Winter Heartbeat 2013 Edition by Sacred Heart Schools

Fall Gathering trucks in the fun

Food trucks line up on the Sheridan Road playground.

More than 350 comfort-clad guests enjoyed the Sacred Heart Fall Gathering on November 22 in the gym. This casual evening of community building for parents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends marked the official kick-off of L’Esprit de Sacré Coeur, coming March 1 to the Chicago Hilton. The gourmet food trucks parked on the playground – Big Star, Saucy Porka and Wagyu Wagon – stole the show while providing tasty culinary treats. Craft beer, de-

licious wines and decadent desserts complimented cool tunes from the Spin Doctor, Sacred Heart’s own DJ Dad, David Scheffler. Winners were drawn for the $1,000 early bird drawing for the Tuition/Cash Raffle, Story Time with Mr. Wilburn, and a “L’Esprit-cation” (a stay at the Hilton the night of L’Esprit), among others. The fabulous, festive evening was orchestrated by Chairs Mary Beth Hopp, Sandra Hamacher and Jona Penner.

Heartbeat The

Academy of the Sacred Heart | Hardey Preparatory

WINTER 2013

Volume 31 No. 1

Canadian schools join SHS Network

Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools, visited the Sacred Heart school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 1-3. The Sacred Heart school in Halifax, along with the Sacred Heart school in Montreal (see profile pg. 3), is in the process of joining the 22 schools of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. “I had a wonderful opportunity to work with their Board of Governors. We spent a day in retreat discussing our shared mission in Sacred Heart education,” said Mr. Wilburn, pictured at right with their Head of Schools, Sr. Anne

Wachter, RSCJ. Sacred Heart School, Halifax, was founded in 1849 and is the only Catholic school in Nova Scotia. It has a co-ed program from age four through 6th grade. There is both a single gender all-boys program and an all-girls program in grades 7-12. It is the only single gender school east of Montreal. “In joining the Network, they begin formally sharing with us our life in the Goals and Criteria,” noted Wilburn. He toured the school, met with its Board,

and shared a weekend with the Religious of the Sacred Heart in Halifax. “This was another reminder to me of the nourishment we receive in our global network of living the mission of Sacred Heart. I look forward to continuing to build stronger bonds among the schools in the future.” While joining in discussions about the schools shared mission, Wilburn noted how Sacred Heart schools live out the mission of St. Madeleine Sophie dif-

ferently. “At the same time,” he added, “we deepen our understanding of what we share in common.”

Schools celebrate Mother Stuart in all-Network live telecast The power of the moment was palpable. Nearly 10,000 students, gathered before giant screens, were singing a song penned by Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ, more than 100 years ago. Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty speaks to today’s Sacred Heart community as effectively as that of the last century. Its lyrics “Loving wisdom, guiding spirit” could very well refer to Mother Stuart herself. In the Sheridan Road gym on

October 21, all 700 SHS students plus faculty and staff gathered to participate in this live North American Network of Sacred Heart Schools telecast to celebrate the centenary year of the death of Mother Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ. Hosted by the San Francisco schools (two of their boys’ schools are named for Stuart), students learned the history of Mother Stuart from Sr. Jan Dunn, Executive Director of the Network. Each school was pictured and called out by name during the telecast. Sr. Barbara Dawson, the current U.S. Provincial, also spoke from St. Louis, and local San Francisco interfaith leaders took part in a blessing of flags.

All is a testament to the power of a modest British nun, a writer and a poet, who led the RSCJ during the preWWI years, and authored two books that remain classic educational guides today - The Education of Catholic Girls and Highways and By-ways in the Spiritual Life. The year-long celebration of the Centennial of Janet Erskine Stuart (1857-1914), honors the consummate RSCJ teacher. Born into wealth, highly educated despite being a woman, she is recognized today as a leading thinker in education for girls. She is being honored in Sacred Heart schools around the world. Her philosophy of education can

be gleaned from her many quotes, used throughout the world-wide Network to exemplify the mission of Sacred Heart education. A sampling of her words: So we must remember that it is better to begin a great work than to finish a small one. It is not so much what we say or do that educates; what really educates is who we are. We must bring up children for the future, not for the present, not that we may enjoy the fruit of our work, but for others. Each one of our children is destined for a mission in life...which will remain undone unless she does it, some place in life which no one else can fill.

iPads creating a stir in Middle School The iPads at SHS are multiplying! Not only are there traveling carts that can be checked out for each grade, the new One:One iPad initiative for Grade 8 rolled out in October. This program gives each 8th grade student an iPad throughout the day, which is then checked in at the end of the day. Work students may need at home is either stored in the cloud or is emailed home. “Our plan in sub-

sequent years is to extend the program to the entire Middle School,” said Christina de la Peña, Technology Director. iPads are enriching the classroom in many ways. “My 8th graders are creating iMovies to demonstrate a particular set of action verbs they are learning in the past tense,” said French teacher Elyse Hoffman. They are also creating videos in PE to teach a skill or engage an audience of Kindergartners thru 7th graders in activity, according to teacher Kristin Lagerquist. In Humanities, the iPads are used often. In the Shakespeare In Bits unit, for instance, they reinforce Macbeth by presenting a quick graphic cartoon summary that is projected for the class. The students use the app Notability to

take notes, the app Keynote to display projects and the app Vocab Build for test prep. “The iPads also help save notes for absent students, in addition to being a great source of history videos,” explains Katie Lowry, Humanities teacher. “They even help the students with U.S. Constitution practice.” She adds that this month they are doing an entire unit on the novel Ashes of Roses using the iPads for all assignments and assessments. The tablets are also a conduit for creativity, as witnessed by the Spanish menus and advertisements created in Cristina Filicky’s Spanish language class. The Schools now have 291 iPads for student use. A new after school team of volunteer, teacher-recommended student helpers – iHelp – was formed to assist with logistics such as

packing and storage of the iPads and with technical support. “We look to this group for the ‘student perspective’ when it comes to investigating new apps we are considering for the classroom,” said Nancy Jones, MS Tech Specialist. “They try them out and then recommend those they feel will help their studies.” Christina de la Peña values their assistance. “The iHelp group continues to be a big help not only with MS iPads but with all equipment in the school.”

School News

SHS

snippets

Noted children’s author spends day at SHS

n Alka

Student Councils are inducted

Both the Academy and Hardey Student Councils were inducted on Sept. 6 by Mr. Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools.

