Principal's Pad (12/19/21)
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...
- Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
- Gentle Reminders
- Important Dates
- Free Covid-19 Testing at St. Helen's
What's still here from last week?
- TCS Information
- CHAMPIONS After-School
- Home-Learning Hub
- Upcoming Events
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Our Students...
I am amazed each day at the enthusiasm and joy of our students. Being able to say "good morning" to them as they enter the building truly makes me happy and gives me the energy to do what I can to make their educational and social experiences at St. Stan's the best they can be. Every day I am surprised by a different student who has found a way to improve his/herself and has taken on the challenge to be just a tiny bit better each day. Their resiliency to continue learning and growing despite the adverse learning conditions they have faced over the last two years is something we should all be proud of.
Our Teachers...
Similar to our students, the teachers and staff of St. Stan's bring so much enthusiasm to their work each and every day. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their craft and challenge our students academically while also searching for ways to make their classrooms a true community. Their dedication to the mission of providing a quality Catholic education for our students while challenging them to achieve academic and social excellence is something truly inspiring.
Our Families...
The support of our families at St. Stan's is so crucial to the success of our teachers and students. Not only are parents and guardians integral in making fun events happen at the school, but they are the crucial partners we need to provide for both the educational and social-emotional growth of our students. I very much look forward to strengthening this partnership heading into the new calendar year.
Our continued success and improvement as a school will depend on all of us strengthening the bonds we have started to build as a community. The partnership between home and school is truly one that I value and will do all I can to improve as our school year continues. I look forward to the work we can all accomplish together in the new year. Please be merry, be grateful, and stay safe as we bring 2021 to a close. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Gentle Reminders
Christmas/Holiday Break
There is no school from December 20 through January 3. Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 4. The main office will check emails occasionally over the break, but please understand that any communication may not be immediately responded to. For urgent matters, please email myself at rvickman@ststanschicago.org.
CHAMPIONS After-School
Families wishing to use aftercare at St. Stan's must enroll and set their care schedule with CHAMPIONS by Wednesday, December 29. More information is below in the Principal's Pad, but click here to visit the CHAMPIONS website.
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
BSF Tax Credit Scholarship Donor Match - December 31
For any TCS donations to be matched 3:1 for the benefit of St. Stan's students. Donations must be made by December 31 to get the donor challenge match.
Classes Resume - January 4
Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 4. The teachers will be having a staff development day and preparing their classrooms on Monday, January 3.
Empower TCS Application Opens - January 12
On Wednesday, January 12 the portal for applying for a tax credit scholarship from Empower Illinois opens. These scholarships are on a "first come, first serve" basis, so families need to be prepared to apply at 6:30pm that evening.
Big Shoulders Fund TCS Application Opens - January 13
On Thursday, January 13 the portal for applying for a tax credit scholarship from Big Shoulders Fund opens. These scholarships are on a "first come, first serve" basis, so families need to be prepared to apply at 8am that morning.
Free Covid-19 Testing at St. Helen Catholic School
St. Helen Catholic School is teaming up with MME Group and Loop Medical Labs to offer both rapid and PCR Covid-19 testing prior to school reopening. This is a perfect opportunity for families who need a negative Covid-19 test result due to travel and unvaccinated status before returning to school. All results should be returned to families within 24 hours.
St. Helen's is located at 2347 W Augusta Blvd in Chicago. Please contact Ms. Dana Vance, the Principal at St. Helen's, for more details if needed. Her email is dvance@sthelenchicago.org.
TCS Donor Challenge: Ends December 31
We have been blessed with a wonderful opportunity that has the potential to help many families at our school. The Big Shoulders Fund has been contacted by a generous donor who is making a "challenge grant" for gifts to the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This donor has said that for every $1 donated to the TCS program, they will match with their own $3 donation. Please click here for more information on how to donate to Big Shoulders Fund TCS Program.
If you need additional information or assistance in making your donation, please reach out to Amy Drozda at adrozda@bigshouldersfund.org. She works for Big Shoulders Fund and has been assigned to help us in this process. Amy will get back to you as soon as she is able if you reach out to her with your questions or concerns.
Champions: A New 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. 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.
Tax Credit Scholarships for 2022-23
January will be a very important month for any family hoping to receive tuition assistance from the Big Shoulders Fund or Empower Illinois. Both of those organizations offer Tax Credit Scholarships which often cover the entire tuition of a student in grades Kindergarten through 8th. These scholarships are determined, however, on a first come first serve basis and are very competitive.
The information below is from Big Shoulders and details several opportunities for how you can prepare for their TCS application process which opens on January 13. Please take advantage of these preparation opportunities and reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
APPLICATION INFO SESSIONS
Schools and families are invited to join one of our Tax Credit Scholarship Information Zoom Sessions. These sessions will outline the application process, show a sample application, and help schools and families prepare for steps one and two of the Big Shoulders Fund application. There will be separate Zoom links for English and Spanish.
Tax Credit Information Sessions:
December 23 at noon: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/89755530675
January 6 at 7 pm: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/82453671348
January 11 LIVE Q & A at 7 pm: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/84621849734
Sessiones de Informacion sobre la beca de Credito Tributario:
Diciembre 23 a medio-dia: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/3843056075
Enero 6 a las 7 pm: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/3843056075
Enero 11 LIVE Q&A a las 7 pm: https://bigshouldersfund-org.zoom.us/j/84621849734
PRACTICE APPLICATION
Families can practice the application during our APPLICATION SNEAK PEAK from December 17, 2021 through December 26, 2021. We will send families a special link when the Sample Application opens and they can practice in preparation for application day.
Do not forget that everyone must reapply each year.
To keep up with all new information and updates along the way, be sure to follow us on all social media platforms below, check out our website, and remember to SAVE THE DATE!
SGO Website – https://www.bigshouldersfundsgo.org/
Home-Learning Hub
Keep Skills Sharp During Break
Holiday Season Mass Schedule at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
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
Extended Day Program
You must sign-up for aftercare services by the preceding Saturday of each week. To arrange your schedule through the Procare App, please click on this link.
Contact Us
Email: Office@StStansChicago.org
Website: https://ststanschicago.org/
Location: 1255 North Noble Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: (773) 278-4560