Familygram MARCH 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Elmhurst, Illinois 630.530.3490

familygram MARCH 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Elmhurst, Illinois www.icgradeschoolelmhurst.org 630.530.3490

Dear Parents,

During the past week, we have been enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures. For me, they are signs of hope and the fact that spring is coming! At the same time, we are starting to see the effects in our country of vaccinations, mask wearing, and social distancing. COVID-19 infection rates are for the most part decreasing and we are making good progress. These are the fruits of many months of self-discipline and suffering and even though we are not “out of the woods” yet, we are feeling hopeful. In the same way, here at Immaculate Conception Grade School, we are beginning to see the fruits of all of the hard work we have put in this year. The year’s difficulties we have faced together have made us stronger as a community and have empowered us to look at challenges differently. At the same time, our students have put in the time necessary to learn all that is being taught during a very unconventional year. As Mrs. Talluto, our Parents’ Club President, recently shared in her Parents’ Club message to the ICGS family, we received the news that our whole school performance, on grades tested in the fall (2020) for ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) and MAP (Measure of Academic Progress), were reported in the top 15% in the state as defined for Reading/ELA and Math performance. We are so very proud of the work our teachers, staff, students, and parents have put in to achieve this excellent result! This too gives us a sense of hope because we know that all the work done to plan for this school year is paying off.

As we continue to move through Lent, let us put that same sense of self-discipline toward our Lenten practices. During this holy season, we are called to be people of prayer, sacrifice, and almsgiving. It seems that during this pandemic, we have become more aware of the importance of these (3) things as we have prayed for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those battling COVID-19. We have also sacrificed a great deal of our personal freedom to protect each other and are more aware of the joy that comes from simply being with those we love. We have also likely expressed our compassion for those who are suffering by donating to our parish food pantry and other causes supporting those in need. Our Lenten “muscles” have been primed all year long due to the challenges of the pandemic. As we approach the halfway mark through Lent, let’s see if we can work those “muscles” even harder since they are already in good shape. If we do, we will arrive at our celebration of the Resurrection on Easter stronger and more faithful than ever before.

As our Spring Break approaches, I ask each and every family to review our travel guidelines and stay disciplined about safety protocols. We have done so much work this year to keep our ICGS family safe. We cannot let our guard down.

Thank you for all of the ways you are supporting our efforts this year. May our Patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception continue to watch over us all as we move toward spring and the joy of Easter Sunday.

Thank you,

Mrs. Cathy Linley, Principal

#icgsbethehope

From the School Office...

We survived the snow and cold in the middle of a pandemic….we can survive just about anything!

For our families who will be traveling, it is vitally important that you email or call Mrs. Wachholder if you will be traveling at any time. It is important for us to know who is traveling and where your destination is, as we work diligently to keep all of our students and staff safe. The travel restrictions are being updated each day and we have sent this information to parents. Remote learning is designed for certain situations and we want to make sure that the student’s criteria will make them eligible for this accessibility.

Thank you to our amazing Parents Club for all of your creative ideas and projects to make this year’s Lucky Knight/Dinner Dance fundraiser a huge Virtual success. Parents please don’t miss this Virtual Night of wonderful and special offerings. Thank you to our students for your wonderful designs on your inspirational signs, and your fabulous dancing skills to create your Cupid Shuffle videos. Parents you will be so excited to see all the wonderful creations of our students on April 23, 2021.

Please remember school pictures for grades PK-3 thru 7th grade will be taken Monday March 15, 2021. We will be using the gym which will allow plenty of room for us to maintain our social distancing protocols. If your student is absent on this day, we will offer a makeup date once the photographer knows how many retakes will be needed.

We ask that ALL lunch items the children bring in remain disposable. Please do not send lunchboxes or a thermos. We ask that your students lunch, be brought in a paper bag that can be disposed of after they eat lunch, as the garbage is removed from the classroom after the class finishes eating. We are not using lockers and we want the bins next to the children’s desk that hold their class materials to remain clean and free of food particles or odors.

On Wednesday March 17, 2021 our student council will be sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Dress down day. Details of appropriate dress will follow in an email.

Our Religious Education department has sent information to our second grade families regarding First Reconciliation information.

On Thursday March 28, 2021 we will sponsor our Shining Star and March Birthday dress down day.

Friday March 26, 2021 is an Early Dismissal Day, Spring Break officially begins. School will resume Tuesday April 5, 2021. If you are traveling, please make sure you have completed and submitted a Vacation/Travel Form to me.

** Reminder: Daylight saving time begins Sunday March 14, 2021. Spring ahead……..

Thank you to our ICGS Family……please continue to remain diligent with all safety protocols, as we all try to move forward to some sense of normalcy….

Stay safe, Mrs. Wachholder Travel Restrictions:

There is still widespread, ongoing transmission of novel coronavirus worldwide. At this time, having been vaccinated does not change any aspect of risk. We must all continue precautions like wearing masks and social distancing. Always be aware, local or non-local traveling, the following high risk activities; Traveling through airports, planes, cruise ships, riverboats, buses or train stations. Going to a large group social gathering like a wedding, funeral, party, Easter Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade. Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters. Being with people who don’t live with you At this time, Immaculate Conception Grade School protocol is: International Travel: All international travel will require quarantine at home x 14 full days before returning to school. Domestic & Illinois Travel: Anyone traveling where Covid-19 transmission is high or increasing should be prudent when they return. Please use the following map as a guide to the specific area you are traveling: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/travel *High risk area=get tested with a viral Covid (PCR) test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home and self quarantine for the full 7 days. If you are positive you will need to self-isolate x 10 days to protect others from getting infected. If you chose to not get tested, stay home & quarantine x 10 full days after travel. *Low Risk Area= No need for quarantine as long as not had any close contacts with a known Covid positive person and have no symptoms related to Covid.

Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when paired with a period of staying home and precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at travelers’ destinations. Upon return, if there are any symptoms consistent with Covid, the individual should follow all isolation protocols listed below. Symptoms related to Covid-19;

Fever 100.4 or higher Diarrhea Moderate to severe headache Abdominal pain from unknown causes Shortness of breath New congestion/runny nose New cough New loss of sense of taste or smell Sore throat Nausea Vomiting Fatigue from unknown cause Muscle or body aches If any above symptoms, student needs to seek medical attention and provide a note from MD, Covid test result, and/or quarantine x 14 full days.

ICGS will continue our protocol for any close contacts with a Covid positive person will need a quarantine of 14 full days Some CDC/IDPH guidelines suggest a 10 day quarantine but days 11-14 need such strict distancing away from all people that it is too difficult to maintain in a school and therefore we continue to require the 14 full days at home.

