ONLINE SIGN-UP
Sign-Up for Fees, Student Activities, Parent Volunteering, and Faith in Action
is done through our
online school page, called “School Speak.” Go to
schoolspeak.com
to sign up in early August. Thank you for your involvement, your time, and your service!
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
ATHLETICS
(5
-8
).
St. Michael students in fifth through eighth grades are eligible to participate in a wide variety of sports including; volleyball, cross-country, football, basketball, and track & field. All programs sponsored by St. Michael School have a "no cut" policy, with the focus of each sport on helping each child learn skills, build strength and enjoy the experience of participating in an organized team sport. Our Athletic Director is Frank & Linda Cycenas, who is supported by the recently formed Athletics Board.
BAND
(4
-8
).
“Lancer Band” is our after-school band program for beginner and experienced students by our own, local “Suburban Music." The Lancer Band is a great opportunity for students to learn brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. Lancer Band members receive discounts at Suburban Music, personal lesson opportunities, and are offered an instrument rental program. Enroll today at suburbanmusicwheaton.com/LancerBand!
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
(4
-5
).
Battle of the books is a competitive team of 4thand 5thgraders who compete in several tournaments with other District 200 and private schools in the area. Students read 25 books from a library list and practice for nine months (June through Feb) with tournaments taking place at the Wheaton Public Library in January and February. (A Junior High Battle of the Books opportunity may be available for Fall 2019.)
BRIARCLIFF BASEBALL
(P-8
).
Let’s play ball! St. Michael students can register for a team with classmates through Briarcliff. Registration for 2018 Spring Season opens Nov. 1. Note your son’s or daughter’s interest in the on-line sign-up on Schoolspeak or contact John Griffin for more information at: jgriff730@yahoo.com. Visit wbyb.org for more information.
CHESS CLUB & TEAM
(3
-8
).
For students who already love or those who would like to learn the great game of Chess, we have two options for this classic, beloved game. Some students choose Club or Team, and some choose to do both. Chess Club is open to students at any experience level in grades 3-8. Enthusiasts may join Chess Team and compete on behalf of St. Michael. See more details on Schoolspeak.
FAITH IN ACTION
(P-8
).
Faith in Action is the overarching service program spanning Preschool through 8th grades. All students at St. Michael put their faith into action through various acts of service, whether done together in the classroom and mailed or delivered, or acts of service out in the community. Teachers will let parents know if volunteer help is needed for a program or if extra resources are needed. If your child’s class requires “sign up,” this will show up on SchoolSpeak for you to sign him or her up for dates and times for that class’ FIA.
FUN FOOD FRIDAY
(1-8)
.
(Note: Not available for K.) The Parent Organization offers Fun Food Fridays with Augustino’s Hot Dogs, Einstein Bagels, Wendy’s, Jimmy John’s and Domino’s Pizza. All “Fun Food” options rotate and are noted on the Schoolspeak calendar. Cheese pizza will be served on the Fridays during Lent. Fun Food lunches include: choice of entrée, chips (carrots on Pizza Days), and a cookie. You may purchase additional entrée(s). Ordering for Fun Food Fridays is available on SchoolSpeak, and happens only once, at the beginning of the year through “Online Sign-Up.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL BLAST
(6-8
).
A BLAST (Big Loud Awesome Summer Time) for those in grades 6-8. Previously a “summer” program, you’ll find BLAST activities all year long. This is an exciting way to have some fun with fellow Catholic middle schoolers. You’ll be hearing from Theresa Simeo or Kathy Scholz with details.
SCOUTS: CUB SCOUTS & GIRL SCOUTS.
Cub Scouts (K-5th) and Girl Scouts (K-8th) are year-round programs designed specifically for boys or girls, respectively. Scouting gives young people the opportunity to try new things, be of service to others, build self-confidence and reinforce ethical standards. It is a fellowship that lasts a lifetime!
SHINE! SHOW CHOIR
(2
-8
).