Dr. Heitner on smartphones

Devorah Heitner spoke to parents Oct. 8 on ‘Smart Phones/Smart Choices,’ offering suggestions for taming this technology.

Parachutes

Nothing like a handmade parachute to teach gravity. A1 dropped theirs from the rooftop, timing their fall as they added more weight (paper clips). Voila, gravity pulls them down faster. Lesson learned.

A Halloween treat for KDG through 4th graders was a day-long visit by nationally renowned children’s author and illustrator Rosemary Wells. Most notably the creator of the Max and Ruby series, Wells joined the students and teachers for a day of writer’s workshops, illustration tutorials and many eager questions. She met with more than 300 students, leading drawing lessons with the 1st and 2nd graders, presentations on story structure and an early writer’s workshop with the 3rd and 4th graders, a parent lunch, and ended with a warm reading of Max and Ruby to the delighted Kindergartners. With more than 60 books to her credit, Wells has given readers unforgettable characters such as Max,

Math series is an onlne hit

Everyday Mathematics, a Pre-K through 6th grade mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago, is being expanded this year at SHS, and is proving quite a hit with both students and teachers. As part of the new online aspect of Everyday Math, the schools have access to the EM eSuite software. It is a full online curriculum that provides teachers a variety of resources. For instance, it offers a set of lessons for the interactive whiteboards. Another new offering is ePresentations. Julie Taylor, Academy 4 teacher is using this software during her daily math lessons. “I taught my students how to login with their ‘top secret’ passwords and logins, which they enjoy.” But what Mrs. Taylor appreciates the most is the cooperative classroom environment that allows teachers to meet the needs of each individual student. “I can differentiate daily assignments so that all my students are challenged. I like that Everyday Math gives them the opportunity to struggle and make sense by learning from their mistakes.” Hardey 4 teacher Chelsea Elward (above right) finds that it is a natural fit for boys. “They really enjoy the activities and games, such as multiplication baseball, fact dash, EM facts workshop and factor bingo!” But, essentially, the strength of the program is in the way it tailors lessons to each student’s unique skills. “This helps students of diverse math ability get the same quality education,” asserts Ms. Elward. Everything is online for the extra support needed. If, for example, a student needs a refresher on how to do long division, there is a soothing voice on eSuite (Algorithm Animations) that will go over it step by step. The new online software is proving a wonderful tool, but as Mrs. Ligon points out, “It is the energy and excitement of the teachers in using these new tools that has had such a positive effect on the students’ learning.”

How far will it fly?

Using the Scientific Method, Brian East’s H4 class determined how far an Alka Seltzer mixture would propel a film canister lid. The boys came up with a hypothesis, experimented, measured the distance the caps flew, then drew conclusions based on their results.

Heartbeat The

Volume 31, No. 1; Winter 2013 The Heartbeat is published three times a year. Sacred Heart Schools 6250 N. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660-1730 773-262-4446 Head of Schools:

Nat Wilburn

Editor:

Diane Fallon

shschicago.org

Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has won numerous awards including the Children’s Book Council Award, the Edgar Allan Poe award for two young adult books, Rosemary Wells draws her famous rabbit Through the LookRuby for the first grade. ing Glass and When No One Was Looking, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Shy Charles. Wells is the mother of two graduates of the Sacred Heart school in Greenwich, CT. Her daughters, Victoria and Beezoo, were the inspiration for much of her writing, most notably for the now-famous Max and Ruby series. “The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families.” Wells says “Simple incidents from childhood are universal.”

CLASS CAPERS 1 A fghanistan demystified B r a d T h o r, # 1 N e w Yo r k Times bestselling author of 13 novels, and Hardey alum Class of 1983, spoke to the 5th Grade on Afghanistan. He spent several weeks there with an undercover US government group and shared insights on the life and customs of the people to a fascinated audience. 2 Space walk ready! The annual 7th grade trip to Space Academy in Huntsville, AL featured an Extravehicular Activity (EVA). Simran Katyal, Malia Kinder 4 and George Andrews don Astronaut suits and prepare to step out into space.

3 Toxic myster y...Addyson Taylor, Kate Beck and Emma Beier are solving the mystery of which company is polluting the stream in a fictitious town in Mrs. Lamp i c ’s 6 t h g r a d e s c i e n c e stream contamination lab. 4 L earning about leaves... J.D. Giannis and Matthew D e n n y, K i n d e r g a r t e n E l ephants, went across the street on a “leaf walk” through Berger Park. Students collected leaves and discussed their similarities and differences.

FACULTY PROFILES

In this issue we profile two of our talented newcomers.

Christina de la Peña

Years at Sacred Heart– 1st year Area of responsibility – Director of Technology What is the biggest challenge in holding the new Director of Technology position? It is a brand new position, so there are no steps to follow in. Also, with the ever changing world of technology, at times it can be challenging to keep up. What areas of technology do you hope to grow this year? The Middle School iPad program and providing more classroom support for teachers to implement technology in their curriculum. I grew up in – My family moved to Chicago from Southern California when I was seven. I grew up on the south side in the Marquette Park area. Personal hero or heroine – my son who has experienced more in his life than most. I look at him and think that had life been any different I would not have had him and that would be a great tragedy. He is the reason I am in education today. Currently I’m – so happy to meet all the great people at Sacred Heart Schools! If I could do it all over – I’d have attended college in California! After all these years I still can’t get used to the Chicago winters. My family says I – am a great cook, I never cook the same meal twice in a month. Now I’m reading – I’m finishing up school. After Dec 9th I will be catching up on my reading! I’d like to have dinner with – my son’s birth mother. I would like to say thank you for giving up your son, who is our pride and joy. Schooling – M.A. School of Technology, Loyola University Chicago; B.S. in Finance, DePaul University In school I was known – the most friendly person and always smiling. . Favorite “junk” food is – Hamburger and fries! They say a favorite food can relate back to a childhood memory. In California, I always remember stopping by Jack-in-the-Box with my Grandpa, who made sure they gave me a balloon in my favorite color. I spend my “free” time – catching up with my California family on Facebook, or, if it’s Friday night, it’s De La Peña family movie night. Your proudest moment – Adopting my son Jonathan 11 years ago from Mexico. We had to live there for eight weeks while the adoption was finalized. Favorite school memory – At DePaul I met the greatest group of people that remain my closest friends. We all belonged to the Latin Student Organization whose primary function was to raise scholarship funds for Latino students attending DePaul.

