Charger Check-In
January 19, 2023
A Note from Ms. Owens
The banner at the top of this Check-In is the logo for this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This evening, St. Catherine hosted an ecumenical prayer service for several Christian churches in Oak Lawn. It was an evening of inspirational preaching from area pastors and beautiful music inspired by the various Christian denominations. The evening ended with food and fellowship in Kane Hall. For me, music is often a way to connect with myself and with God, and this certainly held true tonight. We sang two of my favorites: "Wade in the Water" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." I haven't sung "Lift Every Voice" for years, and it holds a dear place in my heart. When I first came to Chicago, I served as a ful-time volunteer with the Christian Brothers teaching literacy and GED classes for adults. At every graduation ceremony, we sang "Lift Every Voice." It was good for my spirit to reconnect with those early memories of my teaching career. This website has more information about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
FSA Eat & Earns - Scroll down for more info!
- FSA's January Eat & Earn will have Stan's Donuts visiting St. Catherine on Saturday, January 28. Place your pre-order by 9AM on January 26!
- For the second year, the February Eat & Earn will be at Homerun Inn in Beverly. Pre-orders are now open! Pizza, salad and cupcakes are on the menu!
The i-Ready winter diagnostic for reading and math is well underway at St. Catherine. This is a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate the progress they've made since the start of the school year. As with any school-wide testing experience, it is so important that we strike a balance that incorporates both the importance of i-Ready diagnostics as well as reminding students that their diagnostic results are just one measure of what they are learning in school. Thank you for partnering with your children's teachers in this effort! Once all grades have completed the second diagnostic, growth reports will be sent home to parents and guardians.
A Bit More News...
- Registration for both soccer and boys volleyball is open. Scroll down for more information. The deadline to register for boys volleyball is Friday, January 20.
- Information on Sports Night raffle tickets - along with six raffle tickets - went home in this week's White Envelopes. If you'd like to purchase/sell some or all of those tickets, please return the completed stubs along with payment to school in an envelope labeled Sports Night.
- We're bringing back Principal and Assistant Principal for a Day! Information and raffle tickets went home in this week's White Envelope.
- On Tuesday, January 31, FSA is hosting the Rock & Roller Skate Party at the Tinley Park Roller Rink from 6-8PM. Scroll down for more details.
- This year's musical will be Grease (school edition)! Auditions are set for Tuesday, February 6. Scroll down for more information.
- Join us at a Candlemas Taize Service on Thursday, February 2 at 7:30PM in church.
- Our FSA is hosting a Women's Bunco Night following the next FSA meeting on Tuesday, February 7. Scroll down for more details. RSVP here.
- 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.
Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Reservation Night
Families who want to apply for the Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship need to submit a reservation form! This is a needs-based scholarship opportunity.
Date: Wednesday, January 18
Time: Form opens at 6:30PM; submission begins at 7PM
The Office of Catholic Schools has developed the following checklist to guide families through the application process.
Additional information on the Empower Illinois program is available their website.
Registration for Soccer and Boys Volleyball
St. Catherine’s Athletic Board is opening up registration for soccer (K-8) and boys volleyball (4-8)
- Please complete one Google Form for each student-athlete for each sport. Please see below for all the necessary information.
- If you anticipate that you will be coaching, please get a jump start on the Virtus training requirements.
- Please be aware of the March 1st deadline for sports physicals, waivers and concussion documents for all student athletes.
Boys Volleyball
- Boys’ volleyball is for student-athletes currently in 4th through 8th grade.
- Please complete one form per child, per sport. You must complete all the sections for each athlete. Registration must be completed by 1/20/23.
- NO LATE REGISTRATIONS will be accepted.
- The Athletic Board will contact you regarding your interest in coaching via Google Form once registration is completed.
- Per SCA administration, all student athletes (K-8) who compete interscholastically will need a sports physical, waiver, and concussion form on file prior to the start of the season.
- Please have them into the office by March 1st. The documents will be in the Charger Check-In and on the school website.