***These guidelines are effective immediately but can be changed at any given moment based on Illinois Department of Public Health, DuPage County Department of Public Health and ICGS closely monitoring data that can move us back to the previous phase & recommendations.

IC Grade school Classroom News

PRE-K 3 MRS. MAGGIE SCHAP ASSISTANTS: MRS. JENNIFER LEAHY & MS. HAYLEY EBELING MRS. KIM LIBERT, MRS. JULIA LODATO Pre-Kindergarten 3

During Catholic Schools Week, the preschoolers decorated a cross and dictated a sentence about who they wanted to pray for. Since it has been so cold and snowy outside, we decided to bring the winter fun inside the classroom! We made snowflake crowns and conducted snow themed experiments!

The preschoolers had a lot of fun celebrating Valentine’s Day! We learned about Saint Valentine, colored a “Saint Valentine, Pray for Us” heart, and had a class discussion about how we can show others that we care about them. Some of the other activities included decorating a “Jesus is my Valentine” heart, making love bugs, assembling heart rocket ships, and decorating cards for Mom and Dad.

The preschoolers enjoyed their virtual visit with the dentist! We learned a lot about how to take care of our teeth, so they stay healthy. We also had fun painting with toothbrushes and conducting a healthy PRE-K 4 and not healthy food sort. MRS. BEVERLY CRONIN & MRS. MARY CLARE LIDGUS ASSISTANTS: MRS. KATHY HALICK & MRS. KATHY WARTNER This month, we are going to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and St. Patrick’s Day. We are also going to learn about outer space! Pre-Kindergarten 4 February flew by for the preschoolers with all the things we had to celebrate this month. We started off by celebrating Catholic Schools Week with so many fun activities. Next we enjoyed making valentines for our senior citizens with the help of the Elmhurst Art Museum. The project was named "Art From My Heart" and they provided us with everything we needed to make the special valentines. Our wonderful room parents gave us our own tote bags to decorate with fabric markers for our valentine craft. It was so much fun to do and a fun keepsake. We also celebrated Dental Health month by learning what we need to do to keep our teeth clean and healthy. Our biggest celebration, by far, was our 100th day of school. Each child created their own t-shirt with 100 things attached and each one was amazing. We dotted 100 circles, took 100 steps, did 100 exercises and even made 100 day crowns. We had so much fun. IC Grade school Classroom News

On Ash Wednesday we were able to receive ashes KINDERGARTEN…. and are learning about the season of Lent and how MRS.CLAIRE BENZ AND MRS. JENNIFER CAPER we can prepare for Easter through prayer, fasting AIDE: MRS. LORI HECHT and almsgiving. SuperKids: We are learning how to read with We have even been praying the sorrowful mysteries fluency. We are looking at word families, and rhyme of the rosary. words. We also listen for what the “P’ We enjoyed many stories this month including our sound makes. Happily Ever After story of The Nightingale and we Math: We are learning about addition in Chapter 7. have learned about rhyming words, shapes and Religion: We are collecting things for our “Blessing sequencing. Bags”. We will discuss sacrifice and how to be We are excited for the month of March and can't helpful to homeless people in our area. wait to celebrate the beginning of spring! Social Studies: We have studied famous African American people throughout history! We had our 100 Day celebration as well! Science: We will be studying Dinosaurs, our five senses and the weather! Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 100th Day of School in Kindergarten (dressing as themselves at 100!) IC Grade school Classroom News

FIRST GRADE… SECOND GRADE… MRS. SHANNON FOLEY-GAJDA , MS. MARY KATE LYONS, MS. LIANA PAVESE, MS. ERIN KENNEDY, MRS. ROSE RIO MS. LAUREN WARTNER MRS. MELISSA DRONEN AND MRS. COLLEEN MAIETTA, ASSISTANTS The first grade has been working hard on the second We have a very exciting month coming up! The 2nd half of our superkids program. The class is really Graders will receive their First Reconciliation this enjoying learning all of the different spelling patterns month. The Reconciliation dates are as follows: and rules. They are learning to pay attention to these rules when they try to decode new words. We have -Monday, March 15th: Ms. Pavese’s class been learning different types of contractions and the words that we can put together to make them. It has -Tuesday, March 16th: Mrs. Rio’s class been fun to use and apply different comprehension strategies. A few areas that we have been focusing -Wednesday, March 17th: Ms. Kennedy’s class on are main idea and details, summarize, plot, and cause and effect. I am very proud to say that the We look forward to being a part of this special day! students are really improving with their fluency. It is Throughout the next weeks, we will continue to enjoyable to listen to them read using expression! prepare for Reconciliation. Last month, we had Pioneer Day. It was a fun filled In math, we have just finished our chapter about day! The students made butter, played Pioneer measurement. The students measured using both Bingo, made woven place mats, and used thimbles standard and non-standard units. That is we have for an art project. Thank you to our amazing Room been using rulers, but also paperclips and cubes to Parents for supplying the materials needed for measure length. The class has also measured Pioneer Day! capacity, weight, and lengths of time. We have In Ms. Kennedy’s Math class, we are learning about moved onto two-digit addition with regrouping! We measurement and time. We will learn about inches, are turning into real mathematicians! feet, yards, miles, ounces, pounds, meters, liters, and grams. We will also learn how to tell time and how It is wonderful to prepare our hearts and minds for to use a thermometer. Easter by attending Stations of the Cross with our In Ms. Pavese’s Math class, we are moving onto school family every Friday. We have become very geometry. Some of the topics we will cover include: solid figures, surfaces, plane figures, and closed mindful of being more like Jesus during this season figures. In Superkids, we will learn about new of Lent by fasting, praying, and almsgiving! prefixes, past tense verbs In Mrs. Rio’s Math class, we are at the end of 3 digit addition and subtraction with regrouping. The class will learn about fractions and probability in the next chapter. Have a great month! 2nd Grade Pioneer Day IC Grade school Classroom News

THIRD GRADE… FOURTH GRADE… MS. KATY VOKAC , MRS. JANET CAVANAUGH, MRS. KATIE POLKOW MRS.ERIN PETRY , MRS.ELIZABETH WITT, MS. GINA SCARDINA We have really strengthened our writing skills this semester. We are writing third grade paragraphs We are in the season of Lent. The children have with strong topic sentences, 3-4 good details, and a made a Lenten promise as well as a Lenten sacrifice. solid closing sentence to wrap up each paragraph we They colored a cross and wrote their promise on it in write. We are writing paragraphs every morning class. We asked the kids to keep this in their room when we get to school to get our brains in the writing or on the fridge at home. Throughout the season of mode! We use those writing skills across each Lent this cross will serve as a reminder of this subject and answer each question in our different promise to themselves and God. classes by restating the question. We are looking forward to some interesting research papers coming In Math, the kids should continue to work on in spring on an animal of choice. mastering their Multiplication Facts.