“SHINE! Showchoir” and “SHINEjr!” are performing arts / show choir experiences for St. Michael students. SHINE, LLC seeks to nurture a love of performing in students of all ages. Through the music, performers are challenged and encouraged to reach a level of excellence while developing pride, confidence, discipline, self-esteem and other important life skills. SHINEjr! is for grades 2-4; SHINE! Show Choir is for grades 5-8.
TENNIS CLUB
(K-8
).
The St. Mike’s Tennis Club is run in 6-week sessions throughout the year at the Wheaton Sports Center. Classes are grouped by age and are held from 3-4pm. Equipment is provided.
YOUTH CHOIR
(3-8).
Students who love to sing are invited to join our children's Youth Choir, to lead our All-School Masses in song. As well, this Choir
assists with some of our special weekend Masses. Information about joining the Youth Choir will be sent in the Fall.
YOUNG REMBRANDTS
(K-6).
Join this extracurricular art program and grow your love for and skill in Art. Young Rembrandts is an art enrichment program in partnership with St. Michael. It meets once a week and is available for students in grades 1-6.
PARENT VOLUNTEERING
ART AWARENESS
(P-K)
.
Art Awareness is an art enrichment program for children in Preschool-Kindergarten. It is run solely by parent volunteers willing to share their enjoyment of art. Art Awareness is a fun and easy way to spend time in your child's classroom. There is a pre-structured lesson plan for each presentation, with samples. Volunteers give a short presentation about a specific topic and then do a fun, simple art project with the
class. Parents may sign up for one or multiple lessons. There are approximately 4 lessons (1/per quarter) in Preschool & Kindergarten.
BIBLE STORIES (P-2)
.
The younger grades enjoy a monthly bible story told by a parent volunteer. The stories are interactive and have been a favorite activity for many parents, as our children love this special, sacred time.
BLUE & GOLD GALA
(P-8)
.
We have an annual “Gala” event which includes a wonderful evening of celebration together, a silent and live auction, and many opportunities to support our school. We hope you join us (or even jump in as one of our many volunteers)! The 2019 Gala is February 15th.
BOOK FAIR
(P-8
)
.
Come shop for your favorite books all while helping raise funds for our school! The book fair is held just in time to shop for everyone on your Christmas list. The SMPO also hosts an online book fair to pick up those summer reads.
CARE MEALS
(P-8
)
.
The Care Meals program asks for volunteers who are willing to make a meal(s) for someone who could really use a hand. Sharing the nourishing gift of a meal with one of our families in a time of physical or emotional need is a great way we show God’s love through our community.
DONUTS WITH SANTA
(ALL FAMILIES).
We are looking for some enthusiastic helpers for Santa! Donuts with Santa is a fun annual event open to the entire Parish community. We need many volunteers to help spread the Christmas cheer and magic. Help with ticket sales (pre-event), set-up, the event itself, or clean up.
FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE
(P-8
).
The annual Father Daughter Red Carpet Ball is a terrific opportunity for school and parish community dads and their daughters to share a memorable evening together on the dance floor. This event is held in April and we need your help!
FISH FRY
(ALL FAMILIES).
We are sure you’ve heard us say, “Don’t Cook, Come to the Fish Fry!” Even better... come help with the Fish Fry! All of the funds raised from our annual Lenten Fish Fries go directly to our school Endowment Fund. We raise funds to strengthen the future of St. Michael Parish School. And if that doesn’t make you want to fry fish (or at least eat it), do it because it’s really fun.
FUN DAY
(P-4
).
The St. Michael Parent Organization is looking for volunteers for Fun Fair. Fun Fair is for those students in 4-Year-Old Preschool – 4th grade. It takes place in the Parish Center at the end of January, just preceding Catholic Schools Week. Many volunteers are needed to run all the stations at Fun Fair and ensure a great time for the kids looking to beat the winter doldrums and enjoy this celebratory CSW time. A great opportunity to get involved!
FUN FOOD FRIDAY
(1
-8
).
(Note: Not available for All-Day K.) Fun Food Fridays is fun for the kids, but it is fun, “easy” work for volunteers, too! It’s also a great way to see the lunchroom in action, see your children at school, and meet other volunteers. Please volunteer.
