Charger Check-In

Dear SCA Families!

What a great start to the school year! It has been wonderful to have all of your children back within the building! We are so excited to see the new friendships forming already with our existing students and new students. As well as our new preschool friends making their forever friends!

The beginning of the school year can also cause some kiddos stress and anxiety. We know the separation can be difficult as well as for those students that are entering a new building for the first time. We hope these transitions are going smooth! Please communicate any concerns you have with your teachers, we are here to help your child grow both academically and emotionally!

Thank you to FSA for organizing the ice cream social and congratulations to our raffle winners! An extra thank you, to the Herrmann Family for providing the Ice Cream from the Evergreen Park Culvers! Our events would not be successful if it were not for the generosity of all of you! We are grateful!

God Bless and Go Chargers!

Ms. Kimberly Zerth

Please be mindful to remain behind the orange cones and along the guardrail for arrival and dismissal for K-6th grade. The reason for this is two-fold:

• Child Safety
• Student separation and responsibility

• Crossing guards are located at Pulaski Rd. at 107th St., Kedvale Ave. at 107th St., and at the Green Strip on Kedvale Ave.
  

• Before school crossing guards arrive at 7:40AM and leave at 8:05AM

• After school crossing guards arrive just before student dismissal and remain for 15 minutes after dismissal time.

• The construction project on Pulaski Rd. at 107th St. is still impacting foot traffic and making an already challenging crossing more difficult. Please use extra time and caution and remain vigilant when crossing at this intersection.

• Kedvale Ave. (between 107th St. and 105th St.) and Karlov Ave. (between 105th Pl. and 106th Pl.) are designated school zones with a maximum speed limit of 20 MPH.

• Illinois law prohibits the use of cell phones and other handheld devices while driving in a posted school speed zone. This applies to all drivers, regardless of age.

• The North parking lot is reserved for faculty only. It should not be used for through traffic, student drop-off, or pick-up, as there is significant student foot traffic during these times.

Construction on the rectory beginning 8/17 may impact pick up and drop off.

These banners are more than just a decoration, they are a reminder to our CHARGERS that hard work, dedication, and perseverance pay off! We are so excited to see our athletes continue to work hard and strive to reach their goals both athletically and academically!

We hope to continue adding to this for years to come and watch our gym fill with reminders of all the amazing accomplishments of our Chargers!

LET’S GO CHARGERS!!! ❤️🖤⚡️

🙏Join us at Mass for backpack blessings!

• Labor Day

• 6:30-8:30PM
• Classroom Teachers will provide details

• Aftercare available

• More details to come!

• PreK - 8th Grade

10/8 -- No extended care

To begin the school year, students may wear gym uniforms. This will continue until the weather cools, sometime in October. An exact date will be provided at that time.

7th and 8th Grades enter and dismiss from Door #2

5th and 6th Grades enter and dismiss from Door #11

PreK 4 AM and full-day enters from Door #15

PreK4 AM dismisses from either Door #1 or Door #11

PreK 4 full day dismisses from either Door #13 or Door #14

PreK 3 AM and full-day, Kindergarten, and 1st through 4th Grades enter and dismiss from Door #9

PreK 3 PM enter in Door #15 and dismiss Door#15

Parents are asked not to cross the second line of cones during arrival and dismissal

Saint Catherine of Alexandria School is pleased to welcome Erica Thomas as the new

teacher for the Preschool 3 Half-Day Program. Erica is passionate about educating young

children in a positive, fun, and nurturing Christian environment where students feel safe, loved,

and encouraged to explore, learn, and grow each day.

With years of experience working with children in both early childhood and elementary

education settings, she brings warmth, creativity, patience, and dedication to the

classroom. Her background includes teaching preschool and kindergarten, as well as social

studies and cursive writing. She has also served as a preschool and kindergarten teaching

assistant, substitute teacher, extended care coordinator, and assistant director for a local daycare.

This diverse experience allows her to support children academically, socially, and emotionally

during these important foundational years.

Erica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Northern Illinois University

and is currently pursuing her masters degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement

in Special Education. Before transitioning into education, she worked for nearly twenty years as

a project manager for a major healthcare insurer, where she developed strong leadership,

communication, and organizational skills that continue to benefit her in the classroom.

A dedicated community member, Erica has spent many years actively supporting

schools, youth programs, and family-centered initiatives. She has volunteered through athletics,

parent organizations, and school events, always striving to help children and families feel

connected and supported. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Erica has been married to her husband, Tito, for 22 years and is the proud mother of

Nygel and Jadyn, and grandmother of Amarri. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending

live music events, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Erica is thrilled to begin this new journey at Saint Catherine of Alexandria School and

looks forward to partnering with families to create a joyful, engaging, and faith-filled preschool

experience for her young learners.

My name is Vicki Jacklin, and I am so excited to be the new kindergarten teacher this coming year! I am passionate about creating a warm, safe, and engaging classroom where every child feels valued, encouraged, and excited to learn.

A little about me… this will be my 5th year teaching in a catholic school. I am a catholic school graduate – I attended Queen of Martyrs and Mother McAuley back in the 1900’s, as the kids would say. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College and received my Master’s in Elementary Education from WGU. Besides work, I am a mom of 2 wonderful girls (a soon-to-be freshman at St. Olaf College and a soon-to-be sophomore at McAuley). I am also married to an awesome husband who is a Mt. Carmel grad! Together, we are raising our girls in our strong Catholic faith on the South Side of Chicago, in the house I grew up in. When I am not at home doing house stuff, you can usually catch me on the softball field watching my oldest or at the courts watching the younger one play volleyball. We are very involved in their sports and love traveling to watch them do their thing.

