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Crusader Chronicle

The Crusader Chronicle is our weekly parent newsletter. Here you will find everything you need to know for the upcoming week: A calendar of events, important dates, deadlines, and a message from the principal. The Chronicle is sent via email to all registered families on Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and updated here by Monday. If you have notes to include or are not receiving an email, please contact Melissa Haak
 

 

22 February 2024


In this issue: Thank you Coaches, Fish Fry Friday, Re-Enrollment Price Increase, Upcoming Admissions Events, Meet Lake Forest Flowers, Congratulations USA Swimming, Registration for new PGC Clubs, Tuition Raffle, Lake Forest Shop Event, LFHS 101 event, Lenten Mission, Lenten Adoration, Faith Adventure Week, Loyola Basketball Camps, Regina Write Night, Early Childhood Screenings, Bandits Lacrosse and NFL Football camps. 


Dear SOSM Parents,

I was so impressed last night watching our sixth and seventh-grade girls play their final School of St. Mary basketball game for the season. Besides winning both games, our girls demonstrated amazing skills, passion, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, fitness, positive communication, and resilience, to name a few. We cannot be more proud of all our athletic teams.

Likewise, we need to be cognizant of all of our parents and teachers who have coached these young men and women; their mentorship has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our participating students and the vitality of our school.

Thank you to all of the following coaches who have built a positive culture in our school.

Kelly GrahamKatie Reynolds
Amanda DenningerMartha Stride
Catherine HomanJohn Abuja
Michael SchreiberGosia Kalinowski
Megan McCampbellKerri Breslin
Katie FeeneyVanessa McCabe
Christina Cortesi-CoffeePeter Hartman
John HancirJoe Chekouras
Jim FarrellDan Burke
Owen LambChase Williamson
Paul DyerLiza Jessen
Gretchen RothJoe Byers
Matthew Jerina 

Respectfully,

Kathy Thompson, Principal
kthompson@schoolofstmary.org 


School News

Re-Enrollment - Price Increase coming!
Thank you to everyone who has re-enrolled for next year!  Just a reminder to all that two weeks remain to re-enroll at the $225 rate.  After March 1st, re-enrollment fees will go up to $325.  Please contact Mandy Castle (mcastle@schoolofstmary.org). if you are having trouble with re-enrollment or logging into FACTS.

Upcoming Admissions Events
All are welcome! Please pass on to your friends and neighbors:


Crusader Partners

The School of St. Mary is grateful for the partnership with other organizations in the community that support our Crusader Annual Fund. Their philanthropic support is more important than ever to help us succeed in our mission to educate every child to reach their fullest potential. We are pleased to introduce you to one of our Partners, Lake Forest Flowers

Lake Forest Flowers is an SOSM family-owned business that has been serving the community since 1917. Lake Forest Flowers’ floral experts will create the perfect gift using beautiful fresh flowers. They offer hands-on floral design workshops are fun and informative. Whether alone, with a friend or a group, we promise you an exciting evening and memorable experience. Upcoming kid workshops include the Luck of the Irish on March 16th, and an Easter Workshop on March 29th.

Lake Forest Flowers
546 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 234-0017


Student Activities

Congratulations USA Swimmers!
A special congratulations to our USA Swimming swimmers on the conclusion of their (long) and regular season!  Good luck to SOSM swimmers moving onto Championship meets starting this weekend - including Kyle C., Ethan D., Z D., Ella K., Madison K., John L., and Donnacha M.  Swim fast!

PGC Dance Club - Session 4
Come exercise and dance with Ms. Recker!  Each week, we will explore a different style of dance: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theatre.  No dance experience is necessary - all levels are welcome!  Come with a positive attitude, ready to dance and learn, and let's get movin' and groovin'!
Grades: 1st - 3rd
Limited to 12 students. 
Program Costs: $175
Meeting Day/Time: PGC Music Room, Wednesdays, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 3/13, 3/20, Spring Break, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24
Registration: Dance Club Registration Form
Contact: Ms. Recker

PGC Origami Club - Session 4
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding.  Learn origami from Ms. Recker, who learned origami when she lived in Japan!  Origami teaches patience, concentration, and cooperative learning.  Join the Origami Club to see what 3D paper creations we will make!
Grades: 2nd & 3rd
Program Costs: $100
Meeting Day/Time: Ms. Recker's Classroom, Wednesday mornings, 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. 3/13, 3/20, Spring Break, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1
Registration: Origami Club Registration
Contact: Ms. Recker

Around the World Club (PGC) - Session 3
"Travel" around the world with your friends and Ms. Recker! Each week, we will learn about a different country's geography, culture, food, and language by reading books, singing songs, making flags, and more! All "travelers" will get their own passport and receive stamps as we "travel" around the world!

Who: Open to students in 1st-3rd grade
There is a 12 person limit for Around the World Club, and the first 12 students to sign up will be registered.
When: Tuesday afternoons 3:30-4:40 p.m. on 3/12, 3/19, Spring Break, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23
Where: Ms. Recker's classroom - Room 15 @ the PGC
Cost: $175 total paid via FACTS
Register: Around the World Club Registration Form
Contact: Ms. Recker

Sports & Games Club - Session 2
Join Ms. Agostinelli and Ms. Mitchell for Sports & Games Club! Each week we will play different organized sports and games in the PGC gym. Come ready to have fun, play, and run!

