August 26, 2025

Welcome back to a brand new year! We are so excited to be back in session. Your children have been amazing!
Each Tuesday, students will bring home a green plastic folder that will contain items that need a signature or that need to be returned to the office. (report cards, field trip permission forms, etc.) Each folder will need to be returned by the next day, Wednesday, with any necessary correspondence.

 If there is anything we can do or questions we can answer, please don’t hesitate to contact our main office!
Main Office: (815) 933-7758
(Principal) Mrs. Berg’s email: dberg@bmcss.org
(School Secretary) Mrs. Powers email: spowers@bmcss.org      

A Link for a Paperless Tuesday Folder will be sent to you butfor quick and easy access to the portal visit: www.bishopmac.com/tuesdayfolder. The code to access the portal page is: Irish.

Important Information

Our first Mass will be TOMORROW, August 27th.  It will be attended by our Kindergarten-5th grade classes.  Parents and other family visitors are encouraged to come to Mass with us. Students are welcome to sit with their family members during Mass. Mass will begin at 9:00 am.

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.

Spirit Chain and Magnets: Get yourself the hottest trend in super fan gear!  As a fundraiser working with Blue Otter Printables, McNamara will be holding a fundraiser selling McNamara themed turnover chains and large magnets.  All orders can be placed through this google form and payments can be delivered to the main office at the Kankakee Site through cash or check.  Orders will be submitted for processing after payments are received.  All funds raised will go toward enhancing the game night experience with giveaways and surprises at various sporting events for students and fans of all ages!
Order here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSPKLRoeOcNWQ0xoCKj5EPQ2wbTtF6sJD6Ep0dEjBaupQ0eg/viewform

Join Mac Pac! Mac Pac is the McNamara Parent Club. It meets once a month in the Bourbonnais Site’s library. This committee plans holiday parties, fundraisers, dances, and events. Each meeting attended will earn you one parent volunteer hour. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10th, at 6:00 pm. Meetings last about an hour.

Hot Lunch Program: The hot lunch program will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. Until that date, please send your child to school with a cold sack lunch.  Please note that there are no microwaves available for student use. Please refrain from sending your child with pop or energy drinks.

Severe Allergies and Medical Conditions: If your child has any sort of SEVERE allergy (especially those requiring the use of an EpiPen) or has a serious medical condition, and you have not informed the school office already, we ask that you please do so immediately. 

Extended Day: Extended Day is available from 6:30am – 7:50am and from 3:00 pm – 5:30pm at $4/hour, $2/half-hour. The program meets only on days that school is in session.  On days of early dismissal, the program will begin immediately after school is dismissed. Families can utilize the Extended Day Program on an as-needed basis.  Please notify your classroom teacher when your child will be attending Extended Day.

Faith in the Family: Amy Bovie will be holding special Catholic themed Faith in the Family Meetings again this year. All parents or all faiths are welcome. Each meeting attended will earn you one parent volunteer hour. Meetings will take place twice a month.  You may attend the meeting at either site. *Bradley site meetings are held on Tuesday evenings, from 6:30-7:15pm in the school media center. Childcare will be provided. (Reminder that Adoration takes place at St. Joes each Tuesday.). **Bourbonnais site meetings will take place at Maternity BVM parish center, following drop off, from 8:00-9:00. If you are dropping off at the Bradley site, feel free to come when you are done. Feel free to email me at abovie@bmcss.org ALL ARE WELCOME! Watch the Tuesday folder for a schedule of times, places and themes.

🎉 Get Your Volunteer Hours Early – Join the Auction Committee! 🎉
We're gearing up for our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your help to make it a huge success! The Annual Auction is happening on Saturday, November 8, and we’re looking for enthusiastic parents to join our committee. Whether you love decorating, organizing, shopping, or putting together class baskets, there’s a place for you on our team. It’s a fun way to get involved, meet other parents, and support our school community.
Interested? Contact Peggy Mayer at pmayer@bmcss.org to join the fun!
Let’s make this year’s auction unforgettable!

Attention 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:
o   Step 1: Go to www.virtusonline.org to create an account.
o   Step 2: Accept and Acknowledge understanding of the Policy and Standards.
o   Step 3: Take the Protecting God’s Children online course through Virtus.org
o   Step 4: Give consent for the Name-Based Background Check through Virtus.org
o   Step 5: Fill out the Parent Volunteer Application

STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook:
o   BMCS Bradley Site (our school)
o   Bishop McNamara Catholic School (all school)
·         Twitter: @BishopMcNamara
·          Instagram: @bishopmcnamara
·         Website: www.bishopmac.com

Important Dates:

August 27th:  School Mass, 9:00 am
September 1st: No School, Labor Day
September 2nd: Hot Lunch Program Begins
September 8th: McNamara Madrina Meeting, 2 pm
September 10th: School Mass, 9:00 am; Mac Pac Meeting, 6:00 pm at the Bourbonnais Site
September 11th : Gratitude Drive Thru for First Responders, hosted by Student Council.
September 12th : School Improvement Day. Early Dismissal at 11:30 am. Extended Day is available.
September 16th: School Picture Day
September 19th: Homecoming Parade/ EXTREME Spirit Wear Day: School Improvement Day, Early Dismissal at 11:30 am. Extended Day available.
September 22nd-26th  : Book Fair
September 25th: Open House, 6:00-7:30 pm
September 26th: NUT Day for $1.00, 5th-grade retreat 

Find your Tuesday Folder attachments and additional documents at the button below: