April 17, 2019

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As we prepare for Holy Week think about what Jesus said as he hung on the cross. “It makes sense that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness. That’s the point of the cross, after all. Jesus is dying so that we might be forgiven for our sins, so that we might be reconciled to God for eternity. But the forgiveness of God through Christ doesn’t come only to those who don’t know what they are doing when they sin. Inthe mercy of God, we receive his forgiveness even when we do what we know to be wrong. God chooses to wipe away our sins, not because we have some convenient excuse, and not because we have tried hard to make up for them, but because he is a God of amazing grace, with mercies that are new every morning.”

In today’s envelope you will see a list of important dates for the 2019-2020 school year. A full calendar will be sent home in August. You will notice on our calendar that we have a Spring Break weekend and an Easter break. This is due to two reasons: 1. Easter is in late April again next year. 2. We want to give the children a time to rest before the Aspire tests at the end of March. We know how Chicago winters can be and it is important for the children to be relaxed and refreshed when they take the tests.

Today we continued our traditional Lenten Silent Lunch. Thank you to the Student Council officers for hosting this special time. In the spirit of giving alms, praying, and fasting we shared a very simple meal, prayed together, and welcomed Stacey Hartman from Feed My Starving Children. We are honored to partner with FMSC once again. Ourchildren generously donated $400.00 today, this will fund many meals for children around the world. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you to Ms. Weber, Ms. Montemurro, and Ms. Barzowski for preparing the student council for this event.

Holy Thursday is April 18th, we have a full day of school and dismiss at 3:00 pm. The Lent Committee will be hosting a Lenten Prayer Service at 2:00; you are welcome to join us. Classes resume on Thursday, April 25th.

Fr. Aloy is inviting families to participate in the very special and symbolic Holy Thursday mass. Families would represent the apostles and have their feet washed as we remember the Last Supper. This is a very special tradition that could be a once in a lifetime experience. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Our partnership with Big Shoulders has provided scholarships for our families, professional development for our teachers, service projects completed around our campus and now FREE vision and hearing screenings. We are so grateful to Big Shoulders for providing free vision and hearing screenings for our students. These screenings took place on Monday. You will be receiving the results of your child’s screenings in today’s envelope. While every student tested passed the hearing screening there are a large number of students who did not pass the vision screening. In addition, a number of students had scratched or broken glasses. Please visit your child’s eye doctor to have these issues taken care of. It is so important to have your child examined further if they did not pass the screening. I am very grateful for all that Big Shoulders provides for St. Hilary.

Congratulations:

Each year the 7th and 8th grade students write essays that are submitted to the National Campaign against violence. This campaign is entitled, “Do the Write Thing”. This year 3 of our students were selected amongst the 100 finalists in the Chicago land area. These students are: Rianne Julio, Gia Scarpelli, and Billy Tenezaca. They will be honored at a recognition awards dinner on May 14th. The two first place winners will be announced at the dinner and will receive an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June. Congratulations on this incredible honor, we are very proud of you! Thank you to Mr. Andre and Ms. Weber for their work with these students.

The Archdiocese will be displaying artwork from students from many Catholic schools atthe NCEA Conference next week. We are so proud that 4 of our students will have their artwork proudly displayed representing the amazing talents of St. Hilary School. Congratulations to Christine Lichauco, Christina Ho, Thomas Josiah Tames, and Jackson Duong. Their artwork will also be entered in the 2019 My Chicago Art Contest. We wish them the best of luck! Thank you to Mrs. Rhodes for not only submitting their work but for also sharing her passion for art with all her students and allowing their talents to shine. We will make sure to visit the art wall at the conference and cheer on our artists.

Thank you:Thank you to Ms. Weber and the 7th graders for their beautiful reenactment of the Stations of the Cross. The entire school enjoyed their presentation yesterday. They were incredibly reverent and were wonderful role models of how we respectfully show our love for Jesus. They helped us remember the finals days of Jesus here on Earth.

Thank you to the FSA and the book fair committee; Mrs. Maria Hench, Mrs. Margaret Frank, and all parent volunteers for another successful book fair. Each of the teachers was able to receive all the books on their wish lists thanks to your donations. Thank

you, your generosity is very much appreciated and allows us to provide a variety of book selections for our children.

We know that our students are amazing but I would be remiss if I did not share this story with you. Mrs. Hench was blown away by a number of our 5th and 6th grade students who pulled their own money together to purchase books for their teacher and their classmates. Thank you to Josephine, Abigail, Haley, Sarah, Aelaika, Adan, Everett,Dimitri, Nico, Claire, Madison, Sophia, and Bella for having such big hearts and giving back to each other. We are so proud of you!!!

Thank you to the Lent Committee. Thank you to the Lent Committee for organizing all ofthe activities for us. During this Lenten season our theme was “With all your heart”. Each afternoon, as a school community, we spent a few minutes in silent reflection so that we could spend some quiet time with Jesus as we remembered the sacrifice He made for us. We took time each day to think and pray about certain groups of people with all our hearts. Those we prayed for were people who are sick, ourselves, people who are poor, our friends, people who are homeless, our church leaders, people who are hungry, anyone, and our families. We participated in two Lenten service projects; we supported the ALS foundation and Feed My Starving Children. Thank you for your generosity and for helping your child service others as Jesus taught us. The faculty on this committee were; Mrs. Ewen, Mrs. Frank, Ms. Fuentes, and Ms. Skukan.

