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Thursday Tidbits
November 20, 2024
SGS Spirit Week Information 2024
Dear Students & Families,
Spirit Week will wrap around 2 different weeks simply because we were scheduling around what was supposed to be a Superintendent Visit. We end our Spirit Week with a Pep Rally and that date could not be changed. Spirit Week will start this Thursday 11/21 and concluded with the Pep Rally on November 26th. I am sending along the information on each of the (4) day themes for dressing. Spirit Week 2024 The Pep Rally will feature; some student games, our Cheerleading Team, and our 8th Grade Class. We will be recognizing all the sports teams, and calling down our 8th graders by name that participate on these teams, to be specially recognized for their contributions and school spirit.
With pride in our athletes and how they represent our Catholic values!
Mrs. Kris Buckley, Principal & AD
November 14, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Our first Trimester has come to an end and report cards will be coming home tomorrow. As part of our Continuous School Improvement Plan we will be sharing some general information regarding topics that pertain to education. The first topic we selected is “School Attendance.” Since the pandemic, schools across the country have been grappling with high numbers of absenteeism and tardiness. Even in our own suburban environment this is an issue for schools. We can’t stress enough how important it is for our students to be in school. Absent/tardy students put stress on the classroom as a whole, and on teachers who are responsible for teaching concepts on a continuum. There is often not the time or place for teachers to work individually with students who missed critical instruction, project work, and tests. As a school we strive to create a welcoming environment for students, we address interpersonal issues that might be causing barriers to learning and school attendance, and we hope to partner with parents to establish healthy home routines around school attendance. As we enter the second Trimester there is still time to set goals and make some home routine changes in order to support students academically. We are all striving for success, and School Attendance is the first step. Elementary Handout: School Attendance , Middle School Handout: School Attendance
There is an update to the Superintendent’s visit, he had a conflict come up so his visit has been rescheduled to Monday, December 9th.
Due to popular demand we are opening a “Winter Spiritwear Shop” orders will arrive before Christmas break! Spirit Wear Shop: Ordering
Enjoy the last Supermoon of the year tonight!
Mrs. Kris Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
Friday 11/15 - Report Cards go home PK-8, Spirit Wear Day
Saturday (12-7pm) & Sunday (11-2pm) - Christmas Bazaar in the gym Christmas Bazaar 2024
Fliers:
Santa's Secret Shop: Save the Date!
Carmel Dance Team Clinic Grades K-8
November 7, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are heading into the holiday season, and life is picking up its pace. Next weekend we will be holding our 2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar. This is a chance for supporters to clean out their old Christmas Decorations, donate them to the school, and we will have a “Christmas Rummage Sale/Bazaar” on November 16th & 17th. This was an unbelievable success last year, and a very festive event; one of our retired teachers made another beautiful quilt for us to raffle off, there will be tables for rent for Crafters to sell their creations, homemade Cinnamon Rolls to purchase, and so many different types of Christmas Decorations that will be available for a “free will donation.” You can switch up your decorating theme by browsing through all the donations! All proceeds will go towards our “Tuition Scholarship Fund” for current families in need. There are informational flyers below for donations, sign ups, and event day details.
On November 22nd the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Mr. Greg Richmond will be visiting our school. We are excited for his visit, and can’t wait to show off our students and all their hard work in their classes. I am asking that students put effort into selecting “smart and clean” uniforms for this day, just like when they walk in for the first day of school! The Student Council will be greeting him and assisting with visiting classrooms. He is presenting us with a certificate for reaching 5 Essential Survey milestones, and he will be speaking with all the students briefly before he departs.
Thankful for all our families and students!
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
11/8 - No School (Teacher Professional Day)
11/9 - Mother & Son Bowling (Lakes Bowl)
11/11 - Spirit Wear Day
11/12 - FSA Restaurant Night BBQ Productions Restaurant Night Details
11/13 - No Grayslake Buses (AM)
11/15 - Spirit Wear Day, Reports Cards Go Home (Trimester #1), Accepting Bazaar Donations & Set-Up @ door #1
11/16 & 11/17 - St. Gilbert School Christmas Bazaar Christmas Bazaar Details
SGS Sports Scene:
11/8 & 11/9 - 8th Grade BB in a tournament @ St. Joe’s
5th Grade BB Saturday 11/9 @ FCA 9:00 am
11/14 - Boys Basketball Away @ Westlake (5:30-6th, 6:30-8th)
Extra Curricular/Students:
October 31. 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
You will be reading this after all the fun activities for Halloween are over, but you can be sure that a great time was had by all! Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to decorate their trunks and bring candy for the children, those who are room parents and planned classroom parties, teachers who volunteered for games, s’mores, trunks and more. Friday 11/1 is a Holy Day and we will all be attending 8:00 am mass. There will not be a Spirit Wear day tomorrow due to going to church, but I will make it up to the children in the next couple weeks! Thursday 11/7 will be a bonus “1944 Shirt Day” and there will be Spirit Wear Days on 11/11 & 11/15.
