The Gerald Gazette: August 18, 2026
Welcome back and our 2026–27 theme, “One Faith, One Family, One Mission,” plus upcoming dates, dress code, the tardy policy, clubs and Manna hours.
For Families
Everything current St. Gerald families need, in one place.
Report an absence
Absences must be reported each day, unless otherwise discussed with the office. If siblings will also be absent, list them in the reason with their homeroom teacher.
You can also call the office at (708) 422-0121.
Calendar & lunch
Coming up
Lunch menu
Our hot lunch program is prepared onsite. Lunch tickets are $35 for a pack of 10 and milk tickets are $7.50 for a pack of 10 (2026–27 lunch menu).
Forms & documents
Forms
- 2026–2027 School Supply List (opens in a new tab)
- 2026–2027 Photo and Video Release Form (opens in a new tab)
- VIRTUS CANTS 689 Form (opens in a new tab)
- 2026–2027 Technology and Internet User Agreement (opens in a new tab)
- 2026–2027 Home Language Survey (Kindergarten only) (opens in a new tab)
- 2026–2027 Application for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch (opens in a new tab)
- 2026–2027 Curriculum Day Letter and Checklist (opens in a new tab)
- Welcome Letter for New Families (2026–2027) (opens in a new tab)
- Form 2: Medical and Emergency Authorization for Treatment (opens in a new tab)
Health
Lunch Menu
Extended Day
Manna
Athletics
Academics
School Board
Clubs & Organizations
Extended Day
St. Gerald's Extended Day Program provides a safe, supervised environment before and after school for students currently enrolled at St. Gerald, with professional care, recreation and enrichment in a Catholic environment. Arts and crafts, games, recreation and computer time are part of every week, with outside activities when the weather allows.
- Before school
- 6:00–7:50 AM Children are released at 7:50 AM to line up at their classroom door.
- After school
- 2:30–6:00 PM
Extended Day is often open on half days for working parents. Yearly registration and affordable hourly rates: call the school office. (708) 422-0121
Manna gift cards
Manna gift cards are an easy way to support St. Gerald while paying for everyday expenses. The school buys gift cards at a discount; you buy them at face value and use them like cash. There are no fees, and each purchase earns a rebate.
- More than 750 local and national brands: groceries, gas, restaurants, retail and more, as eGift cards, physical cards, or reloads.
- For school families, a tuition credit is posted to your Blackbaud account every two months. If your tuition is paid up, you can take a credit toward next year or a cash payment.
- No student at St. Gerald? Rebates can go toward REY, high school or college tuition, to a school family in need, or back to you.
- Get started by completing the Manna registration form. New order forms are emailed to registered participants each month.
Where to buy: Sold in the school office. Please use Door 1.
Sale hours
- 1st and 3rd Sundays, 9 AM – 12:30 PM, at Door 1
- Wednesdays, 6 – 7:30 PM, at Door 1
- Fridays, 8:30 – 10 AM, in the school office
Questions: mannaoffice@stgerald.com. Registration and order forms are under Forms & documents.
Health & safety
Our goal is a safe and healthy environment for all students, teachers and staff.
When should I keep my child home?
Fever
Keep a child home for temperatures over 100 degrees. A child must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Colds
Keep a child home who has a runny nose AND a fever, bad cough, headache, nausea, or is too tired or uncomfortable to function at school. A runny nose with no other symptoms is not necessarily a cause to keep a child at home.
Nasal discharge or chronic cough
Keep a child at home who has a greenish-colored nasal discharge and/or a chronic cough.
Diarrhea
Keep a child home who has had three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if the child looks or acts ill or has diarrhea due to medication.
Ears
Keep a child at home who has drainage from the ear and/or ear pain.
Eyes
Keep a child home who has thick mucus, pus, or clear liquid draining from the eye. Extreme redness, irritation, itchiness, pain, eyelid swelling and/or light sensitivity may also indicate a contagious condition.
Lice
Children must remain at home until they are treated and are free of lice and nits (eggs). Notify the school nurse if your child has lice.
