Parent School Association (PSA)
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All parents of children enrolled at St. Isaac Jogues School are members of the Parent School Association. The association is led by an executive board of parents graciously volunteering their time. This group’s mission is to facilitate parent-teacher communications, promote student programs, sponsor and direct fundraising activities and serve as a source of information for new families.
Our school community shares their time and talents with St. Isaac Jogues in many ways. Most volunteer efforts for the school are coordinated and directed through the Parent School Association. The main areas in which one can volunteer through the Parent School Association are listed to the left. We greatly value our dedicated volunteers as their contributions to Saint Isaac Jogues are truly immeasurable. As with everything we do at St. Isaac Jogues, the safety and well-being of children comes first. As such, any school or religious education volunteer who may have an opportunity to be with children during parish, school or religious education sponsored events, are required to attend a Virtus Protecting God’s Children program. Of all the safe environment programs available, Protecting God’s Children was selected by the Diocese of Joliet because it was determined to be the best possible program primarily because it is comprehensive, professional and appealing. All first time volunteers at Saint Isaac Jogues (either the school or the parish) must first complete a “Protecting God’s Children” workshop as well as submit personal information for a background check. For more information on the Protecting God’s Children program, click here. For a schedule of Protecting God’s Children workshops and to register, click here. For a free handbook “VIRTUS Practical Advice for Parents on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” click here. Major FundraisersAuctionCo-Chairs plan an auction-style party to take place in February for school parents and faculty to raise funds for PSA. Two to four Chairs are needed for a August to February commitment to plan and execute this fundraiser, the PSA’s largest. There are many subcommittees also needed including live auction, procurement, class projects, teacher outings and more.
Raffle |
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Did You Know?The cost of educating one student at SIJ is paid for in three ways:
Parent School Association Board of Directors: Co-Presidents: Kristine Jeka and Michelle Wake Co-Vice Presidents: Christine McCarty and Kelly Riordan Treasurer: Maureen Potempa Secretary: Maureen Bartoli |
Two or three Chairs are needed each year to plan and execute fundraising through student sales of raffle tickets in the fall. The chairs need to secure prizes for both the raffle winners and to reward students for the most ticket sales. This is the PSA’s second largest fundraiser and the only student involved fundraiser. This is a September to October commitment.
Classroom Assistance
Art Awareness
The Art Awareness program exposes students to the world’s greatest artists and their masterpieces. Parent volunteers teach students about the history, technique and style of renowned artists and their artwork. The volunteers then lead students in a related art project. Twenty-five original pieces of artwork created by students in the Art Awareness program are hung each quarter in St. Luke’s Lane, a gallery that bridges the first floor hallway and the library wing, and in other prominent locations throughout the school. This is the Art Awareness program’s eleventh year at SIJ.
Playground Duty
The Playground Duty Chair solicits and coordinates all playground volunteers. Volunteers are needed daily, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to monitor playground activity during recess.
Room Parent Chair
This Chair, a one school-year commitment, assigns room parent volunteers to each classroom. This position is offered first to previous auction chairs.
Room Parent
Room Parents, a one school-year commitment, assist teachers in organizing parent volunteers for special class events and field trips. There are a limited number of these popular positions (two per classroom).
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Communications
Families First Business Directory
This volunteer will maintain a SIJ school family business directory which is available for everyone on the website to help market our own school community’s businesses. This commitment will require attention for periodic updates.
Hospitality
Chairs coordinate the Kindergarten Tea in the spring for incoming Kindergartener parents as well as the new family welcome party in the fall. New families are matched with existing families with same grade children to help new families acclimate to the SIJ community. Volunteers are needed to organize parent/children get-togethers to welcome new families.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Enrichment Programs
Career Days
Develop, organize and oversee a program that allows parents to educate and share their career insights and experience with our 7th and 8th grade students.
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Service Club
Organize and oversee a program which gives students opportunities to perform community service to complete their confirmation requirement.
Musical Theatre Production
Chairs coordinate a 6th through 8th grade spring musical production. Volunteers are needed throughout the entire process for various sub-committees and 10 to 12 volunteers are needed to work every rehearsal and the 2 shows. This is a January to March commitment.
