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SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
We at Holy Cross School fully embrace the traditions and values of the
Catholic faith. Because we are a Catholic school of the Archdiocese of
Chicago, we can and do discuss morality and ethical behavior as it relates to
the students. There is a conscious effort to help our students develop and
maintain a value system that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Our faculty and staff serve as role models to demonstrate a life of faith and
the Christian behavior we strive to develop in our students. In religious
education classes, teachers also explain the basic beliefs of the Catholic
Church, prepare students for the sacraments, and discuss Scripture.
The students' faith is further strengthened through:
• Daily Prayer
• Frequent classroom visits by Holy Cross Church Pastor, Rev. Harold B. Stanger
• Weekly Mass for each grade level
• Seasonal all-school prayer services and Masses
• Sacrament of First Reconciliation
• Sacrament of First Communion
• Altar Server Training
• Liturgical Ministry
• Choir
• Service Projects
• May Crowning
• Holy Week Dramatization
• Christmas Music Show
• Mentoring Programs
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
At Holy Cross School we are committed to giving our children the best
education possible. With a staff of dedicated, caring, and highly qualified
faculty, we emphasize academic excellence, spiritual development, and social
responsibility.
Our teachers evaluate the individual learning styles of their students and
incorporate different teaching strategies in their classrooms to help benefit
all children. We publish our curriculum and syllabi and keep parents fully
informed, acknowledging that parents are the primary teachers and motivators.
On national standardized tests, our students excel in math, language, reading,
science, and social studies. Their scores are among the top in the country.
Our students are also consistent winners in academic competitions.
Holy Cross graduates are well prepared for high school. They consistently earn
National Merit Scholarships, become members of the National Honor Society, and
receive many other prestigious honors at the schools they attend. Our alumni
go to local Catholic and public high schools. And, they attend colleges and
universities across the country, including Northwestern University, Notre Dame
University, University of Illinois, Georgetown University, University of
Southern California, Boston University, DePaul University, University of
Wisconsin, and Ohio State University.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
To help our students grow physically, socially, and emotionally, we offer
extracurricular activities to keep the students and community strong.
Our sports programs give students the opportunity to play on teams with their
classmates and they often rank among the best in their leagues. The volunteer
coaches let all students who want to play, play; aim to develop fundamental
skills while teaching the basic rules and regulations; and model team play and
good sportsmanship.
We offer:
• Basketball for girls and boys starting in 5th grade
• Football for boys starting in 5th grade
• Volleyball for girls starting in 6th grade
• Track for girls and boys starting in 5th grade
In addition to sports, we have many other programs to keep the students
involved and proud of their school. Our students excel in these programs
competitively. Our students also frequently receive awards from the Optimist
Club for their community service projects.
Students can participate in many other activities, for example:
• Choir/Chorus beginning in 4th grade
• Chimes beginning in 4th grade
• Band beginning in 4th grade
• Spirit Squad beginning in 5th grade
• Junior High Student Council
• Musical/Drama Productions
• Community service projects and outreach
We also host after-school activities in our facilities for the convenience of
our students and their parents. These include:
• International Foreign Language Immersion Program. A full-immersion language
program in
either French or Spanish for students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.
• Scouting for boys and girls.
• After School Clubs: Chess, Computer, Homework, Art, Knitting/Crochet,
Baseball
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
PRE-KINDERGARTEN: The Holy Cross pre-kindergarten program emphasizes the
development of fine and large motor skills, socialization, academic readiness
skills, language development, and enrichment. All of this is taught through
positive play experiences in a classroom that features many age-appropriate
games and toys. The children in this program also use other school facilities
like the gym and playground.
Our pre-kindergarteners are four years old by September 1 and attend class
Monday through Friday mornings.
KINDERGARTEN The Holy Cross kindergarten is designed to meet the child’s
social, emotional, spiritual, and academic needs. The teachers provide a
supportive learning program of values, compassion, charity, and empathy that
incorporates the 3 R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness. Through
this philosophy we offer the students an environment that is safe, respectful,
challenging, and exciting. We believe kindergarten is a great place to learn
and grow. We also think children who believe they are cared for, care for
others.
