east lake academy september nn rr · highlights include outdoor games and activities, a rosary...

To teach, to educate, to form

East Lake Academy Newsletter, September 20011 1

EAST LAKE ACADEMYEAST LAKE ACADEMY

NNEWSLETTEEWSLETTERR www.eastlakeacademy.org

September 2011

Virtue of the Month:

Loyalty

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Upcoming Events: Please mark your calendars.

10/15 - Father-Son Campout

10/16 - Father-Son Campout

10/26 - End of First Quarter

11/01 - Annual Fund Begins

11/01 - All Saints Day Celebration/Mass

11/03 - Book Fair/Preview Day

11/04 - No School

Parent Teacher conference Report Cards Distributed Book Fair

11/07 - Signed Report Cards Returned

11/10 - Prek-3&4 Open House 7:00 pm

11/11 - No School

Veterans’ Day

11/23 - No School

Thanksgiving Break 11/23 - 11/27

11/28 - School Resumes

WELCOME BACK TO EAST LAKE ACADEMY It's with heartfelt joy that I welcome everyone

back to East Lake Academy but I wish to extend a special welcome to our new families.

So much has happened this summer. We have the most students ever enrolled in our history (147) and the most families (85) too. To support this growth we complet-

ed the purchase of the Saliba building next

door, rebuilt the facade and joined the parking lots.

Our next step is to build out 4 additional class-

rooms in the new building. We plan to have an architectural open house in November to re-

ceive input from you and to share ideas.

Yet all this growth is for not if we ever lose focus on why God created East

Lake. Our mission and it's need in our world has never been clearer:

East Lake exists to form the future leaders of society. We do this by provid-

ing the best academics, by building self-confident leaders, by teaching the Roman Catholic faith and by showing our students how to put that faith into

action.

We thank you so much for your support in this noble cause. I promise we will work hard on our part to make it happen.

Let's have the best year ever.

John T. Calk President

IN THIS ISSUE

A Letter From the President 1 East Lake Happenings 2 First Day of School 2 Golf Outing 3 Deans Update 4 Star Party 4 Book Fair 4 Mr. Stack 4 Summer Program 5 Challenge Girls Club 6 Women’s Prayer/Book Club 6 Principal Update 7 Volunteer Opportunities 7 Admissions Update 8 Development Update 8 Classroom News & Views 9 Pre-K Corner 9 First Lego League Program 9 A Message From Fr. Matthew 10

In the Spotlight 11 Community News 11



FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

EAST LAKE HAPPENINGS



FATHER-SON CAMPOUT

This year marks the 9th annual ELA Father-Son Campout which provides fathers with a

unique opportunity to unwind and bond with their sons and others from the ELA family.

Highlights include outdoor games and activities, a rosary around the campfire, SMORES and an outdoor mass on Sunday morning. For many, the Father-Son Campout has be-

come a “don’t miss” annual tradition. No prior camping experience necessary. A good time is sure to be had by all!

The campout is scheduled for: Saturday, October 15 to Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Fox River Preserve.

Additional details to follow. If you have any questions, contact: Joe McDermott at [email protected].

GOLF OUTING East Lake's annual golf outing was the most financially successful event we have ever held. Not only did we raise the most money ever ($47,000) but we had the

highest level of parent participation too (94%).

Over 100 golfers participated to win $1000 in ABT gift certificates plus a host of additional prizes. Nearly 40 companies and families supported the

school through hole sponsorships.

All of this was achieved through the efforts of the golf outing chairman Rob

Lindemann and his committee. This was Mr. Lindemann's rookie year lead-ing the event. What a great start.

Congratulations to the

Winning Foursome



FIRST FIELD TRIP OF THE YEAR! Miss Sponseller’s Kindergarten class is

off to a wonderful start this school year!

The class had an opportunity to go on

their first “field trip” for the year – the Libertyville Firefighters visited East

Lake Academy!

The Kindergarteners had an opportunity

to meet firefighter John and see an old fashioned fire truck!

Some children got to sit

in the front seat, while ringing the bell.

Others enjoyed the view from the back of

the fire truck, holding on with one hand while

using the other to wave at bystanders, as they went around

the block.

It was a fun learning experience where they got to meet one of our community’s helpers.

It was definitely an experience they will never forget!