We are discussing Lent and our different family In Science, we are concluding our Unit on Force and preparations for Easter. We know Lent means new Motion with learning about the 6 Simple Machines. life and spring. We look forward to that new life this Soon, we will start learning about “Energy” with a spring and have created some beautiful spring Lenten special focus on Light, Sound and Thermal Energy. acrostic poems. We also designed new Lenten plants as a religion activity. We are helping our younger In Social Studies, the students are in the middle of siblings, and others we know, younger than us by studying the Midwest Region. The kids will soon teaching them a Lent song about prayer, fasting, and select a U.S. state for independent study. almsgiving. Ask a 3rd grader to teach it to you if you see them around ICGS! This quarter we are gradually releasing the responsibility of notetaking over to the students. We are all looking forward to Spring! Fourth Graders are working to find main ideas and key concepts in their textbooks. They are also applying their knowledge of nonfiction text features while taking notes and completing in-class assignments.

We are hoping that this Spring weather is on its way!! Spelling Practice with Shaving Cream IC Grade school Classroom News

FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE… Mrs. Rebecca McDonald: 5TH: MRS. THERESE PEDOTE AND MRS. DEBORAH LOPEZ, 5th Grade Science: MRS. REBECCA MCDONALD During the Month of February, we began our unit on 6TH: MRS. LAURA BEDORE, MRS. LAUREN HEATH, MRS. JANE MEDOW Mixtures and Solutions. Students learned about Mrs. Therese Pedote: density and how to apply the knowledge in a lab setting where we observed what happens to the 6th Reading: During January we have begun a novel buoyancy of an egg as you add salt to water. We also study on The Winter Horses, which is historical had the opportunity to do virtual labs through the fiction taking place in 1941 in Ukraine. We are PhET website to help reinforce the concept. Students concentrating on characterization. also learned about solutions and mixtures and learned about the physical properties of substances 6th ELA: In January we have begun writing an that would allow substances to be separated. expository essay on inventions. The students selected an inventor ot their choice and will write a 5 Currently we have moved into our section on the paragraph essay with a bibliography. Periodic Table of Elements. Students are learning what all the numbers and symbols mean and will be Mrs. Debi Lopez: able to apply this knowledge when we construct

th Bohr models. 5 Grade Reading We completed our whole grade novel study of Blood 5th Grade Social Studies on the River. Students were interested to learn of the We have wrapped up our US Travel presentations story of Jamestown. We had stimulating discussions which were so fun to watch. This project was a nice about the relationships between the Native primer for Heritage Fair. These presentations took a Americans and settlers. We also examined primary little longer than anticipated so the topics I wanted to sources, and looked at how history can be distorted cover for Black History Mont/h are actually depending on who is telling the story. Rooms 17 and happening now. In doing so we will be delving into 15 will be reading The Candy Bomber next, which is Women's History promptly after. Therefore, I am a non-fiction book about one man’s efforts to make a showing the movie Hidden Figures in social studies difference. In Room 13, we will be reading The which ties the two together beautifully. This is a Honest Truth, a story about a boy, a dog and an fabulous movie done by Disney and I highly adventure. th encourage parents to check it out as well. Students 5 Grade ELA will also be researching and presenting notable We concluded our research into our heritage through women and minorities in history. interviewing our relatives and completing our family tree with a Heritage Fair celebration. Parents and Mrs. Lauren Heath: other invited guests were able to enjoy the stories we 5th grade Math collected through a Zoom stream of our heritage fair Rm 13 is working on adding and subtracting speeches. Traditions, family stories and history were fractions. Students are using their previous shared together, along with costumes and culture. knowledge to help find LCD and Families also shared treasured recipes to make a 5th equivalent fractions to add or subtract fractions. Students will continue to work on subtracting and grade cookbook. We were so proud of all our 5th renaming. After this unit students will move on to graders! multiplying and dividing fractions. Mrs. Laura Bedore: Rm 15 math has moved to our percent unit. Students are working on changing percents to decimals and 6th grade Social Studies: We will beging to prepare fractions and solving percent problems. Students are for History Fair. Each student will research and also going to work on sales tax, tip, commission, and write about a person, place, era or event in history. percent change. History Fair will conclude in April with a celebration. “Bee the

6th Grade Science: We have finished up our genetics HOPE!” unit and are exploring earth’s changing surface through plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes. IC Grade school Classroom News Rm 17 math is finishing up their unit on geometry. do it at the Vatican! Students have been working on identifying basic We are making sure we know the correct geometry tools (lines, planes, segments), angles, terms that are used for this whole season, from and triangles. Students are also finding lines of Carnival and Mardi Gras, all the way to the symmetry and transformations of shapes. Students Ascension, when the Church celebrates the glorious worked on finishing a picture to make it finale of Christ’s Paschal Mystery, the heart of our symmetrical to the other side. faith. We will be studying these up through Easter. We are still travelling with the Israelites as 6th grade Math they journey to the Promised Land. We have just Rm 16 math students are finishing working on their got them to the first city they conquered, Jericho, unit on multiplying and dividing fractions. Students where the walls came tumbling down! We imagined have been working on multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers. Students are also able that we were journalists on the spot to report on the to solve equations using multiplication (using the action! reciprocal) and converting in the customary system. Ater this unit students will work on ratios and proportions. Rm 18 math students finished their unit on percents. Students are able to solve percent problems, find sales tax, tip, and commission, and percent change. Students are now moving onto their geometry unit. Students will identify lines, rays, segments, types of triangles, polygons and parts of circles. Rm 19 math students finished their unit on percents. Students are able to solve percent problems, find sales tax and selling price and discounts. Students are now moving onto their geometry unit. Students are using previous knowledge to name points, lines, segments, classify triangles, and angles. Students are also identifying angle relationships with transversals and parallel lines.

Mrs. Jane Medow: 5th Religion We have been continuing to work our way through the study of the sacraments. We have just completed a focused look at the most important sacrament, the Eucharist. We have also been focusing on Lent, the preparation for the holiest time of the year. We thoughtfully considered how we could make “Lenten Promises” in the three areas the Church asks us to consider, Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Any support you can give us at home for these would be great! Perhaps praying as a family at a time you don’t usually pray, or assigning some extra chores to make money for charity.