I look forward to helping the students grow and become leaders both in and out of class in this great community.

Hello SCA staff my name is Kelly Jaros. I have been married to my husband Todd for 11yrs . Our son, Jaxon, is 8 yrs old and this year he is going into 3rd grade at St Catherine’s. I have been a stay at home mom for 9 yrs and prior to that I worked in the medical field as a medical assistant. I grew up in Oak Lawn just steps away from St Catherine’s and graduated from Richards HS. I began volunteering at St Catherine’s as a lunch mom two years ago, and I really enjoyed working with the wonderful parents, staff, and students. I realized that I wanted a bigger role in being a part of the SCA community. This year I am joining St Catherine’s as a Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant. As a parent myself I understand the importance that teachers and teachers aides have in our children’s lives. I am excited to see them grow educationally and spiritually. Looking forward to a great year ahead! Go Chargers!!

Hello Charger Family! I’m so excited to teach 1st grade at SCA! I am a graduate of SCA, a

proud mother to 5 great kids along with my husband John, and an active member of the school

and church community. I have taught 1st grade at Queen of Martyrs in the past, and for the last

2 years I have been an aide in 2nd grade here at SCA. I can’t say enough about the SCA

community and I look forward to shaping and supporting young Chargers to be the best

versions of themselves.

My name is Abby McGrail, and I am a lifelong South Side resident. I attended St. Barnabas and Mother McAuley, and I am proud to now be part of the school community as a parent. My husband, Jack, and I have two daughters, Audrey, who is in 2nd grade, and Delaney, who is in Kindergarten, at SCA.

For the past 12 years, I have worked at Merrill Lynch as a Wealth Management Client Associate. While I have valued my career and the experience it has given me, I recently decided to make a career change. I know how quickly the younger years pass, and I want to be more present and involved in my children’s lives while also using my skills to make a positive difference in the lives of other children.

As a parent and a longtime member of the community, I understand how important it is for children to feel safe, supported, encouraged, and cared for at school. I am patient, dependable, organized, and compassionate, and I truly enjoy helping children learn, grow, and feel confident.

Outside of school, our family enjoys spending time together. We love doing puzzles, playing board games, bowling, and swimming. I am excited for this next chapter and look forward to bringing my experience, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and love of children to the classroom and the SCA community.

As someone who was raised in the Catholic faith, I’m especially excited to be part of the St. Catherine of Alexandria community. My Catholic upbringing taught me the importance of faith, kindness, service, and treating others with compassion and respect. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a school environment where these values are an important part of our students’ education and everyday experiences. I grew up in Mt. Greenwood and attended Queen of Martyrs, Mother McAuley, and Saint Xavier University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Early in my career, I worked as a substitute teacher at Queen of Martyrs and coached girls’ volleyball. These experiences gave me the opportunity to connect with students, encourage teamwork, and help them build confidence both on and off the court. My professional career has also centered around public service, giving me the opportunity to work with families and community members through local, county, and state government, including involvement with law enforcement and special programs within the public sector. These experiences have strengthened my appreciation for serving others, building strong communities, and making a positive difference in the lives of those around me.

I currently live in Homer Glen with my husband, Dave. I’m looking forward to getting to know the SCA students, families, and staff and to becoming part of a community that supports, encourages, and inspires our students to grow and thrive. My husband and I enjoy going to our family home in Arizona. I like to golf and enjoy checking out all the different golf courses in Arizona.

Teaching has been my passion over 20 years. I am excited to share it with SCA this school year as a Math resource teacher. For the past 10 years, I had the privilege of teaching third grade at Christ the King School where I created a welcoming classroom that inspired curiosity, built confidence, and helped every child reach their full potential. I believe every student learns differently, and I enjoy working with families and colleagues to provide the support each child needs to succeed, especially in mathematics.

My connections to St. Catherine of Alexandria is especially meaningful because it has been a part of my family's life for generations. I am a proud SCA alumna (Class of 1988), and my children, Moira (Class of 2018) and Luke (Class of 2020), are also SCA graduates. Returning to serve the SCA community is both a privilege and a meaningful opportunity to give back to the school that helped shape my family.

Mrs. Zawaski will serve as a resource to strengthen partnerships between home and school for parents. Mrs. Zawaski will help coordinate a new program for our students facing academic ineligibility. This afterschool program will provide students with structured academic support, homework assistance, organization, and study skills. She will collaborate with teachers and administration to identify students who may benefit from additional interventions.

Mrs. Zawaski will also serve as a primary contact for families seeking support, assist with school enrollment, registration, and prospective student tours.

We are excited to have her as our family and student service coordinator. She has been with SCA for many years and is a wealth of knowledge!

jzawaski@scaoaklawn.org

The current completion date for Kane Hall is on track as scheduled for September 14th.

Thank you for your commitment to Catholic Education! We are so blessed to have such a strong School and Parish Community! This year's letter is HERE! A paper copy was sent home.

We are so blessed to have Mrs. LaRocco on staff here at SCA! She provides support to teachers, students, and works in partnership with parents. She has been working hard on creating an environment where students feel supported and continuing to promote kindness and positivity both inside and outside of school.

🌻🍁 Newsletters resume in September!

Website: https://www.scaoaklawn.org/home
SCA Address: 10621 S. Kedvale, Oak Lawn IL 60453
Phone: (708) 425-5547
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrUjA3atD/?mibextid=wwXIfr