Charger Check-In
February 16, 2023
A Note from Ms. Owens
It is amazing to realize that Lent begins next week. We will mark this important season in many different ways at St. Catherine. This weekend, we will Bury the Alleluia at all masses. On Tuesday morning, the school community will gather outside with a brief prayer service for burning the old palms. On Wednesday, we will recieve the ashes from those palms. As we move further into Lent, we will participate in Stations of the Cross - including Living Statioins - and the sacrament of Reconciliation. I hope you join me in anticipation of the coming 40 days of prayer, reflection, fasting and acts of charity. It is a wonderful chance to slow down, participate in powerful rituals of our Catholic faith, listen to the quiet and hear God.
Last Friday, all K-8 students brought home their i-Ready Diagnostic Growth Reports for both math and reading. If you'd like a tool to assist in how to read those reports, please see Understanding Your Student's Diagnostic Results. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your child's math and/or reading teacher directly.
A Bit More News...
- Our Annual Dream Raffle is up and running! Scroll down for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets purchased through the school will be sent home with students on the following Thursday.
- Our School Advisory Board has two upcoming events that involve food for our students. If your child has food allergies, please complete this Google Form so the SAB can provide an allergy-safe treat for your child. The form will close on Friday, March 3.
- St. Baldrick's Day is coming to SCA on Thursday, March 16! There are different ways to support the fight against childhood cancer - raising money, shaving your head or purchasing St. Baldrick's merchandise. Scroll down for more information!
- Are you going to march in the Southside Irish Parade? Are you interested in bus transportation between SCA and the parade? If you answer yes to either question, sign up here.
- The SCA Spirit Wear Pop Up Shop is open with St. Patrick's Day apparel. The shop closes on Sunday, February 19.
- 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.
Time for New SCA St. Paddy's Wear?
March with SCA at the Southside Irish Parade!
We are very excited for another year of celebrating our Southside community and family of St Catherine at the Annual Southside Irish Parade. Even if you aren’t Irish, this is a family-friendly, fun-filled event to show our Charger Pride.
Please fill out this Google Form so we can account for the number of people coming to the parade. This is also required if you plan on using the free bus transportation to or from the event. FSA provides this to ensure everyone’s safety. We will not allow last minute additions for the bus transportation.
Last date to fill out the form is February 17.
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.
2023/2024 Athletic Association Openings
The St. Catherine’s Athletic Association is looking for three new members for the upcoming 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of this organization is to provide both a competitive and instructional sports program as an extension of the St. Catherine of Alexandria academic and religious programs. The Athletic Association will assist in the task of educating children to become Christian adults by providing physical training and supervised recreation. The Athletic Association governs the scope and direction of the extra-curricular sports program and student participation in such programs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following items:
- To assist the Pastor and the Principal with the school athletic program
- To act as a liaison between all parties - coaches, parents, and school.
- Have approval of Head Coaches. Develop rules the coach will work under to provide maximum participation for the participants.
- To set criteria, screen, present for approval to the Association, inservice, monitor and evaluate coaches.
- To communicate effectively the philosophy of the program and ensure that it is clearly understood and followed.
- To coordinate, schedule, and supervise other program volunteers.
- To determine league participation, the number of games and tournaments.
- To determine how teams will be slated when the number of eligible players is large or their skills are greatly varied.
- To coordinate the scheduling of practices, games and or tournaments.
- To prepare and present a budget upon request for Pastor/Principal approval and set participation fees.
- To participate in fundraising as needed.
- To develop and communicate an Emergency Plan for unexpected occurrences at games and practices.
- To develop and maintain a mandatory program in which parents are expected to contribute their time and service in support of the athletic program.
Additional Important Information
- Each member serves a three year term, with the potential of being elected for a 2nd term.
- Members are required to attend a monthly SCA Athletic Board Meeting, Conference Meetings, school parent meetings hosted 2x a year, a shift for opening day of each season, 8th grade sports banquet, coaches meetings, and pack the house for sport coordinating.
If you are interested in joining the Athletic Association, please email the them at SCAathleticboard@gmail.com by Tuesday, February 21. After the closing date, you will be notified of the next steps.
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!
Required TRIP Fundraising - Just 6 Weeks Left!
St. Catherine of Alexandria School requires all K - 8 school families to pay a fundraising fee. The deadline for this required fundraiser is March 31 - just six weeks away!
- Your TRIP earnings can be used to pay your mandatory fundraising fee. Additional earnings above the $75.00 mandatory fundraising fee will be used for tuition credit in May or July.
- Families electing not to participate in the TRIP program or that do not earn $75.00 in TRIP credit will be billed $75.00 or the remaining balance of the mandatory fundraising fee on their May Smart Tuition bill.
- Families also have the option to pay the $75.00 mandatory fundraising fee at any time prior to being billed in May.
If you have questions about your family's TRIP balance, please contact Jay Heidemann.
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, February 17
- No School
Monday, February 20
- No School - Presidents' Day
Tuesday, February 21
- Burning of the Palms
- Tuition Exclusion Day
Wednesday, February 22
- Ash Wednesday
Thursday, February 23
- Graduation Picture Retakes
Friday, February 24
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- Toddling Chargers at 8:20AM in gym
Tuesday, February 28
- Confirmation Practice at 6:30PM
- Athletic Board Meeting at 8PM in Kane Hall
Sunday, April 2
- Family Mass on Palm Sunday at 9:30AM - hosted by 8th grade
About us
Website: www.scaoaklawn.org
Location: 10621 South Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-425-5547
Facebook: facebook.com/scaoaklawn/