AGW 9/12
Dear Lancer Families,
The school year is well underway and things are running very smoothly in the classrooms. Students seem to have settled into their studies and academics. They really have shown their resilience in being flexible as we deal with the unplanned events that have happened so far this year.
Most students have completed their iReady Fall Diagnostic 1 Assessments in Reading and Math. Once all students have completed these assessments next week, we will send home progress updates to all families. This new format of assessing students 3 times throughout the year will give us a better understanding of each student's growth throughout the year. Between the three assessment windows, students may also be assigned follow up lessons to be completed in class as part of their My Learning Path. These lessons will specifically target any deficit areas identified through the iReady assessment. We’ll communicate students' progress as the year moves forward.
Next week, students in Grades 3-7 will be taking CogAT assessments. This data helps us look at student growth and other trends to help us improve our instruction. Unlike local public schools, we do not have any State Reporting tied to student performance. This information is kept local at our school for our use only. The scores/data helps us when making decisions about Math and English placements in our upper grades. Please help us ensure that all students are prepared for their testing by getting a good night sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, and coming to school on time. Students should have at least two sharpened Number 2 pencils and an eraser for the assessments.
Plumbing Update: The plumbers have worked very hard to get our pipes repaired and bathrooms restored to full functions. We appreciate everyone's understanding and flexibility as we navigated this unexpected situation.
Make it a great day, Lancers!
Adam Ferguson
Principal
A glimpse of the work being done…
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Have a high schooler who works well with kids and is looking for a fun, flexible after-school job? Have them apply at St. Michael!
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On September 16 from 9 AM - 11 AM, the Wheaton Police Department will hold ALICE training for volunteers that are frequently at school. The ALICE acronym stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. The options-based tactics taught by ALICE training have become the accepted response versus traditional “lockdown only” methods. We hope you can join us.
Please RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EA9AF29AAFAC25-58404604-alice
For questions, please contact Joe Fekech, Dean of Students at jfekech@stmichaelcommunity.org.
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Thank you to all who participated in the SMPS Spirit Wear contest! The Spirit Wear website is now up and running for orders and the selected designs are showcased on the site.
Design winners:
Athletic T-Shirt: Kevin Mueller
Fashion T-Shirt: Tatiana Zellner
Hooded Sweatshirt: The Job family
> > Order here: https://smps.logoshop.com/
Important Notes:
- While checkout asks for a shipping address, all orders will be shipped to the school.
- Order widow closes September 18!
- Spirit wear will be distributed to your child’s classrooms early OctoberPlease contact Tara Deibel with any issues or questions. tl@aiapromo.com
Happy Shopping!
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Little Flowers Girls' Club
Click for Registration Form
Calling all girls K-5th grade to join us in this Catholic based club for girls. We will be teaching virtues through learning about the lives of the saints. Our monthly meetings will also include a craft, snacks, and social time. Come join us and help instill a love for the beauty of our Catholic faith in our girls while also making some new friends. Junior high girls, 6th-8th grade, are invited to volunteer as assistants.Meetings will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month from 2:15-3:45 pm in the Faith Center, Room #114. The first meeting is on September 19. Space is limited. Registration deadline is September 12th. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, contact Sarah Puglia at sml06c@gmail.com.
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SMPS Lancers for Life Pro-Life Club (click to view flyer/invitation)
Dear 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Parents,
The SMPS Lancers for Life Pro-Life Club is a largely activity-based club for 6th-8th grade students aimed at fostering a culture of respect for the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. Students participate in activities such as chalking the sidewalk outside St. Michael School with life-affirming messages, creating posters for Respect Life month in October, participating in a spiritual adoption prayer campaign, creating cards for the elderly and lonely, visiting senior assisted living homes, earning several Faith In Action hours, and much more. In addition to activities, the following topics are discussed briefly throughout the year in an age-appropriate manner: fetal development, healthy friendships, downs syndrome, our Illinois laws, the importance of crisis pregnancy centers such as Waterleaf, and how to share our Catholic beliefs on life issues.
Club meetings take place before school from 7:00-7:25am on the first and third Wednesday of the month in the Lavin Learning Center Library. If you think your child may be interested, we will be holding a general interest/kick-off meeting for students on Wednesday, September 17th from 7:00-7:25am in the Lavin Learning Center school library. There will be flyers posted around school and classrooms alerting students. There is also a signup link through signup genius below. Please sign up your child on the link below so that I will be able to easily e-mail those interested with more information about the club’s activities throughout the year.
The club will be moderated by parent volunteer, Gina Carroll, and student-led by our 8th grade club members. If you have any questions or are interested in helping, please contact Gina Carroll at sjsginacarroll@yahoo.com. Please see the attached flyer about our kick-off meeting and our meeting dates for the school year.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FACAC2DA13-58351528-lancers
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St. Michael’s Chess Team
Elite Chess is excited to offer a comprehensive chess program that will inspire and challenge St. Michael Parish School students. The chess team is open to 1st–8th graders, whether they are complete beginners or experienced tournament players.
