coskids

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

As I conclude my tenure here at Christ Our Savior Catholic School, I am very pleased with everything that the school has become. It is a safe and positive place where children can come to learn. It is a place where they continue to discover Jesus, make sacraments, and work and play in a healthy environment. It is a place where children grow in mind, body, and spirit.

It is a place where teachers, aides, extended day workers, maintenance workers, secretaries, office staffers, pastors,  principals, and parents alike work together in order to assure a welcoming and well-managed environment for all students. Cindy and I want to take this chance to thank them collectively for their love and dedication and for supporting Catholic education.

It is a place that would not be possible without the support from the six founding parishes and their parishioners. We want to thank you for your continued support.

In the short time that we’ve been Christ Our Savior, we have graduated several hundred children who have gone on to thrive in local high schools, many with scholarships. With the diligence and cooperation from many people, including the founding pastors and principals, this wonderful achievement would not have been possible. I am grateful that I can say that I sat at that planning table with many others who remained steadfast in their commitment to carry out the mission of keeping Catholic education available in the southeast suburbs.

This is the final ShedSomeLight article until August. As the children laugh and enjoy the summer, Cindy, I, and the entire faculty and staff of Christ Our Savior hope that you do the same. Please keep us in your prayers as you will be in ours. May God bless you now and forever.

Ms. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

As we near the end of the school year this coming week, we congratulate:

• the 8th graders who received their final awards on Wednesday, May 28 at their Awards Dinner
• Preschool who gave their end-of-the-year performance on Thursday, May 29
• the Kindergarten students who graduated on Thursday, May 29 and now move on to 1st grade
• the Eighth Graders who were awarded their diplomas at the Graduation Mass which was celebrated on Friday, May 30 at Our Lady of Knock Church

The schedule for the final week of school is:
Tuesday, June 3-East campus Field Day, on school grounds
Wednesday, June 4-West campus Field Day, on school grounds; last day for lunches
Thursday, June 5-Awards at 9 A.M. in the gym; 9:45 A.M. Mass; 10:30 A.M. dismissal for the summer.
There will be no Extended Day Care after the 10:30 A.M. dismissal.

Congratulations to the First Place winners in the 16th District VFW Ladies Auxiliary Coloring, Poster, and Essay contests. All first place winners’ work from the District will be sent to State for judging in June at the State Convention.
Coloring-Kdg.: Otiey Ogom; Poster-Gr. 1: Marissa Varela; Essay-Gr. 6: Julie Whitehair

Jenna Santacaterina and Student Council sponsored a SHARE YOUR SOLES SHOE DRIVE. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! At last count, there are over 200 pairs of shoes donated-and still counting (estimate is over 400 pairs). Your generosity in helping those in need has been overwhelming.

Job Offering: We are seeking resumes from qualified persons for the position of Institutional Advancement/Marketing Director for our school. Please forward your resume to:

Christ Our Savior Catholic School
C/o Ms. C. Rogers, Principal
320-156th Street Calumet City, IL 60409.

Call 708-862-4143 if you would like information regarding the job description.

With God’s Blessings,
Ms. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who gave their lives for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We also want to remember those who are currently serving in the military especially those on our school/parishes “Prayerfully Adopted” list for whom we pray daily. Please keep these men and women who serve in a variety of branches of the military in your prayers this weekend:
Antonio Bradshaw-Ken Johnson, Jr.-Jason Leinweber-Tamara Wright-Angelo New-Preston Turner, Jr.-Elcki Bellande-Darryl Brown, Jr.-Patrick Graves-John Belmont-Antawuan Taylor-Mario Warr-Eric Cross-Daniel Winnie-Fernando Cervantes, Jr.-Melvin Nevels-Michael Carr-Luke Besse-Tim Clemmons-James Thomas-Eric Pendleton-Alex and Austin Raske-Aaron Serafin-Jason Peete-Marc Giglio-Theresa Vollink-Kevin Selin-Michael and Vivian Bolden-Debbie Young.

As we pray for peace and a time of grace, a time of hope, and a time of healing and justice, may we once again embrace the wind and fire of the Pentecost experience and dare to live, to preach, to teach with energy and resolve. May God, the giver of peace fill our hearts and minds and strengthen us as we continue life’s journey. Amen.

We would like to announce that Mrs. Karen Brodzik, our Reading Specialist, has been appointed to the Administrative Team as the full-time Assistant Principal for the 2008-09 school year. She will also continue her duties as Reading Specialist and chairperson for our Intervention Team. Congratulations!

