January 14, 2025

New Information

i-Ready: i-Ready Diagnostic 2 test scores will be mailed along with your child’s 2nd trimester report card. This will allow you to review both their academic progress and diagnostic results together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

No School: Monday, January 20th there is no school in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Catholic Schools Week: January 29 – January 31. Catholic Schools Week
Jan 26: Celebrating Our Parishes -Wear your Uniform to Mass and site open houses
Jan 27: Celebrating Our Families - All site mass, 9:30 in the Kankakee site gym
Jan 28: Celebrating Our Students - Pizza and sundae bar provided by the BMCS café
Pizza can be purchased in the lunch line and sundaes will be given compliments of BMCS
Jan 29: Celebrating Our Community - Students will create cards to be sent to local originations
Jan 30: Celebrating Our Faculty and Staff - Students will dress at staff members
Jan 31: Celebrating Our School Spirit - Donut day sponsored by yearbook staff
                          Irish Spirit day, End of day assembly, & Grade school night from 6-7pm

Book Fair: The Book Fair will be held Monday, January 27th – Thursday, January 30th.  Students will be allowed to shop the fair during school hours and directly following school. We are also looking for Parent Ambassadors to help with the Book Fair. Please sign up here if you would like to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4DAEAB2DA3F94-54373348-catholic#/
Book Fair website: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/bishopmcnamaracatholicschl
eWallet info: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5681780

Irish Expo: February 2nd, 2025 2-4PM Bishop McNamara Kankakee Site will be showcasing all we have to offer, including a wide range of athletic programs, diverse clubs, enriching extracurricular activities, and a strong academic curriculum. Our commitment to faith formation, leadership opportunities, and financial aid ensures every student has the chance to thrive. Additionally, we encourage parental involvement through various parent committees, creating a supportive and collaborative community for all. Find out what we are all about!

Lights Out Game/ Grade School Night: Wednesday, Jan 15th Lights Out shirts will be sold during lunches for $15 each. These are for our game January 31st!

Donate While You Dine: Visit Culver’s of Bourbonnais on Wednesday, January 22nd. 10% of all sales from 5-8pm will  be donated to support the High School Girls Basketball Team.

Quarter Zips: If you met your fundraising goal by October 25, 2024 your student(s) will be receiving a quarter zip. The quarter zip can be worn as part of the uniform throughout the school day. The quarter zips arrived and the Progressive Raffle committee is beginning to fulfill all orders. Quarter zips will be sent home with your student(s) as soon as the committee has all orders fulfilled. 

Front Parking Lot: Parents and students, please remember that the spots in the front lot, closest to the school, are reserved for auction purchasers. This includes school parking, events and games! Please refrain from using these spots at any time.

Fundraising and Events

RaiseRight (formerly Scrip): Start earning tuition credit 2025-26 now! By using gift cards to pay for everyday (and not-so-everyday) expenses, each participant can earn over $1,000 each year. For every gift card purchased, you receive earnings, 50% of your earned rebate will be applied to next year’s tuition. Questions, contact Sandy Kuntz at skuntz@bmcss.org.
Market Day: Look for the monthly specials on the Market Day website (marketday.com)!

Important Information

Regular Dress Code Began on October 1st.  Junior High Students may wear all school approved tops with school approved bottoms Tops: solid white or Lands’ End evergreen polo (logo required). • Bottoms may consist of navy blue (non-denim) slacks or fingertip-length Lands’ End skirt or skort. • Black, brown, or navy belts must be worn with slacks. • Closed toe shoes are required. Shoe choice should not be a distraction for students • White, navy, or black over the ankle socks. Girls may wear white, navy, or black solid colored tights. • Undershirts should be plain white crewneck, v-neck, or tank top. • Optional sweaters, activewear, and outerwear is available on the Lands’ End website. * All skirts at fingertip length. Students wearing skirts not meeting this length requirement will not be permitted into class and received an unexcused absence. Reminder:  hoodies, sweatshirts, and spirit wear are reserved for Fridays with uniform bottoms only. Please see student handbook for more uniform information: https://www.bishopmac.com/page/student-and-parent-handbooks

Daily Announcements: There will be daily announcements posted on our website at bishopmac.com/page/announcements.

Item Drop-offs: Parents needing to drop off something during the day, please make sure to drop off at the Main Office. Please make sure the item is marked with your student's name. 

Late Students: The Junior High doors are locked at 8:01 from 2:59. Please use the main doors on Brookmont Blvd. for any student arriving late or leaving early during the school day.

Leaving Early: Any student leaving early during the day for an appointment, etc.  please call the main office in the morning.  We will give your student a pass to get out of class.   They will then come to the main office to sign out.  Students need to be retrieved at the main doors on Brookmont Blvd..  

Spirit Wear Day: Each Friday we will have a Spirit Wear Day. Your student may wear uniform bottoms with any style Bishop McNamara Catholic School shirt. 

Attention New Families! Protecting God’s Children Seminars: All parent ambassadors/volunteers are required to complete a VIRTUS/Protecting God’s Children course before assisting the school.  If you are a new parent or have not completed the course please see the information below
In order to volunteer in any capacity, i.e., classroom parties, lunch duty, parent work day etc. the Diocese requires certification. Please see the following steps for completion:
Step 1: Go to www.virtusonline.org to create an account.
Step 2: Accept and Acknowledge understanding of the Policy and Standards.
Step 3: Take the Protecting God’s Children online course through Virtus.org
Step 4: Give consent for the Name-Based Background Check through Virtus.org
Step 5: Fill out the Parent Volunteer Application

Follow BMCS Online: Be sure to “like” Bishop McNamara Catholic School on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@Bishop McNamara) and Instagram(@bishopmcnamara).  Our website is www.bishopmac.com.

Important Dates

January 20: No School. Martin Luther King Day
January 22: Midterms Sent Home
January 26: Catholic Schools Week Open House
January 26 – January 31: Catholic Schools Week
January 31: Grade School Night 6-7pm
February 1: Trivia Night, Kankakee Site
February 2: BMCS “Expo” 2-4pm, Kankakee Site
February 14: No School, Teacher Inservice
February 17: No School, President’s Day
February 28: Trimester 2 ends
March 15: Irish Alumni Event at the Kankakee Country Club, more info to come!

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