Office of Catholic Schools

Public Content | News Releases 2005

Superintendent's Report
From Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, Ph.D.
February 2005
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CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TESTS SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
CHICAGO (December 15, 2005) Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will administer their annual Placement tests on Saturday, January 14, beginning at 8 a.m.
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CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR BARBARA SNOPEK NAMED DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL FOR 2005 Chicago (December 19, 2005) Ms. Barbara Snopek, principal of St. Francis Xavier School in LaGrange, is one of 12 principals nationwide to receive the Distinguished Principal Award from the Department of Elementary Schools of the National Catholic Education Association, (NCEA), the largest, private, professional educational association in the world.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVE FREE COLOR PRINTERS
Part of Unique Initiative to Introduce Students to Art Masterpieces CHICAGO (December 13, 2005) All 218 elementary and 40 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago have received a new color printer free of charge from Lexmark PrintArt, a national, philanthropic initiative designed to expand and enrich the art and cultural education resources of schools, according to Mark Garstki, Director of Technology for the Office of Catholic Schools. The program is sponsored by Lexmark International, Inc., a worldwide developer, manufacturer and supplier of printing and imaging solutions.
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CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHER RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
GLORIA TOMAINO NAMED DISTINGUISHED TEACHER FOR 2005
Chicago (December 12, 2005) Mrs. Gloria Tomaino a third-grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School on West Talcott in Chicago, is one of 12 teachers nationwide to receive the Distinguished Teacher Award from the Department of Elementary Schools of the National Catholic Education Association, (NCEA).
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ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES GENESIS STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHALLENGES
CHICAGO (November 14, 2005) -- The Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago today unveiled Genesis: A New Beginning for Catholic Schools, a strategic plan for enhancing the Catholic identity, academic excellence and vitality of Catholic schools in Cook and Lake counties.
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ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM ABOVE
NATIONAL NORM ON STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
CHICAGO (November 9, 2005) – Results of standardized achievement tests administered earlier this year to third, fifth and seventh graders in Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools indicate that the students achieved scores above the national average for all subtests.
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LOYOLA UNIVERSITY AND ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
TEAM UP TO OFFER DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CHICAGO (January 10, 2006) The Archdiocese of Chicago is teaming up with Loyola University of Chicago to offer Catholic elementary students, employees, family members and friends discount tickets to the college basketball game pitting the Loyola Ramblers against the University of Detroit Titans on Saturday, January 28, at Loyola’s Gentile Center on the Sheridan Road campus.
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Mr. Gilbert, Tech Coordinator at Seton Academy in South Holland, holds one of the color printers donated to Catholic schools by Lexmark International, Inc.

ST. HELEN SCHOOL FEATURED ON CHANNEL 7 NEWS
Students of St. Helen School will be featured on “The Great American Toy Survey” on Channel 7 beginning Sunday, November 20, at 10 p.m. The segment will be aired throughout the week on the 4 p.m. news on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 22, 23, and 24. A half-hour national version of the story will also air on Sunday, December 4, at 1:30 p.m.

ARCHDIOCESE OPENS SECOND CENTER TO SUPPORT INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
CHICAGO (November 7, 2005) – A second center to support Catholic schools in serving students with diverse needs has been opened at St. Helen School, 2347 West Augusta Blvd, on Chicago’s near northwest side, joining Maria High School on the city’s southwest side. Both locations, open to Kindergarten through 12 th grade students, are known as Archdiocesan Centers for Inclusive Education and are under the direction of Leah Duszynski, director of inclusive education for the Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Schools. Essential program components include diagnostic and counseling services provided through a collaborative program effort with the staff of United Stand Counseling Center, a counseling and diagnostic agency affiliated with the Felician Sisters under the direction of Kim Mis, CSSF, Psy.D.
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SAINTS -- AND ALL WHO HAVE DIED -- ARE HONORED IN SPECIAL EVENTS AT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
CHICAGO (October 31, 2005) –All Catholic school students will attend Mass on Tuesday, November 1, to celebrate the Catholic feast of All Saints Day, but many Catholic schools will host special events to honor those who have died before or during the All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 2) feasts.
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St. Hubert School

Students from St. Hubert School in Hoffman Estates help with the Make a Difference Day food collection at Mass October 22nd. Several Catholic schools in the area participated in a special "Scavenger Hunt for the Hungry." All food collected during this drive will go to a local food pantry. Pictured above are from left to right, Abigail Owens, Jennifer Nelson, Dylan Nelson, and Bridget Owens. For more information about St. Hubert please contact the school’s principal, Sr. Elaine Campbell, BVM, at 847-885-7702.

