Principal's Newsletter
August 28, 2025
Dear Onahan Community,
Dear Onahan Community,
Thank you to all who joined us for Essential Parent Night! It was such a pleasure to welcome so many of you into the building and to see our halls filled with families, conversation, and excitement about the school year ahead. This year’s turnout was one of our largest yet, and your presence truly made the evening a success.
Your engagement and partnership are what make Onahan such a strong and supportive community. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we work together to ensure a positive and successful year for every student.
I would also like to thank Mr. Malarsky, who donated all of the ice cream through his Dairy Queen business on Devon and Canfield. For the month of September, Onahan's school-wide social emotional focus is on "Belonging", and Mr. Malarsky has certainly helped bring our community together. Many thanks for making this night a celebration.
Biking to School?
Make sure your student has a lock for their bike at school! We don't want to take any chances.
SEL Lesson for Home
Two Roses and a Thorn is a simple way to talk about your child’s school day. Each person shares two “roses” (positive moments or things they enjoyed) and one “thorn” (a challenge, frustration, or something they wish had gone differently). This routine helps kids reflect on their day, celebrate the good, and open up about struggles in a safe, supportive way.
Need for School Fees
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to pay your school fees. The fees help support our new HMH Into Reading and Into Literature curriculum—resources not fully covered by our budget. Thanks to the PTO and Friends of Onahan, we’ve received generous support, but family contributions are still needed to ensure all students have what they need. If your child qualifies for free lunch, you can request a waiver from the main office. Thank you for helping make this possible!
CELEBRATE THE GOOD NEWS! (2nd week - too good to remove just yet) 🥳
💙💛 Onahan ranked #32 (out of 477 CPS elementary schools) in Chicago Magazine’s Top 50 Elementary Schools! This success reflects:
- Adherence to our Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP) goals
- Local School Council, PTO and Friends of Onahan unwavering support
- Strong teacher leadership
- Focus on high-quality curriculum and visible learning targets in the classroom
- Most importantly: the collaboration of talented teachers, hardworking students, and supportive families.
READY, SET, SMILE!
Send your first-day photos to Onahansmiles@gmail.com to make it in the yearbook!
CPS SCORE OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR SIGN UPS
BILINGUAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FRIENDS OF ONAHAN EVENTS
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PTO AND FRIENDS OF ONAHAN?
PTO SPECIAL DATES AND EVENTS
SCHOOL FEES
To pay student fees go to Epay (or go to onahanschool.org main page, very top corner) and use the chart below. You can select the option of One Time Payment rather than creating an account or logging in. You will need one student ID, and if you are a current student, that can be found on Aspen’s parent portal, a progress report or report card. If you are not able to pay the fees, please contact the main office at (773) 534-1180.
Student Fees Pay For:
Text books
Buses
Field Trips
Consumable Workbooks
Classroom Magazines
Novel Sets
Classroom Instructional Supplies
Personnel
Professional Development
Contracts
Web-based Subscriptions
Office Supplies
Furniture
Safety Equipment for entry and dismissal
Incentives
Tech repair
AROUND THE CLASSROOM
Fifth graders experiencing a lesson in volume.
Fifth graders learn about polymers
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Young Rembrandts
Tuition Based Art After School Program: Classes held for grades on Mondays, 9/8/25-1/26/26 @ 2:45-3:45.
🚀 Looking for a fun, active program where your child can make friends, learn skills, and have adventures?
Check Out Cub Scout Pack 3926 at its Open House & Registration Night
Friday, Sept 5 | 6:30–7:30 PM
Immaculate Conception Parish & School, 7263 W Talcott Ave, Chicago
For boys & girls in grades K–5 – yes, Cub Scouts is for everyone!
We’ll have leaders, parents, and Scouts ready to answer questions and share what makes Scouting so special
Can’t make it? Email Scouts3926@gmail.com
EPY BASKETBALL SIGN UPS
Thursday Night League for 9-12 year olds
SPHS CHEER CAMP
UPCOMING EVENTS AND DATES (more dates on website)
Happy Labor Day!