Panther Press
Principal Notes ~ January 8, 2021
Principal's Desk
We hope you all had a restful Christmas and New Year! The teachers are all back at work during remote learning and looking forward to the students' return to in-person learning on January 19, 2021.
This week we held a virtual assembly and Fr. Witold came to bless all the classroom doors for the Feast of the Epiphany. This tradition is commonly found in Poland and Slavic countries. The blessing involves taking chalk, blessed by a priest, and writing on the doorways with symbolic numbers and letters – this year, “20+C+M+B+21.” The numbers represent the current year and the letters stand for the first letters of the traditional names of the magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The letters are also an abbreviation for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” Latin for “May Christ bless this dwelling.” The door blessing can also be viewed on the STMM Facebook page. This is a wonderful way for us to welcome the new year and a celebration of all that is to come. Our classroom doors will carry the message of the three kings all year and students will be a reminder that Christ blesses this school every day.
REGISTRATION:
We are quickly approaching registration for the 2021-2022 school year. At this time, we are finalizing next year's tuition information. Additional information about the 2021-2022 tuition and fees will be sent to all school families by the end of the month.
Today you were sent a School Speak email. This email included a survey for all preschool - 7th-grade students. The survey will help us plan classrooms and budgetary needs for the 2021-2022 school year.
Things to Know
NO SCHOOL - FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020
Panera Dine and Share
Panera Dine and Share
451 S. Randall Rd., Algonquin IL
ALL Day! Use code PRFUND when ordering on-line.
Payment Summary Report though FACTS for 2020 taxes
- Log in to your FACTS account and go to the homepage.
- Locate “View Details” (Right across from Payment Plan and Billing) and click on it.
- Locate “View Payment Summary” and click on it.
- Choose the 2020 school year.
- Hit the “Print” button in the top right-hand corner of the document.
Logo Shirts: 2021 - 2022 School Year
Be sure to join their e-mail list for the latest deals and coupons.
Empower Illinois
2021 Reservation Night
As a reminder, reservations for a 2021-2022 Empower Illinois tax credit scholarship will open on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
Like last year, the application process will include two steps: a reservation and an application. Families should visit Empowerillinois.org to find the reservation page link. Families do not make their tax credit scholarship reservations by logging into their EmpowerXChange portal. 2021-2022 Application The 2021-2022 scholarship application will be available on Friday, January 15. Families who have completed their reservation by noon on Thursday, January 14 will receive an email from Empower Illinois on Friday morning notifying them the application is live. If families complete their reservation after noon on Thursday, they will receive their invitation to complete the application within 48 hours. Application Previews and Guides
The reservation form will be available at 6:30pm to give families time to enter their information before submission at 7pm. More information about preparing for reservation night can be found on our website under, "How Do I Apply."
Families who have previously completed a tax credit scholarship application through the EmpowerXChange portal should use the same email address when making their reservation.
COVID-19 Guidelines
St. Margaret Mary remains ever so diligent in the safety of our staff and students. As things change and updates are given by IDPH or the McHenry County Health Department we will make adjustments at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School.
Updates and Reminders:
Rapid Tests: Per IDPH and the Health Department, negative rapid tests are no longer valid testing means for the school. Students and staff being tested for COVD-19 must have an RT-PCR test. The RT-PCR test takes between 3-5 days. When you are waiting for results, all family members must remain home and quarantined. If any person in your household is taking a COVID-19 test for any reason, all household members must remain out of school until the test results are received and notice is given to the school. It is also recommended that if you carpool with someone who is being tested for COVD-19, your child would remain out of school until there is a test result.
Close Contact Exposure **UPDATE**: If a family member has been exposed to COVID-19 or identified as close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, only the person identified as the close contact must quarantine 14 days from the date of exposure. If no one is exhibiting COVID symptoms and or there are no outstanding tests, the family members that are second-hand contact may return to school. If symptoms arise during the 14 days or a family member goes for a test, all family members will need to remain home from school. At that time, your children will be transitioned to remote learners.
** Please consider remote learning if a household member has been identified as close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Remote Learners: The remote learning option is available to students that will be out of school for an extended period due to COVID-19 concerns or illness. Students will not be put into remote learning for appointments or vacations. If your child is out for an extended period, you will need to contact Mrs. O'Hearn. Additional information will be given to the family of the remote learner at that time. Students will be placed in remote learning within 24 hours of the notice. All students are eligible for remote learning.
Student Illness: If your child is feeling unwell, he or she should stay home, and you should contact the school office directly. Please do not email the office. You will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. These questions will help determine the next course of action. If it is determined that your child should see a doctor or have a COVID-19 test, all siblings will remain out of school until there is a test result or a doctor's note to return. Students will need to stay home for 48 hours from the onset of any sickness (if the illness is not linked to COVID like symptoms) and 72 hours for a fever. Once a student is symptom-free, he/she may return to school if a COVID-19 test or doctor's note was not required.
** Please consider remote learning if a household member feels unwell and exhibiting any COVID like symptoms.
Reporting to the school positive COVID cases: Please contact the office if you or anyone in your family has tested positive for COVID-19. Even when we are remote, this is essential information to share with the school.
Contact Us Directly
Email: bohearn@stmmschool.com
Website: www.stmmschool.org
Location: 119 South Hubbard Street, Algonquin, IL, USA
Phone: 847-658-5313