Notes from Mrs. Nash 3.8.19

Posted on Mar 09, 2019

Dear SJF Families,

There is never a dull moment here at SJF. Today proved to be no different as we had an unexpected gas issue. Many of our teachers and staff members reported smelling gas in the school building. We immediately contacted People’s Gas, the Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department for assistance with this matter, and out of an abundance of caution, evacuated our students from the school building. At approximately 10:25am we evacuated pre-school – 4th grade to the convent and 5th – 8th grade waited outside on the west side of campus until we received the “all clear” sign from the fire department. We were unable to utilize the church due to a funeral. We returned safely back in the building around 10:45am. Please know the students’ safety is our number one priority. Your children were so well-behaved and helpful during this surprising turn of events. Proud doesn’t begin to explain the feeling I have to be the school leader of these wonderful individuals. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

This week our students were also tasked with preparing for Lent and Ash Wednesday along with fundraising for St. Baldrick’s. Our school participated in a dance-a-thon on Fat Tuesday which was organized by our SOAR group. For the Lenten Season, we learned about the many aspects of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving and reflected on the ways we, as a school, could do a better job of “being the nice kids.” As a school community, we made a commitment for our almsgiving to benefit Taller De Jose, a ministry of accompaniment. A letter discussing this initiative is being sent home today.

We continue our generosity of spirit through our support of the St. Baldrick’s event tomorrow. Students have raised money, purchased St. Paddy’s wear t-shirts and are shaving their heads in support of this important cause. On the following pages, please view the schedule for tomorrow’s event. Thank you in advance for your support and ensuring our students are on their best behavior and treat our campus with the utmost respect.

Tomorrow our Scholastic Team, which is comprised of 7th and 8th graders, is participating in a competition at Northwestern University. I am confident they will do an impressive job representing SJF. This week Marty Canavan and Jack Perry competed in St. Cajetan’s “Be a Chemist” competition and placed 2nd & 3rd out of 15 students. Their remarkable performance advanced them to the state competition on April 13th at Lewis University. Congratulations and best of luck to Jack and Marty!

Thank you so much for all of your time and generosity along with your continued support of Catholic education.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Maura Nash