Who: Open to students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade
There is a limit of 25 students for Sports & Games Club. The first 25 students to sign up will be registered. 
When: Tuesday's after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on March 12th, 19th, and April 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd, and 30th.
Where: PGC Gym
Cost: $180 total paid via FACTS
Register: Sports & Games Registration Form
Contact: Ms. Agostinelli or Ms. Mitchell


Parents Association

Join this Lenten tradition: SOSM Fish Fry on Friday, February 23 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at the UGC to benefit the Crusader Fund!  This family-oriented fundraiser brings together young and old throughout the community for some fellowship for a good cause!  Come before or after Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary! Learn more and buy tickets https://lovestmarys.com/fish-fry/

Volunteer
There are a variety of opportunities for adults and students looking for volunteer hours to help make this event a success. Look and see what shift(s) and type of activity suits you best or sign up to donate a dessert Fish Fry Volunteer!

Tuition Raffle

Support the Crusader Fund AND secure a chance to win K-8 2024-25 tuition or $5,000! Raffle tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250. Only 200 tickets will be sold! Get your ticket before they sell out! Link here

SAVE THE DATE!

March 14, 5-7 p.m.: The Lake Forest Shop is hosting a Spring Shopping Soiree on Thursday, March 14 for SOSM moms, friends & parishioners. Please join us for a fun evening with The Lake Forest Shop stylists, light bites and refreshments. 10% of the evening's sales are being generously donated to the SOSM Crusader Fund. The Lake Forest Shop, 265 Market Square Court 


Class of 2024 Information

LFHS 101
There are a lot of questions families have when starting high school. Brought to you by LFHS Principal Dr. Erin Lenart, the District 67 APT and the District 65 PTO, LFHS 101 is an opportunity for the parents and guardians of incoming freshmen to hear directly from our LFHS administrators and department heads.

Meet LFHS Principal Dr. Erin Lenart and Associate Principal Dr. Patrick Sassen and their team. Program will include brief presentations. Learn about curriculum, academic expectations, and the resources available for LFHS students and their families. Time will be provided for questions and answers.
Date: February 28, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Board Room, LFHS West Campus 300 S. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, 60045

Class of 2024 Feature Survey
Please complete this survey for our Class of 2024 feature. We will begin featuring 8th graders after Easter. Every student should complete one, even if they don't want to be featured (that's an option).  DUE March 1

All information in this section is archived in the Class of 2024 Drive Folder and available on the 8th-grade page of our website.


Parish Events

Lenten Parish Mission: Renewed in the Eucharist
All are welcome for a three-night parish mission for all ages focused on the National Eucharistic Revival presented by guest preacher Fr. Frank DeSiano.  

  • Sunday, March 10th: God's Word Calls to Us
  • Monday, March 11the: Our Unity in Christ
  • Tuesday, March 12th: Sent as Disciples

All events will be at 7:00 p.m. in the church. See the flyer for more information and contact Chase Hawkins with any questions. 

 


Community Events

Loyola Academy Basketball Camp
Loyola is very excited about their Summer 2024 Grade School Basketball Camps. Staff and players look forward to working with your son on their game!! Please use the link below to see the different camp options and registration info. Last Summer we had a record # of campers, so register early to reserve your spot. Please email with questions. Open to students in 2nd - 8th grade. https://www.goramblers.org/athletics/sports-camps.

Regina Write Night
"Write Night" on March 15th will celebrate writing and literature through games and activities for middle school girls. This event is open to students in grades 6-8th. It promises to be a great time, and there will even be pizza and prizes!

Wright Night represents the best of the Regina Dominican NEHS chapter and the English department at Regina! We would love to share our love of writing with the girls of School of St. Mary! See this link for more information and to register: https://www.rdpanthers.org/apps/pages/special-events

Early Childhood Screenings
District 67 offers an early childhood behavioral and developmental screening for families with children aged 3–5 years old residing within District 67 school boundaries, free of charge. The next one is February 27 with more dates to come! Appointments are required. Register online

Bandits Lacrosse
Bandits Spring Lacrosse for girls 1st - 8th grades is OPEN!  We are your community youth lacrosse program. Come and join the fun! All skill levels are welcomed.  For more information or to join, visit us today at www.banditslacrosseclub.org

Chicago NFL Alumni Youth Football Camps
Safe, Non-Contact Football Instruction - For Athletic Skills, Life Skills and Fun  
Camps Available June and July, for boys and girls ages 6 to 14.
Camps in the Lake Forest area.
Led by Pro Coaches Features NFL Alumni Chicago Bears
Register Today!   
To join us, visit www.AlumniCamps.com or call 877-226-9919 . 

 

You can find past issues and all flyers shared on the Crusader Chronicle Drive

Crusader Chronicle Archive

The School of St. Mary Crusader Chronicle is our weekly parent newsletter and principal's note. All issues can be found on the Crusader Drive. Please click on the dates below to find PDF versions of the newsletters and past flyers. 
 
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