Registration Link:
Program Details:
Instructor: Jeff DiOrio, Owner of Elite Chess
Schedule: Thursdays, September 18 – December 18 (no class on October 9 & November 27)
Time: 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Location: Jr. High Science Wing
Capacity: 48 students this fall
Benefits: 50% discount on all Elite Chess tournaments
Awards: Trophies for top 3 students in Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced groups
Fee: $167 (includes 12 classes and a chess team item)
For questions, please contact:
Brian Gray – brianandmichellegray@gmail.com
Jeff DiOrio – elitechess@gmail.com
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Oktoberfest Celebration is right around the corner!
It's Time to Celebrate Oktoberfest St. Mike's Way
Come enjoy a fun-filled, KID FREE evening with the St. Michael Community, with traditional German fare including brats and pretzels, and of course, plenty of beer! PROST!
(There will also be other alcoholic/non-alcoholic options, and gluten-free food options)
When: Friday, September 26th, 2025
Time: 7:00PM-11:00PM
Where: St. Michael Parish School Parking Lot
Tickets: $50 per couple, $25 single tickets
Purchase Tickets Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetSD4SZlHMukAni-rHNJETaCJXo1hKA5IvcRE_hjqtGvkPYA/viewform?usp=preview
We need volunteers! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EA9AF29AAFAC25-58226920-oktoberfest
Certified Bartenders sign up here to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EA9AF29AAFAC25-58238221-oktoberfest
Please contact Kelsey Anderson kelseyanderson8131@gmail.com or Amy Broaddus amyebroaddus@gmail.com with any questions.
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School photos are taken by Color Portraits. Students will wear their uniform and attend picture day as a class. If your child attends a preschool class that does not meet on this day, you will receive special instructions from your Preschool teacher.
Click to Download Printable PDF
Color Portraits has a prepay site. Use the school event code from the form: 10033801. Ordering will be closed at Midnight the day of Picture Day to process the orders. If parents missed prepaying they will have a chance to order pictures with their child's Ticket Code. When placing an order after Picture Day with a Ticket Code a shipping fee will be added on and picture packages will be shipped directly to the home. Ticket Codes will be delivered with the bulk picture package order approximately three weeks post Picture Day.
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See the 2 flyers below to register for St. Michael Elementary or Kindergarten programs. Click the form to go to the online registration - scroll to the correct St. Michael class!
Download Printable flyers here:
💬 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
COMMUNITY POSTS
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Book Club (view flyer/invitation here)
T H E S C R E W TA P E L E T T E R S B Y C . S . L E W I S
This fall, the WFG book club will read and discuss The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. For all women of the school and parish. Children and non-readers welcome - please join us!
9:30 a m - 10:30 a m • Faith Center RM 11 4
Friday, September 19th - Preface & Chapters 1-6
Friday, October 3rd - Chapters 7 - 1 2
Friday, October 17th - Chapters 13-18
Friday, November 14th - Chapters 19-24
Friday, December 12th - Chapters 25-31
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Fall Admission Event Registration is now open. Go to WWW.SFHSCOLLEGEPREP.ORG/VISIT to register!
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These events are the perfect opportunity for families to experience the welcoming community, strong academic programs, and unique spirit that define St. Francis High School. No matter where you are in your high school search, these events provide a valuable opportunity to explore all that St. Francis has to offer your child.
Spartan Showcase Series
Parent Essentials Info Night; September 18
Personal Tour Nights; October 21 & November 19
Open House; November 2
Step Up Day (8th grade students); October 10
Rise Up Leadership Conference (8th grade students); November 8
Middle School Nights
Flag Football; September 15
Volleyball; September 25
Football; October 3
Fall Play (performance announcement coming soon!); October 16
Come see for yourself what makes St. Francis a place where students thrive!
Spots fill quickly, so we encourage you to register today!
We look forward to welcoming you this fall!
Sincerely,
Pat Jacobsen
Director of Admissions
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Young men and women in grades 5-8 are invited to join us for our first-ever co-ed Go Cadets Night!
Your RSVP includes:
free admission for you and your family to the Marmion Cadets vs North Lawndale football game
fun pregame student and family section
games and give-a-ways
food, fun, friends and more!
Bring your friends!
RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/BiqMdUrs3PGn6Uvr8
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Lions Jrs/1st Alliance Volleyball Club
https://www.1stalliancevbc.net/
Find NEW announcements and posts added this week by looking for the *
The AGW is an internal newsletter only available to St. Michael families. For privacy, it may not be shared or redistributed in part or whole in any manner without permission.
