Sr. Jean's Blog

Dear Families,

Today's beautiful weather, the return of baseball practice to Beverly Park, the appearance of uniform shorts, a lovely celebration of First Communion on Saturday, the busiest calendar of the year, Friday's May Crowning...Spring has Sprung at SJF!

Thanks for you prayers and encouraging words during last week's State evaluation. As I mentioned in my Friday email, the BEST commendation we received was from Mr. Patrick Lee, representing the State of Illinois who when he left said, "I expect high standards at the Catholic Schools that I visit because of the standards and policies of the Archdiocese. But today I had a 'blessed day' because I think all of you really live what you believe." I am so proud of the efforts of each of our students, faculty and staff. Although you know I believe we have a strong school, it is always nice to know that others who are just here for a quick snapshot visit, sense that we are trying to help each of our students (and ourselves) become OUR BEST SELVES in all areas. The visit was a strong affirmation of those efforts.

Thanks also for your strong support of Swing into Spring, our latest fundraiser. The evening received rave reviews from all who came. Alan's music was great, the food was fabulous and the auction and raffle prizes were terrific. Both the tuition assistance program and the new playground fund will get a good boost because of the success of the party.

First Communion was, as always, a wonderful celebration of family and faith. Visits to the second grade classrooms the day before hinted that the day would be very special not only for the second graders but also for extended families who came from as far as Poland and Ireland. It is truly a memory-making day.

The eighth graders are counting the days until they become official alums. We are blessed by the talents, enthusiasm and general kindness of the class of 2010. I think they will make a strong mark not only in the local high schools which are fortunate to be receiving them, but in the world as well. Look for them to make a difference!

As you can see from the May calendar, just about every day holds a new event. Highlights include multiple field trips now that the weather is nice. Many are going to the zoo, the third graders complete their study of Chicago with a trip downtown and a sail down the river, the fifth graders are off to Springfield, and the Junior High kids who have been altar servers, patrol persons, or regular market day workers will go to Great America at the end of the month. A new trip this year will be for everyone in grades 4-8 to attend a Thunderbolts baseball game together. Each of these trips is a good learning experience and spirit builder for out students.

On Friday, all are welcome for the May Crowning at 11:00 a.m. Our eighth grade class will lead the school in prayer. Please remember that all will be dismissed at 11:45 on Friday.

On Saturday, the parking lot will be converted to a large rummage sale. Be sure to stop in to find a bargain. Special thanks to Katie Conway and others from the FSA who have worked so hard on this project. I am sure it will be great fun!

On Thursday, May 13, all are welcome to the parking lot at 3:30 for the annual bike blessing. (Bikes, scooters, skate boards or any kid-friendly wheels are welcome.)

We are changing the format for Fisher Feet Feat this year. The culminating event for Spirit Week will be "Falcon Idol" instead of the traditional walk-a-thon. Truthfully, you have been so inundated with requests for money and we have so much to cram into a busy calendar, we thought a year off might be a good idea. Replacing the walk will be a non-mandatory, (but we hope everyone will help) grand raffle featuring a "Techie Prize Basket" with an ipad and several gift certificates. The second prize will be a Fee Free Book Day for one student. (Book fee, lunchroom fee, tech fee, Archdiocesan fee will be included.) Tickets will be $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00. All are eligible and, if you have friends or relatives who might want to participate, know we welcome their support. Look for details in the days ahead.

Most do not need a reminder, but remember that from May 1 until the end of the year, students may wear walking shorts (khaki or navy blue) and clean white gym shoes replacing the school uniform.

Moms, we hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day. What follows is a Mother's Day article I found years ago but still is very true.

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in
their arms saying, "It's alright honey, Mommy's here."
(mothers who) sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who
can't be comforted. . . For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and
sew Halloween costumes and those who don't.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. And for the
mothers who lost their baby in that precious nine months that they will never
get to watch grow on earth but one day will be reunited with in Heaven.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on
their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at
football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their
cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could
say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store
and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice
cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but
realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained
all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to,
but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year.
And then read it again. "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their
shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for
Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their
daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little
voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring
are at home -- or even away at college.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the
words to reach them.
This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or
children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally
unappreciated!
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the
mothers of those who did the shooting.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and
now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all
at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you
watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school
alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to
dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a
sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you
just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in
your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child
when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young
mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...And
mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all.
For all of us.
Hang in there.
In the end we can only do the best we can.
Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray.
"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

Dear Families.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed the break. It is hard to imagine (except if you ask the eighth graders!) that we are well into the third trimester of this academic year. Soon the countdown will begin.

We are very excited about some wonderful events in the weeks ahead. Swing into Spring, a new venture for us is going to be a great evening for all. The auction prizes continue to come in and are really amazing. Wait till you see some of the special art work our students, under Mrs. Newman's thoughtful direction, have prepared. The framed pieces are worthy of any gallery and the pieces done for and by grade levels are exceptional. Alan's music will please any music lover since it will highlight the classics of the decades. We hope you are planning to attend this special event. Remember that most of your donation is tax deductible and all proceeds will be used for the new early childhood playground and for the tuition assistance program. Please check the school's website for up to the minute information about the event.

