May 27, 2020

Greetings NCA Families!

We have reached the final week of e-learning! It has been a challenge in many ways, but at the same time this experience taught all of us in ways we never imagined. We all learned new technology skills, how to organize our time and materials more efficiently, how to handle our patience, and so much more. If we go back and reflect on this crisis, I am hopeful we can each find some positivity from the experience because dwelling on the negatives will not allow us to move forward to whatever the next steps might be.

Through this crisis, the Class of 2020 was truly affected the most. They missed out on creating their last year of NCA memories and final opportunities to socialize with their childhood friends and beloved teachers. The traditions they long-awaited to experience, were not to be in the same manner. However upsetting all of this was, this group of students was given a remarkable opportunity to build grit and learn how to overcome adversity. I am hopeful these lifelong skills they were able to further develop over these past 10 weeks will serve them well in their futures. Tomorrow at 11:15 am at the Middle School Campus, we invite all of our NCA school families to participate in a car parade to recognize and congratulate the Class of 2020. Later in the evening, the students will participate in a Drive Through Graduation to receive their diplomas. Our blessings go out to these students and their families.

As we continue to put on the finishing touches for the end of the 2019-2020 school year, I want to make our NCA families aware of staffing changes for the next school year. We announced last week that Mrs. Cathy Love has made the decision to retire at the end of the school year. Mrs. Love has done some remarkable work with our students in the area of computer skills, technology, and coding. She has assisted in writing grants that allowed NCA to strengthen the technology programs we offer to our students. It is because of Mrs. Love that NCA has two 3-D printers and a laser engraver at our Middle School campus. She has shared her love of technology with our students and for that we are forever grateful. All of us at NCA wish her the best and hope she takes some time to relax and enjoy her grandchildren. We will also be saying good-bye to Ms. Pauline Ignas who is planning to move to downstate Illinois and continue to teach. We wish the best to Ms. Ignas.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our teachers and staff for their tremendous dedication and sense of professionalism during this unprecedented time. Their talents and belief in educating children are what make NCA a special place to learn and grow. Thank you to all our families who believe in them and continue to support our NCA school community.

Peace and Blessings to you and your family during this summer break.

Christine Huzenis
Principal

• May 29– St. Gertrude's with Fr. Rich celebrating mass

Our School Counselor, Therese Schreiner, has been teaching and counseling students for 52 years, and she has learned a lot on her journey. Every week she shares words of wisdom with our community. This week Mrs. Schreiner is telling us all we really need to know.
 

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW

As I perused the many books on the shelves of my building’s library, I tried to think about what should the topic be for this week’s newsletter? After spotting one of my favorite books, it came to me. Write a topic both for parents and children of NCA.

This book is notable for its thoughts on common things. It is Robert Fulghum’s “ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN.” For you, the parent, this book is a highly respected, informative, humorous read. The following words found on the back cover I would like to share:
 

“Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday school. These are the things I learned:

Share everything. Play fair.

Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that are not yours.

Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic. Hold hands and stick together.

BE AWARE OF WONDER!”

You have done a most noteworthy job of trying to keep your children on task. So this book will be some “Words of Wisdom” for you this summer.

I would also recommend a couple of books that challenge kids (and the whole family). One is entitled “Difficult Riddles for Smart Kids” by M. Prefontaine. The other is “Mazes by Highlights”. These are designed to test logic, as well as memory. They allow kids to see patterns and connections between different things and situations. Riddles and mazes combine fun and sound educational activities--a delight for kids of all ages.

Have a safe and healthy summer!

Therese Schreiner

School Counselor

tschreiner@ncaschools

The NCA Athletic Committee wants to say thank you to all of the hard-working volunteer coaches, to the parents, and to the players. They will be highlighting teams on SchoolSpeak until the end of the school year. 🏀🐾🏐🏃

Over the past several weeks prior to the pandemic, the pastors and parish leaders of St. Gregory the Great, St. Ita, and St. Thomas of Canterbury gathered as a team and participated in the Renew My Church grouping process. Earlier this week, Archbishop Cupich advised the parishioners from these parishes that this grouping will be united as one parish and will support a three-campus model. St. Ita will be the center of parish life, St. Thomas of Canterbury will serve as the center of social service outreach, and St. Gregory the Great will be the center of Evangelization through the Arts. Each campus will also continue to have a mass schedule as determined by the parish leadership.

This parish reorganization will not create any changes for NCA. St. Gregory the Great has financially and spiritually supported NCA through the leadership of Fr. Paul Wachdorf. This new united grouping of the three parishes will be part of NCA’s continuing parish and school relationship. As Fr. Paul Wachdorf prepares to retire on June 30, 2020, I am pleased to announce that Fr. Bob Cook, Pastor of St. Ita and St. Thomas of Canterbury, will take on the role as President of NCA. I look forward to working with Fr. Cook in strengthening NCA’s Catholic Identity and working together so our school community can play an important role in the parish life of all the parishes associated with NCA.

As soon as further information on the effective date for the union of all parishes is determined, I will be certain to keep our school community updated. I am hoping you will keep Fr. Paul Wachdorf in your prayers as he prepares for his well-deserved retirement. We thank him for his many years of support of NCA and for the past two years that he has served as President of NCA. Please also add Fr. Bob Cook in your prayers as he prepares to join NCA and shares his pastoral gifts to our school community. I feel confident as we embark and prepare for a new school year with renewal and a strong presence of our faith.

The team at Rogers Park Business Alliance has compiled a master list of all the open businesses, including who's doing delivery/carryout, selling gift cards, or doing staff fundraisers. We hope this is helpful and encourages the continued support of local businesses as government mandates negatively impact them.

Please click the link below to view the master list.
https://rpba.org/2020/03/rogers-park-businesses-that-are-open-or-accepting-donations/?fbclid=IwAR2BCHJm5ltjZ5oWyRt54AHdXNQQGxZzxfJbgP0U4FuRDb2POExg9xYwgHs