September 12, 2012
Dear Parents,
I am delighted to share with you some impressive news about the School of St. Mary. On
Friday, we received official notification that our school has been designated as a 2012 National
Blue Ribbon recipient for excellence in education! The U.S. Department of Education will honor
the School of St. Mary and other National Blue Ribbon recipients at a recognition ceremony on
November 12th and 13th in Washington, D.C. Following this induction, the School of St. Mary
will be making plans to celebrate our award here at home.
This year, out of the approximate 135,000 public and private schools that operate in the United
States, 269 schools received the Blue Ribbon award. In order to be recognized, all schools
must adhere to a rigorous application process, which analyzes every aspect of each school. For
example, the School of St. Mary provided detailed information documenting our outstanding
academic performance, enrollment, finances, technology, and student services with an
emphasis on our work to meet individual learning needs.
We are very fortunate to have our school in a community with such high standards for
education and we are proud to receive this special recognition. The last time we applied for
and received this award was in 1989 and our school has changed and grown considerably since
that time. The requirements for schools receiving multiple Blue Ribbon awards are more
stringent than for first time applicants, as our documentation must reveal sustained growth in
ongoing high academic performance.
As with all other scores and evaluations, the National Blue Ribbon designation is just one of
many ways that we measure the success of our school. First and foremost is the happiness,
good character and success of our individual students. For that, there is no official award, but
we see it in the incredible accomplishments of our graduates who time and again return to tell
us how much their time at School of St. Mary has started them on a path of success in life.
Congratulations to the staff, administrative team, students, parents and the entire School of St.
Mary community for being recognized among the best in the nation!
Fall Family Fest
On behalf of our faculty and staff, I would like to thank our Parents' Club for a fun filled
afternoon and evening at the Fall Family Festival last Friday! A special thank you goes to Joe
and Toni Talanges, Chris and Betty Collins, Jason and Nicole Elliott and Gaston and Thea Yordan
for their amazing efforts in organizing and executing this memorable event. I know I speak for
all who attended when I say this was a wonderful way for us to kick off our school year! I would
also like to acknowledge all of the parent, teacher, and student volunteers who helped
everything run so smoothly.
UGC Parent Night-Thursday, September 13
The UGC Parent Night will be held tomorrow, September 13th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. Parents with children attending the UGC should plan to attend this informative
evening. A copy of your student's schedule will be located on their homeroom desk for you to
follow. We will begin with a presentation in the gym from 6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. followed by
Classroom presentations at 6:45 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
All notes regarding course content, discipline, grading policy, etc. and any forms (CANTS and
Code of Conduct forms) will be located in the classrooms.
This evening is for parents/adults only.
Hunger Awareness Month
September is National Hunger Awareness Month. In an effort to battle hunger in our local area,
Jewel in Lake Forest has partnered with Northern Illinois Food Bank and Holy Family Food
Pantry. Anyone wishing to support these efforts can make a donation to the Northern Illinois
Food Bank at the register or purchase needed food items and drop them in a bin to be
delivered to the Holy Family Food Pantry. The shelves at the food pantry are quite low right
now, so your donations will be greatly appreciated!
Golf Outing
Next Friday, September 21st, is the "PARS AND PIGS" golf outing and pig roast benefiting the
School of St. Mary. The golf outing will be held at Deerpath Golf Course starting at 10am,
followed by a pig roast at the Lake Forest Club at 6pm. Please join us for golf, the pig roast, or
both if you can!! We'd love to see you!! For more information go to
www.events.org/parsandpigs2012 or contact Kathy Milliman at kathymilliman@comcast.net
Homecoming T-Shirts
October 13th is the School of St. Mary Homecoming! 2012 Homecoming T-Shirts...."Cause we
are Crusaders", in royal blue with white lettering, will be available to whomever would like to
purchase one. Students may also wear these T-shirts to the school pep-rally on Friday, October
12th!
If you would like to pre- order 2012 Homecoming T-shirts, please see the following attachment.
Oktoberfest
Friday, September 28th, is our parish's 8th annual Oktoberfest Celebration. This is always a fun
evening, filled with good German food, great music and friendship. This event takes place in
the parish parking lot off of Green Bay Road starting at 6pm and ending at 11pm. Tickets are
$15.00 for food (all you can eat). Must be 21 to attend. Watch the church bulletin for more
details.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you or your children in any way, please contact me at 847234-9371. Have a nice week! Hope to see you at the UGC Parent Night tomorrow!
For our children,
Venette Biancalana, Ph.D.
Principal
Attachments
Homecoming T-Shirt_2012_FINAL Flyer.docx