The Women's Club Brunch is at Beverly Country Club on Sunday, April 25th. This is always a lovely event and a chance to enjoy time with neighbors and friends in a relaxed environment. Hope you will be able to come.

The Family School Association is also very busy with plans for our first all parish garage sale scheduled for May 8th with a rain date of May 15th. If you did some Spring Cleaning and did not want to have your own sale, you can rent a table for this parking lot event that is guaranteed to be great fun. Look for information on the website and in your child's book bag. (You might even be able to pick up some terrific bargains if you come to shop.)

In addition to these social events, our students have some special events. Tuesday, April 22 is the Band Concert. Our Junior Band debuts at this performance and have worked very hard in preparation for joining Senior Band next year.

On Thursday, April 22, the seventh grade will welcome all for the Invention Convention. Some of the projects are so creative and, given a few patents, might one day be sold at Target! Parents are welcome to come to the convention on Thursday evening from 6:00-7:00. Eighth graders will be dissecting frogs as a culmination project for science this year. I hope the experience will encourage some to be surgeons in the not too distant future.

On Friday, April 23, the FSA is sponsoring our annual bake sale. Proceeds from this event are used for the family assistance program which the group so generously sponsors.
Look for more information about how you can help in the next few days.

As previously announced, we are expanding our pre-school to meet the needs of so many families who are considering options because of uncertain funding issues in the public schools. Our new five day program is filling up very quickly, so if you need more information, please do not hesitate to call. We want to be able to accommodate our own parish families before we open the program to others who have inquired. As mentioned in the letter announcing the new programs, our planning is on-going and our goal is to provide as many options as possible for an excellent early childhood experience for our youngest scholars.

We will have very special guests at our school on April 29 and 30. Representatives from the Illinois Board of Education will be here for a two day evaluation and re-certification process. Their task is to be review our curriculum, safety plans, certifications, countless other documents, and to visit each classroom. Ordinarily, this is part of the Archdiocesan School Improvement Process that occurs every five years; however, the diocese is a bit behind in their visits and has changed the program over the last few years. As a result, the state and Archdiocesan evaluations for many schools are not done simultaneously. Three educators from other schools will accompany the team from the State. I am very grateful to our faculty and staff who have spent many hours in preparation for the visit. I am also confident that we meet and exceed all of the State expectations, but also am experiencing the anxiety of preparing for the "company that is coming." (A friend and colleague said she thought it was like the first time she had her in-laws for dinner.)

Our second graders are beginning preparation for First Communion, one of the most beautiful days of the year, not only for them and for their families, but for our entire school and parish family. Please keep them in your prayers at this very special time in their lives.

The School Board and Parish Finance Committee have finalized our school budget for next year. We have done our best to keep tuition costs as reasonable as possible, but know that any increase may be a sacrifice for some of you. What is most important to our planning is to know that our enrollment numbers for returning students are accurate and that current tuition is paid in full. Last year, we were slow to award limited tuition assistance because we did not have enough accurate information. This year, it is very important that we have that information. Students cannot be considered registered for the 2010-2011 school year unless all tuition is paid in full by May 15. If you are unable to make that deadline, it is imperative that you call so that a plan can be arranged and/or tuition assistance offered. We are aware that payments are sometimes late because of timing issues with your own pay periods. Of course, that is very understandable. Just let me know. (The information will go no further than my office.) Although our tuition assistance is very limited, we want to be able to help those who, because of job loss or other circumstances are struggling to make the final tuition payment. Please call or email me as soon as possible if there is a problem.

Enjoy the beautiful outburst of flowers and Spring!

March Newsletter

The shamrocks are in the windows, snow is melting (at last), and there is a hush throughout the building as students in third, fifth, and seventh grade take the Terra Nova Standardized Tests. March has arrived at St. John Fisher. A peak at the calendar affirms that it will be a busy month.

The parish mission with Father Ken Velo has been a wonderful success. If you were able to come for all or any part of the mission, I know there was some part of your heart that was touched by the wit and wisdom Father Velo shared so beautifully. The students attended Mass on Monday with Father Velo. Be sure to ask them about his interpretation of the Wizard of Oz story.

Our next big parish event is Saturday's "Passports 2010", the Athletic Board Fundraiser. Great food from around the world prepared by authentic "chefs" representing those corners of the globe will be complemented by exotic drinks (and an open bar for the less daring). The event is a wonderful opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors and supports an outstanding program that benefits all of our students. If you have not yet purchased your tickets, they will be available at the door.

Gavin Coyle, whose concert last year received such rave reviews will return to SJF on Tuesday, March 9th. This is an event you will not want to miss. Gather friends and family and anyone who loves good music for a very enjoyable evening. The concert is free.

The parade will not march down Western Avenue, but we will have a wonderful celebration of St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March at 7:00 when we celebrate the parish's St. Patrick's Day Mass. Although our third graders are "hosting", Irish dancers, Irish music, and a delightful soda bread reception after mass are special features of the event. We hope you will be able to come.