Job Offering: We are seeking resumes from qualified persons for the position of Institutional Advancement/Marketing Director for our school. Please forward your resume to: Christ Our Savior Catholic School
C/o Ms. C. Rogers, Principal
320-156th Street Calumet City, IL 60409

Call 708-862-4143 if you would like information regarding the job description.

With God’s Blessings,
Ms. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

 

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

Don’t know what to do with those old but still usable shoes? Jenna Santacaterina and Student Council are sponsoring a SHARE YOUR SOLES SHOE DRIVE. Mayor Michelle of Calumet City has offered to pay shipping expenses. Volunteers will launder washable shoe. All types of shoes are needed including cloth, vinyl and leather-boots, sandals, any type of shoes. The SHOE DRIVE will take place through May 19. Please bring your shoe donations to either campus.

JOB OPENING:
We are seeking resumes from qualified persons for the position of Institutional Advancement/Marketing Director for our school.
Please forward your resume to:
Christ Our Savior Catholic School
c/o Ms. C. Rogers, Principal
320-156th Street
Calumet City, IL 60409

Job Description: The Director of Institutional Advancement/Marketing would be responsible for all fund raising, marketing, student recruitment and alumni activity with a primary focus on generating new and growing revenues and enrollment. Performance will be measured against objective stated in the Institutional Advancement Plan. The Director would establish a volunteer cadre to assist in carrying out these duties so as to focus on the most important priorities. This position reports to the Executive Pastor and the principal and is supported by existing clerical staff and the availability of a consultant and mentor. Attributes of the school that would be targeted by the IA Director would include environment, academic programs, vitality characteristics, professional faculty, and Catholic Identity.

The successful candidate should possess the following skills and qualifications:
-excellent organizational capacity-superb communication skills, both verbal and written-ability to work well with others (staff, families, students, donors and volunteers)-comfort with database management and basic software such as Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint-willingness and confidence in pursuing donations, volunteer commitments, etc. and working independently-Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.

Christ Our Savior School
Director of Development
JOB DESCRIPTION (Full time)

The Director of Development for Christ Our Savior School is responsible for all fund raising, marketing, student recruitment and alumni activity with primary focus on generating new and growing revenues and enrollment.  Performance will be measured against objectives stated in the Institutional Advancement Plan.  The Director of Development will establish a volunteer cadre to assist in carrying out these duties so as to focus on the most important priorities within the Advancement Program.  This position reports to the Principal and is supported by existing clerical staff and the availability of a consultant and mentor.  Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to…

FUND RAISING
Annual fund solicitation:  direct mail and phonathon
Student fund raising: help-a-thon, raffle
Major gifts program:  donor research, solicitation, relationship building
Special Appeals:  planning, writing, management, analysis
Data:  tracking, analysis, reporting, recommendations
Grantsmanship:  research, writing, follow-up

MARKETING
Communications:  quarterly newsletter, publications, materials
Donor Recognition:  acknowledgements, personal contact
Publicity:  press, media, web-site, internal communications

STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Prospective Parents:  inquiry process, materials, follow-up
Acquisition:  direct mail, baptismal follow-up
Events:  Open House, Catholic Schools Week, others as necessary

ALUMNI
Communication:  general, strategic, special occasion
Data:  research, record keeping
Events:  reunion support and special events

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications.
Excellent organizational capacity
Superb communication skills, both verbal and written
Ability to work well with others – staff, families, students, donors and volunteers
Comfort with database management and basic software such as Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint
Willingness and confidence in pursuing donations, volunteer commitments, etc., and working independently
Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience

With God’s Blessings,

Cindy Rogers
Matthew Lungaro

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

May Crowning for the East campus was celebrated on Wednesday, May 7 in church. The Children of Mary and the second graders lead the procession; Jenna Santacaterina crowned Mary accompanied by her court-Alyssa Neff, Anastasia Ahern, Magdalena Ahearn, and Karina Garcia; eighth graders acted as honor guard. Every morning during the month of May we pray the rosary. The West campus will celebrate May Crowning later this month.

Eighth grade students from both campuses received their first ribbons on Thursday, May 8 at a special Ribbons’ Mass at 10:30 A.M. at St. Andrew Parish. The Mass was followed by a breakfast in the Christ Our Savior East campus gym for the eighth graders. We congratulate them on their first step towards graduation. Please pray for our eighth grade students as they prepare for graduation on May 30.

Congratulations to the following students who were winners in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest sponsored by the VFW Post 8141: 1st Place-Jenna Santacaterina; 2nd Place-Anthony Ziobro; 3rd Place-Antonia Roberts. These students were awarded their prizes on Monday, April 28 at the Post.

