MS. RACHEL GEMO,
HEAD OF PARISH SCHOOL
April 23, 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 35
THE BUZZ FROM MS. GEMO | LOWER SCHOOL NEWS - GRADES PRESCHOOL-3
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS - GRADES 4-8 | WEEKLY CALENDAR | HSA
Dear SBPS Parents and Guardians,
On Saturday, our 8th graders will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation and be welcomed fully into the Catholic Church. We are proud of our 8th graders and we look forward to this special day. Please pray for our 8th graders this weekend.
Next week, our middle school students participate in their grade level AGORA trips. We’ve been preparing all year - studying the places we will be visiting - and are now ready to travel. Sixth graders do a deep dive into Chicago neighborhoods. Seventh grade travels around the region - visiting Springfield, St. Louis, Galena, Milwaukee and more. Our eighth grade visits our nation’s capital and experiences the wonderful city of Washington DC. We invite our families to follow along. Please use the following Instagram accounts to see what our students are experiencing. I am fortunate to be traveling with our 8th graders and know we will have an amazing, memorable experience. Please keep us all in your prayers.
Agora Instagrams - Follow Us!
@ sbps_agorachicago2026
@ sbps_agoraillinois26
@ sbps_agoradc2026
This is the last call for Advisory Board Member applications. Thank you to all the parents who have submitted your applications. There are many great projects on the horizon and it is an important time to serve on the board.
There’s a lot more important information below. Be sure to check out the following:
Middle School Spring Fling RSVP and Info
Benedictine Children’s Invite to Sing for the Pope in December 2028 - see below to learn more
Summer Camp Registration
Please find listed below important dates:
April 23, 2026 - Advisory Board Applications Due - see below for details
April 25, 2026 - 8th Grade Confirmation at 1PM in church
April 27, 2026 - No school for students grades 6-8 - Agora prep day
April 27, 2026 - Virtual Parent Workshop at 6:30PM (see info below) RISE Together in partnership with DePaul University
May 1, 2026 - 3rd Grade Wax Museum
April 27-May 1, 2026 - AGORA TRIPS for grades 6, 7 and 8
May 4, 2026 - Safe and Sacred Parent Workshop - Parent Presentation on Family Life, Puberty and more - what we teach and how to talk to your children (in person)
May 6, 2026 - Papal Liturgy - Pueri Cantores International Choir Opportunity Parent Information Session (Virtual)
May 7, 2026 - Middle School Spring Fling - see below for RSVP and dress code
May 8, 2026 - No School - Professional Development Day
May 11-15, 2026 - Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 12, 2026 - Athletics social for 3rd grader parents - RSVP information below
May God bless us all!
Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School
Ms. Gemo’s Prayer Corner
Please pray for Ms. Zadrozny’s nephew, Cody, who is currently serving on the USS Lincoln in the Middle East. Please pray that God keep him and all our troops safe during the current conflict in the region.
EASTER PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for the joy of Easter and the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who through His Resurrection brings us hope, renewal, and everlasting life. As we celebrate this sacred season, bless our school families with peace, faith, and gratitude. May the light of the Risen Christ guide our children as they grow in wisdom, compassion, and love, and strengthen us as partners in nurturing hearts rooted in Your truth. Fill our homes with the joy of Easter and help us to live each day as witnesses of Your mercy and grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.