Thank you to our Athletic Director, Mr. Joe Kummerer for a wonderful year of sports. Wehonored many of our athletes on Sunday at the volleyball/basketball banquet. Many thanks to our coaches who volunteer all of their time, the parents who make great sacrifices when their children are involved in sports, and the athletes who showed great sportsmanship and continued to bring pride to St. Hilary throughout the season.

I wanted to thank Mr. Ken Sirgiovanni and Mrs. Flo Kilroy for all their time helping with the bitty ball program and all the basketball games. They can often be found taking on various roles while assisting Mr. Kummerer. I appreciate their dedication.

Women’s Club:

We are incredibly fortunate that the St. Hilary Women’s Club is so dedicated and supportive of our school. On Tuesday, April 30th they will hold their annual dinner and auction, this year’s theme is Spring Safari. Please support this amazing group of womenand join us at this wonderful event. A flyer is in today’s envelope, reservations must be made by April 20th so don’t delay.

Yearbook:Pre-sale of the yearbook, cost $27.00 will be extended to April 26. Not many extra will be ordered, the price after April 26th will be $30.00. Money can be sent to the office, checks made out to St. Hilary and marked with students name and yearbook.

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship- 7th graders:Applications for the Daniel Murphy Scholarship are now being accepted. Students must demonstrate academic potential, strong character and financial need. Applicants must live in the city of Chicago or the surrounding areas of Cicero or Berwyn. The deadline toapply is May 3, 2019. Please click here for more information.

Reminders:

This year, once again, St. Hilary will be utilizing the FACTS management program for our financial aid process. There is a link on our school’s website for the FACTS program. This is the same organization that serves as our tuition management program.It is more efficient for everyone to incorporate both of these services in one program.

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year has begun. To register please complete bothsides of the re-registration form and return to school with the $200.00 registration fee. Remember to assure a seat for your child next year and register early. It is important that we are proactive in our enrollment so that teacher contracts can be offered and plans for the new year can move forward. Thank you to the many families who have already completed their registration, we look forward to another wonderful year with your child.

Don’t forget to tell a friend about St. Hilary and as a thank you, you will receive a $100.00 tuition credit on your December tuition statement pending enrollment of the referred family. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Queen of Hearts Raffle:

This progressive jackpot continues to roll over and the pot is estimated to be $41,500.00for this Friday’s drawing. If you have a friend, neighbor, or family member who is interested in purchasing tickets, they are always welcome to do so. Tickets are availablefor purchase in the main school office, after all weekend masses and at The Claddagh Ring Pub at 2306 W. Foster. This week, April 19 th the drawing will take place at 9:30 pminstead of 8:00 pm. Hope you are able to stop by and spend some time with us.

**Families whose financial obligation is not paid in full by the end of the year will have their 2019-2020 registration put on hold until payment is made. **

Please note 8th graders must be paid in full by May. Failure to complete payment will result in loss of participation in 8th grade events/activities and possibly graduation. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If your account is current, I thank you!

Mark Your Calendars:

Thus. April 18 – Holy Thursday – Lenten Prayer Service Fri. April 19 – NO SCHOOL Good Friday Fri. April 19 – Queen of drawing at 9:30 pm Sun. April 21 – Happy Easter Easter Break – April 19 – April 24 Thurs. April 25 – classes resume Thurs. April 25 – Confirmation practice in church 6:00 pm Thurs. April 25 – St. Hilary night at MOD Pizza hosted by FSA Fri. April 26 - 3rd gr. Field trip to Garfield Park Conservatory Fri. April 26 - Queen of drawing at 8:00 pm Sat. April 27 – First Communion retreat Sun. April 28 – Confirmation Tues. April 30 – Women’s Club Spring dinner and auction Wed. May 1 – Battle of the Books Wed. May 1 – progress reports go homeless Sun. May 5 - 1st Holy Communion

Contents of this Wednesday’s envelope:

Yearbook flyer Updated calendar for the remainder of this year Important dates for the 19-20 school yearbook Easter Egg hunt flyer FSA – MOD Pizza flyer

Please check out the Peek at the Week for a look at the week ahead. As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at school 773-561-5885 or by email donovan@sthilarychicago.org.

Gratefully,Mrs. Kathie Donovan, Principal

NEXT DRAWING FRI. APRIL 19TH ESTIMATED POT APPROX. $41,500.00

Our amazinglygenerous5th and 6th

graders.

Thank you student council for our Silent Lunch.

A Peek at the Week WEEK OF April 22 - 26 St. Hilary where faith, family, and academics thrive!