In Christ, Mrs. Echavez

DEAN’S UPDATE

Mrs. Rosario Echavez

Dean of Academics

STAR PARTY

We are happy to report that once again this year

we ELA will be hosting a

STAR PARTY for students and families.

We will be using the school telescopes and

also inviting families to

bring their own star view-ing equipment as well!

The party will take place on Friday, October 28th at 8:00 pm.

Let's pray for a clear evening that night. Details to follow!

We have a new and

exciting book fair planned this year!

Marytown Gift Shop will be coming to East Lake Academy on November 3rd & 4th.

They will bring with them a variety of reli-

gious items including

books, games, DVDs, statues, rosaries, holy medals and more. All will be

available for immediate purchase.

The school children will have the opportunity to

browse and make purchases on Thursday, Novem-ber 3rd.

On Friday, November 4th, parents will have the

chance to shop (in-between, before or after their scheduled parent-teacher conferences). This will be a

great chance to get a head start on some Christmas

shopping!

Marytown will be accepting cash, check or credit card.

Any questions, please call: Karen McDermott at (847)726-2721

BOOK FAIR

MR. STACK From September 22nd to the 25th, Mr. Stack participated in a

colloquium on "Liberty and Executive Power" sponsored by The Bill of Rights Institute and Liberty Fund, Inc.

Fourteen teachers from across the nation, teaching at the middle school, high school and college levels, were selected

to participate in this colloquium held in Arlington, Virginia.



SUMMER PROGRAM Mrs. Campanella Camp and Academics – full 10 weeks Seraphim Summer 2011 was full of excitement, challenges and learning! To better meet the needs of our parents and students, the program was expand-

ed this year. It included not only six weeks of challenging

academics, but also four weeks of entertaining camp activi-ties.

Students in pre-k through first grade enjoyed playing in

Noah’s Arc as they learned Bible stories, made exploding vol-

canoes in chemistry class and created a book of planets as they learned about space.

Our intermediate students designed tiles, created PowerPoint presentations and wrote amazing poetry and prose.

Our fifth through eighth graders explored math, printed in 3D using nanotechnology and acted out scenes from

Shakespeare.

We saw our students grow in different ways during the summer. Weather it was making it to the top of

the rock wall at The North Wall in Crystal Lake, jump-

ing off the high dive at the Lake Bluff Pool or maneu-vering an Oreo from the forehead to mouth during

Minute to Win It week, our students stepped up to the challenge!

Field trips provided additional opportunities for both fun and learning. Students experienced the wonders of the Volo Bog where they saw sand hill cranes, wild irises and examined duck-

weed. The trip to Navy Pier included a visit to the Children’s Museum where they took the Skyscraper Challenge

before taking a boat tour to view the Chicago skyline. Randall Oaks Farm allowed the students to attend a one room school and pet the farm animals.

Teachers are already thinking about the excitement next summer will bring.

We hope you can join us next year!



CHALLENGE YOURSELF, CHALLENGE OTHERS, AND CHALLENGE THE WORLD…

Challenge, the new Girls Club at East Lake Academy, focuses on turning girls into leaders by challenging them to take their Catholic formation into the real

world. By creating a healthy positive environment where meaningful relation-ships can be cultivated, these girls will learn the most important relationship

they have is that with Christ. Surrounded by friends that are living the same ideals, these girls also find the support and encouragement they need from

carefully selected Team Leaders that serve as high school aged mentors.

Formation is further developed with opportunities for apostolic projects that provide the girls with the opportunity to

exercise their leadership skills by carefully planning and executing these projects. With the success or failure of these projects resting solely on their shoulders, these girls learn key skills and responsibilities that will help them succeed

throughout life.

In the biweekly meetings, and special outings, the girls will be provided countless opportunities to do what they love

best – be girls and have fun! From Christian music concerts, to weekend retreats – fun is a main component.

September 29th was the kick-off to Challenge, with fourteen eager young ladies ready to take on their own formation challenge.

Lead by Team Leader, Mary Beth Critteden, these energetic

girls learned what a Challenge meeting is all about and the im-portance of teamwork by participating in such things as a scaven-

ger hunt, human knot, and even a little b-ball shoot off!

Next meeting is: Thursday October 6th, at East Lake Academy,

6:30pm to 8pm.

Challenge is open to the community for girls in grades 4th through

8th, so please spread the word. Suggestions of “in” things to do are always Welcomed!

