Our Mission: We, the St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic School ... · appropriate bottoms and gym shoes, and any SMG t-shirt/sweatshirt or jersey. 2/24 – Parent Cyber Safety Presentation

February Events 2/3 – 2/4 – ACRE Testing (5th & 8th Grade)

2/4 – Vision & Hearing Re-Screening

2/8 – SMG Gala!

2/11 – School Board Meeting @ 6:30 (LRC)

2/11 – First Communion Enrollment Ceremony and

parent meeting @ 6:30pm

2/12 – HSA Meeting @ 1:00 (Parish Center)

2/13 – 5th Grade Family Life Parent Meeting @

7:00 p.m.

2/15 – Musical Auditions @ 3:30 – 7:00pm

2/17 – NO SCHOOL – President’s Day

2/17 – Musical Callbacks - 5:00 – 9:00pm

2/21 – Spiritwear Day

All students are welcome and encouraged to

participate spiritwear day! To participate, students

should bring a $1 donation which will go to Alex’s

Lemonade Stand. Students may wear jeans or

appropriate bottoms and gym shoes, and any SMG

t-shirt/sweatshirt or jersey.

2/24 – Parent Cyber Safety Presentation

@ 6:30 p.m.

2/26 – Ash Wednesday

2/27 – Birthday Out of Uniform

All students with birthdays during the month of

February are encouraged and allowed to dress down

on this day. Students’ attire should still comply with

the school dress code for out of uniform days.

2/27 – End of Trimester 2

2/27 – Confirmation Practice @ 6:30pm

2/28 – NO SCHOOL - Institute Day

2/29 – Confirmation @ 11:00am

SMG VIKING VOICE February 2020

Our Mission: We, the St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic School Community, are rooted in faith, empowered by knowledge, and inspired to serve. The faculty, staff, and parents form a unique partnership in carrying out this mission of teaching the message of Jesus by celebrating meaningful liturgies, providing opportunities for service within the community, and passing on the beliefs and traditions of our faith.

Registration for the 20-21 School Year!

Registration for the 2020-2021 school year

is now OPEN – and it’s digital this year!

Registration can be found on School Speak

under the Quick Links - ‘Registration 20-21

School Year’

Thank you in advance for submitting your

registration for next year!

Welcome to the Principal’s Corner! Each month you will find a special update letter from myself regarding special project updates, best-practices in education, and other topics! Thank you for your

partnership and examination of our school newsletter and this section each month.

SUPPORT OUR CAUSE—A Safe New Expanded Play Area!

With our Gala one week away, we wanted to share with you some exciting news that will involve our entire School Family population. We do not want you to miss out on the news.

One thing we pride ourselves on at St. Mary’s is our ability to listen to and assess the wants and needs of those we serve and then do our best to update our facilities to serve those needs that align with the goals of the School and Parish. With all the work we have done over the past several years to improve the safety and security of our School, it has become very obvious that we need to continue to limit the number of times our children cross the busy intersections of the streets around our campus.

With that goal in mind, we are in the process of developing plans for a new play area to the north of the school. It would incorporate what we endearingly call our current “mulch pit” with the piece of property between that area and our school. We will level the house that is there to make one large recess area appropriate to both the smaller school children and the older kids. This plan would allow us to escort the children directly from their lunch in the Activity Center to the play area without crossing any streets.

On the next page you will find renderings of what the space could look like with the following goals in mind, pending the success of this fundraising effort:

Installation of a new ground material in the space that is safe and easy to maintain.

Addition of a half-court basketball area.

Entirely enclosed fence area.

Storage sheds for play equipment as well as outdoor grounds keeping equipment.

A gate for access for the south side of the new area.

The plans are in their very early stages, dependent on the response that we get to our “Play Area Expansion” project. This will kick off with our Gala with our Support Our Cause, and we ask all of our School Families to help by making a contribution. We have a donation site set up on our Gala Auction where a credit card donation can be made immediately.

That site is: https://smg2020.givesmart.com/.

If you would prefer to make a donation by check, please send it to the School Office, marked “Attn: Play Area Expansion”. Once we see what kind of financial support we get both during the Gala and from those not in attendance at this event, we will be better able to move forward with specific plans for the area, thus getting specific costs assigned to it.