- The registration fee is $150 and there is no uniform fee. Uniforms are included in the registration price. Each family will have to provide a $150 check for volunteering. Registration fees will be turned in Tuesday, January 17th or Tuesday, January 24th from 6 to 7 pm in the gym vestibule.
- Link for boys’ volleyball registration
Soccer Registration
- Please complete one form per child, per sport. You must complete all the sections for each athlete.
- Registration fees will be $60 per athlete and $40 per athlete for uniforms.
- This form must be completed by Friday, January 20, 2023.
- NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
- Fees will be collected in mid-February; the coordinators will contact all registered players.
- Per SCA administration, all student athletes (K-8) who complete interscholastically will need a sports physical, waiver, and concussion form on file prior to the start of the season.
- Please have them into the office by March 1st. The documents will be in the Charger Check-In and on the school website.
- Link for soccer registration
How About a Bulls Game???
The SCA Athletic Board has approximately 50 tickets left to the Bulls game. Eighth grade athletes from SCA, along with St. Gerald and St. Germaine, have an opportunity to play each other in basketball games at the United Center before a Bulls game.
- The 8th graders' game will be Sunday, February 26 with a 9AM start.
- The Bulls play later that afternoon at 2:30PM against the Washington Wizards.
- Each ticket is $36. Every spectator needs their own ticket. The same ticket is used for both events.
- The tickets are all in the 300 level. You can sit anywhere for the morning games but will sit in your assigned seat for the Bulls game.
- It really is a great experience for the kids and a great thing to do with your grammar school friends.
Since there are only about 50 tickets remaining, the Athletic Board will be watching the Google Form closely. Please do not send your money in until your tickets have been confirmed. Here is the link for tickets.
2023/2024 School Advisory Board Openings
The St. Catherine’s School Advisory Board is looking for three new members for the upcoming 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of the school advisory board is to provide advice and counsel in the following areas: Strategic Planning, New Initiative Formulation, Institutional Advancement/Development/Marketing, Financial Planning and Financial Management, Communication and Mission Enhancement.
- Each member serves a three year term.
- Members are required to attend a monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month as well as volunteer to sell TRIP usually twice per quarter.
St. Baldrick's Is Coming!
This year's St. Baldrick’s event will take place during the school day on Thursday, March 16.
- Please sign your child up using this link to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.
- Children who do not want to shave their head can sign up and raise money and awareness too.
- If you are a parent or guardian and would like to volunteer for the event please contact Karen Brogan at 708 691 9529.
This is a great, fun and meaningful event! Please join us!
Blackbaud Tuition - Hold Notices
Blackbaud has implemented a new security feature for its users. Blackbaud will hold your tuition payment until they comfirm that all banking information for an account is correct. Once that is done, Blackbaud will then release your payment.
- If your payment was on time and on hold, you will not see a $40 late fee from Blackbaud.
- If your tuition payment is late and on hold, Blackbaud will still charge the $40 late fee.
Our understanding is that Blackbaud will only hold payment the first time they are checking an account with their new security feature. If, however, your bank changes, the security process will occur again and your payment may have a hold.
FSA Sponsorship Opportunities
Covid Vaccination Information
If you or someone you know wants to get a vaccine, you will find a button below with easy-to-navigate information for Chicago, Cook County and surrounding counties.
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
Friday, January 20
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- Toddling Chargers at 8:20AM in gym
Sunday, January 22
- All-Parish Family Mass at 9:30AM (2nd grade hosting)
Tuesday, January 24
- Athletic Board Meeting at 7PM in Kane Hall
Thursday, January 26
- New Family Registration opens
Friday, January 27
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- Toddling Chargers at 8:20AM in gym
Saturday, January 28
- FSA Eat & Earn Stan's Van at SCA from 9AM-11AM
Sunday, January 29
- Catholic Schools Week Mass at 9:30AM
- SCA Open House
Tuesday, January 31
- FSA Roller Skating Party at 6PM
Thursday, February 2
- Candlemas Taize Service at 7:30PM in Church
About us
Website: www.scaoaklawn.org
Location: 10621 South Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-425-5547
Facebook: facebook.com/scaoaklawn/