For more information about Challenge please contact Maritza Finlayson at (847) 660-9261 or [email protected].

Women’s Prayer/Book Club The first Women's prayer/book club was a great success. If you haven't heard, we are discussing

the book, the Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett. The book is an overview of the four temperaments that helps us explore the strengths for each temperament.

Thanks to Katelyn Moroney for leading the discussion and Mary Beth Crittenden for taking care of the little ones. If you were not able to make it but would like to drop by for the next one, feel

free because we would love to have you! Wherever we are in the book you can be assured to get great information from it.

The location of the book club is at the Panera Bread on Rt. 22 and Waukegan. Please see below for the schedule.

October 14 8:30-10:00 am Discussion: Chapter 4-5 December 2 8:30-10:00 am Discussion: Chapter 8-10 October 28 9:00-10:30 am Discussion: Chapter 6-7 December 9 Advent Breakfast



PRINCIPAL UPDATE Mrs. Patel

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Thanks to all the parents that have already volunteered for various tasks and committees at East Lake Academy for 2011-12. As always we have a very generous group of parents.

There are still a few opportunities to help out at East Lake this school year.

SPANISH HERITAGE

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE ANNUAL FUND COMMITTEE SPORTS DAY/NIGHT

Volunteering is a great way to get to know other families and meet some of the amazing students at East Lake.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities please contact:

Kathleen Calk at [email protected] or 847-682-0787.

It has been an active 6 weeks of school already! Our first All school Mass, the golf outing, Back to School Night, Picture Day, the kick-off of the Challenge (Girls Club) and Conquest (Boys Club) pro-

grams and even a few field trips have all been accomplished! It is amazing that we have fit so much in such a short period of time.

In the month of October, we will be equally as busy. Progress Reports will be coming home, fa-thers will be camping out with their sons, the First Lego League meeting will take place, students

will receive their Vision and Hearing Screenings and the 1st quarter will come to an end!

With the quarter ending, we will have our first Parent/Teacher Conferences of the year on Friday, November 4th from 8am-4pm. In the next two weeks, you will be able to visit

PTCFAST.COM to register for your conferences (more information to come).

Soon we will be celebrating All Saints Day. We are blessed in the Catholic Faith with so many holy men and women

who have gone before us to show us the way of virtue and grace! Many schools celebrate on October 31st, but at East Lake Academy we place all of our emphasis on Tuesday, November 1st. If you have never taken part, this is some-

thing you don’t want to miss. At 9am, all of our students will parade into the gym singing about the Saints. Soon after,

they will stand in front of the student body (and many visitors) proudly sharing about the Saint they have chosen to represent. The costumes worn are always wonderful and the confidence displayed by our students is beautiful.

This year the 6th and 8th grades will be taking part in a new way. They are working diligently on very short Saint plays

that they will present. We look forward to this new addition and this year’s Saint Celebration.

Mass will immediately follow the student presentation. Please remember that November 1st is a Holy Day of Ob-

ligation in the Church and all visitors are very welcome to join us for celebration for the Holy Mass following the stu-dent presentation.

Mrs. Patel

Principal

If you like to entertain,

members of the hospitality committee assist with set

up and clean up and pro-vides refreshments at

school events.

The Annual Fund commit-

tee is looking for help making phone calls to par-

ents and previous donors reminding them to donate

to the annual fund drive.

For our sports minded par-

ents, we need dads or moms to help set up the

gym for home games. We also need score keepers

for our home games.

Spanish Heritage Day/

Night is in need of parent helpers to help in various

ways as well.



SEMPER ALTIUS! With God’s grace East Lake Academy

is blessed with 20 new families equating to 33 new East Lake chil-

dren all with special gifts to offer.

This brings us to 145 students for the 2011-2012 school year.

Please join us in welcoming:

Last year we had more inquiries than ever before. Thank

you for sharing East Lake Academy and encouraging your

friends to visit. It is important to get new student applica-tions in early this year as many grades are close to their

maximum student count and in other grades there exists a wait pool.

Keep in mind that at East Lake Academy it all begins in Pre-K. The self-confidence they develop in Pre-K sets the children

up for years of academic success in our accelerated academic program which is consistently validated in our test scores on

the Stanford Achievement Test. East Lake Academy stu-dents consistently score above 90%. Last spring the

students scored 91% in Reading and 93.1% in math.