GRANDPARENTS DAY
(P-8
).
Grandparents Day is a wonderful, welcoming day in May for our students’ Grandparents and VIP guests. Please consider helping set up, serve refreshments and escort families to their children’s classrooms.
HOT LUNCH
(1-8
).
The hot lunch program this year will be with Quest Foods. Quest Foods provides staff for lunch distribution and cleanup so we are only in need of 1 person to assist primarily to watch and assist the children with lunch needs (opening wrappers, condiments, etc). We hope you will help us this year during lunch! Sign up for whichever specific dates work for you, as often as you wish.
LANCE’S LOCKER BOOKSTORE
(P-8)
.
Lance’s Locker Bookstore is located in the Parish Center/school lunchroom. Check us out for all your gym clothes, Friday “Spirit Wear” and grade level school supplies (i.e. homework folders, assignment notebooks, Bible, preschool bags, Spanish/English Dictionaries and calculators). We need many volunteer parents to work at the bookstore while we are open Mon/Wed/Fri!
LIBRARY HELPERS
(K-8
).
Assistance is needed during school hours from parent volunteers in our beautiful School Library. Contact: Mrs. Lisa Palasek (630) 462-5049.
ROOM PARENTS
(P-8)
.
Room Parents are needed at all grade levels, P3-8. Take advantage of one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities offered at St. Michael Parish School. Participate in classroom parties, classroom picnics, classroom celebrations, teacher birthday treats, Catholic Schools Week festivities, and so much more! Also, each classroom needs one Room Parent Coordinator to lead the team of Room Parents.
SANTA’S SECRET SHOP
(K-5
).
Santa’s Secret Shop is a fun way for your children in Grades K – 5 to do their own Christmas shopping. Children will have the opportunity to join their classmates during the school day and shop for inexpensive ($1 to $10) gifts for friends and family. The day is filled with holiday spirit and the children’s joy in selecting their own gifts is priceless. We need parent volunteers to help with setup of the shop and also to help the day of the event. Parent helpers assist children on their selections, help them with counting out their money, help wrap gifts for children, etc. The day is a lot of fun and a fun way to socialize with other parents.
WOMEN’S FAITH GROUP & BOOK CLUB.
Are you looking for ways to increase your faith life with other like-minded women? Are you wanting to build friendships within your school community? Are you searching for ways to give back to your community? Come join the Women’s Faith Group! We will offer at least 4 events this coming school year. Some plans for the year include book club, Christmas Angels, empowering speakers, craft projects and more.
REFERENCE
DEVELOPMENT: ANNUAL FUND, GALA & SMPO FUNDRAISERS (P-8)
.
St. Michael relies on fund raising efforts and generous stewardship for multiple bases: the “Annual Fund” to fill the operating budget, the “Gala & Auction” for projects and operating budget, and multiple fundraisers by SMPO to fund student experiences throughout the year. Participation by all is critical to fostering the positive spirit of support at St. Michael and is crucial to St. Mike’s financial health. Dollars raised have immediate impact on the experience of our students and the education we provide. St. Mike’s is ambitious in the academic, community and spiritual experience we provide for our students, and must be so to remain viable. We are so grateful for such wonderful support!
SCHOOL BOARD
(P-8
).
St. Michael School Board is an advisory executive board of volunteers who assist with the business management of the School. Meetings of the board are listed on the calendar on Schoolspeak.com and are open to all parents.
ST. MICHAEL PARENT ORGANIZATION [SMPO]
(P-8
th
).
SMPO is a board of parent volunteers who manage all of the activities at St. Mike’s! Meetings are open and on the calendar on Schoolspeak.com.
Early Events Guide
You Are Cordially Invited…
You have stepped into a very active school community at St. Michael! We invite you to participate in the many events throughout the year hosted especially for our families, children and parents. All our families are important members of the school community, and we hope to see you involved! This “Early Events Guide” provides detailed information for upcoming events in August & September. Events for the entire year are online on the School Speak calendar for convenient reference, with details if you simply click on an event to view the “notes.”
August 2019
Welcome Night for New Parents
,
8/18.
