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Welcome Back to School
The 2019-20 school year is off to a great start! NCA students grades 1st- 8th had an incredible first day at both campuses last week. We loved seeing so many old and new smiling faces. The Middle School students gathered for an assembly conducted by our new MS Assistant Principal, Ms. Frazzini. She encouraged all the students to start the year off with a positive, enthusiastic, grateful, and friendly attitude. She shared personal stories and motivated them to be responsible, walk-in integrity, kindness, and consideration towards others. Our Junior Wildcats had fun at our annual Preschool-Kindergarten Orientation last week meeting teachers and friends. This week they joined us for their first day of school on Monday.
We're looking forward to a fantastic year at NCA!
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School News & Reminders
Paperwork Due: Please remember to turn in all Medical Forms required for grades PreK, K, 2 and 6. Families should be receiving all other forms these next few days. Please return them ASAP. Returning volunteers as a reminder a CANTS form is required yearly to continue volunteering with the class.
Back to School Nights: Mark your calendar and line up your babysitter now! ALL parents and guardians are expected to attend. Back-to-School Nights will take place at the Middle School Campus on Sept. 5, 6:30pm-8: 30 pm; and at the Primary School Campus on Sept. 12, 6:30pm-9: 00 pm. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)’s teachers and learn more about the upcoming school year. On September 13, all parents are invited to join us for our annual Back-to-School Reception and Information Fair from 7:30-9: 00 pm in the PC lunchroom. Learn about after school enrichment programs, the BSJ, school committees, the NCAPO, athletics, and volunteer opportunities. Refreshments will be served. This is an adult-only event.
National School Lunch Program: Please make sure you complete the "Free and Reduced" form for breakfast and lunch being sent home today in the Wednesday Envelope, and return to your campus office. All Guardian Angel Scholarship recipients are required to complete and return this form. Also, see the attached letter requesting that all NCA families complete the NSLP online survey even if you are not applying for "Free and Reduced" meals. "Free and Reduced" application due ASAP. If you receive Financial Aid from NCA this form is required to be filled out.
Service Hours: Remember that every family must complete 20 hours of service every year! All volunteer opportunities are posted on SchoolSpeak. Look often as new opportunities are added all the time! There are opportunities now listed that do NOT require VIRTUS training! All Service hours must be recorded in SchoolSpeak. Please see the quick link on the left side of the website.
Virtus Training: Jen Reyes is hosting a Virtus training on September 25 from 6pm-9pm for NCA parents and staff only at the primary campus. You can go to the Virtus site and register today! You must be Virtus trained in order to chaperone a field trip or participate in any activity dealing with NCA students. If you have any questions, please contact JReyes@NCASchools.com
Desk Chairs Needed: We are in need of a few gently used desked chairs for our teachers. If you have one or know someone who has one and is willing to donate to NCA, please contact Mrs. Cannon at SCannon@NCAWeb.org. Thank you!
Tardy Policy @ Primary Campus: Arriving at school on time is an essential part of teaching children good habits for life and work. Parents need to take an active role in ensuring that their child is NOT tardy to school. If a child is not in the building by 8:10 am – the parent will need to park the car, escort the child to the office, sign the child in as tardy and if the child is in 3rd or 4th grade, the child will need to wait until we have staff available to escort the student across the street. Classroom teachers WILL NOT be answering the doorbell at the gym building (it is disruptive to the classroom, and with no video access, security concerns prohibit their buzzing people into the building from the 3rd floor). Thank you for your cooperation.
Drop Off Procedure Reminder: Please review the drop off procedures for both campuses in the Family Handbook. Our procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all our students. Please remember the following:
- Slow down when driving near both campuses.
- Do not park and get out of your vehicle in the drop off lane.
- Do not double park in any of the alleys or streets. At the Primary School Campus, do not double park on Glenwood.
- Cross the street at designated crosswalks only.
- For the PC parking lot, enter on Glenwood and exit on the alley side.