J
ust a friendly reminder to please check student lunches to make sure no candy with nuts is being packed as their treat for lunch at school.
Stay safe & have fun trick-or-treating this evening!
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
From Mrs. Kleber....Veteran Care Package Project: Veteran Project Donations
We are 1/2 to our collection goal of 250 or more care packages. Please donate if possible.
Items needed: Individual packages of cookies, chips, cold cereal, oatmeal, playing cards, beef jerky, granola bars and wrapped candy.
Donations should be marked STEM Veterans Project and sent to school with your child or dropped off at the school office. Please send in by Monday, 11/4/24.
Please contact Lisa Kleber if you have any questions, lisa.kleber@stgilbertschool.org
Thank you for your support!!!
Calendar Reminders:
11/1 - All Saints Day Mass 8:00
11/4 - No Grayslake Buses (AM/PM), Safety Drill w/Grayslake Police, Sports Picture Day (fall sports-check w/coach for schedule (evening)
11/5 - No Grayslake or Woodland Buses (AM/PM)
11/7 - 1944 Shirt Dress Down Day, End of Trimester #1
11/8 - No School-PD Teachers, 8th Grade Dedicated Shadow Day @ Carmel H.S.
SGS Sports Center:
11/1-11/2 - 8th Grade Girls Volleyball playing a tournament at SSPP.
11/4 - Fall Sports Picture Day-evening (Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer)
11/7 - Home Openers for 8th Grade Boys BB- 6:00, 7th Grade Boys BB - 7:00
Fliers:
Christmas Bazaar: Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
October 30, 2024
Boo Bash Guidelines for Volunteers & Students
1. Parents that have volunteered to set up their trunks: arrive around 8:00 and we will park you in a designated spot. Student rotations begin at 8:30. We are doing trunks rain or shine since volunteers out there are not necessarily Virtus compliant and cannot be brought into the building. The time for rotations will run from 8:30-12:15 for all grades of the school. You can break up the hours you are manning a trunk by assigning time slots to different people if necessary. If you can work the whole time that is fine as well. Please bring candy for your trunk, we are expecting 400 students to parade through the trunks. The office has extra candy if needed, and helpers will go around checking on supplies. If you are a volunteer please arrive around 8:15. Thank you all for volunteering!
2. Students will go to (3) different stations for 15 minutes; fire pit s'mores, games in the gym, and trunk-or-treat. PK & K students have "spooky dance party" and s'more chex mix instead of fire & games.
3. Students in all grades can wear costumes, there will be prizes given out for "best costumes" in grades PK-1, 2-4, 5-8. Guidance for costumes are as follows: full face masks are discouraged as it is difficult for students to see, and we have younger students in the building who might be scared of full on face masks (if you do wear a mask we will allow it during the trunk-or-treating portion when students are with their class.). No prop weapons allowed in school. Full face makeup is not allowed, you can paint on whiskers, a mustache, stitches etc. No hair dye allowed, however, you may wear a wig as part of your costume that is colored. If you choose not to wear a costume please wear clothing that is in Halloween colors to get in the spirit of the day. Students need to bring a bag or bucket for trunk-or-treating.
Happy Halloween!
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
October 24, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you to everyone who attended our 80th Anniversary Gala, who bid on auction items, or gave a donation. Over the next month we will work on fulfilling all our “teacher experiences” and we will share our final fundraising profits. Lucky 7 car riders will begin their new pick up routine on 10/23. I do have a few baskets and tool items in my office, if your bid won an item please arrange for a pick up day & time! (call 847-223-8600 or email: school.office@stgilbertschool.org
Tomorrow, I will be presenting to other principals of the Archdiocese, on the area of “Supportive Environment-Safety” for which we ranked in the top 5% of confidence on the 5Essential Survey taken by our students. They were asked questions about how safe they felt going to school, walking in the hallways, using the restrooms, etc. Our next school improvement area is to enhance and make even more secure our main school entrance. I met with a contractor last week, and we talked over potential plans. We are in the stage of getting an Architectural drawing completed. I will keep you updated as we progress through the process of creating an attractive and safer main entryway. Boosterthon & Gala fundraising is going towards this project.