David Gusaas

Years at Sacred Heart – 1st year Area of responsibility – 7th & 8th grade Math What differences do you find in teaching math in single sex classrooms? I like the fact that the students don’t have to worry about the reactions they get from students of the opposite gender. I miss sometimes, however, the mitigating influence of the girls’ behavior on the boys and vice versa. What do you enjoy most about Sacred Heart in these first few months here? The cooperation between faculty/staff and administration at Sacred Heart is apparent. At my previous school this was not the case, and that was detrimental to the student body. Any previous Sacred Heart connection? None, but when I asked my friend Andrea if she knew anything about the school she said the girls she had met from SHS were “just the nicest girls.” I grew up in – Valley City, North Dakota, a town of around 8,000 people, 60 miles west of Fargo on I-94. Personal hero or heroine – I don’t really do “heroes.” It’s too disappointing when they turn out to be merely human. Currently I’m – watching my 8th grade boys take an Algebra test. It’s pretty exciting stuff. If I could do it all over – I’d probably get that Masters degree in Computer Science I had a shot at in 1980. Do you think these computer things will ever catch on? My family says I – I should call my mom more often; I’m really bad at that. Now I’m reading – A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. I’d like to have dinner with – my friend Andrea, Bob Dylan and Jack White of the White Stripes. (Doesn’t that sound like a great party?) Schooling – M.A. in Teaching, Tufts University; B.S. in Math, Valley City State University In school I was known – as a decent tennis player. Favorite “junk” food is – any form of dark chocolate (especially when accompanied by a glass of red wine). I spend my “free” time – playing guitar with my bassist girlfriend. Your proudest moment – I have two wonderful children. Favorite school memory – Hanging around with the guys on the tennis team, one of whom I still pal around with as often as possible.

Hardey Buttterfly release The magic of metamorphosis was revealed to the 2nd grade as their butterflies were released in Berger Park.

KIDS’ CORNER

8th Grade Retreats to Camp Rosenthal For the 10th year, SHS 8th graders attended a retreat at Camp Rosenthal in Dowagiac, MI., which serves youth from the Chicago Youth Centers.

Camp Rosenthal more than a retreat by Blaise Malisch H8

During my eighth grade year, my grade was given the opportunity to go to Camp Rosenthal and help out the community. Camp Rosenthal is a small camp for underprivileged children from the South side of Chicago. It gives these children an escape from all the violence and bad events that are occurring in their neighborhoods. It gives them a chance to become more independent, meet new friends, and participate in new activities. Camp Rosenthal is in Dowagiac Michigan. It has a lot of open space and ‘While at Camp a wide variety of activities Rosenthal, such as swimming, biking I started to and canoeing. appreciate all Some of the things we did to help out were clean of the comup trash, chop down vines modities that I or dead branches from the have.’ playing areas, repaint cabins and organize some of the items so they were ready for the next camp season. We weren’t only working though; we had free time where we could partake in football, soccer or simply just talk and be with friends. We were also served food by the one and only, Mr. Puricelli: pasta, hamburgers and pancakes, all of which were delicious. My favorite thing about Camp was meeting and becoming friends with some new people in my grade. It is a great place for not only campers to go and make friends but also for us. We had time to spend connecting with a new group of kids, which is really fun. Personally, I felt great helping out children who are not as fortunate as me. I know that I attend a very prestigious school and I have opportunities that they don’t have. While at Camp Rosenthal, I started to appreciate all of the commodities that I have and they don’t. Lastly, I hope to go back and help out some more.

Network Profile

Montreal is home to one of two Canadian Sacred Heart schools The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, one of Canada’s oldest independent Catholic schools for girls, is a secondary girls’ school beginning in 7th grade, with an enrollment of 200 students. The school is located on the slope of Mount Royal, adjacent to Mount Royal Park and just south of McGill University. Montreal, in the French province of Quebec, is a bilingual city, and the school offers several languages, including French mother tongue, French second language, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. An International Exchange program gives students the opportunity to interact with young people from different linguistic and cultural origins Sacred Heart educators have been serving families in the Montreal area since the arrival of the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1842 at St-Jacques-del’Achigan, Quebec. From its first temporary house

on St-Hubert Street which housed the school at its opening in 1861, to today’s City House on Atwater Avenue (left), it remains one of two Sacred Heart schools in Canada. Saint Madeleine Sophie’s legacy thrives at the Sacred Heart School of Montreal. Since 1861, Sacred Heart educators have worked to provide a school where academic excellence coincides with faith and compassion for others. Educating in the Catholic tradition, the school encourages its students to welcome the diversity of the contemporary world. Head of Schools Shawn O’Donnell says, “Our aim is to encourage each student to be a self-confident, inquiring, open-minded, positive, well-rounded, independent girl who respects and appreciates the value of growing up in a culturally diverse world.”

Malia Kinder, Ellie Wharton, Bella Nebolsky de Ochoa finish step 6 of their Rube Goldberg machine.

Do it the hard way!

In Mrs. Pond’s 7th grade science class, students are constructing Rube Goldberg machines. These are devices that are deliberately over-engineered to perform a very simple task in a very complex way, usually including a chain reaction. The Rube Goldberg that the seventh graders are building must include at least six simple machines and the end task must raise a flag for at least 4 seconds. “Focus, patience, teamwork and creative thinking are just some of the traits needed to successfully complete this project,” said Bella Cerda A7. shschicago.org

GOAL Building Community Each year, the Schools focus on one of the five Goals of Sacred Heart education. This year, the focus is Goal 4, “The building of community as a Christian value.” Numerous activities occur on and off campus to that end. Here are a few.

