Night in Tuscany

A special thanks to those of you who were able to attend the Night in Tuscany dinner/dance this past Saturday, November 7. It was truly a wonderful event - a festive atmosphere and an excellent meal. Again, I would like to thank our staff and spouses for the planning and execution of this terrific event. These things do not happen magically; they require much thought and even more hard work. Bless all of you.

Parent/Teacher Conference

If you haven't already signed up for Parent/Teacher Conference, November 24, please do so as soon as possible. Address any questions to Marta at stpatsjoliet@comcast.net. There will be early dismissal (11:30 a.m.) that day. Preschool will dismiss at their normal time of 11:00 a.m.

H1N1 Update

A very special thank you and congratulations to the teachers and staff who have been very diligent in their sanitizing methods as well as parents who have kept their children at home when they exhibited signs of illness. Our attendance is very high and, hopefully, will continue throughout the next several months.

MANNA - What's New?

You can now purchase Visa gift cards in $25, $50 and $100 denominations. $10 Walmart cards will also be available. Click here for a printable order form: Manna Order Forms

All-Conference Team

Our hearty congratulations to 8th grader Illiana Casillias for being named to the South Suburban Catholic Conference white division all conference volleyball team. Illiana is the daughter of Nina Rojas.

A Letter from the Principal

Recently, Father Pete invited me to contribute to the Alumni News Letter, which will be forthcoming in a few days. Since the topic of my article is important not only to alumni, but all segments of the St. Patrick family, I opted to include the text in this week's Parent Link. Today, I received a letter from Mr. Doug Delaney, Executive Assistant to the Bishop who indicates that at this time "no decisions have been made regarding the possibility of any school closings or consolidations..." While such a letter may provide immediate relief, it is hardly a long-range assurance of the well-being of St. Patrick School. Please feel free to e-mail or call me if there are questions.

Alumni and Friends of St. Patrick School Letter

November 2009

Dear Alumni and Friends of St. Patrick School: I am pleased Fr. Pete has once again provided me the honor of addressing you through the medium of the printed word. You will not particularly like the message I convey. However, I feel morally compelled to inform you of the present state of affairs regarding the school you know and love, an educational institution which has attended to both the academic and spiritual needs of thousands of young people during its 135 year ministry.

Recently, a consultant from Wisconsin, a man hired by the Diocese of Joliet, provided St. Patrick School with a written proposal containing four options - each a path to oblivion. Nowhere is there to be found in these so-called "options" a ray of hope, a constructive means by which St. Patrick School may continue upon its historic mission. Indeed, if this consultant were but half as intent upon helping our school as he is upon dismantling it, the problem would be resolved in no time.

Please allow me to run some names by you. They are the names of respected parents, citizens, educators and devoted Catholics who possess a strong loyalty to St. Patrick School. You will likely recognize most of them: Kathleen Delach, Carol Ann Heinemann, Chris Adler, Daryl Miller, Julie Dillenburg, Darrell Kelsey, Mike Gahan, Joyce and Dave Schroeder, Richard Workman. These people do not accept a verdict that St. Patrick School must consolidate or be eliminated. To that end they have, under the auspice of Father Pete, formed an ad hoc committee to respond to the consultant's proposal.

That response has now been signed, sealed and delivered. Please allow me to share a brief excerpt: "The committee does not agree with any of the four options presented in the proposal...The committee proposes St. Patrick School...be permitted the opportunity to continue its mission of providing quality Catholic education to the students and the neighborhood it serves."

So where do we go from here? I believe the ad hoc committee will soon meet again to consider options. I'm sure they would relish your involvement in this process of rescuing St. Patrick School. So feel free to contact them. Also, don't hesitate to contact me at (815) 726-2924 if you would like a copy of the committee's full response to the Diocesan consultant, or if you would like more information.

One final thought. St. Pat's is not in this predicament because it has lost its spiritual or academic direction. We still have kids come back from high school and tell teachers they were well prepared. No, my friends, the issues here are two-fold: indebtedness and decline in enrollment. I believe they are issues which confront most schools at one time or another. They certainly require proper attention, but they need not be fatal.