Lastly, I want to thank so many of you for all the lovely cards, and flowers for National Principal Appreciation Week! The students made cards, gave hugs, and words of thanks as well. I am so blessed to work for such loving and supportive children and parents! Thanks to our staff Sunshine club for the “cool” sign outside of school-that was a first for me!
Enjoy the sunshine,
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
Friday 10/25 - Last day of “Red Ribbon Week”- High School or College Sweatshirts (dress down)
Thursday 10/31 - Halloween! Class parties at lunchtimes, Boo Bash 8:30-12:15 (classes attend 3 activities on a set time rotation) (S'mores, Games/Dancing, Trunk or Treat), Students can wear Halloween costumes, prizes for best costumes by grade level, please no full-face makeup or complete face masks, prop weapons are not allowed in school. Students should be able to walk and easily use the restroom in whatever costume they are wearing. Send a bag, or container for Trunk-or-Treating.
Upcoming Event: Sponsored by your FSA
Save the date November 9, 2-4pm
Mother and son bowling at Lakes Bowl in Round Lake.
October 22, 2024
Support Our Veterans!
Parents & Students,
If you can support our efforts to recognize and thank our Veterans, as well as provide "assembly line" practice to our 4th graders please consider a donation of items off this list. Mrs. Kleber is coordinating this cross-curricular activity in the STEM Lab. Packages will be sent on Veteran's Day. We thank you for your support! Veteran's Care Packages Details
Mrs. Kris Buckley, Principal
October 17, 2024
Link to Gala Silent Auction Items
SGS Gala Attendees and Silent Auction Bidders -
You can find tomorrow night's Gala event details on our website or you may click the link below. Don't forget the silent auction ends at 9:30 tomorrow night (attendance not required)!
e.givesmart.com/r/vY4mJeg-m-E2D/e/DOv/
October 17, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have helped plan our 80th Anniversary Gala, those who have put together or donated baskets or items for the event, those who donated wine & whiskey, and those who will be attending on Friday night. It was a community effort, and we are sincerely grateful. We are looking forward to celebrating with a wonderful dinner, dancing, and other special decades sponsored activities tomorrow evening at Independence Grove-Audubon Room. Open bar & horderves begin at 6:00 pm.
My “Through the Decades Gala” team of helpers/planners consists of; Meaghen Dahm, Bennette Cunningham, Pat Murphy, Aly Veras, Marissa Herrmann, Dori Greffly, Meme Baynes, Lisa Jacobson, Kim Gillespie, Shannon Rosales, and Cindy Swindell. You have been a self-less, fantastic team of creative ideas, and hardworking hands! Bidding is now open on all the silent auction items. Even non-attendees can bid on those items. Live auction & wine & whiskey pull must be present to win. Use this link to view silent auction items: (put Gala link here). Bidding on these items will close at 9:30pm on the day of the event.
Happy Fall ya’ll, see many of you at “The Grove”
Mrs. Kris Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
Friday 10/18 - Spirit Wear Day (1944 shirt day), Grayslake High School Placement Test (bus is being provided for this testing during the school day) 80th Anniversary Gala @Independence Grove 6:00-10:30 pm
Monday 10/21 - Red Ribbon Week Begins Red Ribbon Week 2024 , Musical Audition Workshop (Grades 6-8) 2:00-4:00. Musical Workshop Details 2024
Tuesday 10/22 - Board Meeting (virtual), Aladdin Auditions 2:00-4:00 (Grades 6-8)
Wednesday 10/23 - Aladdin Audition 2:00-4:00 (Grades 6-8), FSA Meeting 6:30 (Zoom)
Thursday 10/24 - Read 4 the Record (PK-1)
SGS Sporting News:
10/19 - IESA State Cross Country (Good luck Juliet B. & Hudson C.!)
10/21 - Conference Playoffs Soccer-Host 5:00, 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Conference Playoffs-Host of 1st round games.
