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Dear SOSM Parents,
As part of our role as educators, it is essential that we positively guide students to make good choices. We need to help children connect their actions to the natural consequences of their choices.
Randy Manges, our UGC music teacher, recently told me about a sermon he heard about kintsugi, a Japanese art that repairs broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding imperfections, kintsugi treats breakage and repair as part of an object's history. The imperfections make the piece beautiful, valuable, and unique; the repaired piece reveals its own story as a direct result of the unique shapes formed when it shattered.
What does this have to do with your children? A lot! As we try to help our students make positive decisions for themselves while respecting others, we follow a restorative discipline model that focuses on reflecting, repairing harm, resolving conflict, and healing relationships. It is an alternative to traditional punishment-based approaches that often can cause anxiety, delay of social skills, worse behavior, and damage to relationships.
Just as kintsugi recognizes the uniqueness of each repaired object, restorative justice recognizes the individuality of each case and takes into account the specific circumstances and needs of the people involved, tailoring the process accordingly. It offers a safe space for open dialogue, empathy, and active listening between someone who has experienced harm and the person responsible in an attempt to help them understand and process what’s happened.
Both processes, restorative justice and the kintsugi technique are laborious and delicate, requiring patience, skill, and active participation. Turning something damaged into an opportunity for alteration and beauty takes time and effort. They embrace the idea that healing is a deliberate, involved, and gradual process – not a quick fix, but rather a journey towards recovery.
Remember, the cracks let the light in,
Kathy Thompson
Principal, School of St. Mary
Our Attitude of Gratitude this week goes to the UGC Student Body. They have worked together to support Drew and Lurie Children's Hospital, raising over $2,300 through bake sales, pop sales, and CrusaderWear days. We are so proud of their selfless spirit.
Donuts with Dad
Join us at the PGC cafeteria for Donuts with Dad on October 18th from 8:00-8:30 a.m.! Open to K-3rd Grade. Bring your Dad or favorite male adult to enjoy donuts and coffee together! Must RSVP by Monday, October 14th! Please contact Ms. Agostinelli or Ms. Mitchell with questions.
Preschool Date Change
Please note that the Preschool Special Show and Tell Day has been moved from November 7th to Friday, November 15th. Full details will be coming soon.
Transportation Forms
In the interest of the safety and security of our students, we ask that parents and guardians of both PGC and UGC students complete the transportation form per student. This is new to the UGC this year. We need to hear directly from parents, in writing, if students are allowed to be released to other friends and family members or have permission to leave campus on foot. Please complete a form for each student as soon as possible:
Forms may be emailed directly to the assistant on each campus or returned via backpacks to classroom or homeroom teachers.
PGC: Mrs. Jane Schlosser (jschlosser@schoolofstmary.org)
UGC: Ms. Jasmine Sosa (jsosa@schoolofstmary.org)
PGC Homework Club
Would your child benefit from the routine of having a quiet place to complete homework after school each day? We may have the answer for you! The PGC teachers are hoping to offer a homework club if there is enough interest. Please complete the following form if you are interested in this club for your child(ren) in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade.
PGC Homework Club Interest Survey
Extended Day
SOSM offers before and after-school care at both the PGC and UGC. If you need the flexibility of early drop-offs or late pick-ups at both buildings, Extended Day is for you! Drop-off starts at 7:30 a.m., and pick-up is by 5:30 p.m. at both campuses.
Particularly at the UGC, the emphasis is on completing homework and studying for tests - if your student struggles to complete assignments, they are welcome to join us at Extended Day for supervised homework completion or to get a little extra help. The cost is $17 per morning, and $27 per afternoon, with after-sports/club rates at $15 per afternoon.
Please see the Extended Day website for more details and to register. There will be a virtual meeting at noon on Thursday, October 3rd and October 10th, at our regular Zoom link online. October reservations are now available.