We thank you for your support to improve the safety and function of our School campus.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. James A. Schwab Mr. Christopher Tiritilli

Play Area Expansion Project

Registration Now OPEN!

We are excited and proud to announce that registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open For your convenience, we have digitized our re-registration process for all current families. The registration process will now be completed electronically through School Speak! We have created a tutorial video (link below) to walk you through each step to register for the 2020-2021 school year. Please note that this year we are continuing the re-registration incentive period, in which registration fees remain at $300 for all returning families until the April 6th deadline. At that time, all re-registration fees will increase to $350. We respectfully ask that you please begin registering for the 2020-2021 school year as soon as you can. As with each year, the more accurate enrollment numbers we have, the more effective we can be in planning for the 2020-2021 school year. Our school budget is very comprehensive and affects items such as classroom instructional assistants, school scheduling, curriculum and materials and subscription based support services such as (School Speak, AIMSweb, etc.) It also affects our technology inventory and budget including Chromebooks and iPads (applications and programs).

Note: As in past years, please note that the $300 registration fee is a per family fee, and can be paid in cash, check or through our school/parish website. Also as in past years, an additional $300 registration fee (per additional child) is due in August of each school year. ***For families who have a child(ren) in Preschool and a child(ren) in K-8, please note that registration fee is required for both the Preschool child and child in the K-8 program in order to secure enrollment for the following year.

If for any reason you do not intend on registering for the 2020-2021 school year, or have any questions about the registration process, please contact the school office so that we may plan and assist accordingly. Thank you for your continued support of our great school. I am eager and excited for next year, as we will continue to build on the excellent foundation that St. Mary of Gostyn School has

developed. VIDEO LINK: Digital Registration Video Tutorial

All School (Sunday) Mass!

We are proud to officially announce the date of our

annual All-School Mass on Sunday, April 26th at the

8:00am mass.

As in previous years, the purpose for this event is

to celebrate mass as a school and parish family,

alongside some of our parishioners. We hope to

offer them a glimpse at the fruits of their

stewardship and support of our school. At this

special mass, our students will be serving as

greeters, readers, gift-bearers, altar servers, reading

the petitions, and singing in the choir as well.

Please join us as we celebrate mass together on

this special day!

Year End Tuition Statements Available

The Year End Tuition Statements are available for

families to download from the Smart Tuition parent

site: https://parent.smarttuition.com

Have you seen our NEW Gym?

January was a big month here at SMG! After we

returned from Christmas break, the students

received a pleasant surprise – a brand new gym

was waiting for them! Excitement has been buzzing

throughout the school since the doors opened.

We had many “first” moments in our new space,

including our 8th grade class being the first gym

class, our first practice was held after school, our

first assembly during school, and our first game!

This is just the beginning of many more memories

to come in our new, beautiful space!

Breakfast with the Bishop

Third grade student, Ryan F., represented

St. Mary of Gostyn at the annual Breakfast With

the Bishop on January 16. The Joliet Diocese kicks

off Catholic Schools Week each year by hosting a

special prayer service and breakfast with the

bishop. The diocese invited a student from each

school along with one of their parents to

participate in this special event which was held

at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

Third Grade & Preschool Story time

Our preschool class came to the “big” school for

story time with our Third grade class. They were

so excited to spend time with the students and

experience time in the “big” classroom!

B.R.A.V E. Anti-Bullying Classroom Presentation

Grace Rodi, a former SMG student and currently

the Miss Collegiate title holder for the Miss

Collegiate America Pageant talked to Kindergarten

about the systems message of B.R.A.V.E.- Building

Respect and value for Everyone. We signed a

poster stating that we will help spread the message

of anti-bullying, kindness, being an up stander and

how to show respect to everyone we encounter!

Learn Not to Burn Program

Downers Grove Fire Department Visitied the

preschoolers to present the Learn Not to Burn

Program. This is an amazing program that covers

dialing 911, stop, drop and roll, toys versus tools

and so much more! At the end of the presentation,

the firefighter dressed in all of his gear and crawled

around the floor with the chldren. He gave them

the opportunity to touch his gear and hear what

his voice would sound like in ac actually fire.

The children loved the program!