Welcome, New Families! We are so excited begin the year with you. Each year we host this welcome event for new parents to meet each other, meet administrators and key leaders, and learn about what is to come in the school year.
Supply Day
,
8/20 School-wide.
Supply Day invites all students and parents to visit the classroom, drop off supplies, meet the teacher and take care of any back-to-school business. New families, please stop at the “New Family” table to ask questions, have one of our student volunteers walk you to your classroom, or “check in” if you were unable to attend Welcome Night. Bring outstanding completed forms or payments for the Office or SMPO. SMPO will have a table in the entry hall, and will be available to trouble-shoot any issues with on-line sign-up. Lance’s Locker, our bookstore, will be open so you can shop for spiritwear! Any pre-orders for supplies will be pre-bagged and ready for your family. The “Uniform Exchange” will be open downstairs, so please stop in to take some of these gently used items for your child’s use (all items are free, as part of the exchange!). Lastly, if you’ve had any bus corrections, please check your bus route, posted down the main corridor, to ensure your stop, address, and child’s name are all accurate.
First Day
,
8/21,
1-8.
Welcome to the First Day of school! We are so excited and cannot wait to get started! Bring remaining supplies, a big smile, and a ready attitude. It’s going to be a great year! Students can begin arriving at 7AM. Ideally students should arrive by 7:20 - 7:25, so they can be ready by first bell (at 7:25). Please adhere to expectations outlined in the drop-off procedures for safety and ease of all (and perhaps allow a little extra time & patience due to the construction this year). We encourage bus-riders to ride the bus on the first day, so drivers and riders get off to a good start with their route. We encourage the parent or adult waiting at the stop to meet the driver and have your child introduce himself or herself. We appreciate everyone’s patience to help usher in the new year on a great note! Uniforms are expected beginning the first day, with “Mass attire” expected for grades 6 - 8.
All-School Mass
,
8/21,
1-8 (All school families welcome!).
We welcome the year by celebrating our first All-School Mass. All 1st-8th grade students attend weekly Mass together beginning the first day, with Kindergarten students joining for a few Masses throughout the year. All-School Masses are coordinated by students and faculty, with grades or classes taking turns preparing and leading each week. We celebrate Mass as a way to bring our children and community together in faith. Most of these Masses are on Wednesdays at 8AM, though there is some special scheduling on the calendar. Families and community members are always welcome to attend. (Please note that students are expected to wear “mass attire” as described in the handbook under the uniform policy.)
Orientations, Preschool & Kindergarten
,
in Your Child’s Classroom,
P-K.
Orientation is held for Preschool and Kindergarten parents to receive a curriculum overview from the teacher, learn classroom procedures, sign-up for in-class volunteering, and have questions answered before school begins. At least one parent should please attend to hear this information first-hand. It is helpful to have parents only, please. (Please note that Preschool and Kindergarten parents are not required to attend “Curriculum Night” programs, as all their classroom information is presented in these orientations before classes begin.)
First Day of Kindergarten
,
8/22 in Your Child’s Classroom,
K.
Welcome, Kindergarteners! First Day details for Kindergarteners will be given at Kindergarten Orientation.
Parent & Child Play Days, Preschool
,
in Your Child’s Classroom,
P.
Preschoolers get to have their “first day” as a play day with their parent(s)! This Parent & Child Play Day helps our preschoolers’ transition with an added sense of security. Get ready for a good story and some preschool-sized fun with your child. This is a special day just for your preschooler, so no siblings, please. Also, please bring two wallet size pictures of your child for a special project.
First Day of Preschool
,
Schedule-dependent, in Your Child’s Classroom,
P3, P4 & P4+.
Welcome, Preschoolers! First Day details for Preschoolers were sent in your child’s teacher letter, depending on your class.
Parent “First Day” Coffee, Preschool & Kindergarten
,
Church Bridal Room across from Church Office,
P-K.
Parents of a preschooler or kindergartener are invited to gather after drop-off on the big “first day” for fellowship and coffee to mark this special milestone! After dropping off your child, join us in the Bridal Room directly across from the Church Office.
