Divine Providence School
August 13, 2021 Home and School Summer Connection
First day of school is August 19th with a 1:30 dismissal
Staff changes
Meet our new staff!
Miss Samantha Caruso will be teaching kindergarten. Some may know Miss Caruso from our extended day program. She graduated from Elmhurst University with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Mrs. Cheryl Butler is teaching second grade. Mrs. Butler has experience teaching in the public schools and has taught at Divine Infant Jesus. She also has a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Mrs. Beth Heil is teaching third grade. Mrs. Heil was our virtual learning coordinator last school year. We welcome her back to the regular classroom.
Mrs. Tina Southerton, our previous second grade teacher, will be teaching fourth grade
Miss Jessica Whitfield is our new fifth grade teacher. She has her bachelor's degree from University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. She is also a continuing education student at Dominican University. She has worked with students of all different ages and in different capacities.
Mrs. Antonia Kallas will have the sixth grade homeroom and will teach 6th, 7th and 8th grade Social Studies and Science. Mrs. Kallas has experience teaching in the public schools and is a graduate from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mrs. Rita Doerge is our new school secretary. Mrs. Doerge also has a son attending Divine Providence and her daughter is a recent graduate. She has years of experience working in a school as well as working in an office. Don't forget to say "hi" and "welcome" if you need to call school!
Mrs. Susan Mangino is our new PE. teacher. Mrs. Mangino has a degree from Loyola University and well as several others. Her background not only includes years of teaching physical education but has also taught in classrooms with children that have special needs.
Volunteers Needed!
To be able to volunteer at our school, you must complete all Protecting God's Children Requirements. (See below) All volunteers must wear a mask, except if supervising outdoor recess.
Please click below to sign up!
School Advisory Board
- Enacting the mission of the parish and school
- Offers their professional experience and expertise in the service of others
- Fostering the long term viability and sustainability of the school
- Providing a vehicle for public relations in the parish and larger community
- Enable clergy and school concentrate on their other duties
- Encourage the school's improvement and strategic planning
- Members are accountable to the Pastor and Principal
The board meets every month in different capacities. Committees are responsible for events and may require additional time.
If you are interesting in applying for the board, please click on the form below. Fr. Neil and Mrs. LeTourneau. You would receive an invitation to be interviewed by Fr. Neil and Mrs. LeTourneau.
Soccer
Crusader Parents-
If you have registered for 2021 DP Soccer, we will be kicking off the season with a pre-season camp for all players. We are excited to get everyone back out on the field and hope to see you there!
Camp Dates: August 16 & 17, 2021
Camp Times: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Camp Location: Westchester Primary School Soccer Field @ 2400 Downing (Just East of DP)
Camp Cost: Free
DP Soccer Fees: Pending Mid-August Invoice - Amount TBD
What to Bring: Water/Snack, Shin Guards, Soccer Cleats, Mask (as needed per current guidelines)
Please watch the weather. This time of year can bring heat, storms, and rain so please be prepared to have your children supplied with plenty of water and set to be picked up if we have to abruptly cancel a camp, practice, or game.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Marty Grill
DP Athletic Director
708.932.0009
August Update
All students, regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask in school. Masks will not be worn outside
Teachers need to keep students 3 feet apart when possible.
Parents are responsible to do a wellness check before bringing their child to school. If your child has a fever or any symptoms of COVID, they must stay home and you must inform the school
A student that becomes sick at school will also be sent home with all siblings. Student and siblings can return the next day as long as they are symptom free.
A child must remain home if they have a fever until they are fever free for at least 24 hours without any medication.
If a child is absent two or more days, they must have a negative COVID test or an alternate diagnosis from a doctor.
If a child is tested for COVID, all siblings must remain home until a result of the test has been determined.
If a child tests positive for COVID, they must self isolate at home for 10 days before returning to school. They must be symptom and fever free
If a child tests positive, only students that are within 3 feet of a positive individual will need to quarantine. You will be notified. There is no remote school option.
Vaccinated staff and students will not need to quarantine if they are asymptomatic
Travel- Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine, non vaccinated must obtain a negative COVID test realist no more than 72 hours prior to their return home or quarantine for a 10 day period upon return. Please call Mrs. LeTourneau if you plan on any international travel.
If your child has been vaccinated, please forward a copy of their vaccination card to the following email with your child's name in the subject line: covidvax@divineprovidenceschool.org
Last school year, our protocols worked. Our students stayed safe from the transmission of COVID19. For this reason, as a reminder, we will only conduct in person learning. Should a student still test negative would be the only time the entire class may need to pivot to remote learning.
Please see below if your child has medical forms to turn in this school year. Forms not returned in a timely manner can result in an interruption of attendance as this is a State of Illinois requirement.
Face Masks
All masks need to be a solid color. Please do not wear a mask that has the valve on it. The Divine Providence Masks sold last year are still acceptable.
Please make sure your child's mask is clean! Have a new mask for every day with a few spares in case their mask may get dirty or wet while at school. Solid color disposable masks are acceptable.
Student iPads and Bluetooth devices
New for the 2021-2022 school year- Students may not bring any bluetooth devices. This includes keyboards or AIR PODS.
They school iPad should be exactly that. Used for school only. Students may not use messaging at any time, for any reason during the school day. We recommend taking messaging apps off their school iPad. It is also recommended that your child do not have games or game apps on they school iPad.
Question!
What are the requirements for my student's iPad?
There are several iPads available- iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro. When shopping for your child's iPad, they do not need the biggest and best device. We recommend to purchase a device that has as much storage as you can afford. While the apps, etc that they will be using do not use much storage, the updates from Apple to run the apps does take storage.
Growing with God: Safe and Sacred
Developed to meet the needs of dioceses, parishes, schools, parents, and children, Growing with GOD: Safe and Sacred™ is a multi-faceted, innovative K – 8 child safety and family life program that is solidly grounded through Church teachings and the Catholic faith. This practical and systematic approach to child safety and social and emotional development is based on the belief that protecting children from abuse is the shared mission of families, churches, and communities. Children are empowered to respond to troubling and potentially dangerous situations using the strategies and techniques they are taught as part of the program and to see themselves as children of God, inherently deserving of respect and care.
This program fulfills the keeping kids safe requirement form the Archdiocese of Chicago. If you do not want your child participating in the program, you need to let the school office know as soon as possible.
Know someone who needs assistance?
There are many reasons people may need help right now. Maybe it's job loss or illness. Whatever the reason for the need, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul can help.
If you, or anyone you know, could use some help, please call the Divine Infant Rectory 708-865-8071 or the Divine Providence Rectory 708-562-3364
All information is kept strictly confidential.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS DUE FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR!
Divine Providence Staff 2021-2022
Divine Providence School/ Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish
Website: marymotherofdivinegrace.org
Location: 2500 Mayfair Ave, Westchester, IL, USA
Phone: 708-562-2258