Don’t know what to do with those old but still usable shoes? Jenna Santacaterina and Student Council are sponsoring a SHARE YOUR SOLES SHOE DRIVE. Mayor Michelle of Calumet City has offered to pay shipping expenses. Volunteers will launder washable shoe. All types of shoes are needed including cloth, vinyl and leather-boots, sandals, any type of shoes. The SHOE DRIVE will take place through May 19. Please bring your shoe donations to either campus.

Mayor Qualkinbush of Calumet City sponsors an annual Calumet City Mayor’s Awards Program to honor outstanding students in five different categories. The students selected by teachers and administration must demonstrate the ideals of each category, live in Calumet City, and be an all-around good students. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Academics: Ronnye Beamon
Leadership: Javier Garcia
Athletics:    Matthew Simmons
Citizenship: Brittany Mitchell
Fine Arts:    Xavier Kirkham

With God’s Blessings,

Cindy Rogers
Matthew Lungaro

 

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

Our School Improvement Visitation finally arrived. The team of visitors was at our school from April 30 through May 2. Thank you to the teachers and staff who worked so hard in their committees; a special thank you to the committee chairpersons who coordinated all the information for their groups-Mrs. Kiekenapp, Mr. Piros, Mrs. Lau, Mrs. Gifford, and Mrs. Lewis; thank you to our parents, students, and community members who filled out surveys; thank you to Mrs. Brodzik, our Reading Specialist, the team leader for the evaluation, for her many extra hours of service in the evenings and during vacation time; thank you to Mrs. Connie for all of the typing of the document that needed to be compiled; thank you to our maintenance staff for the preparation and cleaning of the building; thank you to Mr.McMillen for completing the many computer and other extras that were asked of him.

Congratulations to our students who were winners in the Ladies Auxiliary Ehinger Bros. VFW #8141 Americanism contests.

Coloring-Parading with the Flag: PS-Sidney Exorphe, 2nd Place; Kdg.-Otiey Ogom, 1st Place.

Poster-The American Flag: Gr. 1-Marissa Varela, 1st Place; Gr. 2-Jovan White, 2nd Place; Gr. 3-Lauren Holley, 1st Place.

Essay-What the Flag Means To Me: Gr. 4-Brittanny Jurek, 1st Place; Gr. 5-Britanny Arreola, 2nd Place; Gr. 6-Julie Whitehair, 1st Place.

May-A Busy “Bee” Month
1    4th Quarter Progress Reports
3    1st Communion-St. Andrew 10 A.M.
      1st Reconciliation-St. Victor 11 A.M.
4    1st Communion-Our Lady of Knock
      10 A.M.
6    Grade 3 Field Museum Trip
7    May Crowning 8:10 A.M. Mass
      CC Mayor’s Awards-8th  Gr. 7 P.M.
8    Gr. 8 Ribbon Mass 10:30 A.M.            
      and Ribbon Breakfast
9     No school-Teacher Prof. Dev. Day
11    First Communion-Holy Ghost
14    Gr. 2 Merrillville Planetarium Trip
15    Arch. Board of Specified Jurisdiction
       Meeting-Hosted by COS
17    East Campus Athletic Banquet
20    West Campus Spring Concert 7 P.M.
22    East Campus Spring Concert 7 P.M.
25    1st  Communion-St. Victor 10:30 A.M.
26    No School-Memorial Day Celebration
27    Gr. 8 Field Trip to Indiana Beach
28    Gr. 8 Awards Dinner 7 P.M. at West
29    Preschool End-of-Year Performance 
        10 A.M.-then Summer Dismissal               
        Kdg. only Dismissal 11:30 A.M.
        Kdg. Graduation 7 P.M. East
        No School for 8th Grade only
30    No School for 8th Grade only
        8th Gr. Graduation 7 P.M. Our Lady
        of Knock Church

With God’s Blessings,

Ms. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

Re-registration is going on now for current and prospective families. The re-registration fee is $100 per child. Please remember that the preschool is open to three and four year olds at the east campus only. Please be sure to submit your forms and registration fee soon.

As promised in last week’s article, the  Positive Opportunity Program (P.O.P.) students of the month for March from the east campus are as follows:
primary—Nico Calzonzi;
intermediate—Becky Gong;
junior high—Lauren Zieminski.
The children do things without being asked because they realize the value in living Jesus’ call to love one another. We display all the children’s certificates on the P.O.P. bulletin boards.

Sixth grader Michael Myers from the west campus was accepted into the Sports Ambassador Program for 2008. He has demonstrated a sense of citizenship and showed a willingness to learn about diverse cultures in the name of peace and understanding. We congratulate Michael on receiving this wonderful honor.