Our reading Olympic Project was a huge success! Almost 1/2 million pages were read by the students in this three week campaign. The gold medal was awarded to our second and fourth graders, the silver to our kindergarten and sixth grade students, and the bronze to students from our four-year old pre-school and their seventh grade team mates. Many thanks to Mrs. Funk who organized the event and to the teachers and parents who encouraged such strong participation.

I hope you have heard a bit about our school Lenten projects. Keeping the Olympic theme alive, we are striving to pass the torch of kindness by being more aware of the simple kindnesses we can do for each other. Rather than tallying them ourselves, we have asked each student and teacher to notice these simple acts of kindness and report them to our "central command" where they will be recognized with a "torch" symbol on the bridge. Crossing the bridge between buildings gets to be a longer process each day as I stop to read about some of the kind and caring deeds the students are doing. Please continue to encourage their best efforts.

The Book Fair is coming to St. John Fisher this month with special events that are bigger and better than ever. The Fair officially opens on Sunday after the annual Grandparents Mass. On Wednesday evening, we will have a special guest program. Look for lots of details about the book fair and accompanying programs both on-line and in the students' book bags.

The School Board and Finance Committee have begun to work on the school budget for next year. Today we sent a letter asking about your plans for next year. Since enrollment is the foundation on which the budget is planned, we need to base our numbers on our best guesstimate of how many to expect. Your response to the letter will be most helpful.

As indicated, we are very aware of the sacrifices you are making to provide a Catholic Education for your children and will do our best to keep our school very affordable. More information about our plans will be coming in the weeks ahead.

Although we do our best to inform new families about our early childhood programs, we are very grateful for anything you might do to acquaint families new to the area about these programs. Please encourage them to call for a visit or obtain other information that might be helpful. Thanks for being our ambassadors of good will to the community.

Spring will soon be in the air! Enjoy the promise of Easter.

Dear St. John Fisher Families,

Yes, I was in handcuffs! No, I was not arrested! One of the highlights of our celebration of Catholic Schools Week was the Pro-Kids Show featuring magic, music, and character education. As part of the evening performance for families, I was put in handcuffs. One of our kindergarten theater- goers seemed surprised this morning that I was set free. All present at the show had a great time, especially our three dad volunteers whose hilarious participation was a real memory maker.

Thanks to all who were able to come for Mass and Open House on Sunday. I thought the corridors looked like pages from the Instructor Magazine. Our kids are SO creative and our teachers challenge them with some very thoughtful assignments.

On Saturday, we celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation with the eighth graders from our school and Children's Faith Formation Program. What a joy it is to watch these young women and men affirm their commitment to their faith and to see how they have grown since we celebrated First Reconciliation and First Communion.

February is traditionally a quieter month at SJF. An important highlight is the celebration of First Reconciliation by our second graders. This is always one of my favorite nights of the school year as I watch these young "penitents" approach their confessors with such honesty and sincerity. First Reconciliation night is very special for all.

On Sunday, February 21, all are invited to have breakfast with their Dads (or special person) after the 10:00 Mass. Entertainment, prizes, good food...our Holy Name Society hosts this event for the parish.

The students have two holidays in February. February 15th is President's Day and February 22 is the Archdiocesan all schools in-service at Marian Catholic High School.
Please mark those important days on your calendar.

Registration is now open for our pre-school classes for next year. We are anticipating a large crowd, so please tell neighbors and friends who might be interested in sending their children to our school to come in or call for more information so that they will not have to be put on a waiting list. I think having our youngest scholars in this building rather than in the previous space has made them feel more a part of the SJF experience and thus made our program more popular. (They also delight all of us who love seeing them coming and going to gym, working in the computer lab, and creating masterpieces in the art room.)

Even though we are at the midpoint of this school year, we are already planning for next year. Our presumption is that unless we hear otherwise, you are planning to return to St. John Fisher next year. The School Board is already hard at work trying to create a budget that will enable us to have as little a tuition increase as possible. That number is dependent on the number of families who will be here next year. Next week we will be sending a survey that we would ask you to complete and return to school as quickly as possible. (SJF is the second largest Archdiocesan Elementary school in the city, and we hope that we can maintain that status.).

Our budget also depends on the prompt payment of all tuition bills. We are very aware that in this difficult economy, some of our families are struggling. The School Board is working on plans to increase our tuition assistance program and assign available funds to those who are struggling, but funds are very limited. If you anticipate that your tuition will not be paid to date at report card time, please let me know as soon as possible so that alternative plans can be made and we do not have to hold your child's report card.

The Assistance Fund is very dependent on the success of the Super Bowl Party next Sunday. In addition to a great party, there are many opportunities to win prizes through various pools etc. that occur at the party. We are also hoping that each family will purchase at least the basic package of raffle tickets for the giant television that were sent home several weeks ago. (If you lost those or need more to sell to friends, neighbors, or relatives, please contact the school or Jackie Long...You could watching the game next year with a new plasma big screen!)