Science Fair
The Kindergarten through 4th grade Science Fair is an opportunity for the children to explore a topic of their own choosing in their own way. The children can design and implement an experiment, or research and report on a topic. It is a fun experience and event designed for the young students to learn about science with their parents help. Volunteers are required to encourage participation, organize and run the event.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Faculty Assistance
Library
Volunteers are needed to assist the Librarian 2 1/2 hours per week. These positions become available when existing parent volunteers “retire” or leave the school. If there are no openings and you would like to assist in the future, please continue to sign up each year. Contact Mrs. Veselik at 630-323-3244 ext 245 for more information on the position.
8th Grade Parent Coordinator
This position is to help with communication between the 8th grade teachers and parents. The 8th grade year is filled with events so it is helpful for the teachers to have one parent to coordinate all event-related communication between the parents and the teachers. It is best if this parent is an “experienced” parent who has already had a student graduate from SIJ. Please contact Mrs. Joan Latto at 630-323-3244 ext 271 directly, if you are interested.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Product Sales
Book Fair
Chairs work with our supplier to offer a selection of books for students, parents, teachers and the Parish to purchase during 4 days in early November. Chairs also are responsible for setting up the fair, coordinating volunteers and processing orders. Volunteers help with set-up, cashiering and assisting student shoppers during school hours.
School Supplies
Co-Chairs work with teachers to develop comprehensive supply lists and coordinate with our vendor, Innisbrook.com, to develop the supply packages for each grade. The Chairs encourage families to order supplies by the deadline in June.
Special Monday Lunch
The Co-Chairs choose area restaurant vendors and plan menus, collect payments from students, and coordinate volunteers. Volunteers are needed every Monday to distribute the catered lunches to students between 11:20 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Uniform Resale/Spirit Wear
The Co-Chairs collect and resell gently used uniforms throughout the school year. The Co-Chairs also work with a vendor to order Spirit Wear – SIJ-themed clothing and accessories. Volunteers are needed to assist in selling uniforms and Spirit Wear at various times throughout the year.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Special Events
Cookies with Claus
This service program is hosted by the 7th grade for the children of the parish to meet Santa Claus and enjoy holiday snacks and crafts. Two Chairs are needed to help coordinate a variety of sub-committees to plan the event for one Saturday afternoon in early December. This is an October to December commitment.
Cotillion
Two to three Chairs coordinate various sub-committees and volunteers to plan an 8th grade graduation dinner dance. Dance classes for the students, a video and a memory book are also activities that must be managed. Chairs must be 8th grade parents, and at least one boy and one girl parent is required. Sub-committee volunteers are also needed.
In the event of a volunteer sign up conflict, priority will be given to volunteers who have served as a major Committee Chair in the past, PSA Board or School Commission member, or general volunteer. This is a school year commitment.
In the event of a volunteer sign up conflict, priority will be given to volunteers who have served as a major Committee Chair in the past, PSA Board or School Commission member, or general volunteer. This is a school year commitment.
Field Day
Chairs are need to coordinate a fun-filled day of friendly competition between the classes featuring indoor and outdoor games and lunch for a designated day in May. Game leaders are needed as well as several sub-committee positions. Volunteers are also needed to work the games, serve lunch and provide first aid. This is a March to May commitment.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
Volunteer selections are made on a first-come, first serve basis relative to receipt of sign up forms only. Volunteers must have completed the Protecting God’s Children program and have had a background check. Both documents must be on file in the parish office.
PSA Volunteer Form
We thank you for your continued support of the SIJ PSA and invite you to consider how you can volunteer in the current school year as well as the next school year. Much success has been experienced when Chairs/volunteers observe an organized committee first. Information is passed cohesively from year to year so the new volunteers are not “reinventing the wheel” unnecessarily, and more time is available to focus on improving the process and achieving the best possible outcome! It is through parent participation that the PSA is able to raise the funding necessary to keep tuition affordable and provide the highest quality education and learning environment for our children.
Thank you!
Thank you!
