St. John Brebeuf welcomes new staff members for new school year

CAPTION

St. John Brebeuf Principal Mary Maloney, right, welcomes new 3-year-old preschool teacher Michelle Grzeda.

As the 2018-19 school year begins at St. John Brebeuf School, 8301 N. Harlem Avenue, Niles, two new teachers will join the staff according to Principal Mary Maloney. “We are excited to welcome Michelle Grzeda. Mrs. Grzeda, a graduate St. John Brebeuf in 2001, is now returning as our 3-year-old preschool teacher. I would also like to welcome Jesica Woody, who will be our new band director,” said Maloney.

Grzeda comes to St. John Brebeuf School from St. Francis Borgia School where she served as the 3-year-old preschool teacher for five years and the kindergarten teacher for one year. During her time at St. Francis Borgia, she served on various committees including Catholic Schools Week, Red Ribbon Week, Week of the Young Child, and talent show. She was also in charge of a mom and tot class for two years and taught Polish language classes for non-native speaking children. “I am excited to be back at St. John Brebeuf where the wonderful teachers I had instilled a passion for learning and faith in me,” said Grzeda.

An experienced band director, Woody most recently established a new band program for the School of St. Mary in Lake Forest and reinvigorated the band program at Holy Cross School in Deerfield. She has a master’s degree in elementary teaching specializing in middle school music with special training on woodwinds.

School starts Monday, Aug. 20, for first through eighth graders. Preschool and kindergarten orientations will be held on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 20, for parents and students, and on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 21, for students only. The first full day of school for preschool and kindergarten students will be Wednesday, Aug. 22. Back to School Night for parents is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 6:30 p.m.

St. John Brebeuf School offers quality Catholic education for children in 3-year-old preschool through eighth grade. To schedule a tour, contact the school office, at 847-966-3266 or office@sjbschool.org. Information about the school is available at www.sjbschool.org.

“There is no way to measure the value of Catholic education that St. John Brebeuf School provides to young people into the community,” said Fr. Michael Meany, pastor at St. John Brebeuf.