HEART to HEART Conversations with members of the Sacred Heart community
Each month, we feature members of the Sacred Heart community in our newsletter. These profiles provide a sampling of what our community has to say about their experiences at Sacred Heart Schools. We hope you enjoy the series! Our series continues this month with Stacy Jakobe, who lives in Evanston with her husband, Neill, and their two children, Eva (5th grade) and Isaiah (3rd grade). With Eva starting Middle School next year and Isaiah well into the Lower School years, Stacy and her family are approaching the midpoint of their Sacred Heart years with many great memories. They feel very grateful that Sacred Heart has exceeded their expectations and been such a great fit for their family! Here, Stacy shares some of the highlights from their experience.
On choosing Sacred Heart: The school decision was not one we took lightly. Neill and I joke that we spent more time researching and applying to elementary schools than we spent on our undergraduate and graduate applications combined! Our search for a best-fit school ultimately turned on finding a sense of community and social engagement that went beyond exemplary academics. Sacred Heart's mission and focus on values, service, and community really resonated with us. Because the mission is woven through the curriculum, it shapes the student experience from their very first years both in how students learn and how they interact with one another and the world around them.
On carpooling from Evanston: We moved up to Evanston about three years ago. Knowing that we wanted Eva and Isaiah to continue at Sacred Heart heavily influenced our housing search and happily kept us in the area. Evanston is remarkably close to Sacred Heart with only a ten-minute drive to campus. The short commute is made even more manageable by carpooling with several other Evanston families. With a friendly and collaborative parent community, it has been easy to coordinate rides with other families—even with the kids' after school activity schedules.
On the benefits of single-gender classrooms: Single-gender classrooms really appealed to us, particularly for our daughter, Eva. From my observations as a classroom volunteer, this learning environment encourages girls to express themselves confidently and increases their level of engagement. I was blown away when all of the girls in Eva's first grade class raised their hands for every question during a combined math and science activity. What we didn't anticipate, however, was how beneficial the all-boys classroom would be for Isaiah. At some schools, I think there is a tendency for boys showing boisterous behavior to be labeled as trouble-makers. We are so grateful that the teachers at Sacred Heart see and treat boys as individuals, meet them where they are, and inspire them to behave like Hardey gentlemen.
On community service and connection: There are multiple opportunities for parents to become involved in and enrich the life of the school. Early on, I became engaged in the community by attending the Parents of the Heart (POTH) and Parent Ambassador Network (PAN) meetings. I felt a deeper understanding of the school culture and traditions by connecting with other parents. As time has gone on, I have found other ways to be involved with the school that intersect with my interests. A few years ago, Neill and I became involved with the non-profit Cradles to Crayons—an organization that helps local children living in poverty by providing them with high-quality, essential items they need to thrive. We were looking for a way to volunteer as a family and this seemed like a great opportunity to involve our children. When I approached Sacred Heart about organizing and hosting a drive for Cradles to Crayons, they were immediately interested due to the school's commitment to service learning and helping others. It's amazing how many quality items for children were donated before the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory had even opened in Chicago. Sacred Heart's relationship with Cradles to Crayons has expanded since then and hundreds of family members volunteer there every year.
On a Catholic school: Although rooted in Catholicism, Sacred Heart is a school for families and children of all faiths and backgrounds—which is very important to us. We want our children to have an understanding of and appreciation for different traditions and beliefs. Neill and I both come from a Catholic background and have spent part of our education in Catholic schools. For us, Sacred Heart emphasizes the best part of what we remember from our experiences—the school community really cares about the kind of people our kids are becoming. Our children are loved and nurtured by their teachers and are taught to open their hearts to others through service and by being kind and respectful. This approach to education benefits children in so many ways—they feel connected to something outside of themselves, they become aware of their gifts and talents and how to use them to help people, and they develop a greater sense of empathy and perspective.
Make this the BEST summer yet with Sacred Heart!
We invite you to explore a summer camp experience at Sacred Heart Schools that offers the perfect blend of academics, fitness, and fun! This is also a wonderful opportunity for your family to spend time on campus and find out what makes Sacred Heart such a special place.
Pricing includes optional early morning care and optional extended day, a weekly field trip, a camp focus class (STEAM Explorations, Kids Who Code, and Summer Sports) and a camp t-shirt.
Registration for summer camp registration closes on May 17, so be sure to reserve your spot today!
Apply now for select openings for 2019-2020 There is still time to join our pre-kindergarten class this fall, but only a few spaces remain. We encourage you to start the application process online here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Admissions Office at 773.681.8418 or admissions@shschicago.org.
Join us for the last Admissions Coffee of the year If you haven't yet had the opportunity to visit campus, we hope to see you on May 1 for the final Admissions Coffee of the year. Whether you are considering a fall transfer or want to get a head start on next year's admission season, May is a wonderful time to visit Sacred Heart Schools. An Admissions Coffee provides the opportunity for you to meet our leadership team and some of our parents, ask questions of our panel, and take a student-led tour. An optional Preschool Information Session will follow immediately from 11-11:45 am for interested families.
Register here for the Admissions Coffee on May 1
May 1 Admissions Coffee, 9:15 am Optional Preschool Information Session to follow, 11-11:45 am
Are you following Sacred Heart Schools on Facebook? Don't miss all the exciting events happening on Sheridan Road! Your child is our mission. Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent PK-8
6250 N. Sheridan Road |