6th Religion We had our snow day on Mardi Gras so we came back the next day to jump right in to Lent. We went to mass and received our ashes rather differently this year, sprinkled on our heads. This is the way they Scenes from the 5th Grade Heritage Fair IC Grade school Classroom News

JUNIOR HIGH… using zero and negative exponents, and evaluating MS. JILL VANDERHYE, MS. MARGARET PACANA, exponential equations. We will work more with MRS. JENNIFER VICENTENO, MRS. KATIE BARRETT, multiplying and dividing powers, raising a power to MS. CHRISTIE NOVAK a power, and raising products and quotients to a power. This leads to work with geometric sequences. Then students will evaluate and graph Ms. Maggie Pacana: exponential functions. 7th Grade English: In English, the seventh graders will be continuing in our Argumentative Writing Unit, which will continue 7-3 Seventh Grade Enriched: Students will learn on through April. This will consist of writing an how to find the areas, surface areas, and volumes of example Argumentative Essay together as a class, some basic geometric figures. We will find the followed by an independent Argumentative Essay on areas of parallelograms. Then we will use the a different topic. They will also be working on formula for the area of a parallelogram to develop grammar in class to help the mechanics of all of their and use area formulas for triangles and trapezoids. writing, as well as learning Greek and Latin root Students will then use all these formulas and the words to help improve vocabulary acquisition. area of a circle to find the areas of irregular shapes. Our class will explore space figures and identify 7th Grade Religion: them from nets. Additionally, we will be calculating In Religion, seventh grade will be delving deeper surface area by calculating the areas of the nets. into the Paschal Mystery as we continue through the Then they will find surface areas and volumes by Lenten Season. They will be working on a project to using formulas. help with their understanding of the events of Jesus' Passion. We will be using our books and outside 7-4 Seventh Grade On-Level: Our class will resources to learn about this material, and will have continue our study of geometric concepts as they several written assessments and tests throughout the identify and draw different solid figures. They will month. apply formulas to find the surface area and volume of prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres. 8th Grade Religion: We will draw nets, work in groups on a project and In Religion, eighth grade will be focusing on the collaborate with one another. Overall, we will build history of the Catholic Church and preparation for on our knowledge of polygons and how to use the Sacrament of Confirmation. Historically, we are formulas to find the areas of various shapes from looking at Catholicism in the 1800s, particularly in chapter 7. Additionally, students will draw upon the United States. We will be using our books and their understanding of similarity and congruence outside resources to learn about this material, and when they explore similar solids. will have several written assessments and tests throughout the month. 7th Social Studies: In Social Studies we will Mrs. Jennifer Vicenteno: continue our study of the United States Constitution. 8-1 Eighth Grade On-Level: Our class will be Our class will explore the basic structure of the U.S. finding the solution for a system of linear equations Constitution as well as learn the roles and functions by three methods: graphing, substitution, and of the three branches of government. Students in elimination. We will learn that there are three seventh grade will analyze how the separation of possibilities for the solutions: parallel lines, lines that powers and checks and balances affect the U.S. coincide, and lines that intersect. This will then lead Government. to algebraic methods for solving systems of equations, and then to solving problems by writing a Ms. Jill Vander Hye: th system of linear equations. Graphing linear equations Reading 7 is then compared to graphing linear inequalities and The seventh grades have finished the Phantom solving systems of linear inequalities by graphing. Tollbooth and became travel agents, taking us to their “lands” and showing us their cuisine, 8-2 Eighth Grade Enriched: Students in this class excursions and hotels. They are onto their second will continue to learn about exponents and Thematic Study book, working towards their exponential functions in Chapter 8. We will explore common theme. They will hold a small group discussion, journal, produce a culminating project FEAST OF ST. PATRICK (MARCH 17TH) FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH (MARCH 19TH)

St. Patrick Breastplate St. Joseph, pray for us.

Noble son of the House of David Christ with me, Pray for us. Christ before me, Light of patriarchs, Christ behind me, Pray for us.

Christ in me, Husband of the Mother of God, Christ beneath me, Pray for us.

Christ above me, Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us. Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Foster father of the Son of God, Pray for us. Christ when I lie down, Faithful guardian of Christ, Christ when I sit down, Pray for us. Christ when I arise, Head of the holy family, Christ in the heart of every Pray for us.

man who thinks of me, Joseph, chaste and just, Christ in the mouth of Pray for us.

everyone who speaks of Joseph, prudent and brave, Pray for us. me, Christ in every eye that Joseph, obedient and loyal, Pray for us. sees me, Pattern of peace, Christ in every ear that Pray for us. hears me. Lover of poverty, Pray for us.

St. Patrick, pray for us. Model of workers, Pray for us.

Example of parents, Pray for us.

Pillar of family life, Pray for us.

Comfort of the troubled, Pray for us.

Hope of the sick, Pray for us.

Patron of the dying, Pray for us.

St. Joseph, Pray for us. IC Grade school Classroom News and write a paper incorporating two elements from 8th Grade Spanish the novel of their group’s choice. The eighth graders have been working on stem- changing verbs. These can be tricky since they must Reading 8th remember to change both the verb stem and the The eighth graders are beginning a unit on endings. The boot/shoe trick is very helpful! Be oppression, where they are researching songs, sure to ask about it! poems, Children’s books, and mature novels representing those who have been marginalized. Skateboard Science Lab on Speed & Velocity Each student will provide an analysis of each format and host “book talks” about their findings as we strive to educate ourselves on the oppressed. As a culminating piece, students will write a moving speech that they will present to the class. Each student will use messages or lessons of society that they would like to pass on, discussing an understanding of the world today and throughout history.

English 8th Our Chicago tour guides just finished taking us on walking and bus tours around the city, showing us unique locations of Chicago history. They made us laugh and left us intrigued. We sure will be back for Science Lab on Friction, Gravity & Projectiles another tour! Now it’s time to eat! As we learn about taste, texture, etiquette, eateries and cooking, we will dive into all aspects of food. I mean, who doesn’t love food? 7th Grade Science In science, students have been learning about genetics in humans. Each student is currently working on a research project about a human genetic disorder. They will present this information to the class. Learning about these disorders helps us all to feel grateful for the many gifts God has given us, just as we marveled at the gift of color vision when we learned about color blindness.

8th Grade Science Motion led off the first section of physics. Students also learned the difference between speed and velocity. Acceleration, friction, and gravity have also been prominent topics in the past few weeks. It has been fun to watch videos of curling, bobsledding, and parachuting that illustrate these concepts. The fan favorite of the past few weeks was definitely the paper airplane lab!

7th Grade Spanish The seventh graders reviewed numbers this month by playing BINGO. They are now learning about how to state time of day and will be making a Spanish version of their daily class calendar. IC Grade school Classroom News Ms. Christie Novak: 7th Algebra 1 We have moved into our short unit on exponentials. We will look at the 5 exponential rules before applying them to scientific notation. We also will look at the graphs of exponentials before moving on to our unit on polynomial operations.

