AGW - Summer Kick-Off 5/29/2024

Written By Laura Gnorski

“Another Great Week” Newsletter from Principal Ferguson

Dear Lancer Families,

As we close another remarkable school year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to each and every one of you. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication have made this year truly special. Together, we've celebrated achievements, overcome challenges, and created memories that will last a lifetime.  I am incredibly proud of all that our students have accomplished and how they've embodied the spirit of St. Michael Parish School. 

It is with a mix of sadness and immense gratitude that we bid farewell to our Pastor. Throughout his time with us, Fr. Dan has personified the true spirit of our school. His caring and thoughtful nature has touched the hearts of all of our students, parents, and staff. Fr. Dan's unwavering support for St. Michael Parish School has been evident in his constant presence at sporting events, social gatherings, pep rallies, and even during car duty and hallway interactions. His dedication to our community has created countless cherished memories and a strong sense of unity among us all.

This year marks Fr. Dan’s 20th year as a priest!  We are so fortunate to have had him with us for 12 of those years.  On Sunday, June 2nd following the 10:45am Mass, there will be a celebration of Fr. Dan in Cashin Gym…all are welcome!!

Fr. Dan’s contributions to our school have been immeasurable, and he will be forever missed. Though he may be moving on, he will always remain a Lancer in our hearts. We thank Fr. Dan for everything he’s done for St. Michael Parish School. We wish him all the best down in Lockport.

A HUGE Congratulations to our SMPS Alum, Louise Heaton (Benet Academy) and Coco Rudge (St. Francis), for being named Salutatorian at their respective High Schools.  We are proud of all you have accomplished and wish you all the best in your college endeavors.  (Thank you to our families for letting us know this great news!)

While we are just beginning summer, we also are looking ahead to the wonderful year to come! As you prepare over the coming months, below is some useful information as reference and reminders. Our School Office continues to be open through the month of June. We will be closed during July (with limited voicemail and email access), then reopen on August 5th. The mailbox located by Door 1 is always available to drop off forms.

2024-2025 Calendar Overview & Calendar 

Check out these links for important dates: 2024-2025 Calendar Overview & Online Events Calendar. This information will be continually updated and available on our website, as well as on the FACTS Family Portal. 

Fall 2024 Welcome Events

Please especially note the following event dates. Further details will be sent over the summer. 

  • Preschool Park Playdates (click for more details)... 6/28, 7/23, 8/12

  • Preschool and Kindergarten Orientations, Parent & Child Visits - TBD, these occur during the week prior to the first day

  • Supply Day - 8/19/24, 9-11am

  • First Full Day of School - 8/20/24, 7:40am-2:15pm 

  • Welcome Back Mass & Social (block party) - 8/24/24

  • Curriculum Nights for 1st-8th Grade Parents - 8/28/24 & 8/29/24

School Supplies List & Kits Ordering

For details on required school supplies, including a pre-ordering option through our St. Michael Parent Organization (SMPO) (ends June 15, 2024), visit: https://www.stmichaelschoolwheaton.org/supplies (or check previous emails from SMPO).

School Uniforms

School Uniforms are worn by students in grades Kindergarten through 8th. For details, visit: https://www.stmichaelschoolwheaton.org/uniforms. Students in Preschool are not required to wear uniforms, and should come in clothes and shoes comfortable and safe for activity.

Medical Forms Reminder

All medical forms are due to the School Nurse, Mrs. Crocker, by Monday, August 5th. Completed forms can be uploaded in FACTS.

Per Illinois School Code:

All incoming kindergarteners are required to have:

  • A current physical exam, recorded on the attached state of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form and signed by a physician, advanced practice nurse (APNs) or Physician’s assistant (PAs). A complete record of immunizations your child has received is also to be completed on the form.

  • An eye exam, recorded on the attached State of Illinois Eye Examination Report form and signed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who provides eye exams.

  • A dental exam, recorded on the attached Illinois Department of Public Health Proof of School Dental Examination form.

All children entering second grade are required to have all K forms, plus new:

  • A dental exam, recorded on the attached Illinois Department of Public Health Proof of School Dental Examination form.

All children entering sixth grade are required to have all K and 2nd grade forms, plus new:

  • A current physical exam, recorded on the attached state of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form and signed by a physician, advanced practice nurse (APNs) or Physician’s assistant (PAs). A complete record of immunizations received, including Tdap and Menactra, is also required.