Although February is busy, there are several important events in March for which you might want to mark your calendars now. Father Ken Velo will be our parish mission speaker this year. Father Velo is a terrific speaker and story teller. He was a dear friend of Cardinal Bernardin and gave the homily at his funeral. He has much wit and wisdom to share. The mission begins at the masses on the February 28 weekend and continues on Monday and Tuesday, March 1 and 2, at 7:30. We are fortunate to have Father Velo for the mission because he only does one each year. Please try to make these times a priority. I promise it will be well worth your time.

The Athletic Board fundraiser is March 6th. Last year's party was great fun as foods from around the world were beautifully prepared and served. The music was also great.

We will also be having several special events in honor of St. Patrick and St. Joseph. Stay tuned for details.

Happy Hearts Month!

January Newsletter

The very cold temperatures did not dampen the enthusiasm of most of our students as they returned to school today after a relaxing Christmas vacation. Judging from the tales they shared, it seemed that Santa was VERY good to all of our students.

Santa was also very good to our faculty. Thank you for your generous gifts, your kind words, and delicious treats. There is a new resolve to finish every crumb and only then think about those weight-loss plans for the new year.

Thanks also for your amazing generosity for the Sacks for Santa Program. The drivers who come to pick up the toys to bring them to Catholic Charities distribution centers are always astounded by the volume of gifts that come from SJF. You have taught your children well to be aware of the needs of those who have so little.

Our Christmas pageants and plays were a wonderful success. I love the idea that every child has a role: king, angel, or drummer boy, and thinks that he or she is THE star of the show. These productions are memory makers for parents, grandparents, or other fans who know that this is the real meaning of Christmas.

And now to the New Year! Although the January Calendar does not seem as busy as December, there are many important events ahead.

Our eighth graders will be taking the high school placement test at the schools of their choice on Saturday. This is always an important day, not only for our graduates, but for their parents as well as they mark this next important step in their child's life journey. The faculty and I are very proud of the class of 2010 who have already demonstrated so many talents and accomplishments. I know they will represent our school well in the various high schools that will be fortunate to have them next year.

The eighth graders will also be celebrating their Confirmation on January 30, at the 4:00 Mass. They have worked very hard to learn the doctrines of our Faith, have contributed many hours of service to people who need help, and are ready to make a strong commitment to live their lives as more mature Catholics. Keep them and their families in your prayers in these final weeks before Confirmation.

January also marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, our annual celebration of the role that our schools play in the formation of Catholic Christian values and the provision for a strong academic foundation so necessary for today's world. Catholic Schools Week opens on Sunday, January 24, with a family Mass at 10:00 followed by Open House throughout the school. We hope that you will be able to join us to meet the teachers and see some of the creative work that our students are doing.

Among the other events planned that week is the Pro-Kids Show. This nationally known program uses comedy, magic, and audience participation to teach respect and responsibility. The show is scheduled to appear at SJF on Thursday, January 28 with a student performance in the afternoon and a family performance at 7:00. The show has received rave reviews at other local schools. Some of the reviews include: "Your show is the best I've seen for parents and families." "Through the years, we have had many wonderful assemblies for students . . . PRO-KIDS tops them all." We hope that you will make this evening a priority. The family show begins in Church at 7:00 p.m.

Even though we have not completed the second trimester of the school year, we are already making plans for next year. Catholic Schools week is the official beginning of registration for our kindergarten and pre-school programs. If you have neighbors or relatives who might not have children in school yet, but who are interested in sending their children to our school, please invite them to come for Mass and Open House or to call the school for more information about registration.

Are your bowling shoes polished? You will want to look your bowling best for the annual Family School Association's Candle Light Bowl at Bleekers on Saturday, January 16. (Information should be in your child's back pack today.) Previous attendees affirm that this is an inexpensive and fun night for all. If you have a question, please call and we will put you in touch with the appropriate planner.

Plans are also underway for the Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 5th. Although the Bears will not be there this year, this party is a great gathering of friends and neighbors that features several screens and delicious food. Tickets are only $20.00 and all proceeds from the event will be used for the Tuition Assistance Program. Look for more information in the bulletin, in a special flyer, and on the parish website.

Although the Bears will not be in the Super Bowl, the Hawks will be in the playoffs and thanks to a very generous benefactor we are having a special limited raffle to benefit the tuition assistance program. Four premium lower level seats (row seven!) for the first playoff game will be the prize in our limited raffle. Only 100 tickets will be sold at $50.00 each. For more information or to purchase a raffle ticket, please email Jackie Long at michaellong@comcast.net. We anticipate the 100 chances will go very quickly, so let Jackie know immediately if you are interested.

During these very cold days, please keep the children in the warmth and safety of your home until the last minute. Many times teachers have meetings before school and although no one will be "left out in the cold", we do not have adequate supervision for all of the children who might want to come to school early. Thank you for your cooperation.

In the event of a snow day (which we hope will not happen), we ordinarily follow the lead of the Chicago Public Schools, which as you know do not usually close. If, however, there are extenuating circumstances, you will be advised via our email and phone blast that school is closed. We will announce the closing on the major radio and television stations that provide that service.

