November 12, 2014

Dear Parents,

With Ms. Hayes and Mrs. Hillgoth off our school campus for a few days, I am writing to you in their absence.  Mrs. Hillgoth and Ms. Lewandowski have been in Washington, D.C. this week, both eagerly, and deservedly, accepting the honor of  St. Cletus School's 2014 Blue Ribbon Award.

As you know, Ms. Hayes has been confronting one of life's most sorrowful experiences, the loss of her dear mother and friend, Mrs. Marie Hayes.  Monday's funeral for Marie was quite memorable, with Fr. Bob Clark, Fr. Edgar Rodriguez, and Fr. Ken Baker all concelebrating Mass together with Fr. Bill Corcoran at St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn.  St. Linus' outstanding choir overflowed the church with sweet violins and angelic melodies.  And Margaret herself presented a captivating reflection about her loving mom with considerable poise and grace.

Yesterday's Veterans Day Mass was a wonderful tribute to the family members of our students who have served or are serving in our country's military.  Veterans from many generations of military service processed into the church together and accompanied our students throughout the Mass.  We are all grateful to our veterans and their families for all they do to keep us safe and free. 

Our November calendar (orange-colored copy that went home in our family envelope) indicates there is a spaghetti dinner tonight.  Actually, there is no spaghetti dinner tonight.  The spaghetti dinner will be on February 11, 2015.  Our apologies for the scheduling error.

Our Annual Fund Drive kick-off starts this week.  We do encourage all school families to participate in this special fundraiser for our school.

Dress Down Day, sponsored by our Student Council, is this Friday, November 14.  Please bring a $1.00, which will be donated to the Student Council to benefit the students and St. Cletus.  Students are encouraged to wear their favorite autumn colors--the season isn't over yet--let's enjoy it while we still can!

Sincerely,

Mary Lee Krieger

Office Staff

Dining for Dollars, Aurelio's Pizza

       Tonight is the last D4D at Aurelio's in La Grange, until 9:00 p.m.  Stop by for lunch, dinner, or just to socialize. The offer is good for dine-in, carry-out, and delivery!  A Flyer is required at the time of purchase.  Hard copy flyers went home in last week's family envelope.  We hope to see you there to support St. Cletus FSA programs. 

Dress Down Day This Friday

       On Friday, November 14, there will be dress down day for $1.00.  The money will be going to the St. Cletus Student Council and will be later used to benefit the students and St. Cletus.  Students are encouraged to wear their favorite fall colors.  

Re-Enrollment 2015-16

       By week's end, re-enrollment for the 2015-16 school year will begin.  School families will receive an e-mail/letter from Mrs. Hillgoth and Ms. Hayes with instructions for on-line re-enrollment and a link to the FACTS Management site for your re-enrollment deposit. If your FACTS Incidental Expenses Account is set up for Auto Pay, you will not need to visit your 2015-16 Account--the payment will be automatically withdrawn on the date you have scheduled for Auto Pay.  Otherwise, you will need to visit your Incidental Expenses Account and schedule your re-enrollment deposit.  Thank you for your timely re-enrollment!

Save the Date, 7th and 8th Grade Students

       The 7th & 8th grade TGIF Dance will be on Friday, February 20, 2015, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Morrissey Hall.  Details will follow closer to the date!

Lost and Found

       Please stop by the Morrissey Hall lobby and browse through our "lost and found" tables.  Items remaining after parent-teacher conferences will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul.

St. Cletus Holy Name Society Fundraiser

       Please consider purchasing your Thanksgiving turkey (restaurant quality) from the St. Cletus Holy Name Society. The turkeys are frozen and weigh between 10-14 pounds at a cost of $20.00 per turkey.  Please send in your order form (sent home in today's family envelope) with payment by Monday, November 17.  You may pick up your turkey(s) on Sunday, November 23, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. by Morrissey Hall.