Spirit Wear Fridays,
All Fridays, School-wide,
P-8.
We have an abundance of school spirit and love to show our true colors on Fridays! Unless specified otherwise, Fridays are “Spirit Wear” days, and students may wear a St. Michael Parish School spirit shirt or jersey with their uniform bottoms or jumper (t-shirts must be worn under sleeveless jerseys). All other standard uniform requirements apply. Students are not required to participate and may simply follow the regular dress code.
Welcome Back Mass
,
8/24,
All-School.
Please join us to kick-off the school year with this special Mass for all our School families!
Welcome Back Social
,
8/24,
All-School.
Following the Welcome Back Mass, we will host our Annual Welcome Back Social. Exit Church to the parking lot to find all the fun! We will have a special frozen treat for all! Bring a pen and visit the Yearbook table to get your copy of last year’s book, and be sure to have it signed throughout the social. Stop at the “Lance’s Locker” booth to order spiritwear (show your spirit anywhere and anytime, but especially on Spirit Wear Fridays). We hope you enjoy the music, treats and festivities!
Curriculum Night I
,
8/27 (Grades 1-5)
.
Curriculum Night is important to attend to learn information about the coming year for the larger school community and for your child’s class specifically. This is an event for parents or guardians, not students. Curriculum Night begins in the gym with a presentation from the Principal, Mr Ferguson. Following this, parents disperse to their child’s classroom for their child’s teacher’s presentation, and a chance to see what their child has been working on to date. Teachers’ presentations are presented twice, in two successive sessions, so parents are able to visit multiple classrooms and not miss a thing! (Kindergarten parents are invited to attend the all-school presentation at 6:30.)
Curriculum Night II
, 8/29 (Grades 6,7,8). Curriculum Night is important to attend to learn information about the coming year for the larger school community and for your child’s classes specifically. This is an event for parents or guardians, not students. Curriculum Night begins in the gym with a presentation from the Principal, Mr. Ferguson. Following this, parents disperse to their child’s classrooms for teachers’ presentations, and a chance to see what their child has been working on to date. Teachers’ presentations are presented twice, in two successive sessions, so parents are able to visit multiple classrooms and not miss a thing!
September 2019
Picture Day
,
9/5,
P-8.
All grades participate in “Picture Day!” We work through a professional school photographer to document each year at St. Michael, and include these photos in our annual Yearbook. More information about photo packages will be sent home before Picture Day, with options for individual pictures and a whole class memory page. Students are not required to wear uniforms for Picture Day, but are expected to adhere to the “dress up day” policy in the handbook.
Protecting God’s Children
,
9/8,
All-School.
This is a mandatory Catholic schools’ volunteer workshop sponsored by the Joliet Archdiocese. In order to protect all children, the Archdiocese requires this workshop, an application and completed background check, and the signed acknowledgement form agreeing to abide by the Diocesan policies regarding working with children. These forms are necessary to become a school volunteer. Call 462-5044 to register for the workshop or for more information. (Other dates and times are also available in the Diocese.)
ITBS & CogAT Testing
,
9/16 – 9/20,
3-8.
A variety of assessment tools are used at St. Michael, including ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) and CogAT (Cognitive Abilites Test). These assessments help teachers better understand and teach to the learners in our classrooms. More information about ITBS and CogAT will be given in September. St. Michael parents do receive a copy of these test results. First and second graders are also assessed with a CogAT “screening” during this test week. We help foster a “no-stress” testing attitude, and encourage lots of rest and a great breakfast during testing week!
Feast of St. Michael
,
9/29,
K-8.
All are welcome to join in these special Masses honoring our Patron Saint on this celebration of the Feast of St. Michael!
Spirit Week
,
9/23-9/30,
P-8.
Homecoming is a wonderful week of in-school celebration, with games, special dress up days, and many wonderful activities. Athletic events that week will be featured under “Athletics” on Schoolspeak. We hope you’ll come out to a game and support our home teams!
Visit Schoolspeak.com to view our interactive 2019-2020 school calendar.
Click on an event to see details for time, location, description, and the contact person with contact information (where applicable).
