Charger Check-In
May 9, 2024
A Note from Ms. Owens
As is usually the case, we are busy, busy, busy at St. Catherine. All this week, we have been celebrating our amazing and dedicated faculty and staff during Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week as we "Get Ready to Travel!" They have been celebrated with Breakfast in Paris (croissants with butter and jellies), Lunch in Mazatlan (catered in from El Coyote), Fancy a Dip? (a floatie and a cold drink followed by fun games - as well as lots of chips and dips to munch on - after our 1PM dismissal) and Some Sweet Indulgence (chocolates and sweets from around the globe). Today, our Family School Association and School Advisory Board provided lunch complete with sub sandwiches, chips, drinks and a sweet treat!
In the meantime, our PK program hosted two fabulous Mother's Day events. We had chicks hatch in 1st and 3rd grades. The butterflies in 3rd grade were released while kindergarten is keeping a close watch on their chrysalises. Our 4th graders are learning to play "Hot Cross Buns" on their recorders. Our 8th graders are practicing for tomorrow's May Crowning. And 6th graders are preparing for tomorrow's field trip to assist with the Special Olympics program.
Congratulations to our 8th grade boys volleyball team! On Wedneday evening, they won the championship game in the South Side Catholic Conference to bring the gold ball to St. Catherine! They had a great season! Way to go boys!
A Bit More News...
- FSA's Annual Flower Sale as well as the Second Annual Charger Market are set for Saturday, May 11 from 9AM-1PM.
- If your student is in need of service hours, they can work at SCA's St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive on Saturday, May 18 from 3-5:30PM and on Sunday, May 19 from 8AM-12:30PM. Contact Mrs. Bustamante if you are interested.
- The curtain is going up on St. Catherine Theatre Troupe's production of Finding Nemo Kids. The is Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 - both at 7PM in the gym. You can prepurchase your tickets online if you like!
- Presale Carnival Bracelets will be going on sale soon. Scroll down for dates and locations. If you know of a family or a business that would be interested in helping to sponsor SCA's carnival, please see the Carnival Sponsorship Letter.
- Registration for the 2024 fall athletic season is open. Scroll down for important information and to register for football (4th through 8th) and girls basketball (4th through 8th).
- Sign ups for this summer's Vacation Bible Camp are open. The dates are July 15 - 19! Scroll down to see the flier!
- If you know of an SCA family who owns a small business that we can publicize here to help support them, please reach out to me via email. Scroll down to see local businesses we can support.
Classroom Placement Requests
We are in May and in May, many school families begin to think of the coming school year and they send in requests for specific teachers. Below you will find the language from the Parent-Student Handbook (on page 30) regarding requests for classroom placement. Please know this is not a policy change. Rather it is a policy that has not received appropriate attention in recent years. Next week is the first full week of May. Any requests received after Friday, May 10 at 3PM will not be considered when class rosters are built.
In order to ensure academic success for each student, several factors are considered when placing a child in a classroom for the upcoming school year. Transitioning from one grade to the next can present students with an opportunity for personal growth as they forge new relationships with teachers and other students. We ask that parents refrain from requesting a specific teacher for their child on the basis of preference, perception, or so that a student can be in a classroom with friends.
Parents are welcome to share any relevant information that they feel will best assist the administration and teaching staff with student placement; all such information must be submitted in writing to the principal no later than the first week of May of the current school year. Requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.
Field Days Are Coming!!!
Our annual Field Days are set for Thursday, May 23 (K-3) and Friday, May 24 (4-7). Mr. McCann is planning fun competitive games and I know they will be spirited days.
As you may know, one of the traditions for Field Day is decorating a t-shirt as a homeroom. Each homeroom is assigned a color - either red or white - and students bring in a t-shirt in that particular color. The t-shirts are decorated as an in-school, class activity and students wear their shirt to school on their Field Day. The assigned colors are below.
Some Dates for Next School Year
Several of the important dates for the 2024-2025 school are listed below. One change you will notice is a different dismissal time on the days prior to Christmas and Easter breaks as well as on the last day of school. Due to the continuing Arch-wide professional development days and the start of our annual carnival and to avoid starting school in the second full week of August, we needed to eliminate our half-days (11:30AM dismissals). The tentative calendar that overviews the entire school year in more detail will be shared in the next week or two. Several families asked for next year's date for First Holy Communion. I will add that as soon as I can confirm the date. I appreciate your patience.
First Day of School
- August 20
Thanksgiving Break - no school
- November 27-29
- December 20 -- 1:45PM dismissal
School resumes
- January 7 (This is a Tuesday.)