       For more information, please call Dick Maday at (727) 366-4991 or e-mail Rosanne Welenc.

Parent/Teacher Conferences, November 25 

       See Letter from Margaret Hayes 

Ladies' Night, Sponsored by the FSA

       On Thursday, November 13, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., meet your lady friends and family at Alixandra Collections, 126 Calendar Court, downtown La Grange.

       Start your holiday shopping early and enjoy some gal time. Wine and cheese will be provided, plus take advantage of 20% off your purchases.  Please bring a Thanksgiving boxed or canned food item for entrance.  Otherwise, it is $5.00 at the door.  (Food items will be donated to the St. Cletus Food Pantry.)  C'mon Ladies! Call Robin Bourjaily with questions at (708) 705-0505.

St. Cletus Book Fair

       We are in need of parent volunteers for the Book Fair: Go to SignUpGenius to volunteer.

       Score a good book at the St. Cletus Book Fair this November 23-25.  Kate Hannigan, author of "Cupcake Cousins" and "The Good Fun Book," will be visiting our Book Fair on Sunday, November 23, at 3:15 p.m.  Ms. Hannigan has also authored two more books being released this spring.  Book Fair dates & times are:

               November 23, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Kate Hannigan starting at 3:15 p.m.

               November 24, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

               November 25, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

       Check out the Anderson website and order books all year long at ABC Fairs.

Welcome Wednesday, Early Childhood Open House

       Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to see our early childhood program in action (pre-k through 1st grade).  Our upcoming Welcome Wednesday is:

                   November 19, 8:00-10:00 a.m.

       See our Flyer!

Lands' End School Contest 

       Win a 3-D printer for our school!  Click HERE for details. 

November Concert Performance

       St. Cletus is excited to announce its next concert, sponsored by the Fine Arts Series.  The University of Illinois Black Chorus, conducted by Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, will perform at St. Cletus Church on Sunday, November 16, at 4:00 p.m.

       Extra credit in music class will be offered to St. Cletus students who attend this free performance. Show your programs to Mrs. Van De Voort.  (Students must be accompanied by an adult.)

Volunteers Still Needed

       Advent Giving Tree Volunteer Opportunities for 6th, 7th & 8th Graders

            Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, after all weekend Masses, Church: collecting and organizing Giving Tree gifts

       Sunday, December 14--7th & 8th Grade Students Only, 2:00-6:30 p.m., Church: sorting of gifts in Church; loading vans for delivery to St. Agatha's, and storing local community gifts in room 201 of the education building.  Students must come with an adult as a partner.

       Sunday, December 21, 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Morrissey Hall: Giving Tree-- accepting and organizing food baskets and gifts; and/or

       1:00-7:00 p.m., Morrissey Hall: distribution of baskets/gifts and clean-up.  Students must come with an adult, or if in a group, one adult to every five students.  It is not necessary to work the entire morning/afternoon but at least 2-hour shifts, please.  To volunteer or for more information, e-mail Mary Beth Ford or call (708) 215-5418.

Aftercare Notifications

       Please contact the school office NO LATER THAN 2:00 p.m. for Aftercare notifications.  The office needs plenty of time to get your messages to your child(ren)'s teachers.

       School Office:   attendance@stcletusparish.com or call (708) 352-4820

       Copy Teacher:  [first initial last name @ stcletusparish.com]  

Attention Parents of All Fall Athletes

       Please click HERE to complete a coach evaluation survey for the past fall season.  If your student participated in more than one sport, please complete the survey twice (i.e., once for volleyball and once for cheerleading).  You do not need to complete it more than once for head and assistant coaches.  List your coaches' names in the space provided and use the comment section to write any specific feedback towards a particular coach.  If you would like to fill out an entirely separate survey for an assistant coach, that would be fine as well.  You do not need to submit your name on this survey; it can be done anonymously.  The survey will close on Friday, November 28.

