St. Nicholas Cathedral School

Flutter into Fun: Little Guardians Playdate at SNCS! 🦋

Ever wondered how a tiny caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly? Our curious little scientists in PK3 at St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS) just witnessed this magical journey firsthand! 🐛✨🦋
With the help of Mrs. Melnyk’s creative project, our young learners explored the wonders of nature, crafted their own colorful butterflies, and, in the process, gave wings to their dreams!
Now, we’re inviting YOU and your little one to experience the magic at Little Guardians Playdate! Join us for a fun-filled Open Day designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Let’s learn, play, and make memories together!

📅 Upcoming Playdates:
🦋 March 14, 2025
🦋 April 11, 2025
🦋 May 16, 2025

Come explore SNCS, meet new friends, and watch your child’s imagination take flight! 🚀💙
Join us and let’s make dreams come true—one little butterfly at a time! 🦋✨

On March 7, 2025, St. Nicholas Cathedral School’s (SNCS) Ukrainian Language Studies Program and Music Class came together to celebrate love, life, and the enduring legacy of Taras Shevchenko—a renowned Ukrainian poet, activist, and artist whose works champion freedom and the indomitable spirit of humanity.
Our students brought Shevchenko’s legacy to life through heartfelt performances of songs, poetry, and dance, creating a vibrant and uplifting celebration.
We are incredibly proud of our talented students for their outstanding performances! A warm thank you to Ms. Dychiy for organizing this wonderful event, to Ms. Pylypczak-Wasylyshyn for preparing our dancers, and to all our parents and guests who joined us in celebrating this special occasion!

Socrates once said, "Speak so that I may see you!" Yesterday, several 8th grade students from St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS) were invited to showcase our school to the community on Ukrainian Independent Radio. Live on air, they shared their experiences at SNCS and personally invited interested families to attend an Open House at our school.
Their words were so sincere and heartfelt! ❤️We are incredibly proud of our students! Along with the support of their parents, we have nurtured children who possess not only exceptional public speaking skills but, more importantly - warm and open hearts.❤️
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our students for their wonderful contributions and to our parents and teachers for their significant roles in the students' growth, which has led to such remarkable outcomes!❤️
We invite you to watch the video on YouTube using the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iUe65QSPno

Through their performance, our children have made an invaluable contribution to promoting our school. Please join us in supporting their initiative – share it with your friends, family, and neighbors.

St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS) extends a warm welcome to all the children and parents who have already registered for the 2025-2026 school year! We take great pride in being a strong academic community dedicated to providing a solid educational foundation for your children’s growth and success.
If you haven’t completed your registration yet, there’s still time! Don’t miss out—secure your child’s spot today and continue to be part of our vibrant school community.
Our students are especially excited about this time of year as they help welcome new friends into our SNCS family! They are actively participating in our 2025-2026 admission campaign, and we invite you to join them in spreading the word about our school.
Help us continue to grow by sharing your positive experiences with friends, family, and neighbors! You can:
📢 Share a warm review about SNCS
🗣️ Recommend SNCS to families looking for a great school
📄 Distribute informational flyers (available at the front office)
Together, we can build a bright future for our school and ensure every child has access to a strong, supportive education. Thank you for being an essential part of SNCS!
Let’s grow our SNCS family—one student at a time!

Celebrating Learning & History: SNCS Students Participate in the Black History Academic Bowl

St. Nicholas Cathedral School, values the historical contributions of all communities that have shaped our nation. We strive to provide our students with a comprehensive understanding of history, fostering appreciation for its depth, complexity, and cultural richness.
In this spirit, on February 22nd, our 7th and 8th grade students participated in the 8th Annual Leo High School Black History Academic Bowl.
To prepare for this enriching experience, students engaged in discussions about the contributions of Black Americans throughout history—from civil rights activists and pioneering scientists to groundbreaking athletes, influential artists, entertainers, and musicians. These conversations helped deepen their understanding of the lasting cultural and historical impact of Black leaders in various fields.
We are proud of our students' dedication to expanding their knowledge and embracing the spirit of academic competition. We look forward to their continued growth and another exciting year in 2026!
Thank you Mr. Hahn, SNCS middle school social studies teacher, for working with and preparing our students over the past few months.

