Important Fall 2022 Update from Principal Schrantz

Dear Josephinum Community,                                                  

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year! I want to begin by extending a warm welcome to the new members of the Josephinum community. This year, we are incredibly excited to report that several new young women will be joining our student body. In addition, I am pleased to introduce you to the new faculty for the 2022-23 school year:

  • Ms. Ana Contreras, Spanish Teacher
  • Mr. Gregory Hanrahan, Science Teacher
  • Mr. Matthew Hughes, Science Teacher
  • Mr. Joseph Karamanski, Social Sciences Teacher
  • Ms. Caitlyn Knor, College and Career Counselor
  • Ms. Jo Laughran, English Teacher
  • Ms. Sejeong Lee, Mathematics Teacher
  • Mr. Joseph Lewis, Theology Teacher/Retreat and Service Coordinator
  • Ms. Elizabeth Murphy, Theology Teacher
  • Mr. Christopher Parr, Mathematics Teacher

In an effort to ensure we are offering a holistic education that meets the intellectual, social, spiritual, and emotional needs of our students, we have designed a new administrative structure that contains representation from all major departments within the high school. The 2022-2023 Principal Team has grown to include multiple members. I am confident that the Principal’s Team will lead Josephinum through a fun and successful school year. Please join me in welcoming the new Principal Team:

  • Principal: Mrs. Colleen Schrantz
  • Head of Admissions: Ms. Kathryn Bartholomew
  • Dean of Students: Ms. Jillian Knapczyk
  • Co-Directors of Student Services: Ms. Olivia Landry and Ms. Samantha Pucci
  • Director of Development: Ms. Carly McGuire
  • Director of Student Life and Partnerships: Ms. Monique Norington-Joseph
  • Dean of Instruction and Science Curriculum: Ms. Nancy To
  • Dean of Academic Operations: Mr. Brendan Vivoda
  • Athletic Director and Compliance Manager: Mr. Erik Ziolkowski

While we recognize the struggles of the past, COVID being a large challenge, we look forward to brighter days ahead. As we excitedly prepare ourselves and our building to welcome back our students in the coming days, our commitment remains the same: to provide our students with the tools and resources to empower them to be leaders, changemakers and visionaries of tomorrow. We look forward to the partnership that we will form with all of our families and the learning and growing that will take place.

This year we continue to follow the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which accredits us as an Illinois approved non-public high school, along with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in making COVID -19 related decisions for the school year. As we begin the school year, we are reminded of some of the safety protocols that we now look to as respectful measures in keeping our community safe. We encourage all to keep a safe distance from one another, frequently wash or sanitize your hands and bring a water bottle from home to stay hydrated. While we encourage masks, especially if you have been exposed to COVID, feeling under the weather, or experiencing any cold symptoms, masks are optional. Lastly, it is very important that you update our office with any COVID illness or vaccination updates.

Due to our sincere commitment to educate all students to reach their highest academic potential, I look forward to continuing a productive partnership with you, as we support our students in reaching their highest academic potential, discovering their unique place in the world, and growing as confident, faith-filled leaders.  As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success, and as a school, we will continue to do our very best to achieve our mission. In doing so, we look to the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart to provide the foundation for our school program. As a school of the Sacred Heart, Josephinum commits itself to:

  • A Personal and active faith in God
  • A deep respect for intellectual values
  • A social awareness which impels to action
  • The building of community as a Christian value
  • A personal growth in the atmosphere of wise freedom

Today, I ask that each of us commits to the reinforcement of these goals in the lives of our students. As a cornerstone of the partnership we have entered with your family, communication is essential. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us and we will promise to do the same. Our shared commitment must be to communicate openly, respectfully and responsively. You will find the contact information for the administration included on a flyer attached to this mailing.

Just a reminder, student orientation for incoming Freshmen and transfer students will be held on Monday, August 22nd, from 8:30am-12:00pm. Orientation is mandatory for all new students. School begins on Tuesday, August 23rd. All students should arrive promptly by 8:30am, in full uniform. Please contact the front office if you have any questions.

Please continue to keep our Josephinum community in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to ramp up for the new school year together. We appreciate your ongoing support, patience, flexibility and commitment. I look forward to continuing our work together as we support our students’ success. I hope you enjoy your final days of summer!

Your partner in education,

Principal Colleen Schrantz's signature

Colleen Schrantz
Principal

Reminders:

Uniforms - With the start of the new school year, we want you to return looking your best in uniform. Gray skirts or pants may be purchased at our provider, Schoolbelles. Register for an account first at http://www.schoolbelles.com/register. You may then purchase uniform items by typing our code s2361 under "School Code" in the "Shop By School" section in the top left corner of the website. Shorts and sweaters will be available for purchase later in summer, this will include a 3/4 zip-up (as frequently requested by the students!).

Lunch Forms - You have received an email from Ms. Letty about free and reduced lunch forms. Lunch will no longer be free for all. It is essential that all families complete this document. Not only does it qualify your student for free or reduced lunch; the student could also qualify for ACT/SAT and college application waivers. It is extremely important that you get this information in.

IEP and 504 plans - If your student has an individualized education plan or health related 504 plans, please make sure that you reach out to Ms. Olivia Landry at olivia.landry@josephinum.org to make sure we have all appropriate documentation on file to serve your student.