7th grader volunteers at Sacred Heart in New Orleans Testing water in the Gulf of Mexico, working a sugarcane plantation, sleeping on the floor of the school—it was a full week for Mia Rugai A7. She spent a week of learning, service and reflection at the Academy of the Sacred Heart New Orleans this past summer Beginning at AHS New Orleans, highlights of the trip include a visit to LUMCON (Louisiana University Marine Consortium) in Cocodrie, LA, where students traveled into the Gulf of Mexico with a young scientist to help collect samples and other information to support plant and animal life. Mia also brought up the gifts in the Father’s Day Mass at St. Louis Cathedral with the Cardinal and participated in a private tour of the Tabasco factory and Jungle Gardens on Avery Island. She visited St. John Sugarcane Plantation and ended the trip at Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau (dating back to 1821). “I truly enjoyed the entire week in New Orleans, but what I really found interesting was the difference between ASH New Orleans and Grand Coteau [which is 2 hours north]. While both

s ch o o l s h a v e been a part of the Netw o r k since the 1 8 0 0 ’s, I found G r a n d Mia Rugai at the Academy of C o t e a u the Sacred Heart in New Orleans to have a special place in our Sacred Heart history.” Mia explained. Concluding the week-long trip, the girls volunteered at Hollygrove Sustainable Edible Gardens in the fringes of uptown, New Orleans. They spent the morning working in the gardens and toured the city to see the effects of Hurricane Katrina on both the city and the school. “I spent a week with such wonderful people from the SHS community that will always be my friends. I am so happy and grateful that I was able to be part of this service project.” said Mia of her experience in New Orleans.

StoryCorps evokes awareness

With coffee and conversation, StoryCorps provides Sacred Heart families of all backgrounds and beliefs the opportunity to share their stories with the community. In November, they heard from Hardey alumni Joey Yao H’86* and Alex Richard H’98 (at right), who shared reflections of their tenure at Sheridan Road with a large group of early-morning attendees. They talked about what went well, what was a struggle, and how they view their elementary experience now. “Ethnic Alumni, A Reflection” resonated with many in the audience. * Joey Yao is serving his first term as Sheridan Road Alumni Association President and as the National Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart Corresponding Secretary.

Howard Area Community Center ho with 11th annual SHS Goal Award The Howard Area Community Center (HACC), a social service agency in Rogers Park, has been chosen the 11th annual Sacred Heart Schools Goal Award recipient. The Goal Award was born 10 years ago, when the Schools began celebrating the Goals by recognizing in the larger Chicagoland community a person or organization whose life and work exemplifies them. This year, the award focuses on Goal 4: the building of community as a Christian value. The Howard Area Center builds community in many ways: a client-selected food pantry, a jobs program, dental and health services, early childhood and adult education opportunities, literacy classes and even an urban garden, As its nomination states, “Howard Area Community Center welcomes each child, woman and man with dignity and respect and as a valued member of the community.” Bruce Rasey, Executive Director of the Howard Center, is thrilled with the award. “We are both honored and humbled to be chosen to receive the Goal

Award this year.” He notes that being recognized by Sacred Heart is both rewarding and a challenge. “Rewarding – due to the public recognition of our continued efforts to make life a little better for people in need. Challenging – to ensure that we continue to uphold and never forget the criteria set forth in the award as it so “The students and closely mirrors chaperones who our organization’s values.” participate at our The Howard Child Development Area Center, Center brighten the not only helps day not only for our people of all children but the ages marginalstaff.” ized by society, it also builds Bruce Rasey, HACC community among its many volunteers. Sacred Heart Schools values the partnership it has enjoyed with the organization since the RSCJ at Sacred Heart began volunteering there more than 30 years ago. “We have seen first hand the good

The Day of the Dead ‘El Dĺa de los Muertos’

Chapel altars and ceremonies honor those who have gone before us Sacred Heart celebrated the Day of the Dead, in Spanish, El Día de los Muertos, on October 28. During this Mexican holiday, communities gather together to pray for and remember those who have died. The 3-day celebration is connected with the Christian memorials of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. At the ceremony, Primary School students presented objects they had created in their religion and Spanish classes: marigolds made by the Kindergarten, papel picado (paper cut-outs) made by the Hardey second grade, and sugar skulls decorated by first grade and second grade girls who put together a small ofrenda

GOAL

(altar). Finally, they contributed photographs of deceased loved ones. Middle School Spanish classes created a very large ofrenda with minialtars to deceased loved ones. In the Middle School girls performed a dance to folk songs and the 6th grade los viejitos with masks, costum students spoke of their rec

POTPOURRI Coat Drive a heart-warmer

Faculty/staff bikers pause for a breather on their 32-mile trek.

Tour de France, take note! Building community came early on a Saturday morning in October, when 11 intrepid bikers met at the Chicago branch of the forest preserve bike trail and pedaled all the way to the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. In all, they did about 32 miles and saw half a dozen deer and the changing fall colors. The

shschicago.org

crew was composed of 10 faculty/staff and Hardey 7th grader Patrick BealeDelvecchio, who was reportedly elected the new bike club CEO. “All field trips should have a 10-1 adult to child ratio,” said Matt Manley, Athletics Coordinator, who organized the outing.

Amal Meghani A1 donates a coat during morning drop off. Student volunteers manned the drop off line during the early morning hours, collecting more than 300 coats for Care for Real, a neighborhood social service agency.

Food Drive fills larders

The November Food Drive collected 2,700 pounds of food for Ignatian Services, a local food pantry!

GOAL 4

CRITERIA (From the revised Goals and Criteria, 2005)

The school implements an ongoing plan for educating both adults and students in the heritage and mission of Sacred Heart education. The school promotes a safe and welcoming environment in which each person is valued, cared for and respected. Adult members of the school model and teach skills needed to build community and practice clear, direct and open communication. The school has programs that teach the principles of nonviolence, conflict resolution and peacemaking. The school makes a deliberate effort to recruit students and employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities and backgrounds. The financial aid program effectively supports socioeconomic diversity. The school participates actively in the national and international networks of Sacred Heart schools.

onored

International Night embraces SHS diversity

work they do for their clients,” said Maria Paz Salas, Community Service Coordinator. Our students have benefited from their volunteer experiences in their Head Start program, their Family Hardey 8th graders serve at the Howard Area Family Center, an arm Center, and through their of the Howard Area Community Center that oversees the Head Start annual Christmas Drive, programs. Both 7th and 8th grade students serve there on Tuesdays. to name just a few. and compassionate volunteers like those Rasey calls the long from Sacred Heart. You continue to term relationship between Howard make a difference!” Area and SHS as “nothing short of The nomination form agreed, delightful.” He explains, “The students “The Howard Area Community staff and chaperones who participate at our and clients have taught the Sacred Child Development Center are so helpHeart community the realities of hunful and brighten the day not only for ger, homelessness and poverty in urban our children but also the staff.” life, as well as the joy of receiving the He especially remarks on the ansimplest of gifts at Christmas time.” nual “Howard Area gift baskets” collectWe salute the Howard Area’s 45 ed by each classroom before Christmas. years of creating a brighter future for “The generosity shown by so many the Rogers Park community! during the holiday times as well as other The Goal Award will be presented at times of the year has touched the lives of families in countless ways. We could the all-community gala, L’Esprit de Sacré not function as we do without dedicated Coeur, on March 1 at the Chicago Hilton.

