AGW 12/5
Dear Lancer Families,
It’s an exciting time of year at St. Michael Parish School as we draw closer to Christmas Break and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Our halls are filled with joy, anticipation, and the spirit of giving!
Today, our students had a chance to visit Santa’s Secret Workshop, where they had the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for family members. A huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered as Santa’s little helpers…guiding our young shoppers and helping wrap presents. We extend a very special thank you to Cheryl Cassidy and Jackey Kerger for once again chairing this wonderful event. Their dedication makes this tradition truly magical.
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 6th, we look forward to welcoming families to Donuts with Santa in the Parish Center from 9:00–11:30 AM. Join us for donuts, Christmas crafts, and a chance for the kids to share their Christmas wishes with Santa himself! If you didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time, no worries, tickets will be available at the door.
Looking ahead, the Annual Christmas Concert and 5th Grade Nativity Play will take place on Thursday, December 11th. Students have been rehearsing for weeks, and the performance is sure to be spectacular. Please refer to the email sent earlier this week by Mrs. Petrando for all details regarding arrival and performance times.
As we look ahead a few weeks, Thursday, December 18th will be a FREE Out of Uniform Day…the theme is Ugly Christmas Sweater/Holiday Dress Day. Students can wear an ugly Christmas Sweater, Red/Green Shirt, or Christmas themed shirt on this day without having to use an Out of Uniform Ticket.
Cold Weather Reminder: As temperatures drop, please make sure students come to school with winter coats, hats, and gloves—we do go outside for recess! Also, label all items with your child’s name to help us return them if they get misplaced. Our Lost and Found table is growing with many quality items waiting to be reunited with their owners.
We also want to wish our 8th graders the very best of luck on the High School Placement Test, taking place at our local Catholic high schools on Saturday, December 6th. You have been preparing throughout your time at SMPS, and we know you will shine!
Lastly, thank you to our students, teachers, and supporters who made #GivingTuesday and our #GiveBack such a wonderful movement to spread some much appreciated love and kindness throughout our school wider community. The projects have been shared all over town and received with joy!
As we move through this joyful season, may we continue to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy the blessings of community, faith, and celebration.
Make it a great day, Lancers!
Adam Ferguson
Principal
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Donuts with Santa is December 6! Santa will be available for a photo, as well as donuts, crafts, games and fun! Reserve your spot today! Tickets are $10 per family. Ticket sales will close 12/2 for the final donut count, so make sure to buy your ticket here: https://forms.gle/Gog9bX5JcYzyciaT6
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The 14th Annual Lion’s Charities Reindeer Run is Saturday, December 6 at 8:30 AM. If you enter code: MICHAEL25, you’ll receive a $5 discount and SMPS will receive $5! Win/Win! You can register here: https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/reindeerrun/ (Don’t forget to stop by SMPS for Donuts with Santa after the run!)
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St. Michael Family Night at the Chicago Wolveshockey game is January 17 at 7 PM. Everyone will receive a free Chicago Wolves hat and we’ll all be seated together. Our school name will also be on the LED boards during the game! Ticket orders are due December 15! Order form attached.
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Ho! Ho! Ho!
Santa’s Secret Shop is returning to St. Mikes!
Children in kindergarten - 5th grade are invited to participate in the upcoming “Santa’s Secret Shop” on Friday, December 5th during the school day. There will be a large variety of gifts in different price ranges to choose from. Parent volunteers and for our K-2 students, their buddies!, will help the children pick that perfect gift for the price they want. Imagine the fun the kids will have surprising a loved one with a “secret” gift they bought all by themselves! Please keep in mind when making your list of who to shop for that each class will have 20 minutes to shop, purchase, and have their gifts wrapped. The majority of gifts range from $1-$7 with some higher end options up to $20.
A “money control” envelope will be sent home next week so you can help them decide who they should buy gifts for and how much they should spend. You can even suggest ways that your child can earn extra money. Please have your children bring the envelopes back to school on shopping day - December 5th!
A credit card option is offered in addition to cash or check. You may go onto the website www.funhgs.com or scan the QR code on the envelope and pay ahead. Any balance will be returned in cash, not locked into an account for future use. If you choose this option, please put the amount prepaid on the envelope so the child knows their budget, and be mindful the purchased amount does not include their service fee.
This event creates wonderful memories for the children while teaching them to budget their money and make their own decisions. Any questions? Contact one of the committee elves.
Thank you!Santa’s Secret Workshop Committee
Cheryl Cassidy and Jackey Kerger
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Dear Current St. Michael Families,
A spot has already been reserved for your returning Lancer!
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If you have a NEW student to enroll for next year you must open a NEW application AND complete the P/K Preference Form (2 steps):
Applications Opened on 11/1/2025: Enter your NEW student through thisFACTS application. The system will “recognize” your login and current student(s) because you already have an account. Please use the same email you use for Family Portal so it doesn’t create a duplicate account. After you log in and go under “Application,” it will give you a button at the bottom of the page to click labeled “Create a New Student Application.” You only need to add your NEW student, since your current student is already in the FACTS system. [Due by December 15at the latest so we can guarantee space for your new Lancer.]
P/K Preference Form Is Open Now: If your NEW student is entering Preschool or Kindergarten, please also fill out this P/K Preference Form[due by December 15at the latest to guarantee preference]. If your NEW student is not entering P or K, please skip this step.
If you have a RETURNING student who will be a Preschooler or Kindergartener next year:
Please fill out this P/K Preference Form for each 2026-2027 Preschool or Kindergarten student [due by December 15 at the latest].
If you have NO new students and NO Preschooler or Kindergartener for 2026-2027, and your returning student(s) is in Grades 1-8* there are no requirements at this time!
💬 Reminder! Order hot lunch! New students will need an ID number to complete the order. For your student’s meal order ID number, log into FACTS and click Resource Documents under School. Scroll down to: My Meal Order 25-26 students.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Congratulations to our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade winners of our dance unit! You ROCK!
COMMUNITY POSTS
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You’re invited to the Womens’ Faith Group “Advent By Candlelight.”
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Upcoming Events
SHADOW DAYS:
A Shadow Day gives 7th and 8th graders the opportunity to immerse themselves in a traditional school day and learn why every day is a great day to be a Redwing!
Tuesdays & Thursdays - beginning in October
8:00 AM - 2:15 PMBAGELS AT BENET:
Parents, please join us for coffee and conversation about Benet with our Director of Admissions, Matt Grigas, our Manager of Admissions, Kelsey Peceniak, and several other faculty members, counselors, administrators, and students.
Select Wednesdays October - April
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMSTEP-UP DAYS:
Designed specifically for 7th and 8th graders, a Step-Up Day is a half-day where future Redwings experience what it will be like to "step-up" to 9th grade as an athlete, artist, and faith-centered student.
Friday, October 10; 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 11; 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Optional HSPT Prep Workshop: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PMOPEN HOUSE:
An opportunity for the whole family to meet our faculty, staff, coaches, students, and other members of the Benet community while learning how Benet fosters the on-going religious, intellectual, and social development of its students.
Sunday, October 19; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMPRACTICE ENTRANCE EXAM:
Created to reduce anxiety and provide meaningful feedback prior to the Entrance Exam, our practice test stimulates the full Entrance Exam for your child while giving them practical experience to help them find even greater success on the exam in December.
Saturday, November 8; 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM
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