All are welcome to Confirmation on Sun. April 28th

– please keep our

Confirmandi in your prayers

MONDAY: April 22nd

Altar Servers: volunteers

No School – Easter Break

TUESDAY: April 23rd

Altar Servers: volunteers

No School – Easter Break

WEDNESDAY: April 24th

Altar Servers: volunteers

No School – Easter Break

THURSDAY: April 25th

Altar Servers: Abigail, Nora

School resumes

Art Studio – 6th

, 7th

, & 8th

graders

Concert Band 7:00 – 7:45 am

Cardinal Choir 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Confirmation practice with parents in church 6:00 – 8:00 pm

FRIDAY: April 26th

Altar Servers: Isabella, Claire

Queen of Hearts drawing at The Claddagh Ring Pub 8:00 pm 3

rd grade field trip to Garfield Park Conservatory

SATURDAY: April 27th

1

st Communion retreat

SUNDAY: April 28th

Confirmation at 12 noon mass – confirmandi, parents and sponsors must

meet in the gym no later than 11:15 am.

A Peek at the Week WEEK OF April 29 – May 3 St. Hilary where faith, family, and academics thrive!

All are welcome to celebrate 1st Holy Communion on Sun. May 5

th –

please keep these children in your prayers

MONDAY: April 29th

Altar Servers: Sara, Melody

Concert Band 7:00 – 7:45 am

Cadet Band 3:00 – 4:00 pm

TUESDAY: April 30th

Altar Servers: Marc, Gia

Student Council meeting – council

CODAS 7:00 – 7:45 am

Women’s Club dinner auction

WEDNESDAY: May 1st

Altar Servers: Jeryl, Billy

2:00 dismissal

8:30 all school liturgy

Cadet Band 7:00 – 7:45 am

Battle of the Books

Progress reports go home

THURSDAY: May 2nd

Altar Servers: Phuc, Don

Art Studio – 6th

, 7th

, & 8th

graders

Concert Band 7:00 – 7:45 am

Cardinal Choir 3:00 – 4:00 pm

FRIDAY: May 3rd

Altar Servers: Benjamin, Rachel

Queen of Hearts drawing at The Claddagh Ring Pub 8:00 pm

SATURDAY: May 4th

SUNDAY: May 5th

1

st Holy Communion at the 12 noon mass – communicants need to be in the

gym no later than 11:30 am

Fr. Aloy would like to invite all children under 5 yrs. of age

to an Easter Egg Hunt

The hunt will take place on the grass between the church and school after the 10:00 am mass

on Sunday, April 21st.

The Easter Bunny will be here to help our little ones on their hunt.

Please provide your own basket to collect the eggs.

In the event of inclement weather we will

move the hunt to the gym.

Every child under 5 years old is welcome!!!

Important Dates for the 2019-2020 School Year

August 20 – First day of school – full day of school – 2:00 dismissal

September 2 – No School, Labor Day

September 20 – No School, Teacher In-service day

October 14 – No School, Columbus Day

October 17 & 18 – 11:30 dismissal, Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

November 1 – No School, Teacher In-service day

November 27 - 29 No School, Thanksgiving Vacation

December 23 –Christmas Vacation begins

January 6 – School resumes

January 20 – No School, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 24 - Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences, 11:30 dismissal

February 7 – No School Teacher in-service day

February 17 – No School, President’s Day

March 20 – Long Spring Break weekend Begins

March 24 - School resumes

March 31 – April 3 - ACT Aspire testing grades 3 - 8

April 10 – No School, Easter Break Begins

April 20 – School resumes

May 25 – No School, Memorial Day

May 29 – 8th grade Graduation

June 5 – Last day of school

A complete yearly calendar will be sent home in August. Dates are subject to change and will be communicated to you.

St. Hilary Family & School Association

Thursday April 25th

St. Hilary Family & School Association

Thursday April 25th

MOD PIZZA SKOKIE

5530 W Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077

MOD PIZZA SKOKIE

5530 W Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077

Saint Ignatius Boys' Basketball Summer Camps

The Saint Ignatius College Prep Boys' Basketball program will be hosting grade school summer camps throughout the month of June. Camps will be lead by Saint Ignatius College Prep Head Boys' Basketball Coach Matt Monroe and the rest of the boys' basketball coaching staff. Campers will be taught fundamental basketball skills through dynamic drill work, fun contests, and meaningful game competition. Please forward our camp information to anyone you feel would be interested in joining!

CAMP INFORMATION

Location:

Saint Ignatius Gentile Gymnasium

1076 W. Roosevelt Rd.

Chicago, IL

Sessions (Grade level is for the 2019-20 School Year): 3rd-5th Grade Session I: June 24-27 (9-1030a)

6th-8th Grade Session I: June 10-13 (1030a-1230p)

6th-8th Grade Session II: June 17-20 (1030a-1230p)

6th-8th Grade Session III: June 24-27 (1030a-1230p)

9th Grade Session I: June 17-20 (1230-230p)

9th Grade Session II: June 24-27 (1230-230p)

If you have any questions, please let us know. Go Wolfpack!

REGISTER FOR CAMP HERE

Sincerely,

Matt Monroe Head Boys' Basketball Coach Saint Ignatius College Prep E-Mail: matt.monroe@ignatius.org Phone: (312) 432-8468 Twitter: @SICPBB