8th SS We are taking our IL Constitution test the first week of March and then will dive back into our book at Module 7. We will take a look at how America joined the world stage including the Spanish- American war and the building of the Panama Canal.

ART MRS. MARY TOUROUNJIAN March is in full swing and we are busy in Art. The following is a breakdown by grade of either completed or work in progress: KINDERGARTEN: Sun Flowers (ala Vincent Van Gogh) GRADE 1: Mitten Art GRADE 2: Draw A Chameleon In It’s Habitat GRADE 3: Draw A Birdhouse (3-D) “It’s not what GRADE 4: Fire Safety Posters completed you look at that Name Art (just beginning) GRADE 5: Tweety & Sylvester matters, it’s GRADE 6: Tesselations (ala M.C. Escher) what you see.” GRADE 7: Japanese Notan GRADE 8: Family Crest (almost complete) ― Henry David ART CLUB: Thoreau I will be sending information regarding this Spring’s Art Club in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! IC Grade school Classroom News

ALUMNI NEWS… ICGS Class of 2016 alumnus, Richard Buehling made MRS.KATHLEEN HILLSMAN, ICGS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR his debut for the Boston University Terriers Track & MRS. LISA GAUGHAN, ASSISTANT Field program at the Patriot League Challenge on February 28th. He competed in the triple jump and GRADE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWS… finished third with a jump of 13.67m (44'10.25")! Do you have alumni news to share? Please contact the Congratulations and best of luck to Richard! ICGS Development Office at Congratulations to ICGS Class of 2007 alumna, [email protected] Francesca Cozzi on her recent engagement to be married!

Congratulations to ICGS ICGS Class of 2012 alumnus, Jeff Losurdo is currently Class of 2009 alumna a junior Economics major at Dartmouth College in (and daughter of Preschool Hanover, NH, and a member of their hockey program. aide, Mrs. Kathy Wartner Unfortunately the 2020-2021 season was cancelled due to and sister of 1st grade COVID-19. We are sure Jeff’s senior year will be an teacher, Ms. Lauren exciting one! Wartner), Katlyn Wartner, who was engaged to be married in late February! Katlyn will marry Patrick Regan, a Visitation Viking!!

Congratulations to ICGS Class of 2017 alumnus, James Golen, on winning the Illinois High School Association’s Illinois State Champion (for the 2nd year in a row!!) in Extemporaneous Speaking!

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Fantastic article in the Elmhurst Independent about ICGS (and ICCP) Class of 2018 alumnus, Sean Leahy, currently attending Culver Military Academy in Indiana... Helping our children grow in their Catholic faith. March 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Mrs. Cathy Linley, Principal Raising good decision makers

At the root of every sin is a bad the mannerisms, speech, and habits of decision. Children’s inexperience and trusted adults. It is important that they lack of perspective often leads to bad see our faith in our actions. Penance vs. punishment choices that get them into trouble. Experience is a powerful teacher. If Penance isn’t punishment. A well-formed Catholic conscience, parents are attentive, respectful, and Real penance helps us accountability, and nurturing to a child, she learns undergo a change of experience are to internalize these heart that helps us powerful ways to raise characteristics as the way become better people happy, healthy and to relate to others. For who positively affect holy decision makers. example, attending to a others. Our sin affects Faith as foundation. child’s emotion pain will others, and our penance and Solid ways to form a teach remorse when she reparation can, too. Catholic conscience causes others pain. Invest include taking families active time in children, to weekly Mass, foster a sense of Foster loving kindness regular Confession belonging, and In a time that seems to be full of to a priest, making communicate love. bad news, sel ess acts can result in religious education Accountability is an emotional uplift for the giver classes a priority, loving parents holding and the recipient. Practice acts of and expecting and modeling children responsible for their own kindness each day. Use a gentle Gospel-centered behavior at home. decisions. When confronted by their voice in every circumstance. Smile Modeling good choices. Parents have bad behavior, youngsters may try to at someone who looks like they the biggest impact on forming shift blame, refuse to acknowledge or need it. Allow others to go get children’s consciences. The process follow rules, or attempt to avoid ahead of you in line. Sit with begins when children start developing consequences. Set standards, give someone who looks as if they need attachments. Children start to imitate consequences, and follow through. a friend. Pray for those who are unkind to you.

As God loves “Charity, love, is sharing with the Why do we fast? one we love in all things. Love makes us similar, it Fasting is a traditional because Jesus fasted during his time creates equality, it form of penance to show in the desert before he began his breaks down sorrow for our sins. By public ministry. walls and creating hunger and a We also fast to sympathize eliminates desire for that which is with those who are hungry distances. God denied, we are or poor and don’t have the did this with us.” reminded of the reason blessings we enjoy. Fasting Pope Francis why we are fasting. helps us to be more loving During Lent, we fast and compassionate.

© Copyright 2021 Success Publishing & Media, LLC March 2021 Page 2 Find renewal during Lent When choosing Lenten observances, children are blessings and guide them to recognize the source as God. inclined to give too much or too little. For example, Make Sunday about God. If you have to choose “I’ll give up playing video games for the entire between sports and Sunday Mass, choose Mass. season!” or “I’ll give up green vegetables that I Resolve to make sure the Eucharist and Mass don’t like.” Yet, Lent isn’t just about sacri ce. come before anything else. This is also a time to make changes that will Spend time with your family. In a pandemic, bring us closer to God and give Him a central alone time may be what keeps us sane. Yet, place in our family life. family time is critical to forming healthy Practice gratitude. Gratitude helps to families. Try to nd ways to spend more time keep everything in perspective. Encourage together. Read books, tell stories, draw pictures. children to share what they count as Make the good times overwhelm the bad.