Geography Club Winners!

Our SMG Geography Club competed in the annual

National Geographic Geography Bee. Twenty-five

students from grades 4-8 competed. Ten of those

made it to the oral bee rounds. They are Erin C.,

Colin D., Blake H., Evan J., Isabella K., Marcello L.

Brett N., George P., Erin S., Alex T.

The final results:

3rd Place - George P.

2nd Place - Evan J.

1st Place - Erin S. (Our 2020 School Winner!!)

Erin recently took the state qualifying test and we

are awaiting the results!

Earthquake Challenge

In fourth grade science, the students were

challenged to create a building that can survive an

earthquake simulation while using limited supplies.

The students had unique and creative approaches

to solving this challenge. This is a great activity to

wrap up learning about the impact of earthquakes!

Helping The Ronald McDonald House

Preschoolers have filled 4 containers of pop

tabs for The Ronald McDonald House for

recycling. Soon, all tabs will be converted into cash

for the RMH which will provide supplies and treats

for the sick children at the nearby hospitals. Some

of our students have recruited family members to

collect for our mission! PS4's, Eli K.’s, Uncle Jeremy,

put containers out at his school and teachers and

staff have collected two full containers of pop

tabs. Everyone can collect and drop your tab off

labeled “preschool” or Ms. Debbie.

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Did you sign up yet for our Frozen musical? We

are excited to work with the students of St. Mary of

Gostyn on another entertaining musical.

Auditions: Saturday February 15, 2020

Callbacks: Monday February 17, 2020

Registration and more information is available on

School Speak!

SMG Cheerleaders shared their spirit at PADS

The girls helped with the PADS set up and table

decorations. The guests LOVED the decorations

- it created such a welcoming atmosphere. Several

guests made comments about them and, they

really felt a sense of gratitude and appreciation

- it was great! Thank you girls for your warmth

and hospitality!

Alumni News

Congratulations to our former SMG students!

Nazareth Academy

We’re happy to announce Nazareth Academy

students from SMG were listed on the Honor Roll

for the First Semester of 19 – 20 school year. The

“A” honor roll indicates a grade point average of

3.80 or higher on a 4 point scale. Congratulations

to the following:

Sophia Cho

David Sobkowiak

Emily Sparke

SaraJayne Weidner

Amazing job to all!

Benet Academy

Our SMG class of 2016 are getting ready for the

next chapter of their lives, as they prepare for their

2020 high school graduation! Your future awaits,

keep making SMG proud!

A Huge Thank You! We want to thank our Blue and Gold Gala Chairs

for all of the work that has gone into making our

upcoming Gala a wonderful success! Their hard

work has added some great new ideas to the

event...A Fashion Illustrator to provide a take home

memory of the event, an improved Whiskey and

Wine Reserve, an ability to potentially have your

child as Prinicipal of the Day even if you are not at

the event, new auction items, great Theme Party

buy ins, and a whole lot more.

Thank you to Mrs. Suzanne Mraz and Mrs. Christina

Zycinski, our Gala Chairs. Their leadership has

made this event a hit for two years in a row

now! Mrs. Natalie Parrillo has helped with much of

the "night of" prep for the event. Mrs. Marla Ginex

is our new chair this year for the Raffle. Carmen

Lira-Okuku once again provided the wonderful

graphics from start to finish for the event.

Additional thanks go to the following ladies who

had a role in the planning of the event or the

Auction/Buy In procurement.

Ronda Chiappe

Annie Delano

Kelly Durkin

Sarah Glitto

Jennifer Manthei

Annie Mendez

Gina Neill

Heather Pigott

Amy Read

As the saying goes, “It takes a village...” This village was

GREAT. We thank them for another outstanding Gala.

