Principal's Pad (3/13/22)
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
- Women's History Month
- Home-Learning Hub
What's still here from last week?
- 3C's (5-Essentials) Parent Survey
- Father/Daughter Dance Volunteers
- 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.
Parent-Teacher Conference Thank-You
I want to thank all of the parents and guardians who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences this past Friday. Whether you met with your child's teacher virtually or in-person, it is a great sign of your involvement in your child's education and for your desire to see her/him improve. I encourage you to make contact with your child's teacher more routine, especially if your child is struggling. It is far better to have open and continual communication between home and school so that everyone can best understand how to serve our students.
If you were unable to attend conferences on Friday or could not speak with a specific teacher, I encourage you to reach out to establish a meeting time this week. Should you need the contact information of some of our "specials" teachers for languages, art, music, etc., please contact Ms. Abby Torres in the Main Office and she will assist you.
Last Week for Parent Survey
This week is your last opportunity to complete the 3C's (5-Essentials) Survey. 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 48% response rate from our parents, which is fantastic! I see that a number of people have started the survey, but have not yet finished. If you return to the survey, you can pick-up where you left off and complete it. Just be sure to hit the 'submit' button at the end. I would like for us to get over 50% participation if possible. This way we can assure that most of the voices in our community are heard.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY
St. Patrick's Day Dress-Down
Students may celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick by wearing green on Thursday, March 17. School modesty guidelines still apply and students should not be wearing torn or ill-fitting pants/jeans. Students should also not engage in face painting or coloring of their hair. Any clothing making reference to drinking or alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated. Other St. Patrick's Day related items may be worn so long as they are not distracting to the learning environment. This includes necklaces, hats, stickers, etc.
Gentle Reminders
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Today our clocks "sprung forward" by an hour as Daylight Savings began. Since everyone lost an hour of sleep today, please make sure your child gets to bed early this evening. Mondays can always be difficult, but can be especially hard on younger students who don't get their proper rest. Don't forget to move all of the clocks in the house ahead by one hour either!
Weekly Parent Survey - 3C's Survey
Women's History Month in the Classroom
Please consider engaging in conversations with your children at home about prominent women leaders, movements, and accomplishments. Feel free to utilize any of the resources below to assist in these discussions. Do not hesitate to reach out to St. Stan's Academy should you desire additional resources or have your own ideas as to how our community could best honor the women who have made our world what it is today.
- Library of Congress Women's History Month
- Activities & Children's Books for Women's History Month
- Unladylike: PBS Digital Resources - Women of the early 20th century who broke barriers in male-dominated fields such as science, business, journalism, and the arts.
- Fun Activities to Celebrate WHM with Kids
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.
Our female students may invite other important male role-models to the dance if their father is unable to attend. This could include but is not limited to grandfathers, uncles, step-fathers, and adult brothers.
We are in need of your help! Please use this link to volunteer to help in various ways at the Father/Daughter Dance.
Home-Learning Hub
Upcoming Events & Important Dates at St. Stan's
No School: Staff Development - March 25
The St. Stan's Academy staff will be engaging in professional development on Friday, March 25. As such, there will be no classes for students.
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