September 9, 2025

Important Information

Friendly Reminder: Charged Laptops & Chargers: We've noticed that many students are coming to school with laptops that aren't fully charged, and some without their chargers at all. This makes it tough for them to stay engaged and get their work done throughout the day. We know it’s a big shift, especially for our sixth graders or transferred students who are still building these habits. Your help at home makes a big difference! A quick evening reminder to plug in their laptop, and a morning check to make sure both the laptop and charger are in their bag, can really help set them up for success. Thank you so much for your continued support, we truly appreciate it!

Gratitude Mass & Drive-Thru: Join Us for Gratitude Mass Thursday, September 11th in the gym as we come together to honor and thank those who serve our community. Our Junior High Student Council will be hosting a donut and coffee reception for first responders from 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM. Thank you, First Responders, for your dedication and service, our community is better because of you!

Grade School Night: Grade School students are invited to join us for fun, games and giveaways before cheering on the Fightin' Irish!  Friday, September 12th.  We will be set up near the North Endzone from 5:30-6:30pm. Bring a friend and have some fun the IRISH WAY!!!!  Wear your GREEN and Irish Spirit wear for the chance to win a prize!!  We can't wait to see you there!

Early Release: Junior High students will have an early release at 12:00 PM on Friday, September 15th due to a School Improvement Day. Please note: No lunch will be served to Junior High students on this day. 

Parent Ambassador Opportunity: Looking to earn your Parent Ambassador hours? Join us for the Progressive Raffle Virtual Call Night!
Date: Wednesday, September 24th
Location: Join from home
What: Help sell Progressive Raffle tickets during this virtual call event and earn Parent Ambassador hours in the process! This is a convenient and impactful way to support our school community while fulfilling your volunteer requirements. Interested? Email Meghan Elliott at melliott@bmcss.org

Lock Down Drill: Kankakee Site will conduct a lockdown drill with the assistance of Kankakee Police on September 25th.

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.

Spirit Chain and Magnets: Get yourself the hottest trend in super fan gear!  As a fundraiser working with Blue Otter Printables, McNamara will be 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

Fundraising and Events

Progressive Raffle: The first Progressive Raffle Drawing is just 4 weeks away
Date: Friday, October 3rd
Event: Friday Night Lights
Grand Prize: $25,000!
Please turn in your sold tickets using the plastic envelope provided and submit them to your site's main office. Need more tickets? Contact Meghan Elliott at melliott@bmcss.org. Let’s get selling and make this a success!

🎉 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!

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)!

Homecoming: Save the Date! Homecoming is always a wonderful opportunity to connect! The celebration is open to students, alumni, families, friends, and the community. We look forward to seeing you! Mark your calendars for the Week of September 15th-20th. A list of events will be on the Tuesday Folder Portal soon. Check throughout the week!

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:

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

STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook:
o   Bishop McNamara Junior High Group (our site)
o   Bishop McNamara Catholic School (all school)
Twitter: @BishopMcNamara
Instagram: @bishopmcnamara
Website: www.bishopmac.com
Daily Announcements: There will be daily announcements posted on our website at:  www.bishopmac.com/studentlife/announcements

Important Dates

September 10: MacPac Meeting, Bourbonnais Site library, 6:00 pm
September 11 : Gratitude Mass 9:25am & Drive-Thru 8:30-9:20am
September 12: Early Release K-8 11:30/12 No lunches
September 15–19: Homecoming Week
September 15: All site outdoor mass and stadium blessing
September 18: Alumni and family preview night of Athletic Complex 6pm-8pm
September 19: Homecoming parade & Extreme Spirit day!
                            Early release 10am for parade
September 23: Mrs. Bovie’s Faith in the Family Meeting 6:30pm (Bradley)
September 24: Mrs. Bovie’s Faith in the Family Meeting 8:00pm (Bourbonnais)
September 26: Midterm first trimester
October 1: One Shirt Day
October 3: First Progressive Raffle Drawing

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