  • A dental exam, recorded on the attached Illinois Department of Public Health Proof of School Dental Examination form.

  • You will need to print the form and have a healthcare provider complete the form. Once the form is completed you can upload below (if you have not submitted the packet) OR return to the school by Oct. 15, 2024.

All children participating in school athletics (grades 5-8) must submit an updated sports physical annually.

Form Links for Easy-Access (may be supplied by provider):

Note about Classroom Assignments

Students are placed in specific classrooms in August, after the office reopens. When class lists are finalized, parents will be notified by our School Office. Anticipate lists to be published at least 1 week before classes begin. The exceptions may be for Preschool and Kindergarten classes, for which lists may be available in early August, so classroom teachers can communicate early to guide parents and students as they get ready for these early learning classes. 

Note about Math/ELA Placement for 5-8

Students in 5th-8th grades are enrolled in a leveled-challenge math course: G (Grade-level), A (Accelerated), E (Enrichment). As well, ELA for grades 7-8 are leveled for G (Grade-level) and A (Accelerated). Students will be placed according to their assessments and classroom work. If previously in a level, unless a change was discussed and determined before break, expect the student to continue at that level.  Placements are entered after classroom assignments are entered.

Note about Bus Assignments

Bus assignments are finalized the week school begins (sometimes just a day or two prior). If your K-8 student(s) signed up to take the AM and/or PM bus, your name and address will be added to the bus routes which will be shared as soon as our office is sent this information just prior to the first day of school from the Illinois Central Bus Company.

Summer Academics

We hope students entering all grades will practice their learned math and ELA skills over the summer. However students practice, it will help them jump into their fall learning! For students entering 5th-8th grades, below are the Math and ELA requirements previously emailed.

  • 5th-8th Grade Math: Students in grades 5-8 have a “Summer ALEKS” requirement of 64, with extra credit for  finishing 72 topics, which fulfills their summer Math Requirement. The completion deadline is July 31st.

  • 5th Grade ELA:

Below you will find choices for a summer reading book for your incoming fifth grader.  At the beginning of the year, the students will complete a project to demonstrate their understanding of the book.  Students should choose one (1) book from the list.  It is recommended the students take notes on the main characters, problems and solutions, setting, and the main events that take place throughout the book in order to help them on the project. 

Book List

  1. Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan

  2. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

  3. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

  4. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

  5. Rules by Cynthia Lord

  • 6th-8th Grade ELA: 

This year, we are asking incoming sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to choose ONE novel from a specific genre to read over the summer.   Novels should be approximately 150+ pages.  When students return to school, they will be assessed on their comprehension of the novel that they chose.

6th Grade:  This year, our genre is ADVENTURE! Please select a novel you would like to read from this genre.  These stories involve characters who find themselves in dangerous situations.  They might include narrow escapes and problems to be solved using intelligence and skill.  Some authors you might look at are Gary Paulson, Will Hobbs, Brian Selznick. . .

7th Grade:  Your genre is HISTORICAL FICTION!  What time period or historical event would you like to read about?  Are you interested in the Civil War?  The sinking of the Titanic?  What interests you?  What will you read this summer?

8th Grade:  You’ll be heading off to high school soon, and now is the time to prepare.  You’ll be reading a CLASSIC NOVEL.  What makes a book a classic?  It has stood the test of time and appeals to a broad audience.  Did you know that you’ve already read two?  The Giver and Tuck Everlasting are both considered classics.  How will you choose your next classic novel?  Try asking people you know what their favorite classic novel is.  You might do a Google search for classic novels for middle school students?  What will you read?  The search is on. . . 

Students, Parents, and Staff have a wonderful summer break, and I look forward to seeing you all again next school year!

Make it a GREAT summer, Lancers!!!

Adam Ferguson

Principal, St. Michael Parish School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • 2024-25 SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT & LANCE’S LOCKER PREORDERS

    Dear St. Michael School Families,

    School Supply Preordering is OPEN! This is not mandatory, but very convenient. Families have the option to preorder Supply Kits for all grades, Gym Clothes for 4th-8th grades, mandatory assignment notebooks & folders sold through Lance’s Locker.

    All teachers have updated their SUPPLIES LISTS (HERE) for the 2024-25 school year. The kits are prepared by School Tool Box and delivered directly to the school. For every kit ordered by our school community, our vendor donates a meal to Feed My Starving Children and about $5 comes right back to our school!

    To order a Supply Kit , go directly to www.schooltoolbox.com then SEARCH for St. Michael School or by zip code 60187. Supply Kit preorder window closes June 15th.

    Earbuds, headphones and calculators are NOT included in the kits, but if your student needs these items, they can be ordered as an add-on item from School Tool Box.

    School Supply Kit preorders will be shipped DIRECTLY TO SCHOOL, LABELED and DELIVERED TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM before the 1st day of school.

    To preorder Lance’s Locker Required items –

    Click HERE & complete the Google form to place your preorder for the following items:

    *Lancer Homework Folder (3rd & 5th)

    *Lancer Assignment Notebook (2nd – 8th grades)-ALL GRADES GET THE SAME MEDIUM SIZE NOTEBOOK.

    *Gym uniform t-shirt (Required Grades 4th-8th) Youth & Adult sizes available.

    *Gym uniform shorts (Required Grades 4th-8th) Youth & Adult sizes available

    It is highly recommended to ensure enough is ordered. Lance's Locker online preorder window closes JUNE 15th. These items will be available on Supply Day (8/19/24) as well.

    * If you place a pre-order this spring, your ENTIRE family’s Lance's Locker order will be delivered to the student’s name you fill out on the google form, in August.

    Preordering is very convenient when you are trying to get all your students settled on supply day. Items WILL still be offered to anyone who does not place a preorder on supply day.

    Note: to streamline efforts, the following items are NO LONGER OFFERED through Lance's Locker: Calculators, Headphones and earbuds. As stated above, you CAN add them to your supply kit orders. Also, Spanish dictionaries will be supplied by SMPO for in-classroom use. This is no longer a required item.

    Please direct any questions to:

    Supply Kits : Kerstin Falvey kerstin.falvey@gmail.com or Celia Tagliareni at celiaryan11@gmail.com

    Lance’s Locker: Casey Florczak fashngirl@hotmail.com

    St. Michael Parent Organization

    smpopresident@gmail.com

  • Please view and download your photos from the Father Daughter Dance: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rqMvLzkX2Fcjpr1p6

CALENDAR

COMMUNITY POSTS

  • Click for details!

  • SFHS SUMMER CAMPS – Registration is open! (pdf attached)

    Wide variety of camps and clinics available for students entering grades 1-12. Register at https://sfhs.8to18.com/accounts/login.

    Art Camps: Drawing & Painting, Mixed Media

    Athletic Camps: Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Strength & Conditioning, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

    Band Camps: Beginning Guitar, Jazz Band, Band Camp, Music Ensemble, Drumline, Orchestra

    Choir Camps: RockAppella, ILMEA Choral, Vocal Arts, Vocal Jazz

    Academic Camps: Fun with Grammar (for incoming 9th graders), ACT/SAT Prep, Chinese Culture

    Technology Camp: STEP: Spartan Tech Entry Program (for incoming 9th graders)

    Theatre Camps: Summer Musical, Young Spartan Showcase, Stage Crew

    Any questions? Please contact Director of Admissions Maureen Isphording at misphording@sfhscollegeprep.org or (630) 668-5800, ext. 1120.

  • VIEW THE ROSARY SUMMER CAMP FLYER

    VIEW THE ROSARY ATHLETIC CAMP FLYER

  • LAST CALL to all Current 8th Grade/Rising Freshman hockey players! 🏒🥅

    Registration for our Spring/Summer hockey program is now OPEN! Please click on the link below for all the relevant information, dates and registration:

    Welcome | 2024 Benet Spring / Summer Program Registration | Benet Redwings Hockey (sportngin.com)

    Be sure to follow us on-line and social media for all the news that's fit to print about Benet Hockey ~ find us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram... and you can always see our most updated calendar at www.benethockey.com. Don't forget: Do you need new hockey equipment or sports fan gear? Support Benet Hockey and shop at PureHockey.com and Fanatics.com through our affiliate links at www.benethockey.com!

    Questions? Just email communications@benethockey.com. We encourage you to please forward this email on to anyone we may have missed! Thanks so much and we hope to see you this spring!

    GO REDWINGS!

    Angela Karras Neboyskey

    Communications Director

    Red Wing High School Hockey Club

    communications@benethockey.com

  • You are invited! Click to view: Glenbard Parent Series

Find “new” announcements for this week by looking for the *

The AGW is an internal newsletter only available to St. Michael families. It may not be redistributed in any manner without permission.

Laura Gnorski
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