Students proudly display their native flag during the Parade of Nations.

With more than 350 Sacred Heart community members attending, International Night on Oct. 18, was an evening to remember! Each year, SHS celebrates its rich cultural heritage with a festive evening featuring colorful costumes, ethnic foods, games, activities and the ever-favorite Parade of Nations. This year marked a new International Night tradition – highlighting a region of the world in both the entertainment and activities. Latin America was feted this year. Guests were greeted at the door by Mariachi Monumental De Mexico and later entertained by dancers from Instituto Cervantes. Students participated in various activities, including creating Ojo de Dios, or “God’s Eyes,” an ancient symbol of protection. Voting was taken on a choice for next year’s featured region. The winner is AFRICA!

Poetry Pals is back!

Clarisa Vela, Spanish teacher, helps the Primary School students arrange their altar during the Day of the Dead ceremony.

l celebration, the 6th grade traditional Latin American e boys performed La danza de mes and canes. In addition, cent experience visiting the

Vishal Ghimire and Andrew Salbego get ready to perform “La danza de los viejito” (The Dance

of the Old Men) in masks, costumes and canes.

Mexican Fine Arts Museum, described the elements of the altar and shared an Aztec poem, The Day of the Dead. Cristina Filicky (MS Spanish), Clarisa Vela (PS Spanish), Meghan Donahue (PS Religion) and Jane Steinfels, Campus Minister, organized the day.

Whew! Carrying for a cause

For more than 20 years, the 8th graders have helped clean the grounds after the Misericordia Heart of Mercy Family Fest. The students also tour the facilities and learn more about this neighboring home for disabled children and adults.

Under the Pear Tree, as read by...

A Hardey 3rd grade class listens as Stephen Puricelli, MS Head, and Betsy Fallon, H1 teacher, read Under the Pear Tree, the story of St. Philippine Duchesne, on Nov. 11. The book, written by Sr. Jan Dunn, RSCJ, Executive Director of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, is read yearly by faculty/ staff volunteers to the 3rd grade on St. Philippine’s feast day.

Poetry Pals is back! For the third year, the students from SHS, the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Morton Grove and Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook, are working together to promote diversity while expressing themselves through writing poetry, dialogue, rhythm and song. On November 13, the program kicked off at Sacred Heart, with the 4th grades engaging in lively activities led by the Poetry Pals staff. The mission of Poetry Pals is “to build bridges among young people and their communities in order to foster understanding and peace in a multicultural, multi-faith society.” Mary Ann Ligon, Lower School Head, is thrilled to welcome the Poetry Pals back this year. “I am very grateful to the parents and faculty for their overwhelming support of this wonderful program.”

A visit to the Jo

Goal 4 communitybuilding was in full force when seven SHS faculty/ staff visited Josephinum Academy on Sept. 11 to hear Sr. Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ, speak on Janet Erskine Stuart. The trip to our sister school in Wicker Park included a tour by Michael Dougherty, Head of Schools, and a multimedia presentation on the life of Mother Stuart, whose Centennial is being celebrated by the Network of Sacred Heart schools this year. (see page 1)

shschicago.org

Alumni News GIVING

UPDATES

Eric Mansell (from l), Christine and Michael Corwin, David Helms and Colleen Mansell enjoy connecting at the Cor Unum gathering.

Cor Unum party thanks donors One Heart! The festive atmosphere at the Cor Unum – One Heart – reception held in September in the Driehaus Center, was an appropriate beginning for the year of Goal 4 - the building of community. The guests enjoyed the catered party recognizing those who made a Leadership contribution to the 2012-13 Annual Fund. This included current families with Annual Fund commitments beginning at $3,000 and alumni, parents of alumni and friends who made gifts of $1,000 or more. Approximately 22 percent of last year’s donors made a gift at the Leadership level. Nat Wilburn used the occasion to release the 2012-13 Annual Report, featuring members of the Sacred Heart community who personified last year’s Goal focus, Goal 3, A social awareness which impels to action. It is posted online at shschicago. org/annual report. The event also kicked off the 2013-14 Annual Fund campaign. “The campaign, after two phonathons, is off to a great start, having raised approximately $650,000 in gifts and pledges as of early December,” said Lindsey Lopez, Development Director. “We ask everyone to be a ‘Part of the Heart!’” Annual Fund support is essential, as funds are allocated immediately to current programs, curriculum enhancements, scholarships and preserving the Schools’ historic properties.

In the spirit of Cor Unum, the Sacred Heart community comes together to support the Schools’ mission. Contact Lindsey Lopez, Development Director, at 773-681-8410 or at lindsey.lopez@shschicago.org to be a “Part of the Heart” and make your gift or pledge today.

Alumni Spotlight:

