Principal's Pad (1/23/22)
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
- Weekly Parent Survey
- i-Ready Resources for Home
- Home Learning Hub
What's still here from last week?
- Important Dates
- Covid-19 Protocols
- CHAMPIONS After-School
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.
Throughout the year, our teachers and students have been supported in their teaching and learning by a program called i-Ready. At the start of the school year, every student took the first i-Ready Diagnostic Test. This test gauged student abilities and aptitude in multiple developmental areas of reading and mathematics. The i-Ready system then created learning paths, specific to the needs of each individual student. Each week our teachers have been working with students to complete individual instruction on i-Ready and engage in "data chats" with their classes so that students can be aware of and recognize their progress.
This week, students will be taking the 2nd Diagnostic Test. This is an important benchmark for our students and teachers in assessing growth and learning. Please have some conversations with your child(ren) and encourage them to do their best, take their time, and get good nights of sleep all week. Please see the information further down in the Principal's Pad for more ways you can help your child and engage with them in their learning.
The Scholastic Book Fair
This week, students will have the opportunity to explore the Scholastic Book Fair for the second time this year. It is truly fun to see how excited they all get to find their favorite book characters and explore new topics. Every student received information on how to set-up an "e-Wallet" so that parents can pay for books through a virtual account. Please note that for organizational and security purposes, we are not accepting cash payments for book fair items. Parents who do not set up an "e-Wallet" can still pay with a check, however.
Starting on Tuesday, January 25, parents will be able to visit the book fair after school from 3pm to 3:30pm. You must sign-in at the Main Office if you decide to visit the book fair. Once you have signed-in, you may proceed up to the Library on the 2nd floor.
Friday Mass & Open House
We want to invite parents to attend Mass with us this Friday, January 28. It will serve as our kick-off to Catholic Schools Week next week. Mass will begin at 8:30am over at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
After Mass, we will be having a limited Open House for any prospective parents who are considering enrolling their child at St. Stan's Academy for the 2022-23 school year. Please share this Sign-up Genius link with anyone who you feel would benefit from a tour of our great school. Our Marketing Director, Jen Edwards, will be in touch with anyone who signs-up.
Gentle Reminders
Catholic Schools Week
January 31 officially marks the beginning of Catholic Schools week throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. We will be celebrating everything that makes our schools great: our community, our students, our parents, and our teachers.
Notification of Absences
If your child will be absent for any reason, please be sure to communicate the absence and reason with the main office. Please call Ms. Abby Torres at 773-278-4560 or email her at atorres@ststanschicago.org to notify us if a student will not be on campus or will be tardy.
Weekly Parent Survey: Covid-19 Testing
i-Ready 2nd Diagnostic Test & Spirit Week
It’s hard to believe that we’re already preparing for the second i-Ready Diagnostic Test which will be taken THIS WEEK. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding your child’s growth, which is why it’s so important they try their best. These results allow us to better support them in achieving their growth goals for the year. The most important thing we can do is prepare students and motivate them to put forth their best effort.
Here are a few things you can do to help support your student:
- Make sure they get a good night’s rest before taking the Diagnostic
- Talk to your child about why the second Diagnostic is important and that it will help teachers to provide better, individualized instruction
- Let them know you’re excited to celebrate their progress
Here are some resources for you to use at home:
Students learn best and show the most growth when their families are engaged and involved in their learning. Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s learning and your support of our teachers and the school.
Scholastic Book Fair: January 24-28
- To add money to your student's "e-Wallet" please click on this link. See the information below for directions on how to set-up and use the "e-Wallet".
- If interested in volunteering to help set-up or run the fair, please click here for more information or contact Mrs. Rosemary Walsh at rwalsh@ststanschicago.org.
Home-Learning Hub
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
Scholastic Book Fair - January 24-28
We will be hosting our second Book Fair from Monday, January 24 to Friday, January 28.
Catholic Schools Week - January 31 to February 4
Our school will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 4. We want to recognize all of the things that make Catholic schools great such as our students, our teachers, our families, and our service to the community.
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser - February 4-8
We will be having a virtual fundraiser through Double Good Popcorn beginning on Friday, February 4 and running through Tuesday, February 8. Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks.
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. 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 1/3/22)
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.
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.
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
Contact Us
Email: Office@StStansChicago.org
Website: https://ststanschicago.org/
Location: 1255 North Noble Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: (773) 278-4560