Principal’s Page
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for your cooperation and collaboration as we move forward in the school year. This year already has been filled with many positive moments, and we are just starting.
In a continued effort to focus upon safety, please note that during the week next week, there will be a series of drills. We will be practicing Church evacuation drills for students who attend weekly Masses. We will practice an evacuation drill for an all-school Mass. We will also be practicing an all-school lockdown during the week next week, with assistance from the Elmwood Park Police Department. The teachers will supportively work with their classes to help students prepare for these drills.
We have scheduled a fire drill with the Elmwood Park Fire Department for later in September. We have practiced fire drills as a school already on our own to help prepare for an “official fire drill” with the fire department present.
Please contact me if you have any questions at all.
Blessings,
Sheila M. Klich - Principal
SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for your words of support and collaboration as we update our safety procedures related to school and church. With the desire to work with families in a positive manner, we request the following:
- Please do not respond in anger if asked to present an ID when picking up your child.
- Please do not invite the children over to you on the playground, especially if the teachers do not know you yet.
- Please drive responsibly around the school area and do NOT park on the Wellington side near the cones at drop off.
Thank you for your attention to these safety protocols. We appreciate working with you to keep the school safe.
Please, if you have not already done so, return the start-of-the-year paperwork to the office.
Mark your calendars for September 6. It’s Parish Taste from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Join us for fun, food, entertainment, and games.
Blessings,
Sheila M. Klich - Principal
AUGUST 27, 2025
Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,
St. Celestine School is alive with the sounds of students learning and interacting again. The entire staff is overjoyed to be working with them as they start the year.
There are a number of events in the near future to add to your calendar.
- August 28 is Picture Day for PreK and Kindergarten.
- August 29 is Picture Day for Grades 1-8. Please review the handbook for appropriate Picture Day attire. Spaghettis straps may not be worn without a cardigan or sweatshirt covering them. Clothing should not be excessively tight or revealing.
- September 1 is Labor Day and school is not in session.
- September 2 is a 2 pm dismissal. Teachers have a meeting after school that day.
Please, if you have not already done so, return the start-of-the-year paperwork to the office.
We are truly a blessed school community because of our many gifts and the positive learning experience we provide for all our students. Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Sheila M. Klich - Principal
AUGUST 27, 2025 - SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS
Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,
Please keep the Minneapolis community in your prayers, as news of an active shooting has been shared. Every community, every school, every child deserves a safe place to learn, thrive, and grow.
Thank you for choosing St. Celestine School for your child. We are proud to be able to serve you and your child and we will continually strive to provide a safe learning environment for them.
The safety of your child and all children in our school as well as the safety of the school staff and support personnel is very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment for our children to study and learn, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to exercise our procedures.
We will be conducting various drills during the school year. This letter is to help you understand the importance of this as well as to understand each type of drill.
The students and staff of your school will be practicing 3 primary emergency drills each year. They are “FIRE DRILLS”; “LOCKDOWN DRILLS”; and “TORNADO DRILLS.” Each type of drill is explained below.
FIRE DRILLS
The school will conduct “Fire Drills”. This is a requirement for all schools in the State of Illinois. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it.
LOCKDOWN DRILLS
The school will conduct A “Lockdown Drill” during the school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the authorities authorize such a release. Today I have reached out to the Elmwood Park Police Department to schedule a Lockdown Drill.
TORNADO DRILLS
The “Tornado Drill” will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather or tornados. We will be having a Tornado Drill within the next month.
Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.
If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please contact the school office. The telephone number is 708-453-8234. My email address is sklich@stcelestineschool.org.
Sincerely,
Sheila M. Klich - Principal
AUGUST 13, 2025
Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,
Please remember that the first day of school for Grades 1 through 8 is Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The first full day for PreK and Kindergarten is Friday, August 22, 2025. Hot lunch is not available until after Labor Day. Students should bring lunches until then. Students may bring clear water bottles for use during the day. Carbonated beverages are not allowed in lunches.
- I am pleased to announce the following highlights for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Our enrollment is 375, the strongest in the area.
- Our Parents Club, School Board, and Athletics Board continue to offer a range of activities and opportunities for our school community. Service hours may be fulfilled through their events.
- Both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts continue to be an integral part of our community. Service hours may be fulfilled through their events.
- New opportunities to join a Queen of Hearts Committee and Alumni Committee are being created. Service hours may be fulfilled through their events.
I am also happy to announce that Ms. Cosette DiVenere will be joining the St. Celestine School staff as the 4th Grade Reading / ELA teacher. She will also serve as the Room 103 Homeroom teacher. Ms. DiVenere, who has already shown a great deal of passion and dedication to our school community, has a record of excellent instructional skills and a commitment to all learners.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions. I can best be reached at sklich@stcelestineschool.org.
You are in my prayers. Please keep the school in yours.
With Gratitude and Blessings,
Sheila M. Klich - Principal
Click on the right sidebar of this page to see earlier Principal's Pages in PDF format for the Year 2024-2025.