Please mark your calendar for Monday, February 22. As announced previously, our new Archdiocesan Superintendent requires that we participate in two professional development days mandated for the entire Archdiocese. All of our teachers will be at Marian High School on that day, so the students will not have school.

Progress Reports will be distributed on Wednesday, January 13. This is a good time to do a "reality check" to be sure that your child's grades are not in a mid-winter slump and to encourage new efforts to do well before the second report card of the year.

Congratulations to several of our Girl Scouts who participated in an essay contest called "The Patriot's Pen" based on the theme: "Are There Heroes Among Us". Three of our eighth grade girl scouts were winners. Their essays will now go to state -wide competition in Springfield. Congratulations, girls!

The New Year holds so much promise and possibility. Enjoy each day!

December Newsletter

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" at SJF...Although we are trying to live in the beautiful season of anticipation during Advent, it is hard (and rather futile) not to catch the contagious excitement of our youngest scholars. I dare anyone to be Scrooge-like when the countdown to Christmas is so real!

The month ahead is a short one....a late Thanksgiving and the timing of our Christmas break makes December a short but busy month at SJF. Please check the calendar that went home today and the website for up to date information about the many events that fill this busy time of the year.

We begin with an invitation to all to attend the FSA Christmas Craft Night on Thursday. The very memorable custom designed gifts the students create are worthy of Nordstrom's or Tiffany's! The admission ticket allows each crafter to make six different projects. Information went home today, but if you have a question, please call school.

The Faculty will have their annual retreat day on Friday. Students have no classes on December 4. If part of your Christmas tradition is to go downtown to see the lights and windows, this is a great opportunity to do so since there will be fewer crowds.

Our band will perform its annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 8. We will have a student performance at 1:30 and an evening performance for parents at 7:00. All are welcome.

The four year old pre-schoolers and the kindergarten classes are busy in rehearsals for their Christmas pageants, scheduled for December 16 and 17th. If ever you needed a bit of pre-Christmas cheer, these are performances you do not want to miss.

Your generosity with so many projects is always remarkable. With that in mind, I would like to invite you to consider two Christmas events that the school will be having as a means of sharing our hearts in this beautiful time of gift giving. As mentioned in an earlier bulletin, friends from St. Christina pack supplies for men and women serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were recently notified that their shelves are quite empty. Since you have been so generous in the past, the organizers of this very worthy cause have asked us to help again. A list of needed supplies by grade level was sent last week. We are grateful for anything you might be able to do to help. The team from St. Christina will be here early next week to pack up anything we can provide. Thank you in advance for thinking of others.

Another annual project that we have is "Sacks for Santa," a toy collection for families who are serviced by Catholic Charities. As you know from reading the papers, this tough economy has been particularly hard on organizations who work with the poor. We know it has also been difficult for many of you. Perhaps a good advent project would be to sacrifice a trip to McDonald's or dessert one night and use the money saved to buy a toy or gift certificate for the Sacks for Santa. Asking your children to accompany you to purchase the gift might be a great lesson in sharing. Please know we are grateful for anything you might be able to do to fill the sacks this Christmas. We have just ten days for the collection since representatives from Catholic Charities will be here on Monday, December 14, to gather the toys so that they can be distributed by Christmas.

On Sunday, December 6, all are welcome for the Family Mass at 10:00 a.m. At this Mass we will "introduce" our Confirmation Class to the parish community and ask that they adopt one of the Confirmation Candidates as a prayer partner for the time between now and Confirmation Day at the end of February. Sunday is also St. Nicholas Day, a good time to bring the family to church as a reminder of beautiful Christmas customs from around the world. We hope you will be able to come.

I conclude this month's newsletter with an invitation for each of you to work with our faculty on an Advent kindness campaign. Over the last several weeks, we have learned about some painful bullying that is occurring among our students at just about every grade level. Bullying is of its very nature often very subtle. Although we would like to think that teachers do indeed have "eyes in the back of their heads" and ears equipped with sonar, much of the behavior that can be so painful to students goes unnoticed until it is brought to our attention. Once we do become aware, our faculty is very firm about our lack of tolerance for any situation where a student is belittled, mocked, or made to feel unappreciated. Too often the child who initiates inappropriate behavior or speaks an unkind word has been the victim himself. He of she thinks that survival and acceptance are achieved only if they put down another child. As a result disrespect becomes a vicious cycle.

Please know that our faculty is addressing every issue that comes to our attention, but we need your help. Please take the time to talk with your students about how painful hurtful words can be. Please help them understand that although we hope every child has good friends, to purposefully exclude others by treating them disrespectfully, creates an environment that does not help any of our students learn to be open and accepting of individual differences.

Our handbook policy is very clear:
Aggressive, deceitful, or destructive conduct shown toward peers or adults is unacceptable. Fighting or any form of physical violence will result in an immediate detention. Harassment, slander, bullying, including cyber-bullying, are never tolerated. Direct bullying/harassment includes teasing, taunting, hurtful words, threats (subtle or implied), misusing email, inappropriate instant messaging or on-line blogging, or writing cruel or threatening notes.