Mark 14:1-15:47, Join our pain with Jesus’

This Gospel reading tells of Jesus’ joys, our good health, our family suffering and death on the Cross. and friends are all important As Lent approached this year, I Remembering Jesus’ suffering is ways to share in the joy of realized that children were pretty not just something we do just his Resurrection. The point stressed between online learning and once a year. The more often we is to offer everything to missing usual activities curtailed and remember, the more it will Christ. eliminated by the help us recall that Jesus was What can a parent do? pandemic. So this human, too, and experienced Suffering is part of life. Yet, year, we took a what we feel – and so much disciples of Jesus can have different Lenten path. more. If we offer him our the same attitude toward Every time the suffering and remember suffering as he did, and we children asked us to his, it makes our pain easier can also share in his joy of the buy something – a to bear. Resurrection. When children are new game, takeout Every day our frustrations, our hurt, sad, or scared, help them for dinner, a new toy – we asked if it fears, our loneliness and temptations can remember to turn to Jesus because was something they could live become ways in which we share in the he wants to comfort them with his without. If they said, “yes” (often suffering and death of Christ. Likewise, our great love. with guidance), we looked up the price of the item and put that amount into our family Lent jar. Once the jar the Church there. was full, we dumped the contents March 19 - St. Joseph (1st into the Poor Box at church. century). Husband to the Blessed Next, we tackled excess. Every day Mother, St. Joseph is a model of during Lent, we go through our March 2 – St. Agnes of Bohemia fatherhood and a protector of closets and drawers and put one item (1282). Born in Prague to King families. in the give-away pile. Ottocar I of Bohemia, St. Agnes March 28 – Palm Sunday of the The daily activities keep us focused renounced court life to become a Poor Lord’s Passion. The Sunday before on Lent and we are working to Clare instead. She was known for Easter is called Palm Sunday of the simplify our lives. When Easter serving the poor and working Lord’s Passion. It recalls Jesus’ entry comes, we will be lighter and more miracles. into Jerusalem when he was greeted grateful for what we have. March 17 – St. Patrick of Ireland by crowds waving palms (493). Born in Scotland, St. Patrick and cheering. It was kidnapped by Irish pirates and marks the To help parents raise faithful Catholic children brought to Ireland as a slave when he beginning of Success Publishing & Media, LLC was about sixteen. He escaped several Holy Week. We Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax years later and became a priest. He use palms to http://www.partnersinfaith.com was ordained the bishop of Ireland commemorate (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from and is credited for having established this special day. the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.) © Copyright 2021 Success Publishing & Media, LLC Home&School ® Working Together for School Success CONNECTION March 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Mrs. Cathy Linley, Principal

Ask about tests If your child has stan- Learning with hobbies dardized tests coming up, ask her to A hobby gives your child a produc- show you any study guides or practice tive way to spend his free time, and it tests she completes. You might have brings a wealth of real-world learn- her explain how she arrived at some of ing opportunities. Encourage him the answers. Your interest shows her to pursue a hobby—and learn that the tests are important to you from it—with these ideas. and will encourage her to do her best on test day. Reading Let your youngster read Patience pays oﬀ to learn more about a hobby Enjoying leisurely activities with your that interests him. If he’d youngster can teach him the value of like to learn to play chess, patience. For example, make chili he could read a book on together in a slow cooker, then eat a opening moves. Or if he col- delicious meal you’ve waited for all lects comic books, he might day. Play Jenga or build a house of read about how to draw comics. Then, his completed projects to put in a scrap- cards—he’ll need to take his time to give him opportunities to share what book, then write a caption for each. avoid toppling the structure! he learns. For instance, offer to play Math chess with him or ask to see the comics Sad, or depressed? Help your child find math in his he sketches. It’s normal for kids to feel sad occa- hobby. If he’s a runner, suggest that he sionally. But if your child becomes Writing keep track of his times and distances withdrawn or moody, has changes in Have your child start a journal or and then make a graph to see how he her eating or sleeping habits, or loses scrapbook about his hobby. A skate- improves. Or if he plays a musical interest in things she normally enjoys, boarder can write instructions for tricks instrument, he can work on timing by talk to her pediatrician. Those may he’s learning and check off each one as writing the fractions above the notes be signs of depression, and the doc- 1 1 he masters it. A youngster who makes ( –4 note, –2 note) in sheet music and tor can recommend next steps. balloon animals could take photos of using them to keep count.♥ Worth quoting “Always be a first-rate version of Ways to offer encouragement yourself instead of a second-rate ver- Going beyond general praise and giving your sion of someone else.” Judy Garland youngster specific feedback can inspire her to keep up the good work. Consider these examples: ● Instead of “You’re so smart,” try “You’re good at thinking things through.” Why? You’ll avoid Q: I get bigger every time you sub- labeling your child. tract something. What am I? ● Instead of “You’re so helpful,” try “Thanks for A: A hole! doing your chores before I asked.” Why? Your words will motivate your child to repeat her behavior. ● Instead of “Awesome grade,” try “I’m proud of you for studying hard.” Why? This puts the focus on effort rather than grades only. ● Instead of “What a pretty painting,” try “I’m impressed by all the details.” Why? Your youngster will know exactly what made it appealing to you.♥

Build each other up. When a family A caring family member is disappointed or frustrated, A supportive family can give your chances are someone in your house youngster confidence and teach her to has been in a similar situation. Ask care about others. Use these ways to that person to talk about her expe- show one another that you care. rience and how she handled it. For example, your youngster might tell Highlight good news. Let your her little brother, “I was sad when child write “Family News” on a sheet I couldn’t have a birthday party of paper and tack it to a bulletin board. with my friends because of the When something good happens (her big pandemic. But we had fun playing sister is accepted to college, you get a games together on Zoom.” new job), have her post it on the board. Encourage everyone to add a comment to Laugh together. Humor can relieve each news item. (“Way to go, Mom!”) stress and strengthen bonds. Many families have a collection of “inside” jokes and stories. Tell them frequently, and share a good laugh. (“Remember when we found the cat on the top shelf of the pantry?”)♥ Healthy snacks Q: The only snacks my daughter wants to eat are cookies and chips. What should I do? Strong work habits Each year it was the same Try suggesting fun, creative ways your A: pattern: My son Luis child can prepare nutritious snacks. You’ll get her invested in making healthy ones started off the school year strong, but then his that she’ll want to eat. work habits slid in the second half. This year For instance, have her layer trail mix was no exception, so I suggested that Luis ingredients in a clear jar. Perhaps she’ll make a checklist to keep himself on track. use whole-grain cereal pieces, dried fruit, We talked about his habits, such as waiting and nuts or seeds. She could store the jar until the last minute to study for tests or doing on the counter with a scoop equaling homework in front of the TV. Then for each one serving. problem area, he listed a solution on a small whiteboard. He included things like “Study for tests as soon as they’re announced” and “Work where I won’t be distracted.” Luis hung his whiteboard in his room. He reviews it before he starts working each day, then puts a check mark beside each good habit he uses. He’s happy when he shows me he’s checked off all his boxes—and I’m relieved to see him staying on track!♥

