October 14, 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are now 8 weeks into the school year and everyone has done an amazing job
adapting to new protocols and procedures. We have done such a great job that we are
able to tighten up our dismissal procedures. Beginning Monday, Oct. 19
ththe 1
stfloor
classes will dismiss at 2:55, with the exception of Wednesdays, which will be 1:55 and
then the 2
ndfloor classes will dismiss at 3:00, or 2:00 on Wednesdays. Preschool will
dismiss at 2:55 at door #8, this is not a change. We hope that this will prevent parents
from waiting so long outside especially with the weather changing. Thank you for your
cooperation as we make these adjustments. Parents remember to either stay in your
cars or stand in the parent area. Everyone must wear a mask when they are on our
campus, no exceptions.
Yearbook:
We are just halfway through the 1
sttrimester and I am sure you are not thinking about
the end of the year and the yearbook; however, if you take advantage of early ordering
you will receive a discount. I have included a few flyers for you today that explain the
ordering process, the discount, AND the opportunity to add custom pages for your child
making their yearbook one of a kind and a great treasure they will keep forever.
Halloween:
We would love for our families to help us celebrate Halloween. As you know, we are not
able to have our traditional Trunk or Treat; however, you are welcome to decorate your
cars when you come to pick up your child at dismissal. Are you a fan of Halloween?
Would you consider dressing in costume as well? We would love to see how creative
you are when you come for dismissal. If you have any questions about our new
Halloween protocols please do not hesitate to reach out to either your child’s teacher or
myself.
Conference Reminder:
Parent/Teacher/Student conferences are scheduled for Thurs. Oct. 15
thand Fri. Oct.
16
th. All conferences will be virtual. There will be a waiting room, we ask that you are
respectful of each person’s time and that you are on time, or even a couple of minutes
early for your scheduled slot so that the teacher’s can maintain their conference
schedule. Dismissal for all students will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, October 15
th.
Conferences will start at 1:00 pm and end at 6:00 pm. There will be NO SCHOOL
on Friday, October 16
thto allow for ample time slots for families. Conferences will
start at 9:00 am on Friday and end at 5:00 pm.
#SchoolHero
Don’t forget to take a moment and nominate one of our teachers or staff, our teachers
are our heroes. The Archdiocese would like to recognize their dedication, passion, and
incredibly hard work through their #SchoolHero program. More information and details
can be found in the October 9
thfamily newsletter that is included in today’s envelope for
you to read. Please help me recognize our amazing teachers and staff!
Golden Apple Award:
I hope you help me honor our outstanding Pre-K-3rd grade teachers by nominating
them for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. This is the link to
complete the nomination:
www.goldenapple.org/nominate-a-teacher
The deadline to
nominate one of our amazing teachers is November 13
th.
University of Notre Dame Parent Survey:
Participate in the Parent Engagement and Support During COVID-19 Study
Parent engagement in school plays an important role in student success, and the
COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated increased collaboration between teachers and
parents to support remote and hybrid forms of learning in the home.
A new study conducted by the University of Notre Dame, the Alliance for Catholic
Education, and the National Catholic Educational Association seeks to better
understand parent perceptions and experiences with home-based learning during the
pandemic, as well as how parents made decisions about the educational choices for
their children in the 2020-21 academic year.
If you are a parent or caregiver of at least one child in a PreK-12 Catholic school and
you would like to participate in the study, please follow the link to our survey below. The
survey is available in both English and Spanish, and no identifying information will be
collected.
REMINDERS:
The Archdiocese of Chicago and the Office of Catholic Schools sends a weekly family
newsletter to all school families. If you have not subscribed to the newsletter, You
may subscribe here to receive the latest communications. I have included last week’s
here for you to read if you do not already receive it.
UPDATE:
All children are eligible to receive FREE lunch and breakfast until June
2021. Please do not add money to your MealTime account.
Medical forms:
All children new to St. Hilary need medical, dental, and vision forms. Preschoolers need
medical and vision forms. Kindergarteners need medical and dental forms. 2
ndgraders
need dental forms and 6
thgraders need medical and dental forms. According to the
Illinois State Board of Education; students are to be excluded from school by
October 15 if these health and immunization requirements have not been met.