- Do not park down the center of the PC parking lot until all the spots are filled.
Powerschool Parent Portal: Now open for the 2019-2020 school year. This is a portal where you can check your child's grade and progress throughout the school year. Parents in 3rd grade and any new families in grades 4-8 please check your family envelope for login information.
NCAPO (Northside Catholic Academy Parent Organizations): The first NCAPO meeting of the school year is this Friday, Aug 30. The meeting is open to all parents/guardians of NCA students and will be held in the Primary Campus Cafeteria at 8:15 am, right after drop off. Families do receive a service hour credit for attending these meetings.
NCA's Extended Care Program kicks off another great school year! The ECP is available for all NCA students in preschool through eighth grade. It's offered in the mornings at our Primary School Campus and after school at both our Primary School and Middle School Campus. If you plan on using the ECP this school year you must register on SchoolSpeak. Prices have increased, so please review the attached 2019-20 ECP Handbook before registering. For all participating families, please make sure you sign and return the Handbook Acknowledgement Form before attending your first day.
NCA Green Team: The Green Team will have the first meeting of the year Saturday 9/7 at 3:30 PM at Uncommon Ground (1401 W Devon). We'll be discussing how to help the school cut down on waste, improve recycling and brainstorm for other initiatives for the 2019-2020 school year. Email georgetully82@gmail.com with any questions or ideas.
If you would like a hard copy of the newsletter each week, please send a note to the school office stating so, and one will be provided.
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Important Dates:
Aug 28: Navigating the High School Process Primary School Lunchroom @6:30 PM
Aug 30: NCAPO Meeting, Primary School Campus, 8:15 AM
Sept. 2: No School Labor Day
Sept. 5: Back-to-School Night at MS, meet in SMM Church, 6:30 PM
Sept. 6: All-School Mass-Mass of the Holy Spirit at St. Gertrude, 8:30 AM- Middle School late start 8:10 AM at Primary School Gym
Sept. 12: Back-to-School Night at PC, 6:30 PM, meet in St. Gertrude Church. Only NCA adults are invited to the Reception and Information Fair 7:30-9: 00 PM.
Sept. 17: 8th Grade Parent Meeting-Class of 2019 Events
Middle School Campus-Colleti Hall at 6:30 PM
Sept. 18: School Pictures at both campuses
Sept. 18: School Board Meeting- Primary School Lunchroom @6:30 PM
Sept. 30: Boosterthon Pep Rally
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We have the privilege of being connected to seven parishes:
- St. Gertrude
- St. Ignatius
- St. Jerome
- St. Gregory The Great
- St. Margaret Mary
- St. Henry
- St. Ita
If you're a member at one of these parishes and would like to join our Parent Ambassador Program, so that you can earn your service hours on Sunday by representing NCA, please email me at SMorrissette@NCAWeb.org.
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We have NCA 2019-2020 Family Calendars for sale at both campuses. They are $15 and showcase all of the artwork that was sold at the Soiree. The calendars make great gifts, and they have all the relevant school dates and run August - August. Proceeds go to NCA's arts program. Be sure to stop by the main office and purchase one!
Please see order form attached.
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Hello NCA Parents!
We’re so excited to host NCA's 4th annual Wildcat Fun Run (powered by Boosterthon) to help our school! Boosterthon in a fun, nine-day program that combines world-class character content with a highly-profitable fundraiser. Over the past 3 years, we have been able to profit over $150,000, with 70% of these donations coming from non-parent donors!
To increase the excitement and school spirit of this event, we’re hoping again to provide each student with a FREE custom Wildcat Fun Run t-shirt to wear the day of the Fun Run event, at no cost to the student or school.
In order to make this happen, we need your help! We’re hoping to partner with local businesses to help sponsor these shirts. If you know of or are affiliated with, a business that would be interested in sponsoring shirts for our students, please email us at lholzman@ncaweb.org. Their name or logo will be displayed on the back of a shirt that will be worn by every student in the school. Not only will their investment be helpful to NCA, but we believe it will raise awareness for the sponsor and provide more business for them.
