“Another Great Week” Newsletter from Principal Ferguson

Dear Lancer Families,

The talent our kids possess here at St. Michaels is second to none! From our Shine performers all the way down to our Kindergarteners, I am in awe of how hard all the students worked leading up to last night’s performance. Not to mention our Preschoolers who performed for the parents earlier this week. With record crowds in attendance, we may need to find a new venue for next year…which is a great problem to have! I especially want to thank all the staff who worked tirelessly to make the program a success. Kudos to Mrs. Petrando for directing yet another amazing show! This was another example of how “it takes a village” to make St. Michael Parish School such a great place. And thank you to the 5th grade moms…Mrs. Cuervo and Mrs. Colucci (both new to SMPS)...who helped us behind the scenes with the play. Your help is much appreciated!

Congratulations to the St. Michael Chess Team! 23 members participated in the Benjamin Middle School chess tournament in West Chicago on Saturday, December 1st. They won three team trophies: 5th place in the junior high division (Jack Stiefel, Nathan Carroll, Patrick Mahan, Lillian Hartz, Ayden Wielgos, Benjamin Carroll, Colin Smith and Samuel LaHood), 1st place in the 4th-5th grade division (David Bessert, Joseph Stiefel, Owen McHugh, Leo Sendek, Emily Krause and Alex Jost) and 1st place in the K-3rd grade division (Tyler Wernick, Declan Tobin, Enzo Morreale, Zac Gray, Carter Sendek, Nolan Wanzung, Alexander Carroll, Peter LaHood and Leo Stella). The following students also took home individual trophies: Primary Division - K-3rd (Zac Gray 2nd place, Alexander Carroll 5th place, and Carter Sendek 7th Place). Elementary Division - 4/5th (Joseph Stiefel 5th place and Leo Sendek 9th Place). Great job Lancers!!

Thank you to the SMPO volunteers who’ve brought so much fun and joy to our days already this December. From Donuts with Santa to Santa’s Secret Shop to our preparations for the upcoming celebrations…we deeply appreciate all that our parents do to make this season special for all!

Do you have questions about the Adoration Chapel…What is Eucharistic Adoration? How do I access the Adoration Chapel? Feel free to click on this LINK to view a quick video from Fr. Dan, that will hopefully answer all your questions.

With Winter illnesses becoming more frequent, please remember when reporting your child absent to leave the following details:

Your name and best call-back number
Your child's name
Your child's grade and teacher's name
Reason for absence, including symptoms (be very specific)

You can report an absence by emailing our School Nurse at tcrocker@stmichaelcommunity.org or call to leave a message with all details above: 1-630-462-5070. Please email or call with this information as early as possible (before the official beginning of classes at 7:40am).

“Advent is a time of waiting for our Lord, who will visit us all in our own hearts. The Lord is coming! Let us wait for him!” says Pope Francis. May we all journey together toward Bethlehem, drawn by the light of Jesus, with joyful hope of peace on earth.

Adam Ferguson

Principal, St. Michael Parish School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear Current St. Michael Families,
Re-Enrollment season is upon us for Current Families. We are excited to welcome your family back next year! Our re-enrollment processes have changed with the implementation of the new FACTS system, which now includes a universal, Diocesan-wide process. Please read below for details for Re-Enrollment requirements for Current Families, and complete whichever set(s) of steps applies to your family. Thank you!
If you have a RETURNING student who will be a Preschooler or Kindergartener for next year*:
Open Now: Please fill out this P/K Preference Form for each 2024-2025 Preschool or Kindergarten student [due by December 15 at the latest].
[Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTS Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]
If you have a NEW student to enroll for next year:
Open Now: Enter your NEW student through this FACTS application (the system will “recognize” your login and current student(s). You only need to add your NEW student) [due by December 15 at the latest].
Open Now: If your NEW student is entering Preschool or Kindergarten, please fill out this P/K Preference Form[due by December 15 at the latest]. If your NEW student is not entering P or K, please skip this step.
[Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTs Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]
If you have NO new students and NO Preschooler or Kindergartener for 2024-2025, and your returning student(s) is in Grades 1-8*:
There are no Re-Enrollment requirements due at this time.
[Coming in Jan 2024: Complete the FACTS Enrollment Packet online - required for all NEW & RETURNING students.]
Please know that currently enrolled families have priority for enrollment. This means:
A spot for your current St. Michael student(s) is “held” for next year.
Current Families’ preferences and New Student entries will be placed/prioritized before any New Family applications are processed (which begins Dec 15, so please, please let us know of any new family members enrolling and your P/K preferences by that deadline, after which we may not be able to accommodate).
Current Families do not need to “reapply” for returning students, but only have to complete the Enrollment Packet which will be sent in Jan 2024.
We look forward to another great year! If you have questions about re-enrollment, please email or call me (630-462-5009).
Thank you!
Laura Gnorski
*Families who do not plan to have a student(s) return for 2024-2025, please contact Mr. Ferguson to let him know your intent by December 15. Thank you.
Join SMPO for a night of FAMILY FUN as the Chicago Wolves take on the Milwaukee Admirals! The Chicago Wolves are celebrating local Catholic Schools; what better way to show our LANCER Pride?!
When: Puck Drops at 7:00 on Saturday, January 27, 2024
Where: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
All proceeds from this event will benefit the Cashin / Flynn Scholarship
Please print, complete & return this attached flyer to get tickets and learn about the free merch with ticket purchase!
Makes a great Christmas gift for the entire family!
Join us for the event of the year…The annual Blue & Gold Gala!
Click for invite, details, TICKETS, & open tuition raffle!
Tuition Raffle tickets are ON SALE NOW through the Blue & Gold Gala site. Get them while you still can!!!