Easter Break begins
- April 17 -- 1:45 dismissal
- April 28
Preschool Celebrations
- May 29
Kindergarten Celebration & 8th Grade Graduation
- May 30
Last Day of School (1st-7th)
- June 3 -- 1:00PM dismissal
Registration for Football (4th-8th) & Girls Basketball (4th-8th)
Football Registration (4th-8th)
Please complete the full registration document for each child being registered for football. This it for 4th through 8th graders enrolled at SCA, SCA Faith Formation, St. Linus, St. Gerald and St. Germaine.
- Please be aware you are also signing a waiver for release, parent volunteer hours and parent code of conduct.
- If you have any questions please reach out to the Football Coordinators, Kevin Baffoe or John Quinlan at SCAathleticboard@gmail.com.
- Sizing for varsity jerseys will occur in late May and registration payment will occur in August. We will close this registration on May 15.
Girls Basketball Registration (4th-8th)
Please complete the full registration document for each athlete being registered. This registration is for 4th through 8th grade SCA students.
- Please be aware you are also signing a waiver for release, parent code of conduct, Hudl consent and parent volunteer requirements.
- Evaluations will occur before school is out, potentially the week of May 20 and week of Memorial Day.
- This registration will close on May 10 and we will not be accepting any late registration.
- Head coaches will NOT be set until after evaluations and assistant coaches will be identified after that.
- If you have any questions please contact Paul Molinski or Kara Thomas at SCAathleticboard@gmail.com.
A Request from the Athletic Board
Please assist the St Catherine Athletic Board in streamlining the process of contacting families. We would love to be able to send registrations, current events, and accomplishments right to your email. We are aware that everyone does not use social media, and we would like to become more efficient in contacting families. In addition to sending out information in the Charger Check-In via the school, we will also send out emails regarding registration and elections. If you would like to on this mailing list, please fill out this Google Form.
The Sunday Collection
Visit the link below to set up your recurring contribution. Donors can change the amount of the contribution or pause it at any time.
Ways to Support Our Local Small Businesses
If you know of an SCA family who owns a small business that we can publicize here to help support them, please reach out to me via email.
This law firm is owned, in part, by an SCA family.
This residential/commercial landscaping and commercial snow removal company is owned by an SCA family.
This small business offers individual basketball training and skill development and is owned by an SCA family.
This independent travel consultant is an SCA mom!
So Many On-going Ways to Support St. Catherine!
Upcoming Events
Friday, May 10
- All-School Liturgy & May Crowning at 8:30AM
- 6th Grade Field Trip
Saturday, May 11
- FSA's Charger Market in the parking lot from 9AM-1PM
Sunday, May 12
- Parish May Crowning at 9:30AM
Tuesday, May 14
- School Advisory Board Meeting in the Fr. Lion Center at 7PM
Wednesday, May 15
- 5th Grade Field Trip
Thursday, May 16
- PK3 Field Trip
- FSA Meeting in Kane Hall at 7PM
Friday, May 17
- All-School Liturgy & Ribbon Massat 8:30AM
- 8th Grade Breakfast following Mass
- Finding Nemo Kids in the gym at 7PM
Saturday, May 18
- Finding Nemo Kids in the gym at 7PM
Sunday, May 19
- Student Art Show in Kane Hall from 9AM-1PM
Monday, May 20
- Spring Band Concert at Marist at 7PM
- Chargers United Meeting in Kane Hall at 7PM
Tuesday, May 21
- Tuition Exclusion Day - all outstanding tuition must be paid
Wednesday, May 22
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- Donuts from Doughs Guys Donut Truck - courtesy of the School Advisory Board
- All-School Talent Show - time TBA
Thursday, May 23
- Field Day for K-3rd and for 8th Grade
Friday, May 24
- Field Day for 4th-7th
- Hot Dog Lunch
- Noon dismissal - extended care NOT available
Monday, May 27
- No School - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28
- 7th & 8th Grade Field Trips
Wednesday, May 29
- 8th Grade Clap Out at noon
- 8th Grade Awards Night in church at 6PM (family and friends invited)
- 8th Grade Dinner Dance in the gym following awards (8th graders only)
Thursday, May 30
- PK3 Celebration in Kane Hall at 9AM
- PK4 Celebration in Kane Hall at 11AM
- Kindergarten Celebration in church at 1PM
Friday, May 31
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- End of 3rd Trimester
- 8th Grade Graduation Mass in church at 7PM
Monday, June 3
- Carnival Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures
Tuesday, June 4
- Carnival Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures
- Athletic Board Meeting under the Carnival Tent at 8PM
Wednesday, June 5
- Last Day of School for 1st-7th Grades -- 10AM dismissal
- All-School Liturgy at 8:30AM
- Third Trimester Report Cards & i-Ready Growth Reports go home
- First Night of Carnival
About us
Website: www.scaoaklawn.org
Location: 10621 South Kedvale Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-425-5547
Facebook: facebook.com/scaoaklawn/