Please see the attached flyer for Sponsorship levels.
Thanks so much for your help in strengthening our school!
Leigh Holzman
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If you have any questions about our NCA Wildcat Athletics, please contact either our AD Dave Scholtes (dscholtes@ncaweb.org ) or Assistant AD Seamus McGowan (smcgowan@ncaweb.org)
NCA Fall Sports Registration for Bitty Basketball and the Jr Wildcat Running Club closes September 6th. Sign Up Now! Don’t delay, register now! Scroll down to the bottom of SchoolSpeak under the Athletics section to register.
Bitty Basketball will take place on Saturdays from Sept 7th to October 19th No session on September 28th
Bitty Basketball Times and Info:
• 2nd - 3rd grade 8:30am - 9:45am
• K-1st grade 9:45am - 11:00am
The Jr Wildcat running club will have practice once a week on Wednesdays at 5:30. Workouts will take place at a local park starting September 11th. Jr. Runners will learn the fundamentals of running and will also have a simulated race towards the end of the season. The season will start the middle of September and last 6 weeks.
We NEED coaches. If you are interested in coaching the Jr. Wildcat runners or Bitty Basketball players, please contact the NCA Athletic Staff listed below. Let’s Go Wildcats!!!
Wildcat Fans
Please keep on an eye on our Athletic Calendar on the NCA website and come out and CHEER on our wildcats. Look out for our Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Big Red football schedules.
NCA Wildcats Toss for Tots Fundraiser
Thank you to all the NCA family & friends for a record year for turn out and money raised from this event.
- Champs: Jim Davis & Brandon Hieber
- Consolation Champs: Meg Hogan & Wendy Biety
- Long Toss Champ: David Bruno
- Special Thanks for Food & Spirits donations/discounts: Piatto Pronto Deli, The Assenzo, Catuara, Cooper, Davis & Wrenn families.
- Money Donations: David Bruno
- Father Tirso and the SMM Parish
- Event Staff: Margaret Ferguson, Erin Garcia, Linette Thompson, Karen Scholtes, Lyzz Davis, Robyn Assenzo, Donna Heidkamp, Kristen Catuara, & Tara Attea
- Photographer: Joe Daleo
- The MC: Joel Sullivan
- Special Thanks to Alumni Advisers: Eric Ottoson & Joel Sullivan
- Bags Tourney Organizers: Todd Nader, Bob Garcia, Doug Ferguson, Jim Davis, Joe Daleo, Seamus McGowan, & Tom Wilcynski
Stay tuned Wildcat fans for more info coming about NCA Wildcat night at a Loyola University volleyball game. In the next week, more information will be published about the fun night for parents and kids.
Loyola Academy Fall Basketball Skills Camp
The 11th Annual Fall Skills League for 3rd-8th Grade Boys. This is a great way for your son to work on his skill development and play in games while working with our Loyola Academy Basketball Staff. Campers will be split up into groups/teams based on grade level. Camp Dates are on Sunday's-Sept 15, 22,29 and Oct 6th- from 10-12 AM. All registration should be done online at www.goramblers.org/sportscamps Please email coach with any questions. Coach Tom Livatino
tlivatino@loy.org
Wildcat Photos Needed!
Calling all parents! For inclusion in our weekly newsletter and on our website, please forward any athletic pictures from our sports programs to Shakira Morrissette at smorrissette@ncaweb.org
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Please see the attached flyers for more details:
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2019 Chuck Wagon: Save the date for St. Margaret Mary's annual Chuck Wagon on Saturday, September 7, 5-11 PM. Enjoy a night of food, fun, and entertainment. Proceeds support the athletic programs of St. Margaret Mary and NCA, including Big Red Football.
Please see the attached flyer for more details and volunteer opportunities.
