Traditions

Despite our relatively young age as a school within the Archdiocese of Chicago, ICSJ celebrates many strong traditions among our students and family community.

Catholic Schools Week

Each year, typically in late January, the entire ICSJ community participates in week-long events to celebrate the impact of Catholic schools on our community, city and nation. Launching with a Family Mass at St. Joseph Church, students and faculty participate in a wide range of activities throughout the week, including a school-wide service project, a 3rd – 8th Grade Spelling Bee, a Pep Rally complete with Kidolphy our Dolphin mascot, Scholastic Book Fair, and a Faculty vs. Student Basketball Game.

Music Programs

Students in Prekindergarten – Grade 8 showcase their musical talents to parents and families twice each year. The lively Christmas and Spring Music Programs are standing room only and not to be missed!

Musical Theater

Each spring, Musical Theater students in Grades 4-8 showcase their months of hard work in a full stage musical production. Students are involved in all aspects of the performance, both on the stage and behind the scenes. Students, along with adult supervision and assistance, build all of the production sets and learn the art and science of working stage crew. Additionally, students volunteer to work as ushers, sell tickets, and manage the concession stand during the performances. Previous performances have included The Music Man, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Family Festivals

Each Fall, ICSJ students and parents gather at the Fall Festival on the Hill Street Campus. The ICSJ community celebrates the start of summer with a Family Picnic at the Hill Street Campus. Both events, hosted by the Parent Association, provide hours of fun with face painting, bouncy houses, crafts and games.

Pod Partners

Our Pod Partners program fosters a vibrant and collaborative learning environment where students from different grade levels come together to learn, share, and grow. From PreK through 8th grade, students are paired to encourage mentorship, teamwork, and cross-age learning experiences. Younger students gain guidance and inspiration from older peers, while older students develop leadership and responsibility. Pod Partners strengthens our ICSJ community, building lasting friendships and a spirit of collaboration.

Field Day

The end of the school year is marked with an all school field day at the Hill Street Campus. The day is filled with games and activities centered around significant events including the World Cup or the Olympics.

8th Grade Class Trip to Six Flags Great America

Each year, typically the day before graduation, 8th Grade students spend their last day together as classmates at Six Flags-Great America. Students look forward all year to this celebration of their hard work as a class.

8th Grade Class Trip to Springfield

Each year, students in 8th Grade travel to Springfield, Illinois and visit The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln’s home, the Old Capitol, the New Capitol, and Lincoln’s Burial Site. It is the culminating trip for the Social Studies units dealing with the Civil War, the Restoration and civics units dealing with state government.

8th Grade Graduation Breakfast

The morning of graduation is a bittersweet time for students, parents, and faculty. All students gather with their parents for a breakfast hosted by the 7th grade students and their families. It is a wonderful time for the graduate and his/her parents to spend a few hours together reminiscing before the graduation ceremony later that evening.