Our kindergarteners’ academic studies focus on math and reading readiness,
social studies, science, art, and religion. We find that the kindergarteners
also love to participate in other school programs such as physical education,
music, computer lab, library, cultural arts presentations, art appreciation
classes, and field trips.
The Holy Cross kindergarten program is certified by the State of Illinois as
well as the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our kindergarteners must be five years old
by September 1.
To register your child in one of our early childhood programs, simply complete
a registration form and provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate as
well as a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate, if applicable. We begin
our registration process in December.
If you would like to meet with one of our teachers, observe a class, receive a
registration form, or just have a question about a program, please call us at
847-945-0135 or you may send us an e-mail at kanderson@holycrossparish.net. We
will be happy to help you with your first steps in joining our family.
EXTENDED CARE HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
To help families who need child care or additional activities and
socialization around school hours, we work with a state certified agent who
offers a variety of clubs right in our school. Children enrolled in Connie’s
Club, Inc., enjoy indoor and outdoor play, tutoring, math and science
activities, arts and crafts, and story times. They also have a roomful of
computers, toys, games, puzzles, & books for their use.
Early Bird Club meets daily from 7 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. for drop off before
school.
Lunch Bunch meets daily from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This program is open to
pre-kindergarteners.
P.M. Club meets daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for children attending morning
classes.
After School Club meets daily from 2:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is open for all
students with 7th grade and 8th
graders welcome as junior counselors.
Half-Day Club meets 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on days when school is dismissed
at 11:30. Students of all ages
may attend. Pre-registration is required for this club. Connie’s Clubs is also
open on in-
service days and some holidays..
If you would like more information about the extended-day clubs, please call
Connie Jurewicz at 847-572-5160. She will be happy to talk with you.
To register your child in one of Connie’s Clubs, complete a registration form
in February or as soon as you know your family’s needs. A limited number of
drop-in slots are available. You can receive a registration form by contacting
Connie Jurewicz at 847-572-5160.
FACT SHEET HOLY CROSS SCHOOL FACTS
Holy Cross School offers an academic and spiritual education for
children from preschool through 8th grade. Students grow up together and form
special bonds that last a lifetime. Families, too, form friendships and
support systems and find it especially rewarding to have their children in one
school community for several years.
CLASS SIZE
Approximately 225 families choose to send their children to Holy
Cross School. We have an enrollment of nearly 400 children who are divided
into two classes per grade. The student to teacher ratio is 16.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Our students are taught and nurtured by 26 outstanding teachers. We
are extremely proud of our teachers’ skills. They are well prepared to teach
at any school but they have chosen to help spread the message of a solid
Catholic education. More than half of our teachers have earned at least a
master’s degree and they all meet federal and state teaching requirements.
They enroll in continuing education classes and have an average of 18 years
experience in the classroom. Our teachers also routinely receive commendations
from alumni and high school teachers for their teaching skills and their
positive influence on the students.
To complement our teachers’ efforts, we have teachers’ assistants
in the classrooms. Our staff also includes three nurses who tend to students’
health needs when necessary. And, our office staff is available to provide
support for students and their parents. The children also benefit from the
expertise of our many talented parents who teach special classes throughout
the year.
SPECIAL SERVICES
We provide an enriched environment for our students who have mild to
moderate special needs to help them meet their academic potential. A Special
Services Teacher and Coordinator organizes individualized programs for
students who benefit from speech therapy, remedial instruction, and learning
disability programs. She also works closely with the public school districts
from which the students come.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to an excellent academic program, we offer:
• Cultural Arts Presentations
• Art Appreciation Classes
• Junior Great Books Program
• Accelerated Reading Program
(for upper grades)
• Discover and D.A.R.E. (drug
awareness programs)
• Common Ground (social
justice skill development program)
• Mentoring Programs (7th &
8th graders help Kindergarteners & 1st graders learn
how to read)
SCHOOL FACILITIES: 18 classrooms, Library, Technology Lab, Science Lab,
(Junior High) Art Room, Music Room, Resource Room, (Special Services)
Gymnasium, (high school regulation-sized) with a stage, Lunch Room/Community
Room
FACT SHEET HOLY CROSS SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Our students receive free bus service if they live within District
109 boundaries and are more than 1½ miles away from Holy Cross School.
