Principal's Letter - May 23, 2012

Dear St. Monica Academy Parents,

It has been an amazing year at St. Monica Academy, and it is hard to imagine that summer break is on the horizon.  To end the year, we have celebrations, prayer services, graduations, and farewells scheduled in the days ahead.  With all of this happening, we are already starting to look forward to next school year. 

Recently, there have been many highlights and student achievements that we are proud to share with you.  Earlier in the month, St. Monica 8^th grade students presented their science fair projects at the state competition at the University of Illinois in Champaign.  The competition has two components, a paper session, where student compositions are judged.  There is a project session component as well, where students present their science projects and are formally judged.  Here are the results of the state fair:  Elijah Irizarry (8^th gr.), a silver award in the project session, Ben Ranft (8^th gr.), a silver award in the project session, Emily Boehm (8^th gr.), a gold award in the paper session, Maddie Larsen (8^th gr.), a gold award in the paper session, Grace Torres (8^th gr.), a gold award in the paper session, and Julia Swider (8^th gr.), a gold award in the paper session.  Great Work!

The State Science Fair included more than 1,000 projects from the entire state of Illinois and acknowledges the work and achievements of the finest young scientists in the state of Illinois.  Congratulations to all of our students for the many hours that they have invested in their projects and papers under the guidance of junior high science teacher, Mrs. Kiszynski.   

Congratulations to a St. Monica Academy student team for receiving first place for the spring 2012 session for the City of Chicago in the Stock Market Game program.  Seven of our St. Monica teams placed in the top 15.  The first place team consisted of 6^th graders, Natalie Morales, Jennifer LoForte, and Gavin Mills.  All three students were honored at the awards reception and presented their investment strategies in a PowerPoint format on May 7^th at the Tribune Tower on Michigan Ave.  The stock market game is a simulation game and winners are chosen based on the team with the highest gains in their portfolio of investments.  Great job and thank you to Mr. Haruska for coordinating this program. 

The winner of the St. Monica 5K Fun Run Logo Contest is 3^rd grader C.J. O’Gara.  His “running leaf” design included a green leaf image and the spirit of a fun runner.  Congratulations C.J.!  Early registration for this inaugural running of the SMA 5K ends tomorrow at noon.  So take advantage of the discounted rates for this event that will be held Saturday, June 2nd.

In other news, our St. Monica Academy Student Council serves as role models to others throughout the school year.  The following students have participated and showed great initiative throughout the year as members:  Lexie Ippolito (President), Dan Nieves (Vice-President), Jeremy Donohue-Wach, Annie Valenziano, Mary Ann Creighton, Lexi Austin, Gracie Torres, Joey Lynch, and Michael Ghiloni.  All of these Student Council members have developed into fine leaders in addition to balancing their academic responsibilities. 

I would like to take a moment to thank Ronna Atlas (President), Amelia Terrell (Hospitality), Jonathan Frawley (LAP), and Lori Laera (Secretary) for their dedicated service as members of the St. Monica Academy School Board.  We appreciate all of their time and effort as school board members for the last three years! 

In our student gardens around campus, classrooms are beginning the process of preparing the soil after weeks of planning.  Planting has started outside, and we will have to maintain the gardens through the summer.  We would like each class to volunteer to assist in the maintenance of our growing and beautiful gardens, with more areas being added each year.  We thank Lurvey’s Garden Center in Des Plaines for their yearly donations of so many plants.  They have been very generous to our school in providing needed shrubs, flowers, and vegetables plants to us. 

In sports, the 8^th grade Boys Volleyball Team finished the regular season as champions of the City Suburban Catholic Conference.  They also finished as champions in the playoff tournament.  The 6^th grade Boys Volleyball Team finished the regular season as conference champions and finished the playoffs in 2^nd place.  Great Job!   Lastly, I would like to thank Ed Creighton and Paul Jankiewicz for serving as members of the Athletic Board for many years and for their dedication as coaches.  Also, thank you to Paul Jankiewicz for his service as St. Monica Athletic Director! 

Congratulations to our entire 8^th grade graduates as they prepare for their graduation ceremony on this Saturday, May 26^th.  We wish them great success as they enter high school and a new phase in their lives.  They have impacted our school in so many ways and by providing student leadership.  We wish them well in their future endeavors!

Reminders:

• As we look forward to the next school year, it is extremely important that we have an accurate student count to properly plan for the new school year.  Therefore, if you have not registered, please do so as soon as possible.  If your child is not returning, please inform Mrs. Pellegrini in the school office. 

• Registration for extended day care is also open.  Forms are available in the office and on the school website. 

State Required Examinations

• Every student entering Preschool, Kindergarten, and 6th grade is required to submit a complete physical exam and immunization record by the first day of school in order to begin school.  This is a requirement of Illinois State Law.  We encourage you to beat the rush and make your physical appointments now.  Here are additional requirements for children entering preschool, kindergarten, 2 grade, and 6 grade.

• Preschool - completed physical examination when entering for the first time. 
• Kindergarten – completed physical examination, vision examination, and dental examination. 
• 2^nd Grade – completed dental examination.
• 6^th Grade – completed physical examination and dental examination.

• Please remember to pick up student medication in the school office by the end of June.  Medications not claimed will be discarded.

• Remember to purchase gym uniforms through the Athletic Board for the coming school year.  Orders are due by June 1 and will be delivered on Family Payment Day in Beyenka Hall on August 18 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Order forms have been sent in the communications folder and are also available in the school office or can be printed from the school website.^stth

• School office hours for the summer:

        June        9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.     Monday – Thursday

        July         Closed                     Phone calls will be returned

        August     9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.     Monday – Friday

Upcoming Events

Thur.     May 24^th         8^th Grade Graduation Dance 6:00 p.m. 

Fri.       May 25^th          PreK-palooza Celebration 10:00 a.m. 

Sat.      May 26^th          8^th Grade Graduation Mass 11:00 a.m. 

Mon.     May 28^th          Memorial Day – No School

Tues.    May 29^th          Athletic Banquet 6:00 p.m. Beyenka Hall

Wed.    May 30^th          Kindergarten Graduation 9:00 a.m.  Gym

Thur.     May 31^st          Awards Assembly 9:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Fri.       June 1^st           School Mass 9:15 a.m.  Last Day   

                                 (11:30 a.m. Dismissal)

Sat.      June 2^nd          St. Monica 5K Fun Run 9:00 a.m.                                  

I would like to take a moment to say how much we miss Mrs. Losurdo, who passed away during the school year.  She worked at St Monica Academy for many years and meant so much to all of us.  We know that Mrs. Losurdo is watching over us, and we also know, she will never be forgotten.  Yesterday, a tree was dedicated in her honor with the whole school offering prayers for her.  Thank you Mrs. Losurdo for doing so much for us and impacting our lives in such a positive way!  God Bless you.

Sincerely,

Ray Coleman, Principal