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St. Gertrude -Upcoming Blood Drive
Vitalant will hold a blood drive on Sunday, September 1 from 8:00 am-1:30 pm in the Social Hall. Blood supplies are critically low, especially after the blood bank in El Paso requested help from Vitalant with treating the many critically injured people hurt in the mass shooting on Saturday, August 3. To schedule an appointment, please visit donateblood.lifesource.org. Appointments are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome!
Labor Day
St. Gertrude Rectory will be closed on Monday, September 2. Mass will be held at 9:00 am.
Change in St. Gertrude Rectory Hours
The Rectory will close at 4:45 pm on Fridays beginning Friday, September 6.
St. Gertrude Religious Ed Teacher Needed
Have you been thinking of a way to give back or make connections at St. Gertrude? Consider becoming a catechist! Catechists teach Religious Education classes, which at St. Gertrude are offered to children in grades 1-8. Classes are taught on
Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:15 am. Other catechists teach brief lessons of faith based on the Sunday readings in our Kids Word program. This takes place during the 10:30 am Masses in Church and is for children in grades K-4.
The goal of catechists is to share their faith and the lessons of God and Jesus by creating age-appropriate lessons, teach the traditions of the church, and build community with the families of their students. Catechists are usually not professional teachers, just willing parents and parishioners who enjoy kids and want to help them grow in a personal relationship with God, participate in the sacraments, and develop a mature conscience and integrate faith in all areas of their lives.
Candidates must either be Virtus-certified or willing to take training that educates participants on the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods, and means by which offenders commit abuse, how to prevent it, and submit to a background check.
Classes begin on Sunday, September 8. We are still in need of parents to serve as catechists and Kids Word leaders. Please consider offering your time and talents to help our young people learn about and grow in their faith. If you have any questions, please reach out to Family Minister Jim Potthast at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.
Free Powers of Attorney and Living Wills Workshop
On Wednesday, September 11 from 10:00-11:00 am in the Ministry Center, there will be a presentation facilitated by attorneys from the Center for Disability and Elder Law to explain what powers of attorney and living wills are and why they are so important to have in place.
On Friday, September 20 from 12:00-2:30 pm in the Ministry Center, attorneys will assist attendees with preparing the actual documents and having them notarized so that they become effective immediately. Bring your state I.D. and the name and address of the person whom you will designate to act on your behalf. Call the Heart to Heart staff at 773.973.5464 to register.
Interested in Being Catholic?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which adults learn more about the Catholic Church. This free program begins on Sunday, September 8 after the 10:30 am Mass in the Ministry Center and meets until Pentecost.
Many people who begin RCIA are non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic or at least to explore whether Catholicism might be a good home. Those who complete the process and decide to become Catholic are initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Others who take RCIA are already Catholic but want a deeper understanding of their faith foundation.
The RCIA process does not ask those who have been baptized in another faith to give up their denominational experiences. Rather, the RCIA process seeks to add new colors and designs to their existing faith life tapestry. In addition to attending Mass, the RCIA process includes weekly gatherings of breaking open the Word of God, sharing our stories, and learning about our faith traditions.
For information about the RCIA process at St. Gertrude or to register for the program, contact Kevin Chears at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
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Volunteer Sign Up Directions
1. Go onto SchoolSpeak.com
2. Click on the Quick Link that says Volunteer
3. There you will see NCA’s volunteer opportunities. All volunteer opportunities require Virtus Training unless otherwise noted.
4. Click on the sign up you want. Find a spot to sign up!
5. Remember every Family needs 20 service hours!
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Volunteer Requirements
1. Completion of form 7703
2. Completion of Online background screening (eApps database)
3. Completion of CANTS form (DCFS background screening – paper only – must be submitted annually)
4. Submission of a signed Code of Conduct form
5. Completion of the Virtus training (must pre-register online)
All forms and other information regarding these requirements can be found on the NCA website under Volunteer. Thank you for working with us to ensure the safety of all children!
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