10/22 - Conference Championship Cross Country @ Allegheny Park 4:30
Fliers:
SGS Christmas Ornament Design Contest 2024/25
The next FSA Meeting will be Wednesday, October 23rd @ 6:30pm via zoom. Please the Thursday Tidbit email or contact the school office for the codes.
October 17, 2024
Thank you Mrs. Buckley
Help us celebrate Mrs. Buckley on National Principal Appreciation Day! Send a note, email, or card to express your thanks for her
amazing leadership at Saint Gilbert School. You can also say thank you in person at drop-off and pick-up.
We hope to make her feel special on Monday 10/21 and Tuesday 10/22.
See the 2 page attachment for details. Thank you Mrs. Buckley (5).pdf
October 14, 2024
80th Gala: Silent Auction is Live!
We are 5 days away from our 80th Anniversary Gala. Our silent auction is now live! Bidding ends on October 18th at 9:30pm. Also, check out the sneak peek of our live auction items. You can bid on items even if you can’t attend the Gala.
https://sgsgala2024.givesmart.com
October 10, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Today we begin our Parent-Teacher Conferences for grades PK-8. Students in grades 4-8 must attend with their parents. Parents, you have chosen the format between either; in-person or virtual. Please contact the office if you have not received the virtual link for your conference. Arrive a few minutes early, teachers strive to stay on schedule.
We have been notified by the Superintendent of the Archdiocese that our school had the highest ratings in (2) areas of the 5Essentials Survey; Ambitious Instruction & Supportive Environment, from among all the Catholic Schools in Lake County. We are very proud to have achieved these high ratings and recognition. Mr. Greg Richmond, Superintendent has asked to visit our school, and we will be hosting him on November 22nd. This is a huge honor, and one we have not experienced for over 20 years! Planning and details to come.....
Our Gala is just a week away and I am still in need of the following items: (10) bottles of wine valued at $25 or over, and (10) bottles of whiskey valued at $35 or over. These are for wine & whiskey “pulls” at the event. If you are unable to support our Gala with your attendance, please consider donating one of these items. Our silent auction items will be going “live” this weekend. You do not have to attend to be able to bid on these fantastic items! There are so many wonderful baskets, specialty items, and “teacher/student experiences” available to bid on. Please help this to be a successful fundraiser! We have not held a Gala in over 10 years, the proceeds all go back into the school to benefit our students, and our future success as a Catholic school in the Grayslake community.
Our Sports Fanatic Fundraiser of; PigSkin Pick’Em has ended in a three-way tie. The winners are; Charlie Schoen, Max Mottola, and Katie Buckley. They each will take home winnings of over $100 with the remainder coming back to the school. Stay tuned for our next Sports Fundraiser of “Super Bowl Squares.” If you still have to pay your $30 entry fee, please use Zelle@stgilbertschool.org to pay.
Our next “big event” is our Boo Bash Boo Bash during the school day on Halloween. There will be games, dancing, bonfire & s’mores, trunk or treating, and prizes for best individual/group costumes for the various grade bands. We are still in need of candy donations (no nuts please) and volunteers to hand out candy at the trunks. If you can help even for part of the day please contact school.office@stgilbertschool.org. If you are working outside there is no need to be “Virtus” compliant. Each grade has been asked to create a “trunk” and I have a couple parent volunteers with their trunks as well. This event will run in sessions for the grades from 8:30-12:15. Parties will be held in your child’s classroom during their lunch times, coordinated by the room parents, and pizza is the main food item.
Enjoy the Fall-tastic weather!
Mrs. Kris Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
10/10 - 11:00 Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Aftercare open until 5:30 for preschoolers only!
10/11 - No School, Parent-Teacher Conferences cont.
10/14 - No School - Indigenous People’s Day
10/15 - Band Lessons begin: during the school day Beginner & Intermediate) Afterschool 2:00-2:45 (Advanced)
Emil’s Restaurant Night: Emil's Night Flier
10/17 - School Picture Retakes (morning), Fire Department visit grades K-2
10/18- Spirit Wear Day, Grayslake H.S. 8th grade testing (bus provided from SGS), SGS 80th Anniversary Gala 6:00-10:30 @ Independence Grove-Audubon Room.
