Principal’s Page

MAY 15, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,

As we come closer to the end of the school year, it’s an opportunity to consider many of the highlights of the school year. Here are some...

  1. A strong and healthy enrollment with class sizes structured to support students as they grow. The healthier our enrollment is, the more we are able to offer our students. St. Celestine School continues to be one of the healthiest schools in the area.
  2. A Parent’s Club, with an Executive Board and volunteers, that provides events such as Fun Fair, Game Show Night, holiday parties and multiple events celebrating our students and our staff. Thank you!
  3. Teachers that work day and night to provide the very best for students as they learn and grow. Our teachers participated in Professional Development offered through the University of Notre Dame that we believe led to stronger instruction for our students.
  4. An 8th grade class with students attending the high schools of their choice. Students in the Class of 2025 have earned over $70,000 in scholarships over the next 4 years of high school.
  5. An active School Buddy Program with buddies reading together and playing games such as Buddy Bingo. Younger kids and older kids have strong relationships that will be remembered for a lifetime.
  6. Our students have shown strong iReady growth in Reading and Math. This growth is indicative of work done in the class, strong support at home and students who want to learn as much as they can.
  7. A positive cultural climate where students celebrate each other, songs from various cultures and opportunities to welcome and support all brothers and sisters. The cultural heritage, languages, and traditions of our families help make our school a special place. To broaden this impact, I participated in the University of Notre Dame’s Hernandez Fellowship to continue to bring resources, research, and ideas to our school community.
  8. An active School Board and Enrollment Committee designed to welcome even more families into our school community.
  9. An active and engaged Athletics Board with an Athletics Program that offers more opportunities for our students to develop, grow and learn good sportsmanship. Thank you to the Athletics Director, the Athletics Board, coaches and volunteers for all of your efforts.

We have much to celebrate! God has blessed us with so much!

Thank you for everything you do to make St. Celestine School a positive and growing school environment! You make a huge impact on our school community.

With Gratitude,

Sheila M. Klich - Principal

MAY 9, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Families,

As I watched the news coverage on our new Pope, I couldn’t help but think about how he grew up in Chicago, participated in Masses in Chicago churches, learned in an Archdiocese of Chicago school, and essentially is one of us. I sat with the 3rd grade when the announcement was made. We all cheered. Looking at those young faces, I realized what a gift Catholic education is. You never know where children will go, carrying strong academics and faith with them. The education they receive will carry them places beyond our wildest dreams. As partners working together, we are building their futures. Once upon a time, Pope Leo XIV had grade school religion teachers instructing, guiding, and supporting him in his journey. Look at where it led him…

In the vein of these joyous thoughts, I want to thank Parents Club and volunteers for the wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week activities. Our teachers felt love and appreciation the whole week. Your thoughtful actions made them aware of how much we are a team and what we do to support each other. Thank you for that.

I want to also thank the Athletics Board and Athletic Director, Nicole DiMaggio for the Athletics Banquet yesterday. We have special gratitude for Joe Luciano who has led as Athletic Board President and is leaving at the end of the year. This board has broadened the positive experience for our students, giving them the chance to grow, try new things, and develop a greater understanding of what being a team means. Your work in the school community is powerful and special.

Thank you, parents, for the ways you work with the school to make it such a positive part of the lives of SCS children. You, as always, are in my prayers.

With Gratitude,

Sheila M. Klich - Principal

MAY 7, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,

We are grateful for so much! Thank you, parents, for the amazing Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

Congratulations to our Second Grade students and the students in the Religious Education Program on making their First Holy Communion. Thank you to the teachers, religious education teachers, Ruthanne Swiatkowski our DRE, and to the priest for helping prepare them for this most holy event in their lives.

Thank you to those who donated to Boosterthon this weekend! The opportunity to donate remains open this week. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time to make a donation - large or small! Thank you for your continued support during this important fundraiser!

St. Celestine School continues to have a number of events and activities that should be on your calendar.

  • May 14 is the May Crowning/ Ribbon Ceremony for our 8th Graders. They will have their graduation dinner dance in the evening.
  • May 15 is the Scholastic Book Fair.
  • May 23 is a Teacher Professional Development Day, with no school for the students.

If you have not registered for the 2025-2026 School Year, please do so as soon as possible. Classes are filling quickly. If you have registered, please make sure you have set up your FACTS account for the year.

As we move through the events to close the 2024-2025 school year, we are saying a goodbye to a much loved teacher who has been part of the St. Celestine School family for decades. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Ann Jandrists on her retirement at the end of the school year. Her love for our school children is immeasurable. May her retirement be filled with laughter, fun and victorious Cubs games. Thank you for all you have done for us!

Thankfully,

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.