Hello NCA Families.

I don’t know where to begin in order to say “thank you” to all of you for your understanding, support, patience, and overall kindness during the past two weeks. All of us at NCA understand the challenges you are presented within taking care of your family during this uncertain and trying time. Every day the news fills our head and hearts with worry, concern, and confusion. However, my hope is that you have experienced in your homes what really matters the most--the beauty and love of your family. Personally, I have made it a point to hug my kids extra tight multiple times a day. Even though they are 19 and 20 years old, they appreciate it and know how fortunate they are to have family and a safe place to be during this crisis. Let’s hope our children will not have to experience another time like this. But if they do, we have been models for them and provided them with examples of love, compassion, and support. That is the most we can all do right now.

I have decided that it would be best to maintain consistency in communication with our NCA families, so we will continue to share out the Wednesday newsletter. One of the questions I know families are wondering about is our existing 2019-2020 school calendar. We are still continuing to follow our existing school calendar schedule. There will be No School on Friday, April 10 for Good Friday. Easter break will be April 13 – 17 with classes or e-learning resuming on April 20. NCA will continue with our e-learning days until schools are reopened. I have not heard from the Archdiocese of Chicago yet in regard to any timeline but will keep you posted when I do receive an update. My plan is for us to follow our existing calendar in order to maintain our final day of school as of June 4. These e-learning days do count and should not be considered as “days off” for the students. Our entire staff is working diligently and thoughtfully to provide the best educational opportunities to our NCA students.

Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for how involved our parents have been in making sure their children have been actively involved in the lessons and videos our teachers are making available. We continue to work on balancing academics along with meeting the emotional needs of students and families during this anxious time.

Thank you again for all you are doing and continue to do! NCA is an amazing community to be a part of. NCA is stronger because of you!

God Bless,

Principal
Christine Huzenis 

The beginning of the Third Trimester did not quite begin as we all planned. At this point in time, we are continuing to keep our students engaged in learning through e-learning and will do our best to assess through this mode of learning. Even with all this uncertainty and stress, those of us at NCA are already planning for a sensational 2020-2021 school year.
 

The following are some important dates for next year’s school calendar. I am hopeful this will help you in finalizing summer fun events and looking at your plans for next year. A more comprehensive review of dates will be made available to our families in late May.
 

2020-2021 Important School Calendar Dates
*Dates are subject to change.

August 24- First Day of School Gr. 1 – 8 Pre School, Kindergarten and Jr. Kindergarten Orientation A – M
Middle School Early Dismissal at 1:50
Primary School Early Dismissal at 2:10 ECP Available PM only

August 25- Pre School, Kindergarten and Jr. Kindergarten Orientation L – Z ECP Available AM & PM

September 7- Labor Day—No School

September 25- Professional Development Day—No School

October 12- Columbus Day—No School

November 13- Professional Development Day—No School

November 24- ½ Day Early Dismissal Middle School 11:10 Primary School 11:30 Conferences 1:00 – 8:00

November 25 – 27 Thanksgiving Holiday—No School

December 5 Catholic High School Exams

December 18 Middle School Early Dismissal at 1:50 Primary School Early Dismissal at 2:10

December 21 - January 1 Christmas Break

January 4- Classes resume

January 18- Martin Luther King Day—No School

February 5- Professional Development Day—No School

February 15- President’s Day—No School

March 11- ½ Day Early Dismissal Middle School 11:10 Primary School 11:30 Conferences 1:00 – 8:00

March 12- Professional Development Day—No School

April 1- Middle School Early Dismissal at 1:50 Primary School Early Dismissal at 2:10

April 2- Good Friday—No School

April 5 – 9- Easter Break

April 12- Classes resume

April 19 – 23- Aspire Testing

April 26 – 29- Aspire Make Up Testing

May 31- Memorial Day—No School

June 2- 8th Grade Graduation

June 7- Last Day of Pre School, Kindergarten, Jr. Kindergarten

June 9- Last Day of School ½ Day Dismissal Middle School 11:10 Primary School 11:30

Our School Counselor, Therese Schreiner, has been teaching and counseling students for 52 years, and she has learned a lot on her journey. She's here to share words of wisdom with our community. This month Mrs. Schreiner is talking to us about "Grit."

GRIT

Why is the idea of grit so important in education? What exactly is it? The following thoughts are what I gleaned in researching why some students succeed long-term, and others do not. As we are discovering through our stay-at-home, E-learning is an educational tool to help minds stay focused on learning. Some may find it intuitive. Others may not. 

With that in mind, I decided to re-read a wonderful book, written by researcher and psychologist, Angela Duckworth, entitled Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. She describes her book as "what goes through your mind when you fall down, and how that -not talent or luck- makes all the difference." The author strongly believes that one may or may not have talent, but with effort, one can improve skills, and with that effort and improved skills, one becomes productive and achieves set goals. Page after page I read about athletes or people in business or in schools, who possess various levels of talent. The ones who do succeed use the talent they do have to improve their skills through the effort they employ. They persevere, despite failure. They find other ways to work things out; they are not content to quit. Persistent effort is the key.

I would recommend this book to everyone. Decide for yourself about the author's idea of grit. None of us are perfect. Grit can be learned!

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