Please accept my sincere appreciation for your consideration of this letter, and may our Lord continue his Blessings upon you and yours, and of course, upon St. Patrick School.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lonnie L. Hughes, Principal

Upcoming Events

Parent/Teacher Conferences Tuesday November 24 If you haven't already made an appointment with your child(ren)'s teacher(s), please do so as soon as possible. Reminders were sent home with your child(ren). If you misplaced your reminder, please email Marta at stpatsjoliet@comcast.net.	Pies, Pies and more Pies Order your Thanksgiving dessert by Friday, November 13 (online by Saturday, November 14 at 11 PM) and pick it up on Wednesday, November 18 between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. You can pick extra forms up in the school lobby. An inexpensive, easy, yummy and time saving way to share with your family and also help benefit our school. See flyer in this Parent Link for more details.	Wreaths and Greens Sale October 26 through November 15. Revenues will go towards the 8th Grade Class Trip. A printable order form can be pulled up by clicking here: Wreath Order Form Please make your checks out to St. Patrick School and return by Friday, November 13. Delivery of the greens is expected the weekend of December 5 & 6.	Thanksgiving Feast PS-4 Grades Preschool through 4th will be learning about Pilgrims, Native Americans and the first Thanksgiving feast. As in previous years, these classes will join together with the entire faculty and staff for their very own Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 18th in the gym. We appreciate all our parents' help in making this feast a success.
Pot o' Gold November 11 through November 30 Tickets are $10 and you have 31 chances to win. You can win multiple times. Contact Maria Renteria for more information at: maria-renteria@sbcgloblal.net Revenues for 8th Grade Banquet and Class Trip Sponsored by 7th & 8th Grade Room Parents	Santa's Workshop Sunday, December 6 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This programs allows your children to experience the joy of choosing their very own special Christms gifts for family, teachers and friends at affordable prices in a safe environment. Prices range from $1.00 - $12.00. Elves will be available to help with their shopping and wrapping their gifts.	Jr High Dance Saturday November 21 St Patrick School Gym 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. $5.00 Adminssion Food and refreshments will be available. iTunes gift card raffle Music by: JAM DJ Parents must sign students in and out. Inappropriate clothing or behavior is not acceptable.	Save the Date Tuesday December 15 Support St. Pat's when you shop at Barnes and Noble nationwide or at the Joliet store located at 2621 Plainfield Road A percentage of the sales goes to 7th grade to help fund the 8th grade banquet for the Class of 2010. Click here for vouchers. DOES NOT APPLY TO ONLINE PURCHASES

 
November 13, Friday             End 1st Trimester
November 13, Friday             Deadline for ordering pies from Market Day
November 13, Friday             Deadline for ordering wreaths
November 18, Wednesday      Thanksgiving Feast (PS-4th Grades)
November 21, Saturday         Jr. High Dance
November 24, Tuesday          EARLY DISMISSAL - 11:30 AM
November 24, Tuesday          Parent/Teacher Conference
November 24, Tuesday          Meitler Meeting on Recommendations - 7-9 PM
November 25, Wednesday      Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
November 26, Thursday         Thanksgiving Day - NO ACHOOL
November 27, Friday             Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
November 30, Monday           Classes Resume

December 6, Sunday             CCW Arts & Craft Show (Gym)
December 6, Sunday             Elves Room - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
December 8, Tuesday            PTO Meeting - 7:00 PM (Faculty Lounge)
December 9, Wednesday        Reconciliation & Prayer Service Gr 3-8 - 8:50 AM
December 15, Tuesday          Save the Date, Barnes and Noble
December 22, Tuesday          Annual Christmas Program - Afternoon/PM
December 23, Wednesday      Breakfast w/Santa - 10:00 AM - EARLY DISMISSAL

January 4, Monday                Classes Resume

St. Patrick School | 110 Willow Avenue | Joliet | IL | 60436