St. Philip Neri students participate in Spelling, Reading and Math competitions with other schools in the community and across the city. We are proud of their achievements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to help students prepare for these events and to show-up to lend encouragement and support.

Student Council:
Students are selected as Student Council Representatives by appointments from their teachers and through elections with the student body. The student council operates with the following objectives:

1. To serve the school and the local community
2. To foster spirit and involvement with the student body in the life of the school, and
3. To build and enable positive student leadership.

After-School Activities:
A variety of programs, enrichment events and skill-building activities are offered to our students throughout the year. Watch for frequent announcements about these special programs, classes and activities. Also see the “Athletics and Recreation” Pages of this web site.

Assemblies:
Periodic all-school assemblies are scheduled for the cultural enrichment of students. Assemblies include a wide variety of topic areas, artists and resource people such as the Windy City Players, Urban Gateways, the Jesse White Tumblers, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and of course, our very own talented students and parents.

African American History Month:
This special month includes a variety of enrichment activities to celebrate the heritage of people of African Descent.  Events include a mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Gospel Fest, the awarding of special scholarships and much more.  Watch for announcements

Birthday Parties:
Birthday Parties at school are only allowed in the Preschool.  All the other classes have teaching schedules that need to be adhered to for the benefit of all children.  The teachers will recognize students’ birthdays informally during classes.

Book Fairs:
Students are offered the opportunity to purchase their own books from a wide selection of excellent children’s reading material.  Every child should be encouraged to read away from school all year long.

Choir & Music Program:
Music is offered as part of the regular curriculum. Watch for announcements about additions to our music program for the 2007 - 2008 school year.

Field Trips:
Educational experiences will occasionally occur away from the school campus.  These trips could be anywhere from one of the famous Chicago-Area zoos to one of the many local museums or performing arts auditoriums.  Sometimes there may be exchanges with other schools or entertainment venues as well. 

Expenses are kept at a minimum.  Class field trips are mandatory, as they are part of the educational activities for the grade level.  Permission slips for such trips must be in writing on standard permission forms (See “Forms” Page in this web site).  Phone calls will not suffice for field trip permission.