LEGO/Board Game Club Session 2
Candy Land, Sorry!, Trouble, Chutes and Ladders, LEGO, and more! Do you love games and hanging out with your friends? This club is for you! We will work on developing social skills and problem-solving, all while playing some of our favorite games and building LEGOs!
Who: 1st through 3rd Grade
Limited to the first 16 students who sign up.
When: Tuesdays, October 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Where: Mrs. Teitz Room (Room 11)
Cost: $130
Register: October 2024 LEGO/Board Game Club Registration
Contact: Mrs. Teitz
Tea & Tiaras (PGC)
Please join us for Tea and Tiaras. We will enjoy special tea treats, create and wear tiaras & decorate tea cups together! Dress up is encouraged!
Who: 1st - 3rd Grade
Limited to 30 students
When: Wednesday, October 16th
Where: PGC Library
Cost: $120 via FACTS
Register: Tea & Tiaras Registration
Contact: Mrs. Homan
Altar Server Training
Altar servers perform various important parts of the mass, and every parish is enriched through their dedication and service. It is a very important responsibility that requires a sincere and dedicated commitment. Altar servers must attend Sunday Mass weekly and serve at weekend liturgies at least once a month.
Grades: 4th - 8th who have received first communion
When: Returning servers choose ONE date and NEW servers choose TWO dates
Register: All servers (new and returning) must complete the registration form.
SOSM Shadow Day at Loyola Academy
8th Grade students who are interested in Loyola Academy are encouraged to sign up for the SOSM Shadow Day on Wednesday, October 2nd. Students must complete the Inquiry Form and register. If your student is attending, you must email attendance@schoolofstmary.org or call the office to notify us of the shadow day, or it will be marked as an unexcused absence.
Chicago Field Trip
8th-grade students must arrive at school on Monday, September 30th, at 8:15 a.m. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. and cannot be held for anyone. Students may wear their orange Drew Strong t-shirt for the trip, but must wear their uniform bottoms. Only SOSM sweatshirts will be allowed.
In-person Virtus Training
We are offering in-person Virtus training on October 3rd from 6 to 9 p.m. This training is only eligible for those who have never been Virtus trained. Those interested should complete this form to pre-register; no walk-ins will be allowed.
Save the Date: Trunk-or-Treat!
What: Trunk or Treat
When: Friday, October 25th, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: UGC Parking Lot
We are looking for volunteers to decorate their cars and hand out candy/treats. Car set up will be 4:30-5:15 p.m. Sign-up at: https://signup.com/go/tyXGGDa
Please join us for our monthly PA meeting on Thursday, October 3rd, at 7 p.m. at the Upper Grade Center. If you were unable to attend last month, our meeting minutes are posted on the SOSM website. All parents are welcome to attend PA meetings!
Stock the Lounge
7th Grade families and 2 Year Old Little Angel families, you are in charge of Stock the Lounge for the month of October (thank you kindly to all the families that have donated or signed up already). Please sign up or give money by Sunday, September 29: Last call to "Stock the Lounge" - Please click here.
You are also welcome to just send money and we will get the goods via Costco. If that is what you want to do please reach out to Kelly Graham 773-580-2006 or email her Kelly.Muldoon@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support! The teachers love a well "stocked lounge!"
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Serve with Dad: Wednesday, October 9
Faith & Fellowship Men's Ministry and COR invite ALL high school students, ALL dads of high school teens, and ALL men of the St. Mary's community to spend an evening together serving our local community. Sign up by September 24th to join us at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on October 9th.
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Girls Flag Football Camp
Exciting news! A girl's flag football clinic run by the state champion Lane Tech coach and her players is coming to Lake Forest on October 14! The clinic is open to new and experienced athletes. Limited spaces are available; register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1010136323937. See the Flyer for more information.
Eminence Fencing Academy
Eminence Fencing Academy offers high-level coaching and skills development in a friendly atmosphere for children ages six and older. It is conveniently located in Lake Forest. See the flyer for more information.