Amanda Stanhaus A’05 T a b o o ? parents, I have found there are few M o n e y ? resources to provide the ins and outs, A l u m n a without requiring one’s money upfront A m a n d a first.” XO, Bettie looks at money in S t a n h a u s relatable, understandable ways for A’05 doesn’t women. Scattered with anecdotes and think so. But pop culture references, XO Bettie creshe does find ates the allure of a go-to girlfriend for that, while free, reliable money advice. everyone “The constructive freedom I expehas thoughts about and problems with rienced at SHS gave me the confidence money, nobody likes to talk about it. to dream up ideas and the ability to Stanhaus starts the money conversa- implement them.” Amanda says about tion and tackles the questions of how the conception and execution of the to spend, save and grow hard-earned blog. Her time at SHS helped her fosmoney for her audience of modern, ter her moral compass, and she credits independent women with her blog, Wenche Haverkamp for “honing my XO, Bettie. writing skills – and more importantly “ I s aw too editing skills – in the sixth many of my intelligrade. Clearly, I still use what ‘ I saw too many of my gent, accomplished I learned everyday.” girlfriends making intelligent, accomplished With tabs like “Vocab” elementary money and “Oops” XO, Bettie aims to girlfriends making elemis tak es. T hey not only help her readers with didn’t know bet- mentary money mistakes’ their financial endeavors, but ter, because no one to teach them skills for future talks about money, planning and advancement. It’s taboo!” asserts Amanda. Credit, Insurance, Interest, the Dow – “In my blog, Bettie explains these are all topics Bettie highlights and personal finance by engaging and teaches basic lingo and rules of thumb. encouraging her reader, the successful “Through XO, Bettie, I hope to millennial woman,” Amanda explains continue to lead, create and help others. about the blog’s inspiration and intent. I was given tremendous opportunities to Through Bettie, Amanda answers do all three during my time at SHS, and her readers’ financial questions and have subsequently looked for further outlines the possible options to help opportunities.” them make informed decisions when it Amanda attended the Academy comes to the question of their money. from Kindergarten to 8th grade and “Other than financially literate attended The Latin School of Chi-

Please pray for:

=Rosemary (Ronnie) Dewey, RSCJ, former faculty, volunteer and recipient of 2005 Catherine I. Seiker Award =Paul Adams, grandfather of McKenna Adams A2 =John Ahearne, father of Marion A’09 and Caroline Ahearne A’12, past trustee =Joan Baber, grandmother of Grace A’10 and Constance Parker H6 =Diana Biesterfeldt ASH’59 =Richard Dwayne Borg, father of Bridget Leffingwell, SHS faculty =Barbara Van Der Bosch ASH’50 =Ruth Lamy Brons ASH’55

Michelle Santos volunteers in Nicaragua

Mater Tea

C ondolences

=Nancy Hough Brennan A’39

High School Profile

Michelle Santos A’11, a junior at the Latin School, spent several weeks in volunteer work and service abroad in Latin America. Through a program called Amigos de Las Americas, an organization that allows students from all across the nation to spend 6-8 weeks in a Latin American country, Michelle traveled to Matagalpa, Nicaragua for 6 weeks. She and her two partners stayed with a host family there, while leading service activities. “This was a really big trip for me,” said Michelle. “My favorite part was working with the local school five days a week and doing activities with the kids around public sanitation and human rights. We also worked with the community to build a fence around the school.” Michelle always loved service and

cago for high school. This D e c e m b e r, she will have completed her Economics and North Jennifer Garrett American Studies degrees at McGill University in Canada. To current students, Amanda gives these words of wisdom: “Everyone is always looking for a new friend, so say hello. Fearlessly grab opportunities, large or small. Never feel stuck, it’s always possible to create a new situation.” See more of Amanda’s (and Bettie’s) advice, conversations, and the accompanying cartoons, created by Amanda herself, at www.xobettie.com.

volunteer work, and she thanks SHS for that. “If I hadn’t gone to Sacred Heart, I don’t think I would have been able to do Amigos de Las Americas. Sacred Heart taught me to explore new places and compelled me to find different ways of doing community service that I love.” Michelle was undaunted by the financial requirements of this service opportunity, and coordinated with the Junior Peace Corps program to raise funds for her prolonged stay. “Building relationships and being a leader was something I learned to do at Sacred Heart and I’m forever grateful for my old school because of that,” she concluded.

Young Alum Party

=Bill Campbell H’62, former trustee, SHS Board Chair, and recipient of 2004 Catherine I. Seiker Award =Liz Cobb, aunt of Meg Steele, SHS administrator =Arely Bejarno Conley, sister-in-law of Sue Heybach, SHS faculty =Frank Frodyma, uncle of Ashley Zawodniak, SHS faculty =Peter Hammond H’64, brother of Sheila Hammond, RSCJ, cousin of Michael Dougherty =Marjorie Ligon, mother-in-law of Mary Ann Ligon, SHS administrator =Colleen Lisuzzo ASH’67 =Luigi Lollino, father-in-law of Stephanie Lollino ASH’89 =Frank Marotta, father of Catherine Ferruzzi ASH’72, Margaret Newell ASH’73, Elizabeth Gerberi ASH’74, and Mary Frances Caselli ASH’79 =Lourdes Marquez, grandmother of Marla A’05 and Elisa Gutierrez-Patterson A’08, mother-in-law of Lynn Patterson, SHS faculty =Alma Mocas, grandmother of Nicholas H’89 and Ian O’Connell H’93 (=) =Norman Paul, father-in-law of James McClain, SHS staff =Tim Philipp, father of Elizabeth Philipp A’05 =Josephine Przybylo, grandmother of Stephen Kubiatowski H’80, Lucia Glunz A’83, and Jennifer Przybylo A’99, greatgrandmother of Margaret Glunz K =Francis H. Kimball Regan ASH’36 =Ellen Busse Riddle ASH’39 =Rosemary Risk, grandmother of Breanna A’08, Abigail A’10 and Jonathen H’13 Kendall =Paul Rosenthal, father of Gianna Rosenthal A’85

Gilda Amini ASH’84 (from l), Sara Sullivan A’83, Monica Vick ASH’84 and their 8th grade daughters (Ariana Amini, Aisling Sullivan, Audrey Vick) celebrate the Mater Tea together.

shschicago.org

Young alumni gathered in the Driehaus Center in August for a fun night of cocktails and conversation.

=Madeline Silva, mother of Bianca A’04 and Alex Silva A’02 =Mary Ellen Stanton, grandmother of Katie Lowry, SHS faculty and great-grandmother of Jack Lowry H1

1950s Helen Kuhn Brennan ASH’50 is still living the quiet life in her 1896 Victorian Queen Anne house. In September, she celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are living all over the States. She sends her best regards to all her former classmates-- CTO Heart! Rosemary Dowd, RSCJ ASH’51 is still assisting in Cook County Jail. Her impaired vision necessitated retirement from social work. She is a volunteer staff chaplain in the jail, and continues to love working with the men in Div. 10 (medical and psych division). “It is a real privilege to continue that ministry.” Dr. Nancy Kehoe RSCJ ASH‘55 was recently promoted to Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. She is the first nun at Harvard to hold this position.

