectations, share the curricula being used, and preview some of the upcoming highlights for their students.
- Teachers will give their presentations twice - once at 6:30 and again at 7:30PM.
- Families with more than one student can attend one session at 6:30 and another at 7:30.
- Families are also welcome to split up with one adult going to one presentation while the other goes to a different presentation.
- If you only have one child at SCA, you can go to either the 6:30 or 7:30 presentation - whichever works best for your schedule.
- This evening is not structured as a time for one-on-one conversations about concerns that are specific to your child. If you would like to discuss concerns that are specifc to your child or your family, please set up an appointment to meet with your child's teacher(s).
**Our school nurse, Britt Kelleher, will be in church vestibule to collect paperwork and answer questions about medical requirements.
Our School Theme for 2023-24
Updates and Reminders about Water Bottles, Shoes & Smart Watches
We encourage students in 3rd-8th grade to continue bringing reusable water bottles to school; however, water bottles must be transluscent and made of plastic (no glass bottles).
This policy does not apply to students in PK-2nd grade. We recognize that virtually all water bottles for young children are opaque and usually made of metal.
Regardless of grade level, water is the only liquid permitted in the classroom.
Shoes on Out of Uniform Days - new policy
On days when students are out of uniform, students have two options: gym shoes (no color restrictions) or school/dress shoes. To help ensure student safety at recess, PE class and in stairwells, Crocs, Birkenstocks, slides, flipflops or other backless shoes are not permitted. Similarly, boots (including UGGs) are not permitted. As in past years, on days with inclement weather, students are welcome to wear boots to school and change into school-appropriate shoes.
Smart Watches - reminder
Last year at SCA, we moved to a policy prohibiting students from wearing Smart watches (or wifi-capable devices) during the school day. We know that some families want their children to wear these devices as they travel to and from school. We ask that students put these devices in their backpacks as part of their arrival routine and leave them packed away until school dismisses.
The new policies will be reflected in the Student-Parent Handbook in the coming days.
August Eat & Earn - Monday, August 28
Our FSA is already looking forward to our first Eat & Earn of the year, being held on August 28, at Lou Malnati's (5261 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn).
In addition to generously hosting this fundraiser, Lou Malnati's are also bronze sponsors for the Charge On 5K. We're encouraging people to RSVP to the event by clicking on the green 'Commit to Eat' button on the GroupRaise event meal page.
Please be sure to visit the link above to read important information about how to support this delicious event!
A Note from the Nurse
Please be aware that in accordance with Illinois state law, a valid Certificate of Child Health Examination must be submitted to St. Catherine no later than October 15. Again, this is only for those students mentioned in the above paragraph.
Bitty Basketball Information (1st - 3rd Grade)
Registration for Bitty Basketball is still open. Bitty Basketball is open to all 1st-3rd grade SCA students. Students play on mixed grade level teams, and they play against other SCA teams.
Bitty Basketball
- 1st through 3rd grade Bitty Basketball Registration
- Please contact Erin or Ivan Passamentt for any questions.
The Sunday Collection
Visit the link below to set up your recurring contribution. Donors can change the amount of the contribution or pause it at any time.
Ways to Support Our Local Small Businesses
If you know of an SCA family who owns a small business that we can publicize here to help support them, please reach out to me via email.
So Many On-going Ways to Support St. Catherine!
Upcoming Events
Monday, August 28
- FSA Eat & Eat at Lou Malnati's (5621 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn)
Tuesday, August 29
- Athletic Board Meeting at 8PM in Kane Hall
Wednesday, August 30
Curriculum/Back-to-School-Night
- Classroom Presentations at 6:30PM
- All-School Presention in church at 7PM
- Classroom Presentations at 7:30PM
Friday, September 1
- All-School Liturgy & Adoration at 8:30AM
Monday, September 4
- Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
About us
Website: www.scaoaklawn.org
Location: 10621 South Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-425-5547
Facebook: facebook.com/scaoaklawn/