She might also make colorful, single- serving veggie bags to keep front and cen- Smart spending starts now ter in the refrigerator. In separate zipper bags, she can put raw (rinsed) vegetables, Learning to that you’ll shop for needs first, then such as broccoli florets, carrots, grape make smart financial decisions will help wants if there’s money left in your gro- tomatoes, and snap peas. your child now and in the future. Try cery budget. these activities when you shop together. Finally, try to avoid buying empty- Go on a saving spree calorie snacks like chips and cookies Identify needs and wants How much money can your child so she’s not tempted by less-healthy Make a grocery list, and ask your save your family by choosing generics options.♥ youngster to highlight needs over name-brand products? Have OUR PURPOSE in one color and wants in him write down the prices for To provide busy parents with practical ideas another. For example, both versions of each that promote school success, parent involvement, he could use a green item. When you finish and more effective parenting. highlighter for milk Resources for Educators, shopping, he can sub- a division of CCH Incorporated and toilet paper tract to find the sav- 128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630 and a yellow one ings for each product, 800-394-5052 • [email protected] www.rfeonline.com for ice cream and then add up all the sav- ISSN 1540-5621 popcorn. Explain ings to find the total.♥ © 2021 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated Food and Fitness for a Healthy Child March 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Mrs. Cathy Linley, Principal

Celebrate nutrition It’s National Nutrition Comfortable in the kitchen Month! This year’s theme, It’s never too early to teach “Personalize Your Plate,” recognizes your child about choosing there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and cooking healthy foods. to eating right. Let each family mem- Invite her into the kitchen ber draw favorite healthy foods on a and enjoy making meals paper plate, making sure to include together. Here’s how. something from each food group. Compare your plates—they’ll likely Plan the menu all be different, but all nutritious. Baked potatoes topped with meatballs Animal walks and peas? Why not! Let The morning after it your youngster plan the rains or snows, menu sometimes. Try to go go for a brisk with what she wants as closely as possi- stroll with your ble, even if it’s not your first choice, and youngster to look for animal tracks. mention ways to make the meals health- use kitchen tools (garlic press, salad Encourage her to walk in the tracks, ier. (“I’m going to buy chicken meatballs spinner, potato masher), and put her in mimicking how she thinks the ani- instead of beef.”) Then explain why so charge when it’s time to use them! mal who made them might move. she learns about nutrition. (“Chicken Create a recipe ﬁ le For instance, maybe she’ll hop like a has less fat, so it’s better for our hearts.”) Your youngster can take photos of fin- bird or leap like a deer. Learn skills ished dishes you make together. Have Not all high-sodium Teach your child basic cooking skills to her draw or write a recipe for each one, foods taste salty. Ask help her get comfortable in the kitchen. making sure to mention any changes she your child to name salty For example, show her how to read made. For example, what size meatballs foods, and he’ll probably think of pret- abbreviations like tbsp. (tablespoon) and did she put on her baked potatoes? Did zels and chips. But salt lurks in sur- tsp. (teaspoon), and ask her to measure she use canned or frozen peas? Tip: Have prising places, like processed cheeses ingredients. Also, demonstrate how to her keep the photos and recipes in a and dinner rolls. The bottom line? binder to make again. Read labels, even if you don’t expect Let’s pretend! a food to be high in sodium. Tip: A low-sodium food has less than 140 Combine make-believe with mg sodium per serving. physical activity. Here are fun roles for your youngster to step into. Just for fun Sled dog. Take turns pulling Q: What’s round and each other around on an old red and moves up bedsheet—like sled dogs pull and down? the musher. One person sits on the sheet. The “sled dog” faces A: A away from the sheet, grasps one corner in each hand, and pulls it behind him tomato across the living room or basement. in an elevator. Race car driver. Let your child use a kitchen pot lid as a pretend steering wheel and “drive” through the house. He could pick up speed as he zooms down a straight hallway or slow down as he maneuvers around furniture.

Fun with ice cubes ● Prepare smoothie ingredients. Puree ripe fruit in a blender. If you and your youngster thought ice cube Put the puree into some sec- trays were just for freezing water, think tions of a tray, and spoon again! Keep healthy, fresh ingredients on Greek yogurt into other sec- hand with these ideas: tions. Your youngster can ● Encourage your child to drink more combine the frozen cubes in water by making fruity ice cubes. He a blender for smoothies. could place a blackberry or raspberry Idea: For “green smoothies,” into each section of a tray and cover puree and freeze cooked col- with water. Freeze. Then, he can use lard greens to blend in with the cubes to add flavor—and fun— the fruit cubes. to water or seltzer. ● Pour low-sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable broth into a tray. When the cubes freeze, your child gets to pop them out and store in a freezer bag. Tasty leftovers Use when only a small amount of broth is needed, After many months of such as for stir-frying vegetables. limiting grocery store trips because of the pandemic, my son Mar- cus and I have gotten pretty creative Circus-themed fitness with leftovers. First, we discovered you can put just Bring the fun of a three-ring cir- about anything in burritos and paninis. cus to your living room or yard. These activities We’ve had breakfast burritos with scram- will improve your youngster’s balance, coordi- bled eggs plus the jarred salsa and black nation, and flexibility. beans from taco night. And we’ve made Ring 1: Tightrope walking. Have your child cut paninis by combining leftover baked a long piece of yarn and lay it on the ground. “Per- chicken and roasted vegetables. formers” can walk heel-to-toe along the tightrope. Idea: Suggest that your youngster hold a yardstick in out- stretched arms—does that make it easier to balance? Ring 2: Baton twirling. Encourage your youngster to march to music while twirling a baton (or an empty cardboard tube). She could toss it in the air and try to catch it. Can she spin while it’s in the air and catch it again? Ring 3: Acrobatics. Let your child practice her tumbling skills. On a towel or a yoga mat, she might try forward rolls, backward rolls, cartwheels, and handstands. We’ve also found that leftover rice, pasta, or potatoes will make soups and stews heartier. I had a can of broccoli and One-pot meals cheese soup in the pantry, and I let Mar- Cooking an entire Enchilada bowls cus stir in the previous day’s roasted meal in just one pot means less In a large pot over medium heat, potatoes. We heated it up and enjoyed a cleanup. Try these nutritious options. brown 1 lb. lean ground turkey and satisfying lunch. Pasta Florentine reduce heat to low. Add 2 cups cooked Now we actually look forward to left- brown rice, 1 –1 cups frozen corn, Boil 16 oz. linguine according to 2 overs—and Marcus is learning about 1 14-oz. can pinto beans (drained, package directions. Drain, reserving saving money and wasting less food. rinsed), and 1 tbsp. chili –1 cup water. In the same pot, 4 powder. Simmer until OUR PURPOSE heat –1 cup olive oil over 4 heated through, To provide busy parents with practical ways to promote medium heat. Mix in 1 tbsp. healthy nutrition and physical activity for their children. about 15 minutes. minced garlic until soft, Resources for Educators, Spoon into bowls, a division of CCH Incorporated and lower heat. Add pasta, and top with en- 128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes 800-394-5052 • [email protected] chilada sauce and www.rfeonline.com (drained), reserved water, low-fat shredded Nutrition Nuggets™ is reviewed by a registered dietitian. Consult a and 2 cups fresh spinach. physician before beginning any major change in diet or exercise. cheddar. ISSN 1935-4630 Stir until spinach wilts.