February 24, 2025, marked the third anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Since the war began, Ukrainian children have found love, support, and a sense of belonging at St. Nicholas Cathedral School. Through these difficult years, our students have remained steadfast in their faith, praying for peace in Ukraine. Their prayers reflect the unwavering resilience of the Ukrainian people, reminding us all that hope and faith endure even in the darkest times.
On this solemn day, together with our clergy and community, our students honored the fallen heroes and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the brave soldiers fighting for Ukraine’s continued sovereignty. Through their tireless prayers, they reaffirmed their commitment to peace, freedom, and love—holding onto hope for a brighter future for the world 🕊.

Today, on St. Valentine's Day, our little ones are excited to share their handmade hearts filled with love!
The St. Nicholas Cathedral School staff and students would like to express our gratitude to all of our SNCS friends and donors who support our school and care for our children.
A special thank you goes to our friend Noel Demetrio, and her classmates at Lake Forest High School for the warm individual handwritten Valentine’s and tasty treats for all our students.
Happy Valentine's Day to the entire St. Nicholas Cathedral School Community!❤️

Today at St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS), we celebrated the 100th day of school with immense joy! Students embraced the spirit by dressing like they were 100 years old, showcasing creativity and enthusiasm. Through engaging quizzes, uplifting songs, and vibrant dances, we united as a community to count to 100 together. The SNCS community truly shines!

We are thrilled to share the wonderful visit of author Candice Klopfenstein to St. Nicholas Cathedral School! Candice is the author of The Place Where I Belong, a heartwarming picture book that affirms a child's identity and serves as a powerful reminder of every child's worth.
During the event, both children and adults enjoyed a special reading by Ms. Klopfenstein, and the visit continued with an activity in which students designed art displays titled "I Feel Loved When..." Each child created a unique piece reflecting a place where they feel most loved, turning their emotions into meaningful works of art.
Thank you, Ms. Klopfenstein, for your inspiring visit! ❤️
Thank you, Ms. Drozdovska, for providing the delicious pastries for our event!❤️
The Place Where I Belong was translated into Ukrainian by Tatiana Kraasee-Butovich, into Spanish - by Samira Alvarez, and illustrated by Antonia Ruppert.❤️

St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS) is proud to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, a special time to reflect on our faith, values, and the incredible community we share. Each year, we organize events to highlight the core aspects of our school life and thank God for the many blessings we cherish.
The week began with a school-wide prayer service and school blessing by Fathers Pavlo and Nick and hearing from Father Deacon Rostyslav about the importance of recognizing and following our God-given vocations.
We celebrated our nation, where students reflected on the values of freedom, independence, and unity that define our country. Through discussions and activities, we honored the role faith plays in shaping strong, compassionate leaders.
We celebrated our SNCS team, recognizing the teachers, administrators, and all team members who make SNCS a place of learning and faith. Students expressed their gratitude with individual messages, and we ended the week with a spirited sports competition between students and teachers—a favorite tradition that brought lots of laughter and excitement!
We were fortunate to have St. Ignatius students Aliki and Joey, who visited SNCS over the past three weeks to support our teachers and share their experiences with our upper grades, highlighting the power of Catholic school connections in shaping academic and personal growth.
A huge thank you to our FSA for organizing a special snack fair adding a sweet touch to the week’s celebrations!
Finally, we express our gratitude to all who support SNCS and our Catholic educational mission. The incredible energy and joy shared this week have created beautiful memories that we will cherish for years to come.
We invite you to enjoy our photos and videos from this special week—may they serve as a reminder of the strong faith, unity, and love that define the SNCS family!