TWO ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO SCHOOLS NAMED
“BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS” BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CHICAGO (September 23, 2005) – Two Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago -- St. Alexander Catholic School in Palos Heights and St. Damian Catholic School in Oak Forest -- have been named by the U.S. Department of Education as No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Schools.
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St. Bede Principal, Rick Guerin, Named National Distinguished Principal
Congratulatory Resolution Delivered on Floor of Illinois House >>

Rick Guerin and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who introduced House Resolution 644 in Rick's honor.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SELECTED AS 2005 NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL
CHICAGO (October 5, 2005) Richard E. Guerin from St. Bede the Venerable School, 4440 W. 83 rd St., Chicago, Ill., was selected as a 2005 National Distinguished Principal. The 2005 celebration marks the 21 st year that the National Association of Elementary School Principles (NAESP) and the U.S. Department of Education have presented this prestigious award. more >>

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School was a proud participant in the “National Anthem Project” on September 14, 2005. This date celebrates the anniversary of the poem written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. Cardinal Bernardin School proudly participated in this celebration with a school-wide performance of the National Anthem in the parking lot while students proudly created a “Human Flag.” After the event the construction paper used to create the flag was recycled to make cards with prayers to support and encourage the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA

Catholic Schools throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago have opened their hearts and homes to children and families now living in Cook and Lake Counties after escaping the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As a service to those who wish to help Catholic schools that have taken in Katrina Kids tuition free, we are providing a list of these elementary and high schools along with the number of Gulf area students that are now enrolled. You can also find additional school information by clicking on “Find a Catholic School” at the top of this page. Catholic Schools with Katrina Kids Click here Catholic School donations to Hurricane relief have exceeded $140,000. If you want to learn more about what Catholic elementary and high schools are doing to raise money, or if you want to contribute directly to a school’s Hurricane fund raising activity, please view the following list of schools. (Individual elementary and high schools have submitted Information contained on the following web page to the Office of Catholic Schools.) Catholic Schools Donate to Hurricane Katrina Click here

Catholic Elementary and High Schools Throughout Cook & Lake Counties Enroll Almost 100 Students Displaced by Hurricane Katrina Archdiocesan Catholic School Children Raise Nearly $100,000 for Hurricane Relief Efforts
CHICAGO (September 22, 2005) -- Following the request made to Catholic school administrators by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, to waive tuition and fees for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, 36 Catholic schools throughout the greater Chicagoland area have enrolled tuition-free approximately 100 Gulf-area students, including schools in far south suburban Cook and far north suburban Lake counties.
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LOCAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WELCOMING DISPLACED STUDENTSCatholic Schools Will Participate in National Catholic Campaign to Aid Catholic Students in Affected Gulf States
CHICAGO (September 8, 2005) -- Catholic elementary and high schools throughout Cook and Lake counties report that they already are welcoming students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
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CARDINAL GEORGE ASKS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TO WELCOME STUDENTS DISPLACED BY HURRICANE KATRINA
CHICAGO (September 2, 2005) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, today asked all Catholic elementary schools and Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago to welcome students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Cardinal George has asked Catholic school administrators to waive tuition fees for the displaced students. The Cardinal also advised school administrators that regular admission paperwork and documentation may be completed after students are admitted.

ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS START NEW ACADEMIC YEAR: TWO NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO SERVE CHICAGO, WAUGEGAN AND NORTH CHICAGO – ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL, WESTCHESTER, NOW CO-ED
CHICAGO (August 26, 2005) Catholic elementary and high schools throughout Cook and Lake counties have begun their annual “Back to School” activities with full and half-day session scheduled to begin throughout late August and early September.
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MARTHA FRAUENHEIM NAMED ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION FOR CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
CHICAGO (August 24, 2005) Martha Frauenheim has been named associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catholic Schools. In this position, she will oversee the development and implementation of curriculum for all Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese, which encompasses Cook and Lake counties. more >>

Archdiocese of Chicago Announces New Elementary and High School Principals and Presidents
(CHICAGO – August 2005) The Office of Catholic Schools announced that thirty-two elementary schools and nine high schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago have new leadership for the 2005-2006 academic year.
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ST. EMILY WINS “COOLEST SCHOOL” AWARD
St. Emily School in Mt. Prospect was recently named the “Coolest School” by Capannari's Ice Cream in Mt. Prospect. Area schools compete to have the most one-day ice cream sales at Capannari's who gives 10% of the sales back to the winner. St. Emily School principal, Mary Hemmelman, received a check and a plaque with an ice cream scoop naming St. Emily as the “Coolest School” for winning by almost double the sales of the second place school.
Pictured above are St. Emily students, faculty, staff, Principal Mary Hemmelman, and Parish Administrator Father David Ryan.
2005-2006 St. Emily School Registration is open for Preschool to 8th grades. Please contact the school at 847-296-3490 for more information or to make an appointment to tour the school. Visit St. Emily’s web site at www.stemily.org

Resources for Families and Students at Closing Schools
Continuing Your Catholic Education more >>