SGS Sports Stars Weekly:
10/12 - IESA Cross Country Sectionals @ Melas Park
10/15 - All our Girls Volleyball Teams are participating in “Volley 4 a Cure” at Prince of Peace. Games begin at 5:00. Students who attend as players or spectators earn a dress down pass! Volley 4 A Cure Details
10/17 - Boys Soccer away at LFCD (5:00)
Informational Fliers:
2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar Planning: Christmas Bazaar
8th Grade Carmel Shadow Day: St. Gilbert Dedicated Carmel Shadow Day (8th Only)
October 7, 2024
Music Program Information
Parent/Guardians,
We have two different music organizations that service our students. Here is the information and grades that these apply to. There are extra costs for this programming that is paid to the organization directly. Lessons occur during the school day, and in the case of band (one after-school practice session.)
Music Kids: Piano, Violin, Guitar lessons for grades PK-8 Music Kids Flier , Music Kids Info. SGS *Music kids lessons began 10/4, and occur on Monday & Fridays depending on schedules. If you are still interested, they are accepting new enrollees.
Music Education Services: Band Instrument Lessons Grades 4-8; Music Education Services Info. * Band lessons begin 10/15.
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
October 3, 2024
Thursday Tidbits
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are enjoying the fair fall weather days here at SGS! Daily recess has been beautiful for all the grades, gym classes can continue to be held outside, the Aftercare children get to enjoy a second recess in the afternoon without coats, and we were able to hold our bus evacuation drill this week with mild temperatures and no rain! This is the time of year when we hold all our compliance drills that are mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education. Coming later in October will be our School Safety Drill. I will coordinate this with the Grayslake Police and our teachers of various grades. For our younger children in grades PK-3 we talk with them about general drill expectations, such as where exits are located in relation to their classroom, and how important it is to stay quiet and listen to their teachers. In the upper grades 4-8 we will actually run two scenarios of a safety threat close to their room location, where an exit is not possible, and a threat located in another part of the building where an exit of the physical building is the safer option. As with all drills, knowing where the exits are, being quiet, and listening to their teacher’s directions are paramount. Once I have the date I will share that information with you so that you are aware.
We will be celebrating Bully Awareness Month with a wear “blue” shirt with uniform bottoms on October 7th. Bully Awareness Day We want all our students to be kind to each other. Harmful words and actions affect everyone in the school environment. A happy, successful school environment is what all our children deserve.
Some “School Band” news for those students in grades 4-8 who play an instrument or who are interested in learning. Music on the Move was unable to hire an instructor to take over at our school, so I have made the decision to switch to Music Education Services. Many local Catholic schools in our area use this group. Mr. Louie Cruz will be our new band director. Tomorrow 10/4 there will be a demonstration concert for 4th & 5th graders during the school day. On Tuesday 10/8 students who are interested will have a “fitting”; which is a chance to talk with the new Band Director and try out different instruments. Students who are in grades 6-8 will have a meet & greet on this day with the director. Sign up information and pricing will come home with students. Band classes are set to start October 15th. Music Education Services (Band)
Prayers and blessings,
Mrs. Buckley, Principal
Calendar Reminders:
Friday 10/4 - Spirit Wear Day, 4th & 5th Band Demo Concert, Carmel Recruitment Visit Grades 6-8
Monday 10/7 - Bully Prevention Awareness Day-Blue shirts with uniform bottoms! Bully Awareness Day
Tuesday 10/8 - Band Fitting 4th/5th/Band Dir. Meet & Greet 6-8 (during school day)
Wednesday 10/9 - No Grayslake Buses (AM)
Thursday 10/10 - 11:00 Early Release/Parent-Teacher Conferences, No Grayslake or Woodland buses (PM), Aftercare is only open for Preschoolers, no other grades due to conferences.
Friday 10/11 - No School-Conferences Continued
Monday 10/14 - No School - Indigenous People’s Day
Tuesday 10/15 - Band Starts, Emil’s Restaurant Night (FSA)
Sports around SGS:
SGS 7th Grade Fall Volleyball Tournament 10/4-10/5 (various times)
Cross Country IESA Sectional Meet (TBD)- 10/12
Fliers:
Holy Fire & Prayer Experiences 4 Teens
Grayslake High School Feeder Basketball Program
Grayslake Feeder Baseball Program
Carmel High School Math Tutors
October 3, 2024
Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up Online Closed
The online signup portal for Parent Teacher Conferences has been closed so that teachers may prepare for conferences.
If you still need to sign up or change your date or time, please contact your students homeroom teacher.
Please contact Lisa Kleber lisa.kleber@stgilbertschool.org with any questions or help needed.
Previous Thursday Tidbits:
Thursday Tidbits July 2024 through September 2024