Our curriculum is accelerated and our teachers are dedicated

to the individual academic and spiritual growth of our stu-dents.

Yours in Christ, Elizabeth Simutis

ADMISSIONS UPDATE

FOUNDATIONS Personal connections can be

the key to winning a grant from charitable foundations.

The Chicagoland area has

hundreds of foundations, so it seems reasonable that some-

one in the ELA family must know someone on at least one

of these foundation boards.

With that in mind, I will be listing the foundations I am applying to monthly on behalf of our school in the

monthly newsletters. If you know someone on these boards, please let me know! It may be just the help

we need! In September I applied to these foundations:

The Kathleen and John F. Kennedy Foundation (Lake Forest): David B. and Kathleen B. Kennedy, Rosemary Dowdle, Mary Kennedy, Lauretta Mullholland

St. Isadore Foundation (Lake Bluff)

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation (Milwaukee, WI) Dan-iel Schmidt

Henrietta Lang Burk Foundation (Chicago) no board member info

Susan R. and John W. Sullivan Foundation (Chicago and Stuart, FL) John W. Sullivan

Thomas Dower Foundation (Kenilworth, IL) John M. Hartigan, Mary Hartigan, Mary K. Hartigan

Mazza Foundation (Chicago) Mary Jane Rubinelli, Joan F. Lavezzorio, Nicholas J. Lavezzorio, Joseph Rubinelli

Cuneo Foundation (Niles, IL) John F. Cuneo, Herta Cuneo, Conseula Cuneo McAlister, John F. Cuneo, Jr., Leonard P. Dio-rio, Andrea Hasten, James J. Hasten, Bishop George Rassas (Director), Joan E. Steel, John F. Tomisek, Katherine White

Ralph J. Baudhuin Foundation (Rockford, IL) Annette Baudhuin, Mike Baudhuin, Paul Baudhuin, Tom Baudhuin, Pat Naruz

Caveney Family Foundation (Tinley Park, IL) Jack E. Caveney

AllState Helping Hands

GRANDPARENT INVOLVEMENT:

Do I have your child’s grandparent information? If not,

please send me grandparent emails and addresses so they can be included in special grandparent mailings

and emailing’s!

You can send their info to me at [email protected].

Mrs. Elizabeth Simutis

Director of Admissions

Maciey and Anna Borkowski Michael and Stephanie Burke Billy Burkham and Maria Frausto Seth and Maritza Finlayson Michael and Maureen Freeman Trent and Denean Gorman David and Anika Hubbard Stephen and Sapna Janas Allen Mons Ferry Ngantung and Stella Tabaluyan

John and Amy Pagano Peter and Vidya Puthenveetil Alfredo Salto and Andrea Pastor Carl and Casey Schlacher Carol Cohen Smith and Glenford Smith Jim and Marti Tancula Shawn and Korie Trevino Jason and Jennifer Van Camp James and Stella Wagner Scott and Karen Wolff

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Mrs. Allison Walsh

Director of Development

mailto:[email protected]



CLASSROOM NEWS & VIEWS

PRE-K CORNER Mrs. Campanella

Pre-K 3 and 4 Although our littlest angels are only 3 and 4 years old, they are already becoming strong in their

Catholic faith. Thought is given to the necessary formation our children need, to provide them with

a solid base of their faith. This is accomplished through a variety of experiences at East Lake.

Using the Who Am I religion series, students learn that they are created in the image of God. The program is centered on the writings and teachings of Pope John Paul II. It stresses the dignity of each individual as a

person made in the image of God.

A variety of prayer is used throughout the day. We take time at the beginning of each day to pray for our special intentions. Sometimes a child needs to ask

God for help in overcoming a challenge. Other times a student may need to ask

God’s forgiveness. At the end of the day we thank God for all His gifts. We also take time to talk to God during the day.

On the third Friday of the month,

Fr. Matthew celebrates a special Pre-k Mass with the 3 and 4 year old stu-

dents. Parents are invited to share

the joy of the Eucharist with our young children. It is amazing to experience their excitement as they watch

the bread and wine being transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Of course, it all begins with family. We simply support the mission you, as par-

ents, have begun with your children.

We are thankful for the opportunity to help you with their formation.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE ROBOTICS PROGRAM Kick-off meeting

The kids will get a chance to try out the specially designed

"2011 Food Factor" robotic game arena.