Reflections from Fr. Keith Dear School Families: The Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are held each February recognizing cinematic achievements from

the previous year. I have seen several of the nominees for the Oscar for Best Picture: Ford v Ferrari, The Irishman, Joker, Little Women, 1917, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. My favorite was 1917, but I also enjoyed Little Women and Ford v Ferrari. As a lifelong automotive enthusiast, a movie about Ford Motor Company’s historic win at Le Mans appealed to me. Driving on an open road, or even in traffic, elicits a sense of freedom and possibility. Every journey has an origin and destination. Our journey of faith begins at Baptism when we are forgiven of Original Sin, spiritually adopted as beloved children of God the Father, given the gift of the Holy Spirit, and incorporated into the Church. The grace, participation in the Divine Life of God, received at the Sacrament of Baptism prepares us for the destination: Heaven. Our destination is union with God forever in Heaven, surrounded by the Angels and Saints. The road to Heaven is the process of salvation, whereby we repent and configure our lives more deeply to Jesus. There are many “exits” we can take on this way. Sin and temptation present themselves as attractive alternatives when the road seems long, difficult, or even just boring. But, these alternate routes are dead ends. They do not lead to happiness, only temporary and fleeting pleasure, power, wealth, or honor. If there is a way to Heaven, then certainly there is another way to perdition. We are faced with so many possibilities and choices. Seek after God, not only when it is easy but most especially when it is hard. Convenience cannot save us, only the Cross. In his seminal work The Lord of the Rings, the author J.R.R. Tolkien has his beloved character from The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, remark to a young Frodo “the greatest adventure is going out your own front door.” We should evoke that same spirit of curiosity, wonder, and resolve as we make the journey of faith. We need no other map than Jesus who is the way, truth, and life (John 14:6). Together, parish and school, we are SMG,

Lice Prevention (Links below!)

In an effort to be as proactive as we can, we

encourage all of our parents to check your child’s

head for lice on a continual basis.

“Fortunately, research finds that most children

do not catch lice while at school. Lice are

spread by direct and sustained head-to-head

contact (i.e. children rubbing heads together

for a sustained period of time), which is more

common at slumber parties or camping

trips.” (Communicate 58: News From Downers

Grove School District 58. Volume 7, Issue 11 2016)

St. Mary of Gostyn follows the standard lice

procedures for schools recommended by national

health organizations, including the

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), the American Academy

of Pediatrics, the National Association of

School Nurses and many others.

REMINDERS!!!

Office Hours

The SMG school office is open Monday – Friday

from 7:00 – 3:15pm.

Student Arrival

Students who are not in their classrooms by 7:40

am will be considered tardy. All tardy students

should enter through the main entrance near the

school office and see Mrs. Toth and/or Mrs. Czech.

Drop Off Safety

Please use the following directions and share them

with anyone who drives your students to or from

school:

MORNING ARRIVAL

All students (K – 8th grade) should enter

the school through the main entrance on

Prairie Avenue.

Be aware that all of our school buses use

this drop-off area in the morning.

Pre-school drop off is on Prairie Avenue

along the Learning Resource Building.

If you drop your children off on Douglas

Avenue, please pull all the way up to the

northern doors.

Please do NOT park or stop in front of the

Learning Resource Building. Buses cannot

make a turn northward if there are cars

present in the area.

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

Buses use flashing lights and stop signs

when loading students. Never pass a

stopped school bus from either direction

when this occurs.

Leave the parking lot at the extreme east

end and turn right to avoid the school

buses.

Prairie Avenue is closed for most of the

block to Fairview Avenue when students

are boarding.

Please do not park in the “No Parking

Zone” located on Prairie, just west of

Douglas St. This zone is marked with signs

from the village

Cold Weather/Recess/Emergency Procedures

Winter is unofficially here! Ordinarily all students

go outside for recess unless the “feels like”

temperature is below 20 degrees.

Please remind your child to dress appropriately,

including gloves and hats. Only children with a

note from the doctor will be allowed to stay inside.

If the weather dictates a temporary close of the

school for the day, please examine the following

procedure & resources for confirmation of an

emergency closing.

You will also receive an email blast from

School Speak.

You will receive a phone call from our automated

One Call Now System.

You can go to the emergency closing center

website at www.emergencyclosingcenter.com and

search for St. Mary of Gostyn School, Downers

Grove.

You may call 1-847-238-1234 from a touchtone

phone and enter the main phone number of the

St. Mary’s (630-968- 6155).

Listen to WGN radio (720-AM), WBBM radio

(780-AM), or watch CBS (ch.2), NBC (ch. 5), ABC

(ch.7), FOX (ch. 32), WGN-TC (ch.9), or CLTV cable

for broadcast crawls.