Principal's Pad (2/6/22)
Updates for the St. Stan's Community
What's in this Newsletter?
Haga clic aquí para leer el boletín en español
Here is what's new...
- A Few Words
- Gentle Reminders
- Weekly Parent Survey
- Lil' Wildcat Sports Club
- Caught Being a Leader(board)
- Home-Learning Hub
What's still here from last week?
- Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
- Afterschool Opportunities: Science Club & E-Sports
- Important Dates
- Covid-19 Protocols
A Few Words On...
As the leader of St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy, I would just like to share a few words and thoughts on several topics and happenings in our school community.
Catholic Schools Week - Thank You!
Although the weather tried to put a damper on Catholic Schools Week, the spirits of our students and staff were still bright. This was best exemplified during our "Parent Pep Rally" on Thursday when, despite the wind and snow, we still had students and staff cheering on our parents during arrival and dismissal. It was also great to see the unique outfits of our students throughout the week and I even noticed a few other "Mr. Vickmans" walking around in our Kindergarten class. Thank you to all of the parents, guardians, students, and staff who helped to make the week special and memorable.
Our 2nd grade class is preparing to go through the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion later this spring. They have been working hard during their religion classes to fully understand and appreciate the steps in their faith they are about to take. Please mark on your calendars that First Communion is scheduled to occur on Saturday, April 30 at 3pm.
We also want to encourage students who are not in the 2nd grade to take the proper steps toward their First Communion as well. Any student who has been baptized in the Catholic Church and is older than the 2nd grade can also receive the sacrament this spring so long as they take the proper steps. Please reach out to Ms. Kim Riley at kriley@ststanschicago.org for more details.
e-Learning
The teachers and I appreciate the efforts of parents and guardians in helping students get set-up for and remain engaged in e-learning this past Wednesday. We understand that it can be difficult for families, but e-learning helps us to ensure the continuity of learning and to make sure that our students continue their progress. Should we engage in e-learning again in the future, please consult St. Stan's e-Learning Guidelines to be properly prepared and aware of student expectations.
Gentle Reminders
No School - Friday, February 11
Our teachers and staff will be engaging in professional development activities this Friday. There will not be any school or aftercare for all students.
Return to Normal Dress Code
After several "spirit" weeks at St. Stan's, we will be returning to our normal dress code this week. Please be sure that students are wearing their informal uniform on Mondays and Wednesdays, their gym uniform on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and their formal uniforms on Fridays for Mass or a prayer service.
Weekly Parent Survey - Parent Involvement
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser is Underway!
With 50% of all proceeds coming directly to St. Stan's Academy, we are hoping to assist in funding basic operations of the school such as teacher salaries and repairs.
How-to Create Your Double Good Pop-up Store
Caught Being a Leader(board)
- Joan Chala-Almonte
- Faith Mendoza
- Nate Castellanos
- Kaylee Avila
- Abhay Agrawal
- Daphne Bierman
- Sofia Lofranco
- Parker Edwards
- Sandra Aguirre
- Sabella Fonseca
- Malaiah Montgomery
- Olivia Thayer
- Alina Miranda
- Lilly Harris
- Angel Hernandez
Lil' Wildcat Sports Club
St Stan’s Academy is excited to revive the Lil’ Wildcat Sports Club for PreK - 2nd Grade students. This sports club will provide your child with the opportunity to learn several skills in soccer and basketball. This will be split between 4 weeks of training in soccer and 3 weeks in basketball. Students will meet every Thursday from February 17th - March 31st.
Please have permission slips, shirt order forms, and a full payment of $100 submitted by February 17, 2022.
Times & Schedule
PreK - Kindergarten students will participate from 2:45 - 3:45pm
1st - 2nd Grade students will participate from 3:00 - 4:00pm
February 24 to March 17
- During these first four weeks, students will focus on shooting, passing, trapping, dribbling, volleys/half volleys, and foot-eye coordination in the game of soccer.
March 24 to March 31
- In our last two weeks, we’ll be working on shooting, dribbling, rebounding, bounce passes, and overall ball control in the game of basketball.
More information will be coming home with PreK - 2nd Grade students this week. If you have any questions, you can email our Athletic Director, Mr. Ryan Reed, at rreed@ststanschicago.org.
After School Science Club: 3rd-6th Grade
E-Sports & Gaming League: 3rd-8th Grade
There will be a live Q&A session with one of the co-founders of Vanta Leagues for parents who are interested in their child participating. The Zoom session will be on Monday, February 7 at 7pm. Please use this link to attend the meeting.
