Weekly Newsletter 6-6-21
Rocket Families,
Happy last week of school Rockets! This will be my final Weekly Rocket Newsletter of the 2020-2021 school year! This week will be our final week, culminating with a half day on Friday. This year definitely had its challenges, but due to our incredible teachers and staff, parents, and especially students, it was a success! Between e-learning, quarantines, not mixing cohorts, social distancing, masks, sitting in the same desk all day, and so many more changes, our students never lost their motivation to learn, their joy, or their smile. I feel so honored to have been able to be in their presence all year. They are truly special!
Our summer staff is greatly reduced, but someone will be available for questions you may have over the summer. Don’t hesitate to reach out should you need anything. I will be in communication with you periodically throughout the summer as we hire new staff members, determine protocol for the next year, and any other changes that may arise.
Have a Blessed week and because this is my last letter, a fantastic summer! See you in the fall!
Sincerely,
Gerit McAllister
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8th Grade Graduation
This past week was a week of special events for our 8th grade graduates. Tuesday was graduation rehearsal, Wednesday was our Pin Day Mass, and Graduation was Thursday night. Congratulations to all of our graduates and good luck in the future! We will miss you, so make sure to come back and visit!
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New Rocket Staff
Please welcome our newest Rocket!
Ms. Natalie Feinberg will be joining us as our new 7th/8th Science Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. Please see Natalie’s introduction:
Natalie is so excited to join the team at Alphonsus Academy! Originally from New Jersey, Natalie received her Bachelors in Conservation and Wildlife Management from Delaware Valley University and her Masters of Infectious Disease and Global Health from Tufts University. Upon completion, she began her career as a teacher at the Oregon Zoo. As a Zoo School Teacher, Natalie taught at hundreds of schools around the state sharing with students the importance of conservation, preservation, and wildlife management.
During this last year of quarantine, Natalie was able to focus on the things she loves, like training her dog, Nora, cooking new recipes, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She also used this time to complete a Masters of Secondary Science Education at Western Governors University. She will be moving to Chicago in just a few weeks and is looking forward to meeting the AACA community and bringing her love of animals and science to the classroom.
In addition, we previously mentioned that Ms. Sarah Makkawy will be joining us as our 5 day AM, 4 day PM preschool teacher next year. Please see her introduction below:
Sarah is thrilled to be joining the team at Alphonsus Academy! She has been teaching for the past five years, most recently at Cardinal Bernardin Montessori Academy, where she taught preschool and primary religion, art, French, and creative movement classes. Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a fine arts concentration from Benedictine College, where she also minored in dance. Drawing upon her extensive arts background, Sarah teaches dance, theatre, and visual art to young children in schools as well as in studio and after school enrichment programs. She enjoys performing in musical theatre and is currently choreographing a musical in Highland Park. She is excited to share her love of art and performance with the students at AACA.
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Band
Click on the links below to see final band performances this year!
A message from Ms. Gallinari: These students have been amazing this year. They went home every week and made the choice to spend an extra hour after school on Zoom with me so that they could continue being in band. Despite how absolutely not ideal it was, every single one of them still managed to grow as young musicians and create amazing music and fun experiences. These kids are superstars!
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Artist Residency
"I used to come here to eat- but now it's a place where I belong."- AACA 3rd grade student
Bren finished his residency with us Friday morning- and students are already thrilled to have his artwork brightening our lower level! If you have not already purchased the AACA Smile Art Book, please consider supporting future residencies by doing so here: All-School Art Project Book. This week we'll be sending home the artwork your child created for this project, as well as instructions for how they can use it as Smile Art in your community! |
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Save-the-Date: Battle of the Bands
AACA's parent Arts Council is looking for parent bands to compete in our annual Battle of the Bands Fundraiser, on Saturday, September 11. This annual family event will kick off the start of the school year with a rocking good time! If you're interested in participating- or have any questions about the event, please email Becky Manuel (rmanuel@aaca.school). We look forward to seeing you there!
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A Message from CCI
Last week I shared a message CCI about legislation. Here is the update on that:
“The latest legislative session in Illinois concluded earlier this week. This was a busy session, with many efforts relating to public and non-public schools. The Catholic Conference of Illinois has prepared this initial summary of bills that affect Catholic schools. Most notably, the proposed cuts to the tax credit scholarship program were not approved, and the program was extended for one year.
We are hopeful this will give us time to push for the program’s extension beyond the sunset. HB2789, which would impose additional state oversight over COVD-19 health/safety protocols, was not called for a vote and will therefore not be proceeding.”
Thank you to any AACA community members who reached out or contacted officials regarding these pieces of legislation. |
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