AGW 2/7
“Another Great Week” Newsletter from Principal Ferguson
Dear Lancer Families,
Well we made it through the first 100 days of the school year!! To celebrate, our 1st and 2nd graders and their teachers all dressed up as Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, and they sure looked amazing! It’s been a very busy few weeks between the Blue & Gold Gala, Catholic Schools Week and STEM Week this past week. A lot of fun activities and excitement for our students and staff.
STEM Week was full of amazing activities for all the students. Kindergarten through 4th graders once again had the opportunity to build and test their engineering skills through the Lego Labs. Skydome visited our school and set up a mobile planetarium to give our 5th-8th Grade students the opportunity to explore the stars and planets that make up our solar system.
STEM Night was a huge success! With over 20 vendors present, students had so many great opportunities to interact with different Science, Technology, Engineering and Math games and activities. It was a great night for students and families to engage in many different hands-on activities. We appreciate all our vendors who shared their expertise with us…many of which were current parents or alumni parents, alumni students, and parishioners. We have such an amazing community full of talented people. Special thanks to Hollis Ude and Gina Carroll for all the planning and preparation that went into this great event!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Sophia Mendoza who represented SMPS in the Dupage County Private School Spelling Bee on Thursday Night. There were 22 total participants at this level. Sophia did an amazing job and stayed in the contest until only 5 contestants remained. She was ultimately knocked out, but she represented our school community well through her hard work and determination. We are very proud of her and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Today, our 8th graders grew closer to the Holy Spirit as they participated in their Confirmation Retreat led by Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson. This retreat is an important step on the students’ journey towards the sacrament of Confirmation which will take place in May.
Reminder that next week is a short week…No School Friday, February 14th. Teachers will be participating in a Diocesan Teacher Inservice all day. We will also be off school on Monday, February 17th for President’s Day.
Make it a GREAT day, Lancers!!!
Adam Ferguson
Principal, St. Michael Parish School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Reminder for Applications for:
The 2025-26 Bill Cashin/Peggy Flynn Scholarship
Dear St. Michael Parents of 5th-7th graders,
This is a reminder that we are still accepting applications for the Cashin/Flynn Scholarship. We have extended the deadline to turn in applications to Wednesday, February 12th.
During the 2020-2021 school year when Mr. Cashin and Mrs. Flynn celebrated their 50th year of teaching at St. Michael School, a scholarship fund was created by SMPO and St. Michael Parish School to honor them and to award students based on academic and athletic merit. This scholarship is awarded annually to two students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. All students, entering grades 6th-8th grades next school year, are invited to apply as the scholarship is merit based, NOT NEED based.
St Michael School has formed a committee to review each application in confidence and will make award decisions based on the information your student provides in this application. Recipients will receive a $1000 scholarship to be used for the 2025-2026 school year. Recipients may only be awarded the scholarship once. Please see the attached Frequently Asked Question page and the application for more information.
Please print and complete the attached application which is due to the School Office by February 12th. Click Herefor the application. Students will be completing the essay portion of the application in school during the week of February 18th.
Please contact Vicky Parrilli at missvickybee@gmail.com or the SMPO presidents at smpopresident@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you!
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Dear St. Michael’s Chess Families,
I’m excited to invite our chess team to participate in the 23rd Annual All Wheaton Charity Chess Tournament on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. This is a great opportunity for our players to compete, improve their skills, and support a good cause—proceeds benefit local high school chess teams and Pencils of Promise.
Tournament Details:
• Format: Unrated scholastic tournament by grade level (K-8)
• Team Sections: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 (Top 4 players count toward team score)
• Prizes: Trophies for top individuals and teams, participation ribbons for all players
• Rounds: 5 rounds, starting at 9:00 AM (doors open at 8:00 AM)
• Time Control: Game 30 + 5-second delay
• Entry Fee: $25 if registered by Feb. 22 ($30 after, late entries may receive a bye for Round 1)
Register online here: https://www.kingregistration.com/register/AllWheaton2025
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🏫 The Uniform Exchange - Find Some New-to-You Uniforms 🏫
Dear SMPS Families,
Exciting news! The Uniform Exchange will be open Wednesday, February 5th to February 9th. Located on the Landing; the area outside of the cafeteria. The exchange will be open anytime the school is open, so feel free to stop by at your convenience.