During the next few months, our faculty will be renewing our efforts to help each of our students strengthen the values of respect, kindness, compassion and care that we want each of them to experience both in and outside of school. Our pro-active approach will include a variety of opportunities for our students to learn more about what constitutes bullying and the long-term damage that can be done to others. We have had and will continue to have professional presenters in to speak with our students, and will once again have the services of Mrs. Eileen MacKenzie, a licensed counselor from Catholic Charities to work with our classes and small groups when she is here once each week. Our teachers will continue to incorporate anti-bullying and conflict resolution into the curriculum. Our goal remains to provide each child with the tools and strategies he or she needs to be a confident and caring individual and class member.

In general, we have wonderful kids from terrific families who share our common goal that this next generation of leaders in our high schools, our community, and our world will have big hearts and broad shoulders. Your generosity of time and treasure continues to model a wonderful example for your kids to emulate. Let us continue to encourage each and every one of our Fisher Kids to become his or her BEST SELF as we work on our kindness campaign.

There is so much that we celebrate this Christmas. Yes, the bills are piling up and many jobs seem less stable than ever. Yes, the coldest days of winter are ahead. Yes, those we love have worries and/or medical issues that can cause sleepless nights. Yes, we worry about the world we are creating for our kids...Yet, in the midst of all of these concerns, God's promise of Light and Unselfish Love continues to be at the heart of this wondrous time of the year. Take time to think of the gifts that are ours every day, not so much the Black Friday specials from Macy's or Target, but those that we too often take for granted, toothless smiles, baskets at the buzzer, healthy new babies, and future actors from the kindergarten play who would rather be sheep than angels. The list is endless. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Dear Families,

We have survived the excitement of Halloween and moved into the beautiful season of Thanksgiving.  It is also the season of report cards and parent teacher conferences, new sports seasons, playoffs, and, if you have been to the mall, even early-bird Christmas shopping!

I am happy to report that we have had only a small number of confirmed H1N1 cases.   As reported earlier, we continue to monitor the situation very closely.   We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the kids home if they are not feeling well.
We are also pleased that our first visit from the Shot Fairy went very well and we are anticipating a return once more vaccine is available.  We will keep you informed as soon as we have more information.

A quick look at the November calendar affirms that there are busy days ahead.  The mother-daughter tea is next Sunday after the 10:00 Mass.   This event is always great fun and a chance to have some "girl time" together.  Tickets are still available. 
Sports sign up night is Thursday, November 5th. Check the Athletic Board link on our website for more details. 

Next Wednesday we are hosting Mark Brown, a noted national speaker for a school assembly on respect and anti-bullying.   We are looking forward to this presentation which is being sponsored by QSP, the organization that we use for our magazine fund raiser. 

Thursday, November 19, is the Family School Association Boutique Night.  The planners  have contacted some wonderful vendors to come for the evening including a group who will weigh old gold and buy it.  Invite your neighbors for an evening out and get a jump on your Christmas shopping.

The regular meeting of the Family School Association is on Thursday, November 12.  Please know we value your input on ideas that you might want to share about St. John Fisher. 

The Boy Scouts are hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, November 22.   The chefs who prepare the breakfast do an outstanding job each year.  

Mrs. Nealis has been very busy scheduling our annual Parent Teacher Conferences.   You will be receiving your confirmed appointment early next week.  If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made.   Although emails, blogs and electronic grading are wonderful, time for face to face conversation about each child is so valuable as we work together to provide the best for your children.  

One of my favorite liturgies each year is the Family Mass we have on Thanksgiving Morning each year.   Although this is a very busy time for most of you, I guarantee there is no better way to start the day than by attending the mass.  The music is wonderful, several of our students help plan the Mass,  and the spirit of the day reminds all present of how very blessed we are by a God who loves without limit.   We hope you will be able to come before you need to go "over the river and through the woods" for your family feast.

In our never-ending quest to save money, we are always searching for paper that may have been used on one side but that can still be used in our printers and copiers.  If your place of business may be switching letterhead or if you have access to other sources of paper or envelopes, please know we welcome any contribution.   Although we are trying to "be green" as much as possible, our paper costs continue to be very high.   
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.  Although I am SURELY not the family chef, I love starting the day with the family Mass and gathering later with family and extended family to share all of the traditions that accompany the day as we retell stories about jello molds that never jelled, the year I thought the pumpkin pie was pre-baked (it was delicious at midnight!), bourboned sweet potatoes, (I'm not sure who found that recipe!), and the various guests that have been at our table over the years.  I am sure your families have similar family tales that are told each time you gather for this very special feast. Common to all is the amazing awareness of the many ways in which each of our families has been so richly blessed as family, parish family, and community.  Find a moment to be aware of "the attitude of gratitude" that we too often take for granted.  Have a glorious celebration, and, if you need the sweet potato recipe, give me a call!

Happy Thanksgiving!

October Newsletter

Although we missed celebrating a Chicago Olympics, there was no lack of spirit at our Homecoming Pep Rally today. You may have heard thunderous applause emanating from the gym if you were driving down 103rd Street today. We are looking forward to a great homecoming weekend that includes today's pep rally, a homecoming parade to Beverly Park at noon tomorrow, and a Homecoming Dance on Saturday Night. Many thanks to all on the athletic committee who work so hard to provide all of these activities for our students. Homecoming weekend is just a small part of the total athletic program to which so many volunteers give hundreds of hours each year. Many thanks!