(District 112 students who live near the District 109 boundary may also
qualify. Contact the school transportation coordinator for details.) They also
may ride if they live closer but must cross a major intersection or railroad
tracks. Students may ride the bus for a fee if they live within the 1½ miles
and do not need to cross a dangerous intersection or railroad tracks.
Students also arrive at our school by walking, riding bicycles, or
riding in cars. A crossing guard helps children who walk or ride their bikes
and cross at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Hazel Road. Students may
lock their bikes on the bike racks near the east entrance of the school.
Parents who drive their children to school follow an organized drop-off and
pick-up traffic pattern that the Deerfield Police Department helped us design.
Families can receive partial reimbursement for transportation
expenses if they live outside of District 109 or if they meet the District’s
bus criteria but incur expenses for transporting their children to Holy Cross
School.
PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION HOLY CROSS SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
Holy Cross School, a Catholic educational community, is an integral
part of Holy Cross Parish, embracing the traditions and values of our Catholic
faith. Children are considered unique individuals and are provided with
spiritual, academic, physical, & social guidance.
We are dedicated to academic excellence and the nurturing of
lifelong curiosity and self-discipline within a Catholic educational setting.
The educational programs strive to meet the various learning styles of our
students. We believe that children learn best when they are participants in
the learning process. Through instruction, example, and experience, our
children develop basic skills needed for critical thinking, problem solving,
and self direction.
Opportunities are provided to participate in worship and daily
prayer, and to study Church doctrine, scripture, and the sacraments. Based on
the moral and ethical values exemplified by the life of Jesus, there is a
conscious effort made to develop, model, and maintain a value system that the
students recognize in the school environment and in their own lives.
Students are involved in outreach programs within the parish and
community to empower them to use their own resources to be contributors to a
peaceful and just society.
MISSION STATEMENT
Holy Cross School is a Catholic educational community committed to
academic excellence, deepening of Christian values, and fostering of service
to society. Supported by Holy Cross Parish, dedicated parents, and devoted
faculty, the school actively participates in the Catholic mission of
evangelization. The school provides a quality education to ensure that the
students become lifelong learners. Students grow spiritually through faith,
witness, and prayer by being called to live out the Gospel message. Emphasis
is placed on social responsibility and exemplary citizenship. Holy Cross
School develops and nurtures the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND TUITION REGISTRATION
Holy Cross students enjoy class sizes that let them participate
fully in academic, spiritual and afterschool programs. If we need to limit the
number of students that we admit, we use the following priority scale:
• Currently enrolled students
• Siblings of children already enrolled
• Children of Holy Cross parishioners
• Children of non-parishioners
If your family is transferring to Holy Cross School from a local
public school or if you recently moved to the area, your child will be
considered for admission after a consultation with our principal.
We follow the Illinois State law that requires students to reach the
correct age on or before September 1 of the given school year. Our students
are the following ages:
• Pre-Kindergarten Age 4
• Kindergarten Age 5
• First Grade Age 6
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition is an important part of our school’s annual budget. Tuition
rates are reviewed, and adjusted if necessary, each January by the Holy Cross
School Board. There are two fee schedules for Kindergarten through 8th grade:
one for Holy Cross supporting parishioners and one for non-supporting
parishioners. We consider supporting parishioners to be those families who are
active members of Holy Cross Parish and who support the parish with a
suggested minimum donation of $600 per year. Supporting parishioner’s tuition
is subsidized by Holy Cross Parish on average of $800 per child.
Families, who are unable to meet tuition expenses, may apply for
financial assistance at the time of registration.
Our families may choose to pay their tuition in annual, quarterly or
monthly installments. The Illinois private school tax adjustment allows
virtually all Holy Cross School families to receive a $500 credit on their
state income taxes.
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