Principal's Pad (3/6/22)
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
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Father/Daughter Dance Volunteers
- Home-Learning Hub
What's still here from last week?
- 3C's (5-Essentials) Parent Survey
- Important Dates
- Covid-19 Protocols
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.
Lent Begins!
The phrase, "happy Lent" may seem odd at first. Why would we be "happy" about remembering Jesus's 40 days of toil and temptation in the desert? The reason to celebrate this time of year is because we are presented with a great opportunity to improve ourselves and our community as well as to come closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through our own personal sacrifices, almsgiving, and prayer, we are given a chance to recognize our gifts and be thankful to the Lord for what He has provided.
This past week, our students had the awesome chance to celebrate the Mass twice. Our entire school received ashes on Wednesday and our K-8 students again heard the good Word on Friday. We believe it is important to help our students understand that Mass does not have to be a once in a week celebration, but can happen every day. After all, how many times in a week do we nourish our bodies with breakfast? Why not do the same for our souls?
As always, Fr. Anthony was impressed by the reverence our students showed while in the church. We continue to encourage families to join us when we have Mass on Fridays. An updated schedule of school Masses can be found on the school calendar on our website.
3C's (5-Essentials) Parent Survey
I want to thank those families who have completed the 3C's (5-Essentials) Survey as created by the University of Chicago. Your feedback will be very useful in helping us to improve the experience of families and students at St. Stan's Academy. So far, we have a 41% response rate from our parents which is more than what we needed for statistically relevant data. I would like for us to get above 50%, however. This way we can assure that most of the voices in our community are heard.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY
I have noticed that there are a number of families who have started the survey, but have yet to finish it. Please be sure to click 'submit' so that your responses are officially registered. If you have any difficulties or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.
Gentle Reminders
Student Tardiness
It is important to remember that school begins promptly at 8:00am each morning. We have noticed an increase in the numbers of students who are coming to school late over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, we have also seen a rise in the number of students who are "excessively tardy" and arriving to school 15 minutes or more late. We understand that sometimes there is traffic or that families have issues getting ready in the morning, but it should not become a habit or routine.
Some of our students are missing vital portions of their school day due to their late arrival. K-5 students are often not present for social-emotional learning opportunities to start their day off right, while students in grades 6-8 are missing out on their religious education instruction. If you are having consistent issues arriving to school on time and need some help or assistance, please reach out to us. We are here to help families in any way we can and want all of our students to get their proper learning opportunities each day.
Weekly Parent Survey - 3C's Survey
Scheduling a Parent-Teacher Conference
Conferences to discuss student progress during our first trimester of the school year will be held on Friday, March 11. We have decided to offer either an in-person or virtual option for meeting with teachers. Parents and guardians should receive a "Calendly" link from teachers early this week which can be used to schedule the conference. When you reserve a time, please select whether you want to meet in-person or virtually.
If you select the virtual option, you will be sent a link for Google Meet which you will use for your conference. This link can be shared with multiple guardians as well.
If you select the in-person option, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Only 2 adults may attend a conference with a teacher
- No children should be accompanying parents/guardians during the conferences
We understand that there may be occasional scheduling conflicts and we apologize that everyone may not be accommodated perfectly. Should you be unable to schedule a conference with your child's teacher, please contact her/him and we will do our best to make sure that a meaningful conversation can be had in the near future.
Please refer to the pictures below for guidance on setting up your conference once you have received a Calendly link from your child's teacher.
Select Friday, March 11
Choose Your Preferred Time
Add Name, Email, and Location
Schoolwide Father/Daughter Dance
Join the St. Stan's community for a night of dancing, food, and fun! The cost of the event will be $35 per couple and $15 for each additional guest. The price includes food and admission. There will also be a gift shop open where fathers or daughters can purchase gifts for one another.
Home-Learning Hub
Women's History Month at Home
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
First Reconciliation - March 9
Our students wishing to receive their First Communion later this spring will participate in the sacrament of First Reconciliation on Wednesday, March 9. Parents should expect to attend the proceedings with their child beginning at 5pm in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
Parent/Teacher Conferences - March 11
Parents and guardians will be able to discuss their student's progress with teachers on Friday, March 11. There will be no classes on this day so that teachers can meet with as many families as possible.
Father/Daughter Dance - March 26
St. Stan's Academy will be hosting a Father/Daughter dance on Saturday, March 26. The dance will begin at 6pm and conclude at 8pm. Sign-up details and more information will be forthcoming.
Spring Break Begins - April 4
There will be no school the week of April 4 - April 8. Staff and students will be on Spring Break.
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 1/30/22)
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.
Test to Stay Option
Students who are deemed to be "close contacts" to positive Covid-19 cases have the option to either quarantine for 5 days or "test-to-stay" in school. This is being done in the interest of allowing our students the best opportunity to continue their learning uninterrupted while also providing safety measures to prevent virus transmission. Please note the important details below:
- 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.
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