Students will be able to receive coaching and participate in competitions against other schools. The games available for league gameplay are:
Home-Learning Hub
Honoring Black History Month
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser - February 4-8
We will be having a virtual fundraiser through Double Good Popcorn beginning on Friday, February 4 and running through Tuesday, February 8. Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks.
No School: Staff Development Day - February 11
Our teachers will be participating in professional development activities and discussions on Friday, February 11. As such, there will be no school on that day.
Valentine's Day Classroom Celebrations - February 14
Each grade-level classroom will have their own party to celebrate Valentine's Day. Room Parents, please be on the lookout for more information regarding party guidelines.
No School: Wellness Day & Presidents' Day - February 18 & 21
On Friday, February 18 we will be using one of our allotted "Wellness Days" to allow students and staff to focus on their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Monday, February 21 is also a day off of school in observance of the Presidents' Day holiday.
Athletics
If you are interested in helping coach or in having your son/daughter involved in athletics at St. Stan's, please contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Ryan Reed, via email at rreed@ststanschicago.org
Champions Afterschool Program
All K-8 families wishing to use aftercare services must register with CHAMPIONS as soon as possible. Use this link to enroll and begin the registration process. For a look at the CHAMPIONS program and what it has to offer, please click on this link. Any other questions should be directed to the CHAMPIONS Area Manager, Paula Short. She can be contacted at pshort@discoverchampions.com or 847-850-9817.
All families of a PK student should contact Ms. Abby Torres at atorres@ststanschicago.org to schedule your days of care and plan for payment. Tuition rates will be the same as the CHAMPIONS program since all students will have similar access to the same resources.
Covid-19 Protocols & Guidelines (as of 1/30/22)
Fully Vaccinated Status
The CDC defines fully vaccinated individuals as those who have done either of the following:- have received a booster of vaccine
- have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
- have completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months.
5-Day Isolation/Quarantine
The updated CDC quarantine guidance requires the following:
- If someone tests positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, the individual must:
- Isolate for a full 5 days regardless if symptoms are present or not and regardless if symptoms resolve before the 5 days are complete.
- For symptomatic people, Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms develop.
- For asymptomatic people, Day 1 is the first full day after the positive test is administered.
- The individual must be fever-free for 24 hours before leaving isolation. The 5-day rule still applies, but if a fever is present after 5 days, the individual must remain isolated until fever-free for 24 hours.
- There is no need to test before leaving isolation. While individuals could remain COVID positive for some time, they are no longer contagious.
- Isolate for a full 5 days regardless if symptoms are present or not and regardless if symptoms resolve before the 5 days are complete.
- If a vaccinated individual is a close contact with a positive individual:
- There is no need to quarantine at home as long as the vaccinated individual is not symptomatic.
- Testing is recommended 5 days after exposure OR if symptoms develop.
- If an unvaccinated individual is a close contact with a COVID-19 positive person:
- The individual must quarantine at home for 5 days.
- Testing is recommended 5 days after exposure OR if symptoms develop.
Test to Stay Option
Students who are deemed to be "close contacts" to positive Covid-19 cases have the option to either quarantine for 5 days or "test-to-stay" in school. This is being done in the interest of allowing our students the best opportunity to continue their learning uninterrupted while also providing safety measures to prevent virus transmission. Please note the important details below:
- Any test being used as part of the "test-to-stay" protocol must be administered by a clinic, doctor's office, or pharmacy such as Walgreen's or CVS. Home tests administered at home will not count as valid.
- A home test may be used only if it is conducted in the presence of a school official (the Principal or Administrative Assistant) at the beginning of the school day. If the test shows a negative result, the student may remain at school so long as they are not showing any symptoms.
- The "Test-to-Stay" protocol will not apply should I see it necessary to quarantine an entire classroom due to overt spread of the virus.
We continue to follow the state classifications designated in the City of Chicago Travel Advisory.
- Domestic Travel to an “Orange” State:
- Fully vaccinated students/teachers/staff do not need post-travel COVID-19 testing or self-quarantine as long as they are not symptomatic and provide proof of vaccination.
- Unvaccinated students/teachers/staff must quarantine for 5 days OR provide proof of a negative test, taken after travel and as close to the start of school as practical, but no earlier than 72 hours prior to returning home. Persons must quarantine until a negative test is received. If the test result is negative, no further quarantine is required.
- International Travel:
- The CDC currently requires a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery to board a plane to the United States. Because of this requirement, no quarantine is required upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status.
Contact Us
Email: Office@StStansChicago.org
Website: https://ststanschicago.org/
Location: 1255 North Noble Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: (773) 278-4560