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 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 12, 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 program, and volunteer opportunities. Appetizers, beer, and wine will be served. NCA Calendars and Queen of Hearts raffle tickets will be sold! 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: There are multiple opportunities to volunteer on Schoolspeak. Please note that all opportunities require that you are VIRTUS certified unless otherwise specified. A VIRTUS class is being held on September 25 at NCA and you must pre-register. If you are interested in volunteering please go to the following link on Schoolspeak:
https://as4.schoolspeak.com/Public/BulletinDisplay.aspx?Id=1&name=PrepareT&Community=60660001&group=1
If there are any questions please feel free to contact Jen Reyes.
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).@Middle School: The doors open at the Middle School at 7:40. Students have this time to get to their lockers and prepare their morning materials. Students must be seated at their desk when the 7:50 bell rings. If they are not in their seat, the homeroom teacher will mark them tardy. Students who walk through the doors at 7:49 - 7:50 will be sent directly to the office for a tardy slip and will wait in the office during announcements. Last year the teachers and students had too many distractions from students coming into the classroom during announcements. We are trying to eliminate the distractions for our start in the morning. We thank you for your cooperation and assistance in helping our students get a great start to the day.
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.
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 Calendars: 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.
Looking for a part-time job???
FSP is looking for a lunch server at the Middle School Campus. Hours are roughly 9:30am-1:00pm. Please contact Nadine
at nschauwecker@FSPRO.COM if you are interested. Thank you.
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:
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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The Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ) would like to welcome everyone back for another great school year. As we did last year, we've assigned to each grade level a board member or two to serve as a point of contact for any parents with students in that grade. If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, please feel free to contact your grade-level representative at any point during the school year. Additionally, we have an independent (non-parent) representative you can reach out to if you prefer. All the best in the coming school year!
Please click on the attachment to review the list of BSJ Class Representatives.
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⚡️🗣Northside Catholic Academy is hosting a fundraiser, and our goal is to raise $45,000 for Additional Social & Emotional Learning Support such as Responsive Classroom Materials, a Counselor, and Teacher Training!
In just a few weeks from now, family and friends will support our school by giving pledges to-wards the number of laps your student will run on the day of the Fun Run.
We’ve asked the fundraising experts at Booster to power our program, making our fundraising simpler, more profitable, and more fun.
🌟Help us reach our goal this year by connecting with sponsors!
Pledging Opens - 9/23
Log on to FUNRUN.COM
Pep Rally - 9/30
Event Day - 10/9
SAVE THE DATE! You’re Invited!
*Please click on the attachment to review Boosterthon Spirit Wear Catalog.
We’ll be sharing more information over the next few weeks. Watch the video below to learn about how our upcoming #Boosterthon fundraiser works.
https://vimeo.com/177157581
Thanks so much!
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Today was our first all-school mass. We're starting the school year off with prayer and an encouraging word from Father Rich. We were reminded to pray to God for help and strength to co-labor with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in doing our best. With God, we can do all things, and all things are possible!
This is going to be an incredible school year!
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🎉Congratulations to our fantastic summer readers!
Father Rich promised to reward the students who read the most books throughout the summer with a cash reward. Anna Stecky, our 6th-grade student, won 1st place for reading 52 books, and Maddox Neubauer, our 2nd-grade student, won 2nd place for reading 51 books!
Boy, are we proud! Great job, guys!
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Please see the attached flyers for more details:
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NCA Wildcat Athletics 🐾
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)
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 Wildcat night at a Loyola University volleyball game. See flyer attachment for details
NCA Wildcat night at a Loyola University soccer game. See flyer attachment for details
Cross Country Update
Our runners were off to a FAST start at their 1st meet of the season at DePaul Prep. The JV team took 3rd place with 2 runners medaling.
Girls Volleyball Update
Volleyball games started last week. The girls had their game faces on and posted wins for 4th and 5th grade. Photos of the 5th-grade team are attached
Soccer Update
NCA JV Soccer beat St James last Friday in Glenview. Varsity Soccer had an exciting match against St James that went into penalty kicks. The final score though ended up 3-3 for Varsity
NCA Basketball registration, grades 4-8. SIGN UP TODAY!
· 4th -6th Grade Teams Practice begins early Nov with games on Saturdays (Dec-early Mar) – plus two practices each week - TBD
· 7th & 8th Grade Teams Practice begins late Oct with games on weeknights (early Nov-mid Mar) – plus two practices each week – TBD; 7th and 8th-grade teams are split into A/B teams
Register by Monday, Sep 16
Late registrations are at the coach’s discretion and will incur a $50 late fee
League deadlines drive our registration dates. Registration fee is $100 per player and includes the player’s uniform. All payments must be made at the time of registration. Registration fees are non-refundable once registration has closed.
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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September 23, 2019, 6 pm - 8 pm: Intercambio: A Language Exchange
A partner event between Helix Cafe and Centro Romero, Intercambio is an innovative language exchange. With the goal of sharing languages over the conversation, the event is open to anyone interested in learning another language and sharing their own. This is not tutoring, but dialogue for all.
Individuals and small groups will talk and share in all languages and guide one another in learning new words in new languages. RSVP Here.
September 26, 2019, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Coffee Talk: Let's Talk About Death
Death is something that you may not talk about, or it is something you talk about every day! But it always on our mind. How does it work? How’s it celebrated in different religions? What happens? Join us in this discussion-style night on Sept. 26th from 6-7: 30 pm. It’s part of a new series at Helix Cafe where a variety of topics will be discussed every 4th Thursday of the month. Hosted by Nicole Brennan, this discussion will feature Jamie Greenebaum, a local mortician, to answer more technical questions. RSVP Here.
September 29, 2019, 3pm - 4:30pm: Anti-Racism Reading Group: White Fragility
Stemming from the Helix Cafe & Andersonville Chamber event in July, Micro-aggression in the Service Industry, this reading group will read and discuss White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. For attendees, the discussion will focus on how the system of racism impacts our community, how you uphold that system, and how to interrupt. The hope of this discussion is for attendees to more deeply understand systemic racism and then brainstorm, participate, and begin to lead to ongoing anti-racist efforts in our community.
The Andersonville Chamber has donated copies of White Fragility that are available to borrow at Helix Cafe. Copies are also available for purchase at Women and Children First Bookstore, and for lending at the Chicago Public Library. RSVP Here.
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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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