Category: Important

Invest in Kids Advocacy

(October 3, 2023) – We have two important opportunities this month to speak up to our State representatives and senators about the importance of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program and why its existence is so important to Illinois children. At St. Philomena School, 20% of our students receive an Invest in Kids Scholarship. If the program is not saved, it will end on December 31, 2023. What is Invest in Kids? Click here to learn more if you are unfamiliar.

TOWNHALL: On Thursday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. a townhall meeting will be held at St. Mark Catholic School with Senator Dave Koehler and Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth. This is a BIG opportunity for us to speak directly to the people making the final decision. We NEED to show our support with numbers. Below is a link to RSVP for the event. Show up to show support. Show up to show them how important this is for us. Show up to support your school and community. You do not have to be a scholarship recipient to attend, or to express  how important this program is to our families. CLICK HERE to RSVP for October 12.

SPRINGFIELD TRIP: The Catholic Schools of Peoria, in conjunction with schools across the state and our scholarship granting organization, Empower Illinois, are organizing a bus trip to Springfield on October 24 when legislators are back in session. We need to be there. A charter bus will be provided along with lunch to take all those supporters to Springfield and back. Mr. Dippold has gone on two separate trips for this program. For all those worried, it is a easy trip and not much is asked of you outside of being there. If you are a family that does not receive financial support through this program, we still need you. This directly affects our families and our school and we need to rally together as many folks as we can to show our support. The more people we get, the better the trip will be. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot for October 24. 

If you have questions about either of these events, contact Mr. Jack Dippold in the school office: jackdipp@stphils.com or 309-685-1208.

Summer Office Hours

(May 31, 2023) Beginning Friday, May 26, 2023 the school office will observe the following summer hours:

• Open: Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Closed: Thursday and Friday
• Normal office hours will resume July 31, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The office will be closed on Tuesday, June 27 all day and also the week of July 3.

If you have needs outside of office hours, email us at school@stphils.com.

Auction Committee Meet & Greet

(August 19, 2022) Our annual auction is November 12, 2022 and plans are moving along. Now, we need YOU!

You can devote as much and as little time as you want to the auction and there are jobs for everyone! Join us on Thursday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish center for our kickoff for this year’s fundraising event. People with all interest levels are invited and welcome. Come with a friend, or come solo.

Reach out to learn more and ask questions about getting involved in a way that you are comfortable with. The committee is made up of widely varying families: one child in school, multiple children in and not yet in school, children in college, working full time, part time and stay at home parents. Your time, talent and ideas are valuable! Join us!

Click here to fill out our interest form.

Response to COVid-19

Today all Catholic schools of the Peoria Diocese received official communication from the Office of the Bishop and the Office of Catholic Schools regarding COVid-19.  All diocesan schools will be closed during the week of March 16-20, 2020. The principal and teachers will be in attendance to solidify E-Learning Plans, should closure need to extend beyond next week.  Trial E-Learning days, without grading, will take place Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20. Later next week, further communication will take place with school families related to E-Learning. St. Philomena Church and School has canceled all extra-curricular activities after the close of the school day (3pm) on Friday, March 13.  These cancellations are in effect through Sunday, March 22, 2020. As soon as we know at that time, we will communicate if school will take place on campus beginning Monday, March 23 or if E-Learning at students’ homes will continue.

Unfortunately, this means the cancellation of the fish fry on Friday, March 13, the school musical from Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, and any other church or school activities. For school families, in preparation for this time, please send larger backpacks or bags with kids to school on Friday, March 13, as they will take home more books and materials than usual.  Parents of students absent on Friday, March 13 need to make arrangements with the school office to pick-up school books and materials on Friday. All Masses at St. Philomena Church will take place as scheduled. If any further information is available it will be communicated from our office.

Please click here to read the letter from Bishop Jenky. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through the next week.

​God Bless,

Father David Richardson, Pastor and Mr. Jack Dippold, Principal