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Welcome to Alphonsus Academy! Whether you are a new family or the newest member of a current family starting next year, we cannot wait to have you join us.

As we prepare for the 2023-24 school year, below is a list of some things you should know. Not everything will pertain to your family, so please note whether it is for new or all families, and the grade levels involved. Updates on information will be sent as it becomes available.

Please note, at the end of this letter, that RSVP is needed today if you would like to attend the parent party that is part of our annual Ducky Derby event.

If you have any questions about anything, please contact the person listed or Mary Bodlak at mbodlak@alphonsusacademy.org or (773) 819-7655. Mary will be in this position until June 30. Starting July 1, Madeleine Durkin will be the Director of Admissions. She can be reached at mdurkin@alphonsusacademy.org . (Marketing will be covered by Molly DaPisa.)
1. Save the Date: our complete calendar can be found on our website at www.alphonsusacademy.org under the calendar tab on the blue bar. It will be updated for next year over the summer. You should sync your calendar with this one when school starts next year. Here are some dates to make sure you put on your calendar now:  
  • Orientation for New Families (Parents), TBA, during the week before school starts
  • All families will receive an email in late August, before school starts, with information on their homeroom assignment.
  • Academy Day - TBD
  • New students/families will be invited in to see their homeroom and teachers the day before school starts. More info will be sent.
  • First day of school 8/22 (K-8th). Dismissal 11:45.
  • Preschool Scaffolded Start - 8/22-8/25. (Info sent home in summer by PK Team.) 
  • Here is the calendar brief for next school year.
2.  All new Kindergarten students (those that haven't attended AACA PK) and did not attend a Kindergarten Round-Up will be contacted by the end of May to make arrangements for coming into school. 

3. All preschool families with new students starting in 2023-24 should have signed up for one of the Preschool Round-Ups.  If you haven't, there are still openings on May 15.  Here is the link to sign up.

4. Preschool Students will be assigned to playgroups for the first week of school (Aug. 22-25), when students will have a limited schedule. The Preschool Team will send the schedule to you over the summer.. The regular preschool  schedule will begin on August 28.

5. All new families will be matched with a mentor family by the end of June, with children in similar grades to their children, to ease the transition to AACA. Mentor families will be contacting you over the summer and will introduce you to other families as the school year begins.  

6. Uniforms are worn by students in kindergarten through 8th Grade. On the day they have PE, students will wear their gym uniform all day. Information about obtaining uniforms and a link to the school dress code can be found on the  AACA website under Parents/Uniforms.  Lands End is our uniform provider.

The Athletic Dept. will periodically have sales of gym wear and spirit wear on their online site. You will be notified through the new family newsletter or the school newsletter when the "store" is open for orders.

The school has a used uniform sale over the summer (usually in August). You will receive the details during the summer in the school newsletter.
 
7. Lunch: Handcut Foods is our lunch vendor. Info on buying hot lunch will be sent in the newsletter over the summer.
 
8. Transfer paperwork: All students coming from another school into grades 2 through 8 should complete this form with the school name, student's names, and your signature. Submit the form to the school you are leaving at the end of the school year to have them send your child's records to us. Any questions about getting these records should be addressed to Mrs. Kim Wallett at 773-892-1397 or kwallett@alphonsusacademy.org.

9. Many of you have asked about Extended Care, before and after school each day. Sign-up for next year will be announced in the newsletter.  Questions? Contact Mrs. Kim Wallett at 773-892-1397 or kwallett@alphonsusacademyorg.

10. There have also been questions about summer programming at the school. The school is offering two programs and the church one;

- AACA Summer Bridge Program for all new preschool students. Join us for this program which will introduce new students to the school, help them meet other preschoolers, and get them started on learning the classroom routine from our staff. We look forward to getting to know your child!
 
The Bridge will be held the week of July 17-21. There are still openings in the 10:30 - noon session. The cost for the week is $200/child. More information will be sent after registration.

Please click this link to register for the program.

- AACA Summer Bridge Program for all incoming kindergarten students.   Join us for this program which will introduce students to kindergarten, help them meet other kindergarteners, and get them started on learning the classroom routine from our staff. We look forward to getting to know your child!

The Bridge will be held the week of July 17-21. There will be two sessions - please sign up for just one. The cost for the week is $200/child. More information will be sent after registration. 

Please click this link to register for the program.

- Totus Tuus is coming back to St. Alphonsus Parish this summer, July 23 - 28. Students grade 1st - 12th are all welcome!

Our session is limited to only 50 participants. All safety protocols will be followed to ensure the health & safety of all participants and volunteers. For more information, please visit vocations.archchicago.org/events/totus-tuus/what-is-totus-tuus

The price is only $75 per child for an entire week! Register on our parish GiveCentral page at www.givecentral.org/location/39/event/32872

Any parent or parishioner interested in volunteering with Totus Tuus should contact Erica Cook at ecook@stalphonsuschicago.church

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10. All families with students in 4th - 8th grade will receive an Athletics email from our Athletic Director, Angela Kladis by the end of May.  If you do not or have questions about sports, reach out to Coach K at akladis@aaca.school. Make sure to look at the  Athletics section of our website (form is there). Girls in 2nd-8th can sign up for cheerleading also.

12. Every family will be receiving an email from Magnus Health by June 30, asking you to set up an account for your family in their medical records system or to update your existing account. The record you establish will be available to the school nurse to verify you have met the medical requirements for your child's grade and to provide care for your child. If your account is not up to date, you will receive automated requests from the system asking you to complete them. If you have appointments with providers after school starts, please disregard the notices (and consider them reminders), knowing you will complete the requirement after your appointment. 

13. To learn more about the school, you can read the archive of newsletters on our website at Email Archives. Your contact information has been added to the distribution list, so you will receive future school communications by email, but you can also find them here. The school newsletter will usually arrive on Friday afternoons, so keep an eye out for it! Summer emails may not come every week.

14.  AACA would like to invite you to a few upcoming events that may be a good way for your family to get involved in the community before next year:
  • Ducky Derby - Friday, May 12th, Parents Only!  Please RSVP  (email name & #) on May 8th to Kim Wallet, kwallet@alphonsusacademy.org. You can pay at the event.  ($40/person) See attached flyer.
  •  Arts Together: AACA’s Community Celebration of all things creative! Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:30 PM, AACA’s Campus. Free. Bring the whole family!

    AACA will celebrate all things art at this annual community event! See student music and drama performances, do a scavenger hunt through displays of student artwork, and get a sweet treat at the bake sale. You can also see our teachers’ creativity in action through hallway displays that share documentation of their arts integrated lessons.
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