Charger Check-In
August 28, 2020
A Note from Ms. Owens
Our first week of school is in the books. Our students have done an incredible job of adapting to our new entry and dismissal procedures. We've started lunches and recess and students are getting into the swing of those processes, too. We do have a couple hiccups as we are helping students remember to keep distance from one another when they are in line. (We are all human and naturally gravitate to our friends as we talk and walk.) The other bigger hiccup this week has been our internet access. We are working closely with our IT consultants as they narrow down the issue. We know it is not our bandwidth capability nor is it our service provider. We believe the issue is with the server and hope to have the problem resolved sometime on Monday.
Thank you for all you are doing to help us keep our school safe for our staff and our students. Thank you for keeping your children home if they are not feeling well and for letting the school know if your children are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Thank you for coming to pick up your children if they were exhibiting even one symptom. Because of your vigilance and cooperation, we have not had any instances of positivity among our students, staff, faculty or volunteers. We know that we cannot stay free of COVID forever, but we are off to a strong start.
In that same spirit, we ask that you continue to partner with us in a shared effort to maintain a safe environment for our school community. We have gone through extensive measures to put protocols and procedures in place for our collective health and safety. Maintaining cohorts is at the heart of that plan. We ask for your cooperation in maintaining this model whenever feasible so that our staff and students are able to experience a safe and sustained return to school.
The overview of our reopening plan is available at the button below. This link will take you to the plan with the most recent updates. Please give your attention to the following areas:
- Visitors and Volunteers
- Quarantine Protocols
- Before and After Care
- Virtual Learning Option (already communicated to those families)
A Bit More News
- This Friday, we have an 11:30 dismissal. We will not have lunch periods this day nor will after care be available. Please be sure to make arrangements for your child(ren) to be picked up in a timely manner.
- To reduce the number of items being passed out and going home, we will not pass out birthday treats or gifts while we are existing in this pandemic. Alternately, a gift to the class would certainly be welcome. Possible ideas include a book for the class library or recess equipment that supports physical distancing (e.g., sidewalk chalk, skip its, jump ropes).
- Our Virtual Back to School Night took place earlier this week. Please visit the link below to view teachers' presentations as well as messages from Fr. Dennis and me.
- The most recent edition of Chicago Catholic features our school and religious education students who recently received the sacrament of First Holy Communion. The link below will take you the article.
- Two of our amazing teachers - Mrs. Ivers and Mrs. Leen - created this great video showing several of the new procedures we'll all be following this school year. Give it a view if you haven't had the opportunity.
- We have a limited number of 2019-2020 yearbooks available for purchase. The cost is $20. You can send your payment (exact change or check) into school. Please place payment in an envelope with the child's name and indicate that this is for a yearbook.
- 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.
Please pray for our nation, for our communities, for our brothers and sisters who are tired and broken, for our brothers and sisters working to keep us safe, and for own sorrows. We are all - each and every one of us - beloved children of God.
Peace,
Kristine Owens
Parking Lot Safety
Smart Tuition - Making Payments
As we adjust to the limits on visitors to the school building, St. Catherine is asking all families to make tuition payments directly to Smart Tuition. The school office will no longer be able to accept and process tuition payments.
There are three ways your family can make your payments.
- setting up automatic payments either from your checking account or through a debit/credit card,
- calling Smart Tuition (1-888-868-8828) and making a one-time payment from your checking account or a debit/credit card, or
- mailing your payment to Smart Tuition, PO Box 11731, Newark, NJ 07101-4731. (If you choose to mail your payment, be sure to allow for mailing and sorting time to avoid late fees.)
- There are no service fees charged if you make payments from your checking account - either automatic payments or a one-time payment.
- If you pay using a debit/credit care, there is a 2.85% service fee charged each time you make a payment with this method.
If you have questions, please email Mary Omiecinski.
FSA Family Directory
Online Virtus Training
Our Church is Open!
- Saturdays - Mass at 4PM
- Sundays - Mass at 9:30AM and 11:30AM
In order to attend, parishioners must sign up online. The sign up is available below. Be sure to read the protocols that must be followed by those attending Mass in-person.
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.
Queen of Hearts Raffle
St. Catherine's Queen of Hearts Raffle has re-started. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
So Many On-going Ways to Support St. Catherine!
About us
Website: www.scaoaklawn.org
Location: 10621 South Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-425-5547
Facebook: facebook.com/scaoaklawn/