1970s

Diane Skowron Evans ASH’70 was elected President of the Colorado AASH in May 2013. Her family welcomed three new family members this year; a new daughter-in-law, Danielle, who married her 3rd son Daniel in Buffalo NY in December. Her oldest son Michael and his wife Athena welcomed a 2nd daughter, Anastasia, and a 3rd grand-daughter Nora, who was born to her son Patrick and his wife Nicole. The youngest, Jenny, just completed her freshman year in animal science at Colorado State University. In June, Diane rendezvous’d in Jackson Hole Wyoming with Karen Baker Smith ASH ‘70, Kathy Schneider Grantham ASH’70 and Carol Purcell Gillig ASH’70 for a few days of hiking, floating on the Snake River and enjoying the beauty of the Tetons and Yellowstone NP. 1980s Kwaben Komai ASH’83 welcomed twins Kojo Judge, and Kali Jeanne to the world on August 1, 2013. 1990s Jen Hall DeKock A’90 and her husband

welcomed their son, Robert Rex to their family in August of 2012. Jen is a practicing Attorney in Iowa and Illinois. Jim Hall H’92 and his wife, welcomed their son, James Lawrence Hall into the world in April 2012, Jim is an Attorney and they currently reside in Houston, TX. Pamela Hall Easterday A’94 and her husband welcomed their little bundle of joy, John Fisher Easterday, into the world in March 2013. Pamela is in the Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (Loyola University). Julia Fry A’96 welcomed Angelina Michelle Vallely in August. Little Angelina weighed 6.4lbs and measured 19 inches long. Their family lives in Houston. Christopher A. Huff H’96 received an MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business in June 2013. Alex Richard H’98 spoke at the Sacred Heart Diversity Council’s StoryCorps for a reflection on Ethnic alumni. Alex is a Graphic Designer for Prudential Rubloff with a degree from the University of Illinois. He currently resides in Edgewater. 2000s Lara Schmitz Bergerson A’00 recently moved back to Chicago from New York and married her husband, Brendan, in June of 2013. Welcome back! Andrew Brennan H’02 is currently earning his Masters in Education at University of Chicago while volunteering with SHS science teacher, Lexi Pond, two days a week. Molly Fedick A’02 is the Style Channel Editor at Womens Forum Media Group, she is also a freelance journalist for a variety of publications including the RedEye. Molly is currently living in Chicago. Lauren McClusky A’04 started Nelarusky (formerly known as McFest) in 2007 at the age of 16 with a mission to raise money and awareness for

Alums, Grade 8 offer Mass of Remembrance The Mass of Remembrance is said yearly in memory of those in the Sacred Heart Schools’ community who have gone before us. They are listed in the Book of Remembrance and prayed for throughout the year. More than 50 alums and parents attended the mass, along with the Acad8th Grades. After the mass, a reception was held in the Driehaus Center for those attending. At right: Sisters Jane O’Shaughnessy (from l), Marianne Ruggieri, and Sally Brennan RSCJ arrive at the mass.

Special Olympics, as well as showcase upcoming talent, through an annual benefit concert at Metro in Chicago. Lauren organizes this event each year and works at both Jeff McClusky & Associates and Audiotree. Lauren has been recognized as one of America’s leading young entrepreneurs by Sarah Cook, the founder of the Raising CEO Kids. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in December 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business Management. Melissa Jordan A’05 is participating in Teach For America over the next two years. Additionally, she was accepted to Johns Hopkins University where she will pursue a Master of Science in Education over the next two years. Liz Philipp A’05 was awarded a Fulbright Grant with a one-year position as an English Teaching Assistant in Jeonju, South Korea. Through this position, she has great opportunities as a teacher and as a cultural ambassador of the United States. Liz is carrying on the tradition of Sacred Heart Schools! Amanda Stanhaus A’05 will graduate from McGill University in December 2013. She writes a financial literacy blog called XO, Bettie. See page 6 Rella Lock A’06 was selected as a State Finalist in the Miss Illinois USA pageant held in November. Adam Bobbit H’07 is a junior at DePaul and is completing observation hours at Sacred Heart to help fulfill requirements for his Education major. He lives in Chicago, in Lincoln Square. Lauren Bettuzzi A’08 is going into her sophomore year at Villanova University where she just completed studying abroad in Singapore and interned at KPMG, Singapore. Rachele Lock A’09 is a Freshman at Denison University. She was rated an NCAC Volleyball Player of the week in October 2013. On the season, Lock leads the team in kills per set and ranks second overall. Noah Repel H’09 graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep with Full Honors as a member of the National Honors Society, and as an Illinois State Scholar receiving the AP Award with Distinction and Honors. Noah is now attending Northwestern University. Robert J. Bettuzzi H’11 is a junior at St. Ignatius. He has consistently been on the honor roll as well as an active member of the ICC rowing club. He spent this summer in France visiting relatives.

Michelle Santos A’11 participated in a summer program Amigos de Las Americas. She lived with a rural host family in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, and led community service activities for six weeks. See page 6 Madison Weatherly A’11 is a sophomore distance runner for the Varsity cross country at Northside College Prep. Libby Jardeleza A’11 placed 2nd in 100 back, 5th in 100 fly and 4th in the medley relay at the IL High School State swim meet, for Loyola Academy which placed 4th overall. Kate Edwards A’12 is a sophomore at Woodlands Academy. Kate played on the varsity Volleyball team last year as a freshman. She was voted MVP by her teammates and was voted to all conference, first team, by the ISL coaches. Ben McDonough H’12 received the rank of Eagle Scout i n N ove m b e r for his project to revive an ailing after school sports program in Pilsen. His impetus evolved from the strong character development and a love of sports which Sacred Heart helped to foster in him. As the Eagle Scout Oath was recited, all Eagle Scouts present stood behind Ben and amongst them were Peter BealeDelVecchio H’14 and Nico Polite H’13. Evan Radomski H’12 participated in a summer running club with his Whitney Young Cross Country coach, he placed 8th overall and qualified for the National Junior Olympics in the 800m and 1500m races. Liufei He A’13 is now at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart. She misses Sacred Heart Schools and all the teachers here! Jack Quinn H’13 made the Walter Pa y t o n - Jo n e s C o l l e g e P re p combined golf team this year as the only freshman. He had the honor of playing in the CPS City Championship, where the team took 2nd Place. Jack is pictured with his coach.

