Kathryn Baal, Ph.D.
Principal
principal@mothermcauley.org
Dear Mighty Mac Community,
As we settle into the new school year, I want to highlight the importance of effective communication between our school and your homes. Effective communication helps us connect with you about your daughter’s progress, school events, and any concerns that may arise. It also ensures that we can work together to provide the best support for your daughter’s educational journey whether it be related to academics, mental health, athletics, social concerns or more.
Key Communication Channels
When we share information and updates, it enables us to address issues promptly and keep you informed about everything that’s happening at school. Below are channels by which the school communicates with families.
Pathway for Communication
In an effort to help parents and students best understand who to contact when there is a question or concern, we have developed documents that outline a pathway for communicating on the academic side of the building as well as communicating on the athletic side. We encourage you and your daughter to review the documents. Additionally, I want to highlight that we are strongly encouraging students to begin the communication process as a way for them to learn and develop advocacy skills.
How Parents Can Help
Clear and open lines of communication are crucial and will allow for a more successful year for everyone. McAuley is committed to fostering a strong partnership with our families and value the ability to engage with parents and students throughout their journey. Please never hesitate to reach out to us as we are here to support you.
Go Mighty! Go Mercy! Go Macs!
Fondly,
Thank you to all who have already completed the required annual forms in Blackbaud. By completing these forms, you are helping us keep our records up to date, and it helps you stay connected with our most recent policy changes. We just added one more form to complete - your annual review of our Student Handbook. To view the handbook narrative, please go to our website or click on the School Resource Tile in Blackbaud.
For those who have not completed the forms yet, don’t fret! You have until September 3 to get them done. To access the forms, please log in to Blackbaud.Once in Blackbaud, you will see a yellow banner at the top of the page:
Click the words in blue within the yellow banner to access the forms.
If you are having trouble logging in to Blackbaud, forgot your password, or have questions about the forms, please email tech@mothermcauley.org for assistance.
The Attendance and Academic Honesty policies have been updated in the student handbook for the 2026–2027 school year. The updates were reviewed with all students this week during class sessions by the administration. The revised policies provide clearer expectations regarding attendance procedures, tardiness, absences, make-up work, and participation eligibility, as well as academic integrity expectations - including guidance related to unauthorized collaboration and the use of artificial intelligence. Please review both policies with your daughter in the Student Handbook, available in Blackbaud under Resources (Academic Honesty, pages 18–19; Attendance, pages 21–26).
Illinois State Law mandates that all students entering the 12th grade must show proof of having received two doses of the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine prior to entering senior year. Only one dose is required if the first dose was received at 16 years of age or older.
Most McAuley seniors have submitted proof of vaccination, but we are not at a hundred percent, yet. For those who have not done so, the official documentation can be found here, or on our school website. This form must be completed and signed by your doctor and then submitted to our school nurse, Mrs. Ann Gruber. In addition, you may also submit a copy of your daughter’s vaccination record as proof.
For your convenience, you can find information on three local clinics that can accommodate your needs in a timely manner:
Proof of your daughter’s required meningitis immunization must be received no later than Thursday, October 1, 2026. If we do not receive the documentation by October 1, your daughter will not be allowed to attend classes until we receive it. If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Ann Gruber at agruber@mothermcauley.org or 773.881.6524.
You are invited to attend McAuley’s Back-to-School Parent Night on Thursday, September 3. The Back-to-School Parent Night is an opportunity to follow your daughter’s schedule and meet her teachers and counselors so you can learn about their roles, courses, curriculum, and grading expectations. The bell schedule begins with the first hour starting at 6:15 pm and ends with the ninth period concluding at 8:04 pm. You can review the bell schedule for the evening. Additional information can be found in this letter that went home on Monday, August 24.
Mother McAuley High School is proud to launch the inaugural Friday Night Lights: The Crosstown Classic, a first-of-its-kind outdoor volleyball event on the Southside. We invite corporate and community partners to support this exciting new tradition as sponsors and help create an unforgettable experience for our students, families, alumnae, and fans.
The Mother McAuley community is invited to join Saint Xavier University for their 180th Anniversary Community Fest: Together in Mercy on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Saint Xavier University.
The Community Fest will bring together students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, Sisters of Mercy, community partners, local leaders, friends, and neighbors for an evening of live entertainment, food, family activities and games, University and community showcases, Mercy-inspired service and experiences, and special anniversary activities. The evening will culminate with a commemorative 180th anniversary drone show telling the story of Saint Xavier’s history and Mercy legacy.
Journey Youth Ministry is excited to invite students to join them for a hands-on service day cooking a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House: Lurie Children's Hospital.
Here are the details:
Registration must be completed by September 1.
Register for the Service Project with Journey Youth Ministry
Congressman Sean Casten’s office will be hosting a U.S. Military Academy Information Session for students and families who may be interested in attending a U.S. service academy on Saturday, August 29 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at Indian Prairie Public Library (401 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL).
Representatives from all five U.S. service academies (U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) will be in attendance.
Representatives will discuss the admissions process, what students can expect at their respective academies, and cadet and midshipman life. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with the academy representatives who serve our area.
Students, families, educators, and community members are welcome to attend. This is a valuable opportunity to learn more about each academy and the paths available to prospective applicants.
The Class of 2030 began their first year at McAuley with a family BBQ and two days of orientation as part of our EMPOWER: First Year Experience!
Coming up in Student Life: Spirit Week activities, our Homecoming dance, and the annual Club Fair.
For 70 years, Mother McAuley has stood proudly on 99th Street – a constant presence on Chicago’s southwest side and a place where generations of young women have discovered who they are and what they are capable of becoming.
But our story began long before 99th Street.
Read the summer issue of our Inscape magazine and learn more as we celebrate 70 years on 99th Street!
The Mighty Mac Varsity Volleyball team is traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, September 10–12 to compete in the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament (LIVT) against some of the nation’s top high school volleyball programs. This experience provides our athletes with valuable competition, team bonding, and an opportunity to prepare for their pursuit of an 18th State Championship.
Support the team by purchasing Macs crewnecks and shirts through the limited-time pop-up fundraiser. All proceeds directly offset the travel costs for our Varsity Volleyball athletes.
Shop by September 6. Items are expected to arrive the week of September 7.
Join us for McAuley Volleyball Grammar School Night on Tuesday, September 15, as the Mighty Macs take on St. Francis!
Game Schedule for 09/15/26
5:00 PM — JV & Freshman A
6:00 PM — Varsity & Freshman B
Grammar school students are invited to enjoy an evening of volleyball, face painting, raffles, contests, prizes, pizza, and more! Each student will also have the opportunity to receive a varsity team poster for the players to sign and spend time with the varsity team following the match.
Grammar school girls can bring their friends, support the Mighty Macs, and enjoy a fun evening at McAuley!
Additional details and information for grammar school families will be coming soon. We look forward to seeing you there.
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