School Newsletter 2-18-21

Reminders:

Tomorrow is our out of uniform day for charity. We are donating proceeds to Mrs. Jacky’s Soldiers.

Our next early dismissal day is Wednesday, February 24 at 1:30.


Family, Student, and Staff Surveys

The Archdiocese released surveys for families, students, and staff.  The surveys were created by the University of Chicago and measure climate, culture, and Catholic identity of schools. The results of the survey will be shared with schools in late May. Schools use the results to plan adjustments, activities, and professional development for the upcoming year. We hope all families take the survey so that we get accurate information for creating a strategic plan for the upcoming year. Small samples of surveys make it difficult to get enough information to get a true picture.  Please complete the survey at:

2021 Archdiocese of Chicago Parent Survey

Link to survey:  http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/VlrmK1ODWMX0YdjvEMNVcg~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRiEB8AP0Q5aHR0cDovL3N1cnZleS41LWVzc2VudGlhbHMub3JnL2FyY2hjaGljYWdvL3N1cnZleS9wYXJlbnQvVwdzY2hvb2xtQgpgLoDrLmCwWO5IUhNkYW5jZXJjZW9AeWFob28uY29tWAQAAAAB

Opens Feb. 16, 2021 and closes March 26, 2021.


Calendar Reminder: We are dismissing at 11:30 on March 12. This is the last day for trimester 2 and is designated as a parent/teacher conference day for those families that need to meet with teachers.



New Phone System

The parish and school installed a new phone system on Presidents’ Day.  The old system could no longer be repaired.  The extensions will be updated on the school website once all mailboxes are up and functioning.


Parents could you please check with Home Room teachers if any supplies are needed.  Teachers are running out of wipes and paper products. Also please check your students supplies. We have a lot of school year left to be missing supplies.



DePaul University, Education and Counseling Center

Tutoring & Counseling Available!!!

We hope this new year is filled with joy, happiness, and the love of learning. The ECC will continue to provide services in the safest ways possible as we continue to work with the ever-changing conditions. Below are descriptions of our counseling and tutoring services and directions on how to reach us! Please share this with students who would benefit from extra support.

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Student testimonial:

"I did not want to start tutoring at first, but now I like coming to tutoring because my tutor is nice to me, listens to me, and helps me with my work."

Parent testimonial

"Our tutor is wonderful, very helpful, and accommodating. My son has been continuing tutoring remotely, and it’s been working out well."

Student Testimonial

"I am incredibly thankful for all the tutors who not only tutored me but also managed to balance their learning as well. Thanks to them I have managed to get straight A’s so far. They truly are an inspiration to me."

Online Tutoring for ages K-12

To give students the advantage and achieve success, DePaul students are now available to tutor in ALL Subjects. Appointments are more convenient than ever. Brush up on skills or set up regular weekly appointments with a knowledgeable, vetted DePaul student. Contact us today!

DePaul University - Remote Counseling Services Available- accepting new referrals- all ages!

Virtual tele-mental health services now available!

We want to make sure we are doing our part to keep providing quality services to the community, especially during this challenging time. Therefore, we are offering safe and secure virtual counseling sessions. Although we cannot meet in person at present, we will work with you to make sure we develop a comfortable and meaningful space together.


DePaul Education and Counseling Center provides affordable counseling services to the community using evidence-based interventions and individualized service created in collaboration with our valued clients.


Common issues addressed: depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship/friendship issues, bullying, low self-esteem, adolescent issues, anger, college readiness, and goal planning.


The DePaul Education & Counseling Center offers a safe, confidential environment for adults, children, couples, and families in search of personal counseling and support. Graduate counseling interns serving under the direct supervision of doctoral level licensed clinicians, conduct counseling sessions for individuals of all ages, couples, and groups.


Fees: Counseling services are being offered for free at this time to assist our community!


For information or to get scheduled please email Dr. Martha Mason, Director, at  [email protected].


We are also offering our Strengths Program virtually, as well as tutoring/homework help.

Strengths Program  http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/tkUwXoP3iZ0Q3ayI9Zrnhw~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRiEB8AP0QbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc21vcmUuY29tL3UzOGdwVwdzY2hvb2xtQgpgLoDrLmCwWO5IUhNkYW5jZXJjZW9AeWFob28uY29tWAQAAAAB

Tutoring  http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/ggJPcbVRwJ14dfA7fOwU_Q~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRiEB8AP0QbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc21vcmUuY29tL3RkZTV1VwdzY2hvb2xtQgpgLoDrLmCwWO5IUhNkYW5jZXJjZW9AeWFob28uY29tWAQAAAAB


How to reach us

To register email us at  [email protected] Include your child's age, grade, school, subjects to be assisted, availability. The ECC provides services for $15.00 or (on a sliding fee scale) to those in the communities we serve who have limited income and limited ability to pay.


DePaul University

College of Education

Education and Counseling Center

2247 North Halsted Street

Chicago, Il 60614


http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/mxqiKmjVmWa_MD2BkHfgsg~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRiEB8AP0RiaHR0cHM6Ly9lZHVjYXRpb24uZGVwYXVsLmVkdS9hYm91dC9jZW50ZXJzLWFuZC1pbml0aWF0aXZlcy9lZHVjYXRpb24tY291bnNlbGluZy9QYWdlcy9kZWZhdWx0LmFzcHhXB3NjaG9vbG1CCmAugOsuYLBY7khSE2RhbmNlcmNlb0B5YWhvby5jb21YBAAAAAE~

education.depaul.edu/about/centers-and-initiatives/education-counseling/Pages/default.aspx



Registration Reminder: Registration for next year has begun. Please access your Power School parent portal and use the re-registration button on the left side to register for the 21-22 school year.  If you need access to your parent portal, please contact Mrs. Reynolds. 

We will begin advertising registration to the public next week via our parish marquee.  All current families will have a spot until March 15, after that, we can’t guarantee spots.  We are planning to open in late August under somewhat “normal” conditions.  We will keep you updated on any changes throughout the spring. Next year’s tentative calendar should be available in the next newsletter. 

*Just a reminder about Power School, once you have created a parent account, you can set up email notifications about grades. You can have those sent weekly, or even daily.


Standardized Testing

The Archdiocese plans to proceed with standardized testing in April.  Students in grades three through eight take the Aspire test.  The testing window will be April 19-23, with make-up windows being April 26 – May 7. 

We will test all students, kindergarten through eighth grade again in I-Ready in May and family reports will be sent home.  There has been a correlation observed between how well students perform in I-Ready to how well they perform in Aspire.  Each student has an individualized plan to increase skills in I-Ready and teachers will assign practice as it relates to lessons in class.  If you have any questions, please contact your child(ren)’s teacher or Mrs. Markham.


Spring Break Quarantine and CDC Guidelines

The Archdiocese has been studying the newly released CDC guidelines for quarantines and will update our policies as necessary. We will keep you posted on any changes.

At this time, the Archdiocese has decided not to schedule remote learning after spring break. They are encouraging families to stay within Illinois for break. Right now, anyone that travels outside Illinois must quarantine upon return. St. Gerald’s spring break follows Easter, April 5-9. We still have 2 months before that time, so the guidelines may get updated. We will keep families posted as more vaccinations roll out and guidelines change.