Thank you to Bernie's Book Bank for donating booksets for our students. This thoughtful donation brought joy and excitement to our PreK through 6th-grade students, who were delighted by the surprise. It was wonderful to see their smiles and gratitude as they explored their new books. Books nurture a love of reading and foster a lifelong appreciation for literature. Thanks to Bernie’s Book Bank, our students are not only expanding their personal libraries but also developing a deeper understanding of the value of reading.

Guest lectures play a vital role in St. Nicholas Cathedral School's (SNCS) educational approach. Beyond the knowledge gained in classrooms, it is essential for students to hear stories of success from accomplished professionals. These examples of achievement broaden students' horizons and inspire them to reach new academic and personal milestones.
This week, we were honored to welcome Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations. During a special session with SNCS 5th-8th grade students, Ambassador Kyslytsya shared his expertise on international relations, global policy, and diplomacy. He provided an insightful overview of the United Nations, its primary goals, and role in global affairs, such as human rights advocacy, international diplomacy, and global cooperation.
Ambassador Kyslytsya also shared his personal journey and engaged students in a lively Q&A session, addressing their questions thoughtfully.
The enthusiasm and engagement we witnessed during this visit suggest that many of our students may one day choose careers in advancing human rights and serving the global community.
Thank you, Ambassador Kyslytsya, for your contributions to global peace, for an inspiring visit to St. Nicholas Cathedral School, and for motivating the next generation of leaders!

St. Nicholas Cathedral School congratulates our dear Bishop Benedict on his birthday!
Most Reverend Bishop Benedict, we extend our heartfelt greetings and wishes on this joyous occasion!
Today, we especially thank God for the gift of your life and your many years of dedicated service in the name of our Lord across various parish communities, particularly on the mission grounds of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago.
Thank you for your prayers, pastoral work, and your openness to the needs of others. May the Lord strengthen and bless you, granting you health, vitality, and His immeasurable favors!
We pray for the constant intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God and the protection of all saints and angels, wishing you many happy summers to come! Многая літа!
Our children have prepared greeting cards with warm wishes for you and eagerly look forward to presenting them to you.

Monday, January 13, 2025, St. Nicholas Cathedral School had the honor of welcoming T.J. Kostecky to our campus. Coach T.J. is the Head Coach of Men’s Soccer at Bard College, member of the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame, and the co-founder of Vision Training—a transformative program designed to develop leadership skills and inspire individuals to lead meaningful lives.
During his visit, Coach T.J. captivated SNCS students with inspiring life stories, practical insights on unlocking their full potential, and wisdom on cultivating joy and gratitude in everyday life. Students were excited to engage with such a remarkable coach, athlete, leader and co-author of the newly published book Eyes Up!.
Thank you Coach T.J. for reminding all of us to cherish the simple, find beauty in the ordinary and for inspiring our students to dream big, lead with confidence, and appreciate the richness of life’s everyday moments.
We loved meeting you, thank you for visiting St. Nicholas. Coach T.J. Kostecky, we are certain that your messages left a lasting and positive impact on everyone in attendance.

We are thrilled to showcase some arts and crafts from St. Nicholas Cathedral School!
Our youngest students have been busy exploring the joys of baking bread and designing gingerbread houses, all while implementing newfound skills and expanding their creativity.
Ms. Melnyk, introduced our PreK3 students to the fascinating journey of bread-making—from sowing grain to baking the final product🍞. Through engaging stories and hands-on dough-making activities, the children not only discovered how to bake bread but also gained a deeper appreciation for the hard work and care involved in its creation.
Meanwhile, Ms. Meredith introduced our PreK4 students to the magical world of gingerbread house making🍪🏠. At first, building a gingerbread house might seem as challenging as constructing a real one—but our little architects quickly proved otherwise! Using empty milk cartons from their lunches for sturdy bases and cake frosting as "glue," they built walls and roofs from graham crackers. With a delightful array of decorations each child designed a unique and festive masterpiece.
Thank you Ms. Melnyk and Ms. Meredith for leading these projects, and to our wonderful parents for joining in the fun and supporting these memorable experiences❤️.