NOTE: Reunion Weekend has moved! Alumni Reunion weekend will be held in October of 2014. Honoring classes of: 1964, 1974, 1984, 1989, 1994 and 2004. Watch for details.

Reconnect with your class

If you would like to be a Class Representative, contact Carolyn Hall Napleton A’00 at carolyn.napleton@shschicago.org

Board of Trustees welcomes four new members Dustan Beier is Senior Managing Director and Head of Financial Planning and Analy-

sis at Guggenheim Partners. He works with resource allocation, strategic planning and financial and cash planning. He holds an MBA from University of Chicago and a BS in Accounting from Illinois State University. His daughter, Emma, is in Academy 6. His hopes for his time on the Board of Trustees: “I would like to help the school continue to build itself into the premier independent school in Chicago.” Aric Cleland is Vice President, Private Wealth Management, at Goldman Sachs & Co.

He holds a BS in Business Administration from Kansas University. He is the father of Tommy, H5, and two alums, Michael H’13, Jack H’11. He is currently a Co-Chair of the Annual Fund, and has worked on the Athletic Advisory Board and the past Capital Campaign. “My wife KK and I feel blessed to be a part of the Sacred Heart community. It is an honor and privilege to be nominated to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to giving back to the school through my experience in fund raising and financial services.” Eric Hansen is Managing Director for GE Capital, head of new business development -

Chicago, Southeastern/Southwestern U.S. He works with Private Equity Firms to finance

buyouts and recapitalizations of middle market businesses. He has an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS in Accounting from University of Illinois. His sons, Parker and Jack, are in Hardey 6. “I want to make Sacred Heart in Chicago the example to which all independent schools aspire. I would also like to find ways to continue diversifying our student body.”

Dustan Beier (from l), Lisa Tiemann, Aric Cleland, Eric Hansen

Lisa Tiemann is President of the Parents of the Heart. She is a graduate of Valparaiso

University, with a BS in Business Administration/Marketing. She is the mother of two current students, Max H7 and Lauren A5, and recent alum Lexi A’13. “I am looking forward to my role as President of Parents of the Heart this year and am excited to serve on the SH Board. I hope to share ideas and perspective from my experiences at SHS to help make an impact.” shschicago.org

‘Chats with Nat’ a two-way street With the rollout of the Board of Trustee’s new 5-year Strategic Plan many in the community looked forward to learning more about its vision for the future of FROM THE SHS. I wanted to engage members of the community in informal conversations that would enlighten the Plan while taking the opportunity to enlarge upon it. Hence, “Chats with Nat” were born. Eleven Chats were held in all, one for each grade level (7-8th combined), two downtown, which attracted alumni and parents of alumni, and even one for faculty and staff. I am most grateful to the nearly 200 participants who

HEAD OF SCHOOLS

attended the Chats. I learned as much from them as I was able to impart about the Plan! I found that most attendees wanted to learn more specifics about the three pillars of the Plan: Mission, Academics, ‘Strengthen and Governance/ the core Finance. They were curriculum happy to hear about – language the Plan’s support arts, math, for increasing socioeconomic diversity, social it’s commitment to studies and attract and reward science.’ excellent teachers, its concern with the core curriculum and ensuring that the Schools have the facilities needed for growth, among many items. It was brought home to me very clearly at the chats downtown that there is a remarkable convergence of thought among alums, parents and parents of alums. Both of those chats were hosted

by current parents, one at Madison Dearborn Partners hosted by Michael and Elizabeth Cole; and one at the Union League Club, hosted by Michael (H’89) and Eleanor Husman. All seemed to share top priorities revolving around the academic program. These priorities emerged in two ways – in the Q&A sessions at the end of each Chat and in the surveys distributed to all attendees. After each presentation on the vision and plan, Q&A sessions offered the opportunity for folks to voice thoughts on what was the most meaningful and exciting to them and to weigh in on anything that had been “left out.” All attending were also asked to rate their top priorities for action on a survey. What developed was an invaluable look at the pulse of our population that converged with the work of the Board. Top priorities as they emerged on the surveys included strengthening the core curriculum – language arts, math, social

studies and science, investing in innovative programs that further train teachers to individualize and differentiate learning in order to maximize the potential of all students, ensuring competitive faculty compensation in order to attract, retain and reward excellent teachers, and expanding, renovating and adding learning spaces to meet the needs of 21st century learning. These results of these informative “chats” were presented to the Board of Trustees at our November retreat. Board members attended each of the chats; we were able to undertake a meaningful evaluation of them. The Board will be finalizing an action plan based on all the feedback gleaned throughout the roll-out of the strategic plan. Thank you to all who have participated.

For more insight visit shschicago.org

Cor Unum party recognizes donors p6 Howard Area Community Center is Goal Award honoree p4-5 Canada joins the Network p1 Max & Ruby author visits SHS p2

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Fall athletics program sports winners! Left: Academy 7 Red, with Coaches Vicki Ginn and Andy Pronto, pose with their championship trophies. Right: The Hardey and Academy runners along with coaches, Chelli Facer and Phil McNeal, celebrate at the State Finals.

Both the Cross Country and Volleyball teams brought home trophies for Sacred Heart schools this fall. The boys’ and girls’ Cross Country teams made the state finals for the second year in a row, while the 7th grade Academy volleyball team won the league Championship. Cross Country carried a team of 138 students in 3rd-8th grade. At the end of their winning season, the top

seven students in grades 5-8 ran in the Illinois Elementary State Association sectional meet in Westmont. Both the Academy and Hardey Varsity teams finished 2nd out of 12 teams in their division, putting them in the state championship meet on October 19th in Bloomington, IL. There, all 14 of the participating runners posted their personal best times. “It was a great day for both the

girls and boys cross country teams,” said Athletic Director Ron Schwartz. The Academy 7 Volleyball League Championship came as part of an historic day at Queen of Angels on Nov. 3. For the first time in the league tournament history, the finals featured two teams from the same school – Sacred Heart. Academy 7 Red narrowly edged Academy 7 White for the League Championship. Red was the 1st seed

and White the #3 seed. Not to be outdone, Academy 8 Red fought to the finals of the 8th grade tournament, which they lost in three close games. “It was the most exciting match of the tournament,” said Ron Schwartz. Winter basketball season is now in full swing, with a record number of 23 teams of 4th - 8th graders, encompassing 236 athletes.