Principal’s Page

NOVEMBER 5, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for the wonderful Halloween celebrations both during our indoor parade and during classroom parties. The kids really enjoyed being able to wear their costumes and enjoy the day.

There are a few upcoming calendar reminders and events to note.

St. Celestine School will be closed on Friday, November 7 to enable our teachers to participate in professional development mandated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Report cards had been scheduled to go home on November 5, 2025.

Athletics is hosting a Trivia Night on November 14. It is a great opportunity for parents to gather for fun and games, with the goal of supporting all the wonderful athletics programming at the school.

St. Celestine School will be closed for Thanksgiving break the week of November 24, 2025.

St. Celestine School pulled the raffle winners for the Mandatory raffle. The lucky winners were: Elizabeth Michalski, Libby Gromaski, Daniel Andres, Maria Pelayo, Maria Esmeralda Duran Campos, and Jon Johnson. The office has reached out to them regarding winning. Though, in reality, we all win because this fundraising goes to support the school and its work with students.

With Gratitude and Blessings,

Sheila M. Klich - Principal

OCTOBER 30, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,

We want to notify you that our school continues to have clear procedures in place should we ever be approached by representatives from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Please know that these procedures are designed to protect our children and support our families.

If such a situation were ever to arise on school or church property, our school would immediately contact the Archdiocese Office of Legal Services and follow their guidance to ensure we uphold the rights of our community. This is part of our plan.

Other steps include assessing and determining whether or not students should or should not be outside for recess, increased staff presence at arrival and dismissal times, and strong vigilance related to building security.

As such, after careful consideration, the decision to move the St. Celestine Halloween Costume Parade indoors for tomorrow has been made. This allows students to see each other’s costumes, not have to wear coats, feel more relaxed, and enjoy music from the gym’s updated sound system. The parade is scheduled for 8:30 am. Parents are welcome to come to the office, sign in, and attend starting at 8:15 am.

Please contact me if you have any further questions regarding this memo. Safety, security, and supporting school families is the school’s priority and I want to ensure that any concerns are addressed. Thank you for everything you do help support the St. Celestine School community.

With Gratitude and Blessings,

Sheila M. Klich - Principal

OCTOBER 29, 2025

Dear St. Celestine School Parents and Guardians,

Halloween is just around the corner and I am re-sharing the reminders about costumes. They are:

  • Weapons of any kind are not allowed.
  • No masks, gory makeup, face paint, hair dye.
  • Appropriate hats are allowed if they are part of their costume.
  • Girls must have skirts knee length and should be worn with leggings/tights.
  • No sleeveless shirts or tank tops are allowed.
  • Costumes must allow for freedom of movement.
  • Violent characters or costumes going against our Catholic beliefs are not allowed.
  • Costumes may not include representations of political figures, symbols, slogans, or support any political parties or movements. The goal is to maintain a positive and inclusive environment in which all students feel comfortable and respected.

The Halloween costume parade will be in the back half of the parking lot, rather than around the block this year. It will begin at 9 am. This allows for greater security. Parents are asked to form a ring around the area and students will parade in the middle. Cones will be placed in an oval shape around the area where students will parade and parents are asked to stand in a ring around the cones. Students will parade in the middle.

Please be aware of the absence policy for St. Celestine School.

ATTENDANCE

School attendance is fundamental to the academic success and spiritual growth of our students. For this reason, students are expected to attend school on a daily basis for the school term, unless an absence is excused.

A student is absent from school when he/she is not physically present on a required student attendance day. A student is tardy when he/she is not physically present at the posted opening of a regular required student attendance day.

Reporting Process:

Absences

For your child’s protection, it is necessary for parents/guardians of students in all grades to call the office (708-453-8234) between the hours of 7 am and 8 am to inform the school that the child will be absent that day. If a parent/guardian fails to report a student’s absence, it will be recorded as unexcused. The school will contact the parent/guardian if a student is absent and a notice of absence is not received before the opening of the student's attendance day.

A student absence will be excused if it is due to: (1) student illness (including mental/behavioral health); (2) observance of a religious holiday; (3) death in the immediate family; (4) a family emergency; (5) other situations beyond the control of the student as determined by the principal; (6) other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s mental, emotional or physical health or safety; and (7) other reasons approved by the principal.

Please give the following information:

  1. Student’s name
  2. Name of the person calling and the relationship to the student
  3. Reason for the absence

The school office will call those parents who have not contacted the school by 9 am.

When a student is absent for 3 or more days due to any contagious illness such as chicken pox, pink-eye, head lice, strep throat, or whenever the Health Department recommends it, the child must bring a note from a certified doctor giving the child permission to return to school.

A meeting may be held with parents, teachers and the Principal for any student who misses or is tardy seven days of school in a trimester.

After seven unexcused absences or tardies, the school reserves the right to issue detentions before or after school.

Additionally, if appropriate, the school may provide the parent/guardian with a list of resources where they may obtain counseling or social services that will encourage daily attendance and promote success. The school reserves the right to notify the authorities if a child’s rate of absences remains high without justifiable cause.

If there is no improvement in attendance or cooperation by the student or parent guardian with its efforts for their child, the student may be withdrawn from the school.

Have a wonderful week.

With Gratitude and Blessings,

Sheila M. Klich - Principal

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