We are also looking for parents to help coach the teams along

with Laurie Zelinski and Michael Erpenbeck, who has agreed to

lead this program.

[email protected] [email protected]

Visit

www.usfirst.org to learn more about this

wonderful program

October 21st 6:30-8:00 - in the gym There is no cost associated

http://www.usfirst.org/



A MESSAGE FROM FR.MATTHEW

A couple years ago, with hopes of helping everyone realize how important their attitude was each day, I coined a new

phrase, “Your gratitude attitude determines your latitude.” The point was: A God-centered attitude can completely transform what would otherwise be a bad day, or even a

miserable day. We can make the choice ourselves: what kind of day do we want to have? Recently, I came across a short article that I saved in my files years ago…I don’t even know who wrote it. I share it

with you today to help you do an attitude check, and inject a little gratitude into your attitude, just in case it is running a bit low.

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting wa-

tered free of charge. Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me

to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive. Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel

grateful that they allowed me to be born. Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses. Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new rela-

tionships. Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. I

can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the

Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul. Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the

shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!



We welcome your comments, questions and sug-

gestions regarding this newsletter:

[email protected]

Our Mission The specific mission of East Lake Academy is summa-

rized in the motto, Integer Homo (Latin for "the whole

man"); that is, providing its students with an integral

formation. Our educational program consists of three

essential elements: teaching, educating, forming. To teach means to provide the student with the intellec-

tual capabilities, content and skills needed to respond

to the demands of today's society.

To educate means to train the student in the habit of

intellectual rigor, structured reasoning, and in the appre-

ciation of beauty; it means to cultivate sensitivity,

memory, imagination; and finally, to develop the art of

communication and the ability to express oneself clear-

ly and elegantly.

To form is to lead the student to become a person for

others, with an upright ethical code, sensitivity toward

the needs of others- especially the most disadvantaged

- and an openness to human and spiritual values. . In this way students are prepared not just for profes-

sional success, but also for their self-realization as per-

sons and authentic Christians in the various facets of

their personal and professional lives. .

Administration

Mr. John T. Calk President Mrs. Jennifer Patel Principal Mrs. Rosario Echavez Dean of Academics Mrs. Elizabeth Simutis Admissions Director Mrs. Allison Walsh Director of Development Mrs. Anne O’Donovan Administrative Assistant Mrs. Kathleen Calk Parent Association Fr. Matthew Kaderabek Chaplain

Faculty

Mrs. Maureen Kowalski PK-3 Mrs. Barbara Campanella PK-4 Miss Mary Sponseller Kindergarten Mrs. Geraldine Lagman 1st Grade Miss Carolyn Munda 2nd Grade Miss Elizabeth Friers 3rd Grade Mrs. Julie Biasco 4th Grade Mr. Matthew Nuccio 5th Grade & Grade 4th Spanish Miss Sarah Kinzler 6th Grade Homeroom, Middle School Language Arts & Religion Mrs. Loredana Fuller 7th Grade Homeroom, Middle School Science & Math Mr. John Stack 8th Grade Homeroom, Middle School History, Religion & Math Ms. Marianela Gonzalez Spanish (Grades 3-8) Mrs. Maritza Finlayson Spanish (Prek3-2nd Grade) Miss Katie McCarthy Art & After-Care Director Mrs. Julie Handrich PK-4 Aide & Physical education Mrs. Denean Gorman PK-3 Aide/ Extended Day Mrs. Debbie Sapienza PK-3 Extended Day

East Lake Academy 13911 W. Laurel Dr. / Lake Forest, IL 60045

(847) 247-0035

www.eastlakeacademy.org

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

COMMUNITY NEWS Many blessings and miracles come from our school on a daily basis.

Praise God for all the good news!

Mrs. Fuller & family welcomed their se-

cond son this summer.

Scott James Fuller - born on July 2, 2011

1:38 p.m. 8 lbs. 9oz.

21 inches long

Big brother Peter is enjoying his new little

brother.

Mr. and Mrs. Patel were wed on July 8th

at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago, Illinois.

Do you have exciting news you’d like to share?

Please let us know by contacting Mrs. Lori Fuller at:

East Lake Academy (847) 247-0035

east lake academy september nn rr · highlights include outdoor games and activities, a rosary...

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