We recovered well from Fisherfestitis, that rare annual ailment whose symptoms include general weariness, funnel-cake overdose, and sore throats from screaming on scary rides.
One recovers quickly after a bit of rest. Cooperative weather, great crowds, a wonderful community spirit and the volunteer hours of scores of people helped make the event very successful. Thank you for your support.

October is a bit less hectic. The major event of the month will be the final celebration of our parish 60th Anniversary on October 17. A giant homecoming for all current and past parish members is planned. Mass will be at 4:00 followed by a party in the gym, Kane Hall, and a tented outside area. Dinner catered by Franconello's at a very nominal cost will also be available. Please gather your neighbors and friends who might have moved from the parish to return for this gala. It promises to be a real memory maker. Tickets are available after all of the masses on the weekends but can also be purchased through school. An order form is available on the parish webpage (www.sjfparish.org.) You can return the order form and your money to school where it will be processed. Tickets will be returned to you the next day or if requested, held for you at the door.

The Magazine/Gift Fundraiser is off to a great start. You should have received a large information packet listing all of the items that are available. Please pay special attention to the magazine section. The school receives a full 40% of the subscription price of each order. There is a huge selection of choices. If you have questions about any aspect of the sale, please call. Remember, you can use earn a tuition rebate on any purchase you make over your $175 mandatory fee.

Please note that the students have two days off in October. Columbus Day is Monday, October 12 and on Friday, October 16, the entire faculty will attend the Archdiocesan Festival of Faith in Rosemont.

Even though it is early in the year, our eighth graders are already seriously thinking about their choices for high school. We will host two High School Options Days later this month for the students to meet representatives from local schools who will come to explain the programs offered at their schools. Check the calendar and websites for more information.

We have tried to post more timely information each Friday on a weekly eblast...If you do not receive this information, please let us know so that we can update our records.

Students from third through eighth grade will be receiving the first progress reports of the school year next week. These reports provide a quick overview of how each student is doing. Please take a minute to talk with your child to see if there may be problems or a lack of understanding about classroom expectations. Reports at this time also provide plenty of "recovery time" for a student who wants to be on the Honor Roll for the first trimester.

October 1 is also the official start of the "real school uniform" time of year. Capri's and shorts are replaced by jumpers and skirts. Please remind the students to come in clean and neat uniforms each day.

The change of season is always a glorious time of year....Enjoy!

Now that our pre-schoolers have officially begun their academic careers the new school year is launched! Uniforms look so neat and clean, back packs still have two straps, and crayola boxes are still full. The cool temperatures have helped create a wonderful transition to the rigors of a new school year. Welcome!

I am happy to introduce two new teachers to our Fisher Family. Ms. Laura Fahey will be teaching fourth grade and Mrs. Michelle VanderWoude will be our new music teacher. Both bring strong credentials and great enthusiasm to their work. In introducing them to our school, I assured them they would experience both terrific students and supportive parents who are anxious to partner with them to provide the best for our kids. Thank you for making that possible.

I am excited about several new programs at SJF this year. Our extended day program offers a safe and happy place for our children to stay before and after school when that service is necessary. Mrs. Diane O'Grady and Mrs. Jane Zelek, the program coordinators are both parents and understand well the craziness of the early morning routine and the personalities of children at various ages, and the importance of an after school schedule to include time to debrief, time for a snack, and attention to homework. They have created a warm and welcoming environment for the children who will be coming before and/or after school and have made the hours flexible enough to include anyone who might want to take advantage of this program. We will have a direct line to the extended day program very soon, but in the meantime, if you have questions or want to know more about the program, please call the school. I am so grateful to Jane and Diane for their willingness to take on this important new program.

I am also delighted to tell you about our new student support program. Mrs. Khym, Mrs. Keaty, and Ms. Super will act as a team to help address the wide variety of learning styles that exist in our school. They will be "pushing in" and "pulling out" (educational parlance for small group activities for our students) to better address and challenge our students at each grade level. The program is currently in the "defining" stages, but as it develops, I am already confident that it will strengthen our already strong curriculum. We will keep you informed.

Our first school Mass of the year will be on Friday at 10:15. Please know that you are most welcome. We have re-scheduled the skating party for Thursday evening at 6:30. We hope the extra week of practice will have you in better shape to come for this event which is always so much fun.

Please remember that Friday, September 4 is an early dismissal day. The bell will ring at 11:30 to accommodate those who want to get an early start on the Labor Day weekend.

Fisher Fest is almost here! The parking lot will be converted to Great America South on the weekend of September 18-20. The event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and relies heavily on the sale of all of the raffle tickets. This year, the prize has been increased to $30,000. A limited number of tickets @$100.00 are still available. Many of our tickets are also sold to "shareholders" who purchase either one half or one quarter of the ticket. There is also a special Fisher School Family Raffle for any family who purchases a ticket to win a free pass for rides and food for the entire family. Mega bracelets for the Fest will be available each night BEFORE the Fest opens on Friday.
Pray now for good weather for the Fest.