This is a chance to discover new sizes if your current pieces no longer fit or are showing signs of wear. Feel free to take items without bringing anything in return. Our closets are overflowing, and we need to clear out some items.
We have all items available, with a large amount of navy and khaki pants. It's a fantastic opportunity to update your child's wardrobe!
Whether you have outgrown uniforms or are looking for some extras, we invite you to come and find what you need.
If you’re unable to make these dates, you are always welcome to come in and look through the closets anytime the school is open.
Make the most of this exchange! Happy swapping!
St. Michael Parent Organization
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Our 1st Ignatius BOOK FAIR Coming Soon! We are SO excited!!!!
Mark your calendar: March 9-14
What makes the Ignatius Book Fair unique/exciting? It offers an incredible selection of Catholic and secular works that inspire, educate, and allow our students to explore the complementary nature of faith and literature.
Shop after Mass, in the evening, during school, and online before/after the event.
Volunteers needed, sign up coming soon!
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Rock and Jazz (mini) Concert - The St. Francis Jazz and Rock Band came to perform for all the students. Many of the members of the band were SMPS alumni and/or siblings of current students which added to the excitement.
Mass and Open House - Wednesday we celebrated an All School Mass. We had many parents and special guests join us afterwards for an Open House showcasing all the wonderful work of the students. Thanks to all who joined us to see what the day-in-the-life of an SMPS Lancer looks like!
Staff Luncheon - Thank you to the SMPO and Wendy Spindler for organizing a delicious luncheon for the staff. The food was amazing!!! It was nice to take a few extra minutes to share a meal with colleagues. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to cover the recess time with the students…much appreciated!
Buddy Activities - Throughout the week, our students gathered with their Buddies for Prayer as well as fun and games. Some classes got together to pray the rosary in the church using the Walking Rosary tiles in the Narthex. Others made rosaries for charity. And some classes got together for Trivia Games and Bingo.
FUN DAY - On Friday, the students in Kindergarten through 4th grades were able to participate in our traditional “Fun Day” activities, while the 5th through 8th grade students participated in a series of “Minute to Win It” games and activities in the gym with their classmates.
Coin Wars - Students also collected loose change and dollar bills for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
CALENDAR
COMMUNITY POSTS
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SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS FEB 3RD
View Flyer; Click link to register
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS – Registration is open for all events!
SHADOW at SFHS – 7th & 8th grade students see classes with a student host, have lunch, and experience college prep with a Franciscan spirit.
Select days, Monday-Friday
CAMPUS TOURS (Talk & Tour) – Visit for a tour during school hours.
Select days, Monday-Friday
MIDDLE SCHOOL NIGHTS
Spring Musical (show to be announced soon!) - March 13, 7:00 p.m.
Boys Volleyball – May 15, 6:00 p.m.
SPARTAN SHOWCASE, April 9, 9:00 a.m. – Introduction to the SFHS Curriculum, co-curricular opportunities and experience, and an overview of our admissions process.
7TH GRADE NIGHT, April 25, 6:30 p.m.- All 7th graders are invited to a fun-packed evening at St. Francis High School! - Meet current SFHS students and fellow 7th grade future Spartans - Participate in team-building activities - Compete in the Spartan Amazing Race.
Register for events at https://www.sfhscollegeprep.org/admissions/visit-st-francis-high-school
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Middle School Girls Math Competition - 2.4.25 - www.rosaryhs.com/math
Class of 2029 Exam - 2.5.25 - www.rosaryhs.com/exam
Valentine's Craft - 2.7.25 - www.rosaryhs.com/valentines
Why Rosary - Attend any one of our upcoming sessions to learn more of the advantages of the Rosary Education - www.rosaryhs.com/whyrosary
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Please Join Us!
Winter Carnival
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Noon-2:00 pm
Fenwick High SchoolSunday is Fun Day
at Fenwick!Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 2, 2025, when you and your family are invited to Fenwick’s Annual Winter Carnival.
Bring the little ones to enjoy pizza and carnival games and work out all that cooped-up winter energy in our bounce house!
The entire family is invited for a fun day at 505 Washington Blvd.
$5 per person
Children under 2 are free!
Registration is highly encouraged due to limited space.Contact Dawn Swanson with any questions.
Fenwick High School is owned and sponsored by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
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