A Welcome Letter from our Head of School

Greetings St. John Berchmans Community:
When I first moved to the Logan Square neighborhood with my husband in the year 2000, after 6 years of bouncing around apartments all over the North Side of Chicago, it felt good to finally find a place to call home. It didn’t take long for us to find ways to involve ourselves in this vibrant and growing community. We got to know our neighbors, went to church, attended local events like the Logan Square Garden Walk, patronized and even became friendly with local businesses and their owners (especially the restaurants!), and even joined the planning committee for the now thriving Farmer’s Market. But something was missing. . .

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, the only girl of five siblings. My extended family was big, Irish/German and Catholic. I grew up thinking that having over 60 first cousins was the “norm”. I grew up learning that things like community, faith and family were a vital part of my life. I grew up believing in my Catholic identity – and that included Catholic education. After college, I chose, like my mother, two of my brothers and all four of my sisters-in-law to become a teacher. I began at a Catholic School in Cleveland. After a year I moved to Chicago to pursue my Masters in Writing at DePaul. For the past eleven years, I have been teaching English at Hyde Park Academy on the South Side. Yet all along, I felt something was missing. . .

So when the opportunity to become a part of St. John Berchmans School presented itself, that “something missing” in me began to make itself clear. You see, all along, I had been gathering the pieces . . . family, faith, community, education. The “something missing” was the place to put them together. I am excited, humbled, proud, and grateful to become a part of the community of St. John Berchmans. I look forward to the journey that will unfold this year, and it is my most fervent hope that you join me on this journey. Already, St. John Berchmans School is a great place, where great things are happening. The foundation has been laid for us. It is our charge to continue our support of the school as we show the larger community the things that make us special – our teachers, our students, our programs, our faith! I thank you for this opportunity and look forward to meeting you all in the near future.

Margaret Roketenetz
Head of School
Click here to read Mrs. Roket's Notes

A Welcome Letter from our Director of Early Childhood

Welcome to St. John Berchmans Parish and School. I came to St. John Berchmans in 1969 and except for two years I have worshipped and worked here with many caring people. During this time I have held various positions: Teacher, Director of the Early Childhood Program, Assistant Principal, and presently, Administrator.

I would like to share with you some of the strengths I see here at St. John Berchmans School. One of the outstanding strengths is the way the school welcomes a very diverse student body: children of multicultural backgrounds, different religious backgrounds and various economic backgrounds.

We have an excellent teaching staff, dedicated men and women who care very much about the education of children and their future. Every teacher sees each child as an individual with individual needs.

A vital strength to good education is parental involvement. In the last two years a very strong family association has evolved. This group consists of interested school parents who plan events for families. The families come together to enjoy, have fun and at the same time raise money to help with school expenses.

Another very important strength is the connection between the church and school. Working together, they are life giving. School liturgies are part of the curriculum as well as our monthly Sunday family liturgies planned by the children.

I strongly encourage you to come and visit. I feel Catholic Schools have much to offer.

Sincerely,
Sr. Joyce Montgomery
Director of Early Childhood Education