Volunteers:
There is a list of Compliance Requirements on the school website under Family
Forms. There are links to all the forms you need to volunteer.
Contents of this Wednesday’s envelope:
FSA flyers
October 9
thArchdiocese Family Newsletter
Yearbook flyers
FSA Christmas Wreath flyer (hard copy)
Mark your calendars:
Wed. Oct. 14 – FSA Virtual Zoom Meeting – all are welcome!
Thurs. Oct. 15 – 11:30 dismissal - Parent Teacher Student Conferences
Fri. Oct. 16 – NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Student Conferences
Wed. Oct. 21 – FSA hosts St. Hilary night at Lou Malnati’s
Fri. Oct. 30 – Halloween at St. Hilary
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at school
773-561-5885 or by email
donovan@sthilarychicago.org
.
Gratefully,
Mrs. Kathie Donovan
Do you love shopping on Amazon as much as I
do? Don’t forget to use amazon smile and a
portion of your purchase will support St. Hilary
School. Thank you!!
SHOWING GRATITUDE AND
KINDNESS
Thank you to Daisy Troop 21001, Brownie Troop
21136 and Cadette Troop 20789 who thank our
police officers this past weekend by planting
bulbs in a Thank You Garden! What a wonderful
way to show our appreciation for our 1
stresponders.
Link to Nominate your School
Hero!!
October 9, 2020 - Parent Newletter Dear Catholic School Families,
Last week we launched the #SchoolHero program to recognize the fantastic work of our Catholic school teachers, leaders and support staff. I’m happy to share the first of what will be many individuals featured on our social media channels and website.
Congratulations to our first #SchoolHero, Tammy Kleckner, principal at Frassati Catholic Academy in Wauconda! “She has brought back my faith in a dark time in this country and in our lives,” said Kathy Konecny, a parent who nominated her. “She truly is someone special and an asset to the Catholic schools.” Another parent, Colleen Nickles, who also nominated Tammy, called her “nothing short but a capable leader” who has “eased the minds of parents and students alike with her frequent and clear communication, constant call for input, reassuring nature and professionalism while navigating this unprecedented time.”
Remember, we are still accepting nominations for #SchoolHero. Click here to submit a nomination. We love our Catholic school educators and staff!
Also, we have updated guidance from our partners in public health clarifying when COVID-19 tests are required before symptomatic individuals (and household members in close contact) should return to work/school. See below for details.
Finally, the OCS is looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. We’re expecting to release further guidance to schools on this season in the coming days. And as the weather turns colder, we are also working with state agencies on guidance for such activities as recess, morning check-in procedures, and winter athletics. More information on these activities will be sent to families in the coming weeks. We will strive to strike the right balance to ensure safety and fun co-exist in our Catholic schools and ask for your ongoing support in all activities and gatherings that your family participates in while outside of school.
Yours in Christ, Jim Rigg, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
When Are COVID-19 Tests Necessary?
The local departments of public health in Illinois, Cook County and Chicago have recently updated their guidance concerning COVID-19 testing and return-to-work/school admittance. Based on this new guidance, any individual (student or employee) who experiences COVID-like symptom(s) will be sent home immediately with any siblings. All students in the home may return to school if the symptoms dissipate within 24 hours and they have not been exposed to any individual infected with COVID-19.
If symptoms do not dissipate within 24 hours, the individual should: Contact their health care provider for COVID-19 testing Quarantine with the entire family while awaiting the test result
The individual may return to school if both of the following criteria are met: Documentation of a negative test for COVID-19
24-hours with no fever (without fever-reducing medication)
If symptoms persist, the individual should obtain an alternate diagnosis from a medical provider in addition to the negative COVID-19 diagnosis (e.g., strep throat diagnosis and negative COVID-19 result). If an alternative diagnosis of a communicable illness is provided, the individual should stay home until symptoms have receded per doctor’s instruction.
As a reminder, a doctor’s note is not required for individuals who are:
Confirmed COVID-19 positive. For the individual to return to school he or she must have: o remained at home for 10 days after the positive test
o no fever for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), and o a general reduction of other symptoms by 75 percent or more.
Quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure but not symptomatic. Individuals may return to school if they have been quarantined for 14 days and not developed symptoms of COVID-19 during that time.
As we diligently keep pace with the evolving guidance from health care professionals, please know that our own guidelines are in the best interest of our school communities. While it can be difficult at times to keep up with instructions that are subject to change, we appreciate everyone’s steadfast commitment to following safety practices that err on the side of caution.
WTTW's The Great Chicago Fire Special
The WTTW special, THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE, takes a new look at the 1871 disaster that leveled the city. It explores the anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment at the time that placed blame on Catherine O’Leary for the blaze. Please click here to view a YouTube video promo about the Great Chicago Fire.
Golden Apple Nominations are Now Open
While on the subject of school heroes, nominations of outstanding educators and school leaders from public and private schools in the state of Illinois are welcomed and may be entered for consideration
at www.goldenapple.org/awards. Teachers of pre-k through third-grade students and pre-k through 12th-grade school leaders are eligible in the 2021 awards cycle.
How has your family been supported?
Has your student or family been supported by our Catholic school community? Has your family supported another Catholic school family? Hope-filled and joyful stories are important for our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. That’s why we want to help share these types of good news about our school communities. Please send an email to us at schoolmarketing@archchicago.org and we’ll share your story.
Wednesday,
7 pm
Zoom Meeting ID:
| Password:
Oct. 14,
063407
913 8175 2663
our
Meet and catch
and
Please come and share your ideas
energy!
parents/guardians,
Hilary
up with other St.
School
get info
make a difference in
school community.
and
events,
on upcoming
ST. HILARY SCHOOL
DATE
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
LOCATIONS
Lou Malnati’s Lincolnwood
11:00am - 10:00pm
6649 North Lincoln Ave
(847) 673-0800
Lou Malnati’s Lincoln Square
11:00am - 10:00pm
4340 N Lincoln Ave
(773) 654-4000
FOR QUESTIONS
Please contact Karenne O Holliday
(773) 750-1389
Karenne@gmail.com
Lou Malnati’s will donate 20% of total sales to your organization (20% based on pre-tax purchase,
excluding alcohol) from every order received from Dine-In, Carryout or Delivery (within zone).
Make sure to mention the flyer or fundraiser during your phone order.
Raise a slice
FOR A
CAUSE
GOOD
INCLUDES ONLINE AND APP ORDERING. USE CODE: FundSH20
• Must mention fundraiser at time of order to ensure credit towards fundraiser • Please check receipt for “fundraiser” item, if you do not see “fundraiser” on
your receipt, please see or call a manager
• For questions or concerns please email fundraising@loumalnatis.com
SUPPORT
ST. HILARY
SCHOOL
Capture Your Memories in This Year’s
Yearbook
To Purchase & Customize Your Yearbook
Must be a parent or student 13 years or older.
Customize Your 2 Free Pages
Add photos from your computer, Facebook,
Instagram, Google Drive & more.
Answer fun Memory Questions to help
remember the year.
The 2 Custom Pages are FREE and are printed
ONLY in your book. Want more pages? Each
additional 2 pages is just $0.99.
Purchase by October 31
st
to get 5% OFF
Regular Price:
Go to
www.treering.com/validate
Enter your school’s passcode:
1
2
5
%
OFF
purchase by
October 31
*Does not include sales tax, if applicable
1015656173704414
St. Hilary School
¡Les Invitamos a Incluir sus Propias
Fotos y Páginas al Anuario de
Para Comprar Su Anuario y Personalizar
Sus Páginas
Debe ser un padre o un estudiante de 13 años o más.
Añadir fotos de su computadora, y tambien
de su cuentas de Facebook o Instagram.
Incluya sus fotos y recuerdos de todo
el año y compartirlos con su escuela.
Puedo mandar y recibir firmas.
¡Las primeras 2 páginas personalizadas son gratis!
Precio del Anuario:
Visite
www.treering.com/validate
Entre nuestro código de acceso:
1
2
5
%
OFF
si es comprado por
Octubre 31
*No incluye impuesto de ventas, si es aplicable.
