Pilgrim Lutheran School News
June 7, 2019
Congratulations Graduates!
Each of them is destined for great things in the high school that best fits their talents and learning needs.
Maddy Bates - Lane Tech College Prep
William De Luca - Lane Tech College Prep
Laila Dotson - Nicholas Senn High School Performing Arts
Nate Goss - Von Steuben High School Honors Program
Andy Grott - North Side College Prep
Keaton Jones - North Side College Prep
Jack Kuban - DePaul College Prep
Stuart Llewellyn - Jones College Prep
Charlie Wade-Schroeder - Northside College Prep
Graduation Ceremony is tonight!
Friday, June 7 is Pilgrim Graduation, at 6:30 p.m. All families are welcome to attend the service and wish our graduates well. Chorus students in Grades 4-7 are singing a prelude to the service; Chorus students should report to the Tower Room. Kindergarteners will sing for their chapel partners during the service; Kindergarteners should sit with their parents in church. School Board members are part of the service and we ask that you be in the 1st floor hallway by 6:15.
PM PK
Pilgrim PM Pre-K concludes TODAY! Congratulations to our PM Pre-K on a successful end of the school year. PM Pre-K families are welcome to attend any or all of the end of the year school-wide activities. We look forward to seeing you all for AM Pre-K in September.
Calendar at-a-glance
June 7th - Last Day of School for PM PK
June 7th - Graduation Ceremony and Dinner - 6:30 p.m.
June 10th - Volunteer Breakfast - 8:00 a.m.
June 10th - "Popsicles on the Playground for Mrs Halter" - 3:00 p.m.
June 10th - Academic Awards Assembly - 9:00 a.m.
June 12th - Last Day of School
June 12th - Sending Chapel- 9:00 a.m. with dismissal at 10:00 am
Sports Awards
Pilgrim Sports Awards Assembly was today. Congratulations to Keaton Jones, who was awarded the Mike Suhajda Sportsmanship Award. Keaton has been involved in all of Pilgrim’s sports teams and has been exemplary in regard to teamwork, grace and good cheer on the playing fields and courts. Eric Jones (Keaton’s father) received the Anne Barsano Volunteer Award for his work as coach at various levels of basketball for the last 6 years. Thank you to Angela Cardo for her work this year as Pilgrim Athletic Director. Congratulations to all our students who participated in sports this school year and thank you to all our parent volunteers who coached, drove teams to games or provided other supports for our players.
Academic Awards
Academic Awards are on for Monday, June 10. at 9:00 a.m. Students receive awards for their work in music, for service to the school community, and for academics. Students who have already earned a Pilgrim Letter should bring it that day so that they can pin their awards onto it.
Field Trip Tuesday
Please note that all classes are enjoying end-of-the-year field trips on Tuesday, June 11. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you are interested in being a chaperone.
Last Day of School
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 12. Students report to their respective homerooms at the usual start times. Chapel starts at 9 a.m. on June 12. Our final chapel is our last time to recognize the good work accomplished this school year, and to bid “Farewell and Godspeed” to those who are leaving Pilgrim. We will also be recognizing some parents who have made significant contributions of time and talent to Pilgrim. Teachers dismiss students at the conclusion of chapel. Dismissal is at approximately 10:00 a.m. The Pilgrim PTL is hosting “Lemonade on the Lawn” (actually, on the playground) to provide a snack for students on their way home. PTL is asking that all families contribute some favorite snacks to share.
Lemonade on the Lawn
The final PTL event for this school year is Lemonade on the Lawn for the last day of school, June 12, at 10 a.m. The whole school community is welcome to gather on the school playground for refreshments after the final Children’s Chapel.
If any family would like to donate some healthy snack for the students, they would be greatly appreciated. For more information about PTL and upcoming events, contact Shellie Riedle or Kelly Tobin.
PAS
Popsicles on the Playlot
In case you have not had the chance to visit with Mrs. Halter before she retires…Monday, June 10, Pilgrim Parent-Teacher League (PTL) is hosting “Popsicles in the Playlot” in her honor, immediately after school at 3 p.m. If you would like to help or to contribute some snacks, contact Sam Doerfler. This event is a very casual way to wish Mrs. Halter well. We hope that you will come!
Thank You
Dear Members of the Pilgrim family,
My heart is full. Thank you for the wonderful worship service and following reception in celebration of my teaching ministry.
I was showered with scripture, kind words, hugs, songs, cards, gifts, flowers, love offerings, food, letters, family, friends, students, and an almost complete portfolio. I could not imagine a better day and yes, we did make ice cream in the evening and I did have my robe and slippers on.
As I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I know Pilgrim will remain a Constant -perhaps the final C - and I will continue to be blessed.
Thank you for allowing me to be God's servant in your midst.
Beata M. Halter
Feed My Starving Children
Many thanks to all of the students and families who supported our collection of coins (and dollars!) for Feed My Starving Children. And additional thanks to the parents who joined us on the trip. It was a great day, and our work and donations really made a difference. The food that we packed (enough to feed 141 children for a year!!) will be traveling to Zimbabwe. Our donations totaled $1141.93 (this includes the generous donation of the third graders' store!)! That is enough money to feed 12 children for an entire year!