Rash
Keep a child at home who has any skin rash of unknown cause, especially a rash accompanied by fever and itching. See your healthcare provider to confirm the rash is not contagious before returning to school.
Sore throat
Keep a child at home who has a sore throat with fever and/or swollen glands. A child diagnosed with strep throat may return after 12 hours of appropriate treatment if they are fever-free (below 100°F) and feel well enough. Notify the school nurse if your child is diagnosed with strep throat.
Vomiting
Keep a child home for 24 hours who vomits two or more times; if vomiting occurs during the night, keep the child home the following day.
Fractures or surgery
Keep a child home who has had a fracture or surgery until they have written approval from their health care provider to return to school AND no longer require prescription pain medication.
Supplies, uniforms & drop-off
The 2026–2027 supply list is under Forms & documents.
Drop-off and pick-up, 2026–2027
- 7:50 AM First bell (Grades K–8 enter the building)
- 8:00 AM Tardy bell; school day and Preschool begin
| Students | Drop-off | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Door 2 | 11:10 AM / 2:35 PM, Door 2 |
| Kindergarten | Door 2 | 2:40 PM, Door 2 |
| Grades 1–2 | Door 2 | 2:45 PM, Door 2 |
| Grades 3–4 | Door 1 | 2:45 PM, Door 1 |
| Grades 5–8 | Door 10 | 2:45 PM, Door 10 |
Running late for pick-up? Call the office so staff keep your child there. Students not picked up by 2:50 PM go to Extended Day. Office: (708) 422-0121.
Uniforms, 2026–2027
| Item | Grades |
|---|---|
| Crewneck jumper, Plaid 59 | K–4 |
| Skirt or skort, Plaid 59 | 4–8 |
| Pants, navy | K–8 |
| Walking shorts, navy* | K–8 |
| Peter Pan blouse, white | K–4 |
| Banded polo with logo, gray | 4–8 |
| Crewneck cardigan, gray | K–8 |
| Hosiery: navy, white or gray | K–8 |
| Hair accessories, Plaid 59 | K–8 |
| Item | Grades |
|---|---|
| Pants, navy | K–8 |
| Walking shorts, navy* | K–8 |
| Polo with logo, gray | K–8 |
| V-neck cardigan, gray | K–8 |
| Belt (leather or elastic): black or navy | K–8 |
| Hosiery: navy, black or charcoal | K–8 |
| Item | Grades |
|---|---|
| Fleece jacket with logo, gray | K–8 |
| Windbreaker jacket with logo, navy | K–8 |
*Walking shorts may be worn in August, September, May and June.
Uniforms are available from Martinelli’s, 3517 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, IL 60805, (708) 425-6287. Martinelli’s also offers in-house embroidery.
Get involved
Athletics (SGAC)
The St. Gerald Athletic Club sponsors the parish sports program, open to all St. Gerald School and REY students. As a Catholic program, it teaches sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, loyalty, teamwork and respect.
- Fall: Co-ed soccer (K–8) · Girls' basketball (3–8)
- Winter: Indoor co-ed soccer (K–4) · Boys' basketball (3–8) · Girls' volleyball (4–8)
- Spring: Co-ed soccer (K–8) · Boys' volleyball (4–8)
Register for SGAC sports (opens in a new tab) Spirit wear (opens in a new tab)
Questions: sgac@stgerald.com
Home School Association (HSA)
Our HSA is made up of mothers, fathers, grandparents, guardians and friends from St. Gerald School and Parish, and everyone is welcome to join and help. The HSA provides fun activities, treats and events for our students and staff.
Funds go to special events such as treats for students and staff, bus fees for field trips, dance and class parties, visits from famous mascots, pep rallies, family bingo night, student awards, needs for our teachers, and a whole bunch more.
Interested in joining? Contact Dr. Pape in the school office.
HNS Men's Club
Summer Camp
Summer camp details for 2027 will be posted here when they're announced. Questions? Call the office at (708) 422-0121.