Retiring Catholic School Principals Honored by Archdiocese of Chicago
(CHICAGO — June 2005) The fourth annual Crystal Awards, celebrating Catholic School Leadership in the Archdiocese of Chicago, recognized eleven retiring principals and an administrator from the Office of Catholic Schools at a recent ceremony held at the Drury Lane Oakbrook.
“We celebrate the accomplishments of our school leaders in the Archdiocese of Chicago by honoring the men and women who are retiring from this great ministry of service,” remarked Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich, Superintendent of Schools, during the award ceremony. “We thank each of our retiring principals for all they have accomplished in keeping our schools Catholic, excellent and vital.” more »

Catholic School Students Win
State’s Attorney’s Anti-Drug Poster Contest
(CHICAGO — May 2005) Four students from St. Gerald, 9320 South 55 th Court in Oak Lawn, and one student from St. Robert Bellarmine, 6036 West Eastwood Avenue in Chicago, were named winners in the Office of the State’s Attorney’s Anti-Drug Poster Contest. The four winners from St. Gerald, Melissa Schick, Christine Puchalski, Clare Teeling and Ashley Nowdomski, along with Darcy Peters from St. Robert Bellarmine, were honored at an awards ceremony that was held recently in the Great Hall of the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier.
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Chicago Catholic School Teacher
Rosemary Mangosing
Named a Winner of 2005 Kohl McCormick
Early Childhood Teaching Award (CHICAGO — May 2005) Rosemary Mangosing, a second grade teacher at Our Lady of the Gardens School, 13330 South Langley Avenue in Chicago, was named as one of the five 2005 Kohl McCormick Award winners who work with children between birth and age eight.
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Chicago Catholic School Teacher Roel N. Vivit named a winner of Golden Apple Award for Excellence in TEACHING
(CHICAGO — March 11, 2005) Roel N. Vivit, a fourth grade teacher at Frances Xavier Warde School at Old St. Patrick’s Campus, 120 South Des Plaines in Chicago, was named as one of the Golden Apple Foundation’s 10 Chicago-area winners of the 2005 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in grades 4 through 8.
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JUNE 2005 – UPDATE
During the weeks and months following the announcement that the Archdiocese of Chicago would close 23 schools, five schools, through the efforts of their parents, students and community, significantly altered their financial and enrollment circumstances, and have been permitted to reopen by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago. The five elementary schools that will remain open are:

St. Edmund, 200 W. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park
Epiphany, 4223 W. 25 th St., Chicago
St. Helena of the Cross, 10115 S. Parnell Ave., Chicago
St. John Berchmans, 2511 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
Pope John Paul II, 4325 S. Richmond St., Chicago

In addition, the merger of St. Paul/Our Lady of Vilna and St. Ann schools, both in Chicago, will not take place. Both schools will remain open.
Please contact any of the above schools, or any other Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Chicago, for more information about transfers or registration for the 2005-2006 school year. Complete contact information can be found in the Schools Directory on line at www.archchicago.org

23 ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE IN JUNE; PLAN SEEKS TO SOLIDIFY VIABILITY OF REMAINING SCHOOLS
CHICAGO (February 24, 2005) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, has accepted the recommendation of the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools that 23 Catholic schools and two school campuses will close in June. In addition, two Catholic schools will consolidate to form one new school, and one Catholic school will be merged into a nearby school. These actions are part of an overall plan that will strengthen the long-term viability of remaining archdiocesan schools.
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FACTS ABOUT CATHOLIC SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Enrollment Statistics
Taxpayer’s Money Saved by Students Attending Catholic Schools (PDF 13KB)

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
ANNOUNCES THE 2005 HEART OF THE SCHOOL AWARDS WINNING TEACHERS
CHICAGO (January 30, 2005) – The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools has named 14 elementary and secondary school teachers as the “2005 Heart of the School” Award winners. The awards recognize outstanding, unique and innovative accomplishments of individual teachers at Archdiocese of Chicago schools. Two awards are presented in each of seven categories. Following is information about each of the winners.
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STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
Re: Possible closure of schools
January 11, 2005
The Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago has been assessing the viability of Catholic schools in Cook and Lake counties. School leadership will, based on consultation with parish school officials and parents, recommend closings and restructuring in some areas to Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago within several weeks.
The recommendations will be the result of an extensive process in which parish leaders, Episcopal Vicars and the staff of the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools work with parents, school board members and alumni to examine the viability of both Catholic elementary and archdiocesan-supported high schools.
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ANNOUNCEMENT FROM:
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY HIGH SCHOOL IN WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS
January 28, 2005 – Faced with a steady decline in student enrollment over the past several years, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester announced today that it would be closing its doors at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Faculty, staff, students and their parents were notified Friday in private briefings led by Immaculate Heart of Mary High School President, Dr. Karen Ristau. The school attributes the decline in enrollment to demographic shifts in the surrounding community and the economic reality for many families at this time.
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