Principal's Pad (1/30/22)
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
- Test-to-Stay Quarantine Protocol
- Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
- Afterschool Opportunities: Science Club & E-Sports
What's still here from last week?
- Home-Learning Hub
- Important Dates
- Covid-19 Protocols
- CHAMPIONS After-School
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
This week, we will be celebrating all of the things that make our Catholic schools great. Our students, teachers, community supporters, and of course families are what make places like St. Stan's Academy an ideal place to learn, grow, and love. We are so happy for all of the support that parents and guardians give us and all that you sacrifice to give your child(ren) the gift of a Catholic education.
We will soon be starting our enrollment drives for the 2022-23 school year. One of the best advertising tools we have is through word of mouth from those who have been in the building to see all of the great things that are happening. As we celebrate Catholic schools this week, I would truly appreciate anyone who reaches out to a friend, family member, or co-worker and passing along the good word about St. Stan's. Please have them reach out on our website or contact our Marketing Director, Mrs. Jen Edwards, at jedwards@ststanschicago.org. The more our community grows, the more we can do, and the more our students will accomplish.
Although our week was shortened by a snow day, most of our students completed their i-Ready testing last week. Our initial impressions of our student scores and data are very encouraging and we have seen tremendous academic growth in some students. Once all of our students have completed the Diagnostic, we will be releasing the information to you on your child's progress and what it means moving forward through the rest of the school year. If your child has not completed their testing, please keep encouraging them to do their best and ensure that they get enough sleep at night. Please reach out to your classroom teacher if you are not certain as to whether they have completed their testing or not.
Home-School Communication
Thank you very much to our parents for the increase in communication with our main office, especially regarding student tardiness and absences. It is critical that we maintain appropriate attendance records and know the status/location of our students each school day. We appreciate it when parents are candid and honest about student absences and provide us updates whenever necessary. Please remember that you can call the main office at 773-278-4560 or email Ms. Abby Torres at atorres@ststanschicago.org each morning to update us with the status of your child.
Gentle Reminders
Emergency School Closings
Whenever there is inclement whether, please be sure to check your email for communication from the school regarding school closings or delays. Teachers will also post notifications to their Class Dojo pages and/or Google Classrooms. Additionally, school opening/closing updates are posted to the Emergency Closing Center through WGN-News. Please check the television or WGN's School Closing webpage for updates.
New Lunch Menu and Sign-up
February is nearly here and that means a new monthly lunch menu. Please be sure to sign-up your child(ren) for lunch each day and to select the lunch and milk option you wish for them to have. This makes the lunch preparation run much more smoothly and allows us to reduce our food waste.
Covid-19 Quarantining Update: Test-to-Stay
- 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.
Popcorn Fundraiser Begins Friday, Feb. 4
How-to Create Your Double Good Pop-up Store
After School Science Club: 3rd-6th Grade
E-Sports & Gaming League: 3rd-8th Grade
Students will be able to receive coaching and participate in competitions against other schools. The games available for league gameplay are:
Scholastic Book Fair: Extended through Monday
Due to the Snow Day last Friday, we are extending the Scholastic Book Fair through Monday, January 31. This will give all of our students the ability to purchase the books and materials they desired.
- To add money to your student's "e-Wallet" please click on this link. See the information below for directions on how to set-up and use the "e-Wallet".
- If interested in volunteering to help set-up or run the fair, please click here for more information or contact Mrs. Rosemary Walsh at rwalsh@ststanschicago.org.
Home-Learning Hub
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
Catholic Schools Week - January 31 to February 4
Our school will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 4. We want to recognize all of the things that make Catholic schools great such as our students, our teachers, our families, and our service to the community.
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 1/3/22)
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.
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