Consider joining us in 2020 for our annual trip, consider working a shift this summer with your family. Your work can make a difference in the life of a child. Check it out, FMSC.org
Summer Office Hours
Summer Weather
In the last days of school, now that the weather is finally NICE, please respect the hard work that Mr. Emery invests in the Pilgrim lawn and that our neighbors invest in their lawns and gardens. Please also be aware that tree-climbing can be harmful to the health of the tree and to a child, especially if the child falls out of the tree. Thanks for helping to ensure the safety of all while on the Pilgrim Campus.
Windows!
Pilgrim is preparing for the installation of new windows in our six classrooms that face the alley. Teachers will be working hard to move classroom furniture and materials out of the way. Most furniture will go into the hallway, the 7/8 Classroom or the Narthex. Materials that remain in the classrooms will be sealed in plastic to prevent dust from getting in them. Construction begins July 1 and the west classrooms will not be accessible until the project is finished in early August. Construction is going to have very minimal impact on Summer Enrichment Camp or Vacation Bible School. The playground should remain completely accessible throughout the summer. If you have questions about the project, please contact Principal Comella. Thanks again to all the donors to the project, especially our partners at the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation for their grant of $90,000 in memory of the late Bill Mattes, CLEF Board member and life-long champion of Lutheran education.
2019-20 School Calendar
https://pilgrimchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-2020-Pilgrim-School-Calendar.pdf
VBS
Pilgrim Summer Enrichment Program
Music Production Camp
Mr. Yearick is offering a music production camp for incoming 4th graders to outgoing 8th graders. Students will learn the basics of recording, editing, and mixing their own music. They will produce an original song within small groups, and will take a field trip to get hands-on experience in a professional recording studio with professional musicians and audio engineers.
If interested, please click the link below or contact Mr. Yearick at ayearick@pilgrimchicago.org.
https://forms.gle/AES6gbWy6kVH9YCq7
Forms and payment due by June 30th.
Summer Book Club
A Pilgrim parent is organizing a parent/child book club. The book club will meet three times over the summer (Wednesday, June 26th; Wednesday, July 31st; Wednesday, August 28th) Students should be incoming 5th-7th graders. To participate, or for more information, please contact Alison Hays at alisonmhays@gmail.com
Gift Cards
Father's Day is coming. We have Home Depot, Dick's, Bass Pro. Why not buy some gift cards for those quick lunches/dinners while on the road to all your games and vacations, such as Subway ($5 & 10), Red Robin $10, Chipotle $10 & 25, Panera $5, 10 25, Potbelly $10, BK $10. Graduation is right around the corner. We bet there is someone who would love a gift card to start a new phase of their life! We have Amazon ($10, $25 and $100), Visa $50 and $100 (already activated). Check the green list for others! Please contact Anne Barsano at 312-972-9040 or cbarsano@aol.com or drop a form off in the school office to place your order.
Save the Date
We Need You!
Healthy organizations need fresh, energetic leaders to grow! Currently, several leadership roles are available to parents to take Pilgrim to the next level of excellence. If you are interested in a leadership role with PTL, please contact School Office. Pilgrim is also seeking a new Auction chair for the 2018-2019 program year. Contact Pastor Kristian or Principal Comella if interested. Thanks for your thoughtful consideration of these positions.
Pilgrim Enrollment
Please encourage your friends with kids in Grades 1-8 to take a second look at Pilgrim. They can compare the test scores and track the data about where Pilgrim students successfully enter High School. Our data continues to be some of the best in the neighborhood! Middle School Girls are especially welcome! Upper Grades at Pilgrim are THEEEE place to be!!
Thanks for all that you do to make “Academic Excellence with a Heart” a true reality!
Chris Comella, Pilgrim School Principal
Like us on Facebook
Finally, if you missed the list of ways that parents can help at Pilgrim, here are some ideas:
- …in the classroom
- …in the Parent-Teacher League
- …at the Board of Education Meetings: 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
- …as part of the Marketing Team
- …as part of the Development Group
- …as part of the Technology Team: 1st Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m
- …supporting Pilgrim Fundraisers and purchasing gift cards on a regular basis
- …sharing the good news about Pilgrim with a prospective family (postcards with Open House dates are available in the school office.
Our theme for parents this school year is 100% Participation! Our success as a school and as a living, growing community depends on the reality of every family donating some time, talent and treasure, as each family is able. Thanks for your help and participation.
You are always welcome in classrooms, and I welcome your feedback and questions. Feel free to contact me (ccomella@pilgrimchicago.org) whenever something arises. If you would like to become involved in events and activities hosted by the Parent Teacher League (PTL), please contact Shellie Riedle, Kelly Tobin,or Staff Rep to PTL, Kristen Stone. Parents are also welcome to attend weekly chapel services. The students are always happy to see you there!
Chris Comella, Pilgrim School Principal
Pilgrim Lutheran School
Email: office@pilgrimchicago.org
Website: pilgrimchicago.org
Location: 4300 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-477-4824
Facebook: facebook.com/pilgrimlutheranchurchandschool