St. Cletus Parish Preferred Providers

       Thank you to the following St. Cletus Parish providers. Your patronage to the vendors would be most appreciated.

       Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services

       Adventist Hinsdale Hospital

       Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital

       All Around Amusement

       Annella Family

       Bannerville USA, Inc.

       CJ Wilson Mazda of Countryside

       Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage/Dave Sipek

       Friends of the Capital Campaign

       Hallowell & James Funeral Home

       JH Web Marketing, Inc.

       Bill Jacobs Land Rover Hinsdale

       Lumes Pancake House/Bona Pit/Klapsis Family

       Royal Envelope

       R.W.S. Landscaping & Lawncare

       Southwest Town Mechanical

       Mark and Margaret Bentley

       Hurley Construction

       Lagunitas Brewing Co.

       Ledo's Pizza

       El Patron A Modern Taqueria

       Windy City Music 

Target's Take Charge of Education Program

       Shop at Target and support our school.  Read their Flyer to see how!

DATES TO REMEMBER

11/14:       Dress Down Day, by Student Council, Bring $1.00 

11/19:       FSA Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Room 213 

11/19:       Welcome Wednesday Open House, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Pre-K through 1st grade

                  classrooms; enter through flagpole doors

11/21:       Report cards go home

11/23:       Book Fair, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Morrissey Hall 

11/24:       Book Fair, 8:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Morrissey Hall

11/25:       Book Fair, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Morrissey Hall

11/25:       All-School Prayer Service, 9:00 a.m., Church

                 Early Dismissal: 11:30 a.m.

                 Parent/Teacher Conferences: 12:30-8:00 p.m.

11/26-28:  NO School: Thanksgiving Break

Archdiocesan "Partners in Education": Link to Monthly Newsletter 

Partners in Faith: Link to November Newsletter 

Montini Catholic High School's Holiday Extravaganza

       When:     Tuesday, December 9, 4:00-7:30 p.m.

Montini Catholic High School Open House

       Montini Catholic High School will host an Open House on Thursday, November 13.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation starting at 7:00 p.m.  

       For more information visit Montini Open House or call Kim Richmond at (630) 627-6930, x182.

Lyons Township Soccer Club Winter Academy

       Registration is now open. We have an 8-week program of fun skills games and a final week of our popular "FUNFEST!" soccer celebration that is open for Pre-K to 4th grade players.  All players are coached by professional coaches, and the program is all about fun and development. 

       For more information, visit LTSCWA or e-mail M. Hodgson.

Notre Dame High School for Girls' Breakfast with Santa

       When:      Sunday, December 7

       Where:     Notre Dame's Activity Center and Gym, 3115 N. Mason Ave.,

                         Chicago

       RSVP:      (773) 622-9494

Crossroads Teen Ministry Program for 8th Grade Parents

       The Parent Outreach Team of St. John of the Cross Parish invites parents of teens in our community to a Speaker Event featuring Ms. Jeanne Widing, LTHS Student Assistance Program Coordinator, presenting "Addressing Teen Issues and Challenges - Providing Parents with Tools to Understand and Support Their High School Teens."

       When:    Sunday, November 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

       Where:   St. John of the Cross Parish Center

       Contact: Call (708) 246-4404 or e-mail Beth Korenchan

Center for Gifted

       Winter programs early discount until November 24--enter code "EARLY."

       Go to CenterForGifted website.

Celtics Juniors Winter Sessions

       Send your aspiring soccer stars to learn the fundamentals and boost their confidence on the field!  Visit The Celtics for details.  The program begins Saturday, November 15.

Scoop Deadline:  Mondays by 3:00 p.m. to scoop@stcletusparish.com

       Flyers must be pre-approved by the school office and submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday preceding the Wednesday Scoop publication.

       Articles for non-St. Cletus-related events (no flyers) should be one to two sentences and may include a link to a website and/or an e-mail address.

School Office:  (708) 352-4820