Congratulations to the Schied, Spatz, and O'Boyle Families who are the lucky winners of the early bird school fees raffle. Their names were drawn at Sunday's Parish Picnic.

Sunday, September 13 at 10:00 is the first of our Family Masses. We hope that you will make this a priority. There are many things that make our school uniquely Catholic, but the faith we share should be the center and foundation of our community. During the year, we will be asking different grade levels to host one of the monthly Masses. Our parish is blessed with a beautiful prayer space, great music, and a welcoming community. The example you set for your kids about the importance of Sunday Mass complements the values and goals we believe are one of the principle reasons why you sacrifice so much and choose Catholic Education for your children. We strongly encourage you to come for Mass each week and especially for our family masses this year.

We will be hosting a "meet your teacher night" on Wednesday, September 16th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Although all of our teachers have sent or "blogged" a welcome letter to you, we know it is important to meet them "face to face" as you begin this year together. Although we encourage all to attend, know the program is very informal and is not a parent teacher conference since it would be unfair to expect a realistic assessment of any student's performance so early in the year.

Thank you for the continued diligence that has helped stem the spread of head lice. As mentioned earlier, we are waiting for more information from the Chicago Board of Health about hosting an information sharing meeting. In the meantime, keep checking each head. Prevention and immediate attention to early stages are the best ways to prevent an epidemic.

We continue to receive almost daily information about the H1N1 virus. The teachers are daily reminding the students about proper hand washing and the building is "lysolized" each night. You can help the spread of the infection by keeping your children home if they show any signs or symptoms of fever or illness.

Emergency cards are going home today. Please be sure they are returned as soon as possible and that all of the information is correct. Please be sure that the person whom you list as an emergency contact is available for pick-up if your child should become sick at school. In response to the H1N1 fears, schools have been advised to send children home immediately if there is a hint of a fever or other possible H1N1 symptom.

The beginning a new school year is like January 1st because of the potential for new resolutions. One you might consider is to use our MANNA program more regularly. This year more than $30,000 was issued in tuition credits to our families who use the program faithfully. The MANNA office is open every day of the week except Tuesday and you do not need to buy large amounts of certificates at any one time to begin to see a difference. If you would like more information about this great opportunity to see a tuition reduction or if you do not fully understand how the program works, please let me know. We hope to increase our customer base significantly this year as a demonstration of our willingness to help keep tuition more affordable.

Our school has one of the strongest technology programs in the Archdiocese. A huge benefit of that program is the ability to communicate in a timely way with each of our families. Please check our website, your children's teacher's blogs, and parent email regularly. If you have a question or concern (or even a compliment!), we would be delighted to hear from you. Research continues to affirm that the best schools are those where there is strong communication between home and school.

I hope the first few weeks of school have gone well for you and your children. When I see them walk in each morning, I am reminded of the wonderful privilege that is ours to help shape the hearts and minds of this next generation. They have infinite potential! May we, with you, continue to provide the love, challenge, and encouragement that will help realize that potential.

There is a hush all over the community today as our students get ready for tomorrow's "opening day." The floors are polished, the new books are delivered, the gym looks terrific with the new lighting, and our wee folks from pre-school are now joining us in the big school....we are looking forward to a great year.

We are sorry that we are not able to host the traditional back to school coffee on Wednesday morning. Because of the new floor in Church, we are having daily Mass in Kane Hall until next Monday. We will miss greeting you more officially, but know there will be additional opportunities.

Do you have your wheels greased and ready for Thursday's skating party? This back to school event is always such great fun. All are welcome to the parking lot for the event which begins at 6:30 p.m. Pray now for good weather.

We will post the September calendar on the school website later this week. Look for important information and up to the minute news.

One important piece of information deals with the health and safety of all of our children.
We are getting daily information about the H1N1 virus. The best advice is precaution. We will do our best to have children wash their hands often. (Each room is now equipped with industrial size hand sanitizer soap!) The cleaning company has also promised to be diligent about cleaning all surfaces carefully each day and teachers will help students in their rooms with regular clorox wipes desk cleaning. We will keep you updated as more information is received.

Another concern is the apparent outbreak of pediculosis (head lice) over the summer. I used to think we did not have to worry about this until winter hats and scarves were out, but apparently baseball helmets and summer sleepovers have created a significant outbreak in this area. We have put together a letter about some preventative measures everyone can take. I have also talked to the Chicago Board of Health who is working with the alderman's office to provide helpful information including a meeting here at school for those who might want to learn more about prevention and treatment. Look for the letter and more information on Wednesday.

Remember that Wednesday is a half-day session with dismissal at 11:30. Thursday and Friday are full day sessions. We will also open our new extended day program on Thursday.

The start of a new year offers amazing enthusiasm and challenge. The faculty, staff and I look forward to working with you to build an environment where each of our students is encouraged to become his or her best self.

See you on Wednesday morning.

S. Jean