This past Friday, all of the teachers attended a wonderfully enlightening professional development day at Infant Jesus of Prague School. The day focused on the new religion curriculum the Archdiocese is expecting us to implement.

This Monday and Tuesday, we are sponsoring a $1 Dress Down Day for all students. All proceeds will go to Alzheimers research. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please be sure to drop your donation at the school office on Monday or Tuesday.

Thank you for your continued support.

With God’s Blessings,

Ms. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro

 

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

The Positive Opportunity Program (P.O.P.) is successfully moving along with the fourth quarter’s theme being “Citizenship.” Students are recognized for exhibiting Christian behavior towards one another, teachers, and visitors in the buildings. The children do things without being asked because they realize the value in living Jesus’ call to love one another. The P.O.P. students of the month of February from the west campus are as follows: primary—Stephen Okuwobi; intermediate—Eriq Johnson; and junior high—Marquis Hayes. The students from the east campus will be announced in next week’s article. We display all the children’s certificates on the P.O.P. bulletin boards.

Please know that Mr. Lungaro has decided to move on in his professional career and will not return as principal for the 2008-2009 school year.  He will continue as principal for the remainder of this school year. The administrative team for next year will consist of Ms. Rogers, who will be the principal of both the east and west campuses, and a full-time assistant principal to be named at a later date. It was an honor for Mr. Lungaro to serve the children, faculty, staff, parishioners, and the parents of Christ Our Savior Catholic School. He thanks you for your support over the years and will keep you in his prayers as he hopes you keep him in yours.

We will be hosting an Open House on April 16 for prospective parents looking for a quality Catholic education. If you know of any family looking for a wonderful school, please refer them to us. The hours of the Open House are 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and then again that evening from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

Thank you for your continued support.

With God’s Blessings,

Mr. Matthew Lungaro
Ms. Cindy Rogers

 

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

Re-registration is going on now for current families. The re-registration fee is $100 per family until April 4. As of April 7, the registration fee will be $100 per child. Also, at that time, registration will be opened to new families. Please remember that the preschool is open to three and four year olds at the east campus only. Please be sure to submit your forms and registration fee soon.

West campus sixth grader Whitney Plumery attended the National Young Leader Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 24-29. Whitney met with elected officials and took part in activities on Capitol Hill with other students from around the country and around the world. Congratulations on such a wonderful honor!

The School Improvement Program is moving along smoothly. The teachers and principals have been working diligently to ensure that all the wonderful programs and activities that take place here at school are reflected in the extensive School Improvement Process final document. The visiting team, which is comprised of various administrators and educators from both public and Catholic schools along with Office of Catholic Schools’ representatives, will be visiting the school on April 30, May 1, and May 2. Please keep us in your prayers at this time.

We will be hosting an Open House on April 16 for prospective parents looking for a quality Catholic education. If you know of any family looking for a wonderful school, please refer them to us. The hours of the Open House are 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and then again that evening from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

Thank you for your continued support.

With God’s Blessings,

Mr. Matthew Lungaro
Ms. Cindy Rogers

 

Shed Some Light

SHEDSOMELIGHT
Christ Our Savior Catholic School

Christ has risen indeed! God is alive and redemption is here. Alleluia!
The staff and students would like to wish everyone a Blessed and Happy Easter.

Dear Pastors and Parishioners,
As members of Student Council, we try to be of service to our school and community. Many times throughout the year, we are asked to represent all of our schoolmates. This is one of those times. On behalf of the entire school, we would like to thank all the Pastors, deacons, parish staff, and parishioners who support our school. We are grateful for the education we are receiving, and we know that your support helps to make this possible. We will continue to remember you in our prayer petitions and ask God to bless you for helping us. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
The Student Council of Christ Our Savior
Catholic School

Thank you to all who continue to use their Target cards and the Take Charge of Education Program. We received a check for over $900 from Target in the past week.

Target donates up to 1% of purchases made using a Target REDcard. When you apply for a REDcard, just designate our school on the application.

If you know of any families interested in our school, please ask them to contact the school office at either campus for information:
West-708-333-8173 East-708-862-4143

Families may also visit our website at  HYPERLINK "http://www.christoursaviorcatholicschool.com" www.christoursaviorcatholicschool.com.

Our next Open House for new families will be Wednesday, April 16 from 9-11 A.M. while school is in session and from 6-7:30 P.M.

Registration and interviews for new families begins on Monday, April 7.

The Third Quarter ended on March 20. Third Quarter Report Cards will be sent home on Thursday, April 3.

With God’s Blessings,
MS. Cindy Rogers
Mr. Matthew Lungaro