IC Parish-Wide Lenten Outreach Project

Once again, our alms will benefit St. Mary’s Mission in Red Lake, Minnesota. As we know, St. Mary’s lost their church in a devastating fire in November, 2018 and are struggling to keep their faith community together as they move ahead with plans to rebuild. As we pray and fast during this holy season of Lent, let us also “give back” to God, who has given us so much.

Over the past few years, our alms have helped the children of St. Mary’s Mission School in various ways. We have donated computers for all of the classrooms, which resulted in higher reading, math and testing scores. We also established a scholarship fund for those unable to pay full tuition. We provided funds to furnish a “sensory room” for the students, which is now operational. Funds have been used to implement a seventh-grade classroom. Last year, funds were used to establish an eighth-grade classroom and “baby space,” both of which are now operational.

Covid -19 has been challenging for St. Mary’s students, who began Distance Learning last March and began hybrid learning in January, with a return to in-person instruction just last week.

In order to fully prepare their students to enter the public high school arena, they need to establish a Science Lab. The approximate cost of a new classroom, with all supplies, is $15,000.00. IC has been enormously generous in the past and Father Jerry recognizes and appreciates our efforts. During Lent, as we seek to draw closer to God, let us remember God’s favor to us and ways in which we might share our favor with our lesser brothers and sisters in Christ.

Will your student ❖ Give up Starbucks one day per week for six weeks and give the money to St. Mary’s? $5 x 6 = $30 ❖ Give up buying and playing one video game? $50 ❖ Give up fast food one day per week for six weeks? $6 x 6 = $36 ❖ Do extra family chores and donate your allowance to St. Mary’s?

Our Lenten alms will be collected before Easter. Thank you for helping St. Mary’s Mission School!

As a parish family, let us prayerfully journey with those who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation. We pray for Matthew Kline and Alyssa Padilla.

Lord, we pray for those in the RCIA process who journey to you. Open their hearts to the fullness of your love. Deepen their understanding. Set their hearts on fire for the kingdom of God. We ask this through Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

CHRISTIAN MINISTRY refers its transitional housing clients and others in need to the following organizations, who provide many items free-of-charge.

Please consider donations to the following organizations:

Sharing Connections www.sharingconnections.org 630-971-0565

Community Clothing Center UMC, Elmhurst www.umcelmhurst.org 630-834-2440

St. Vincent de Paul www.svdpjoliet.org 630-628-9008

Poised for Success www.poisedforsuccess.org 630-691-1455

Salvation Army www.satruck.org 800-728-7825

Out of concern for the safety and well-being of children, every diocesan, parish, school or religious education employee or volunteer who is involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those who may have an opportunity to be alone with children during parish, school or religious education sponsored events, are required to attend a Virtus Protecting God’s Children workshop.

The Office of Child and Youth Protection in the Diocese of Joliet has approved Virtus Protecting God’s Children online training due to current health concerns. This is a temporary precaution which remains in effect until further notice. As the social isolation recommendations are updated, the Diocese will reevaluate this option. All live sessions are cancelled until we determine it is safe to gather.

To access the online training schedule, please go to www.icelmhurst.org and click on the Protecting God’s Children sign-up in the left column. This will redirect you to the online training. Everyone must sign up for a Virtus account, as background checks are now completed online.

Please contact Pam Stefik at 630-530-3497 with any questions you may have.

Reporting Sexual Abuse Anyone with reason to believe that a child has been abused or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities. Contact: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) and local police. The Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help victims/survivors of child sexual abuse by a cleric, employee or volunteer of the Catholic Church. The Victim Assistance Coordinator will report to Bishop Conlon and coordinate efforts of pastoral support and outreach to assist in the healing process. The Victim Assistance Coordinator can also assist in making a report to civil authorities. Contact the Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-815-263-6467.

IC DAYBREAK SEEKING MENTORS We are currently seeking individuals who are interested in becoming mentors for the IC Daybreak transitional housing program. Our program partner, Bridge Communities, is offering virtual training on February 20, 2021. We will be adding a sixth family to our existing roster. Mentors are part of a 3-person team, who meet weekly with our client families. Currently, all visits are done virtually. Since inception, our program has helped over 75 families transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency, largely attributed to our mentors. For further information or to speak to an existing mentor, please contact Pam in the Christian Ministry Office at 630- 530-3497.

Are you an adult Catholic who has not yet been confirmed? Are you a teen or do you have a teen that is not confirmed and would like to be?

Immaculate Conception will offer Confirmation classes for teens and adults who wish to be confirmed, beginning on MONDAY, March 8 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM via Zoom. A link will be sent out prior to the first session. We will meet for four sessions: March 8, 15, 22 and April 12. You do not need to be a member of Immaculate Conception Parish to participate in these classes.

Teens will be confirmed at Immaculate Conception with our eighth grade Students on a date to be announced. Adults will be confirmed at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet on Sunday, April 18 or Sunday, May 2 at 2:00 PM. To register or to obtain additional information, please contact Pam Stefik at 630-530-3497.

The Diocese of Joliet is seeking phone counselors to staff the Upper Room Hotline. If you are a Catholic in good standing and would like to provide spiritual and emotional support to hotline callers, the Diocese will provide free training via private Zoom meetings. Various credentialed University instructors and Clinical Professionals will specifically prepare you to assume responsibilities on the hotline. Classes run March 2 – April 27.

If you or someone you know are experiencing health issues, facing surgery, receiving or recuperating from medical treatments, healing through grief or experiencing a significant life crossroads and would like to receive a prayer shawl, please contact Rita Beese at 630-279-6811 or [email protected]

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS HOMEBOUND? PLEASE LET US KNOW!

If you know someone who is HOMEBOUND, either temporarily or permanently and unable to attend Mass, please let us know. We will contact them to see if they would like to receive Communion on a weekly basis. Mutually agreeable times and dates are determined between the individual and the Minister of Care. Please call Pam at 530-3497 with names and contact information.

HOSPITALIZED? Please remember to notify the Rectory if you or a member of your family is hospitalized and wants to receive Communion or a pastoral visit from one of our Ministers of Care or priests. We visit Elmhurst Hospital several times a week and convenient times can be arranged.

Are you in need of an annulment? Do you have questions about the process, timeline or requirements? Please contact Pam Stefik at 530-3497 for information.