Support our Students with Covid U-Knighted Fund

Dear SJCS Parishioner,

As you know, Cardinal Cupich announced that all Archdiocesan schools, including St. Joseph Catholic School (SJCS), will reopen for in-person learning next month. To prepare for our reopening, SJCS created a School Reopening Committee in May to prepare our building, staff and students for the 20-21 year. In addition to planning for a full in-person reopening, we are also preparing for remote (e-learning) learning should that be the directive from Governor Pritzker.  

Our School Reopening Committee, which is focusing on four main areas, Health and Safety, Curriculum and Learning, Faith and Community, and Social Distancing, has guided our efforts as we upgrade our facility and resources in response to the COVID pandemic.  In order to give us immediate funds to make timely purchases for our school, the COVID U-Knighted Fund was created. Earlier this summer, I invited school parents to contribute to this fund, and I want to also invite you, our parishioners, to prayerfully consider a donation to the St. Joseph Cathoic School COVID U-Knighted Fund.  The COVID U-Knighted Fund has been created to address items such as, but not limited to:

• Securing health and safety related items (thermometers, gloves, increased quantity of cleaning solutions, medical equipment for our nurse…)
• Supporting technology needs and platforms (online platforms, additional devices-both Chromebooks and iPads, possibly increasing bandwidth if live-streaming is necessary for some students…)
• Upgrading the facility as a result of social distance mandates (such as plexiglass shields in key areas of the school)
• Enhancing our professional development opportunities for staff
• Supporting our operational budget as a result of the impact of COVID-19

At SJCS, all reopening efforts are based on the mandates and guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), American School Counselor Association (ASCA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Office of Catholic Schools (OCS). I want to thank you for considering a  donation to the COVID U-Knighted Fund, and if your employer sponsors a matching gift program, I invite you to look into this opportunity as well. This Fund is the most streamlined avenue for school families and parishioners to give generously to SJCS’s reopening efforts. I want to thank you for your generosity and for your continued trust and support.

In Christ,
Anne Phoenix
Principal, St. Joseph Catholic School