Dear SOSM Families,
The School of St. Mary celebrated a historic, natural event as they viewed the solar eclipse on Monday. At the UGC, the Middle School students created and raced solar cars in the parking lot before all grades headed to St. Mary's Green to watch the event and collect data related to temperature, shadow, wind, and animal behavior. PGC teachers read and discussed relevant materials with their classes before the students went outside to see the real thing.
Chicago Catholic, the bi-weekly newspaper, was at the UGC for the event. You can see pictures on their Facebook Page, and we will share the article with you when it's published. They were so impressed with our students and activities that they shared the pictures with EWTN News who will produce a feature on it! We will, of course, share the feature when it is shown.
Respectfully,
Kathy Thompson, Principal
kthompson@schoolofstmary.org
Kindergarten Information Session
Learn more about Kindergarten at the School of St. Mary. All are welcome! Current and prospective families with questions are encouraged to attend. Join online here.
Spanish Songs
PGC Parents are invited to explore the nostalgia of their childhood by contributing cherished songs and games to the Spanish class!
Canciones en Clases de Espanol
April 29th and May 1st
Join us for an exciting event where parents who are comfortable with the Spanish language become the teachers, making a meaningful impact on their children's learning experience. Imagine the joy on your child's face when they see you in class as the teacher. To participate, please email Sra. Maria at mgonzalez@schoolofstmary.org
Crusader Summer School
The School of St. Mary will offer our Summer School program to students entering Jr. Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This is an opportunity to receive additional academic support and/or continue your child's education throughout the summer in an enriching, academic environment. Students will focus on reading, writing, math, and social studies/science that fit their appropriate age/grade. For those with children who are moving from the PGC to the UGC, we will have special materials and instruction to help your child prepare for the greater independence required at the UGC. We will also have fun in the summer sun!
The School of St. Mary will offer two 3-week sessions. Families can register for either one or both sessions. Registration deadline: May 1
Location: Primary Grade Center (PGC) 900 W. Everett Rd. Lake Forest, IL 60045
Time: Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm
Session 1: June 10-28
Session 2: July 8-26
Cost per child: $1,025/session
Please contact these teachers with any questions.
Julia Recker: jrecker@schoolofstmary.org
Natalie Agostinelli: nagostinelli@schoolofstmary.org
Cub Scout Pack 49 Pinewood Derby
Congratulations to Pack 49 on a successful Pinewood Derby last weekend. The winners were:
| Lions | Tigers | Wolves | Bears | Webelos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Reno N. | 1. Finn G. | 1. William H. | 1. Bennett P. | 1. Ryan B. |
| 2. Ted S. | 2. Steven P. | 2. Jack S. | 2. Tommy B. | |
| 3. Nathan S. | 3. Eoin G. |
Overall winners for the Pack were:
Pencil and Paint Club
Looking for a fun and creative way to end the year? Come sketch and paint on canvas board. Follow the step-by-step instructions for each directed drawing project and paint your masterpieces.
Grades: 1st-3rd, maximum of 16 students
Program Costs: $185 per student - all supplies will be provided
Meeting day/time: Mondays, May 6th - June 3rd, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in Mrs. Thomas' Room
Registration by April 18th: Pencil & Paint Club Registration
SOSM Fishing Club
Coach Jim Castle is happy to bring another year of fishing to the School of St. Mary. NO fishing experience or equipment is necessary, and the club is totally free! Each child should bring a parent or grandparent and bring sunglasses for eye protection. Fishing Club is open to all students (and their adult) in Kindergarten through 8th grade. One hour slots are available Saturday morning May 11th or 18th, at Larry Fink Park in Highland Park.
To register, please email Coach Castle at jcastlenorthshore@gmail.com with the name and age of your child and preferred day and time.
Kick-Off Pep Rally: Monday, April 15 Race Day: Thursday, April 25
We will soon launch our most FUN Fundraiser of the year, the Crusader Chase, with a pep rally at both campuses! We have a lofty goal of $50,000 to help finish the Crusader Fund! All students will participate in this fun run regardless of financial participation. Visit mybooster.com to register your student(s) TODAY, and get ready for some FUN! After you register, share about the fundraiser with family and friends using the SHARE BUTTON on your mybooster.com dashboard; sharing is participating!
Volunteers Needed:
Volunteers are needed at both campuses. Please sign up at Signup.com!
Crusader Chase Committee,
Heidi (Lamberts) Christen (hlamberts@yahoo.com)
Ali Zeleniuch (alison.zeleniuch@gmail.com)
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's silent auction! With your help we raised over $61,500! If you have a winning bid, someone from the auction committee will be in touch to get you your item. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kate Burke at: kateburke1119@gmail.com.
If you haven't had a chance to buy any Count Me In party tickets, there's still time! You can purchase tickets via GalaBid through the date of the event.
If you have not paid your GalaBid or Paddle Raise Auction Invoice (or did not receive them), please contact Melissa Haak to make the payment.
Count Me in Parties
Upcoming Count me in Parties, you purchase tickets and support the Crusader Fund!
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.
.png)
Loyola Academy Practice HSPT for 7th Grade
Saturday, April 27
8:00 a.m. Check-in
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Exam
9:00 a.m. Parent Presentation
Loyola Academy (enter through door #6)
Cost: $50
This optional practice test is designed to help your child become familiar with the format and type of questions on the eighth grade High School Placement Test (HSPT). Student scores will be sent directly from Scholastic Testing Service to the parent/guardian after the exam. Scores will be in the following categories: verbal, quantitative, reading, math, and language. Please note, there will be no accommodations offered for the practice test. During the exam, parents are invited to join us for a special presentation and student-guided tours of Loyola Academy. Log in to your My Loyola account at goramblers.org to register.
Loyola Academy Jr. High CSI Night
Solve the Crime of the Missing Donut Recipe. Inviting all 6th and 7th-grade students to join in a night of forensic fun: fingerprinting, identification of powders, fiber analysis, and blood typing. Friday, April 12, 6-8pm; register at goramblers.org
