Principal's Welcome

Dear Pope John XXIII School Families,

Welcome to Pope John XXIII School! I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to both our current families and those considering joining our school community for the first time. It is an honor to serve as your principal and to witness the remarkable spirit of inclusivity, diversity, and academic excellence that defines our school.
At Pope John XXIII School, we are committed to fostering a close-knit community where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Our rigorous academic programs challenge students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and develop a lifelong love of learning. From our innovative World Language Lab to our engaging Middle School Science Fair, we provide a dynamic curriculum that nurtures intellectual curiosity and prepares students for future success.
In addition to our strong academic offerings, our Athletics and Fine Arts Programs provide students with opportunities to develop their talents and interests beyond the classroom. Whether participating in sports teams that promote teamwork and perseverance or exploring their creativity through music, drama, and visual arts, our students are encouraged to cultivate their passions and achieve personal growth.
Faith and service to others are at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our Catholic values, we encourage students to grow spiritually and to embody compassion, kindness, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Our school community is dedicated to living out these values through acts of service and engagement with those in need. As part of our beautiful diversity, we welcome students of all faiths into our family.
I am truly grateful to be part of such an exceptional community, where parents, teachers, and students work together to create a welcoming and enriching environment. If you would like to learn more about our school, please schedule a tour here.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in making Pope John XXIII School a place where faith, learning, and community empower your child to grow and thrive.
Blessings,
Dr. Mary Maloney
Principal, Pope John XXIII School

March 2026 News

​We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Chopra for being named a finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition reflects his passion for science, commitment to academic rigor, and the meaningful relationships he builds with his students each day. A highly competitive award process resulted in the selection of 30 4th-8th-grade teacher finalists out of nearly 600 nominations. The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities. Teacher finalists demonstrate, through their teaching and results, a significant positive impact on their students’ growth and learning. Dr. Chopra inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in our middle school scientists. His dedication to excellence elevates our entire community. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Chopra on this well-deserved honor!

Regional Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Emanuel Piverger for his outstanding performance at the Regional Spelling Bee! He placed 7th, which is an enormous honor and an impressive accomplishment. We are so proud of his preparation, perseverance, and poise. Emanuel represented PJ23 with excellence, and we celebrate this well-deserved achievement!

Quiz Bowl Excels
On February 23, our PJ23 Quiz Bowl team proudly hosted St. Mary of the Woods, St. Viator, and St. Robert Bellarmine. Our students represented Pope John XXIII School with knowledge, confidence, and outstanding sportsmanship.
Thank you to the dedicated members of our Quiz Bowl team for their preparation and teamwork, and a special thank you to Mr. Jon Havercamp for his leadership and commitment as sponsor. We are grateful for the time and energy invested in making this such a successful event for our school community.

Meet the Author with L’Oreal Thompson Payton
Our PK–5 students enjoyed a wonderful “Meet the Author” experience with L’Oreal Thompson Payton, author of Amanda Gorman, Poet and Activist. She shared engaging insights about Amanda Gorman’s life, the power of words, and how young people can use their voices to make a difference. Our students asked thoughtful questions and were fully engaged throughout the presentation. It was an inspiring visit that encouraged creativity, confidence, and a love of reading.
Ms. L’Oreal is the owner of Zora’s Place Bookstore, located at 2223 Washington Street in Evanston. Drop in for a visit and let her know you are from PJ23!

Our Annual Fund Campaign Is Underway!
We have begun our Annual Fund campaign, an important effort that helps bridge the gap between tuition revenue and the true cost of educating our students. Contributions to the Annual Fund directly support our academic programs, classroom resources, technology, faith formation, and enrichment opportunities that make Pope John XXIII School such a special place.

Your generosity helps us continue to provide a high-quality, faith-centered education while keeping tuition as affordable as possible for our families. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our community and invite you to consider participating and sharing this opportunity with friends and family. Together, we can continue to invest in our students and our school’s future. You may contribute by visiting our secure online giving page here: https://givebutter.com/PJ23AnnualFund2026

St. Paddy’s “After” Party at the Fat Shallot
Please join the fun at the St. Paddy’s “After” Party on Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 with the PJ23 community! Enjoy great food, beverages, and fellowship while supporting our school. Proceeds help close the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of educating our students.
Purchase your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/PJ23Party2026

The auction will open March 7th.

February 2026 News

Middle School Science Fair Medal Winners
We are proud to celebrate our outstanding 6th, 7th and 8th grade scientists who earned medals at our school Science Fair. The 7th and 8th grade students will advance to compete in the upcoming Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Region 6 Science and Engineering Fair. Their curiosity, dedication, and hard work truly paid off. Thank you to Dr. Chopra for his dedication to helping our students soar. Congratulations goes to:
First Place: Aine McCormack; Ronan Doss; Nami Geiger; Stephanie Mateescu; Sophia Potosnak.
Second Place: Ella Lei; Emanuel Piverger; Anya Tyurin; Lexi Badillo; Jane Sullivan.
Third Place: Kotomi Geiger; Gavin Hanley; Jessie Novak; Anastasia Williams.

Spelling Bee Congratulations
Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this year’s Spelling Bee. Their preparation, focus, and perseverance were impressive. We are proud to share that Emanual Piverger earned first place and will represent Pope John XXIII School at the upcoming area Spelling Bee. We wish him the very best as he advances.

We are grateful to Mrs. Welsh for her dedication in preparing our students and facilitating this wonderful academic event. Congratulations to the following students:
First Place: Emanuel Piverger
Second Place: Sophia Potosnak and Ingrid Bolo
Third Place: Madonna Mirza and Ian Seo

Congratulations to Lily Belgrade! 
We are proud to share that Lily Belgrade, one of our 8th grade students, has earned a Young Writers Award. Her submission to the Young Writers Fright Club contest was selected for publication in Fright Club 2025: In the Shadows. This is a wonderful and well-deserved achievement, and we are so proud of Lily for her creativity, dedication, and hard work. Thank you to Mrs. Garcia for facilitating the process of entering the contest for Lily. Congratulations, Lily!
Battle of the Books Success!
Our new Battle of the Books team represented PJ23 very well at their recent competition against St. Francis Xavier, Roycemore, and Chiaravalle! This exciting academic competition is open to students in grades 3–5, who prepare by reading selected books and answering questions in a Kahoot-style format.
Congratulations to the following students for their hard work and teamwork:
Advik C., Caleb G., Annie H., Max M., Lee S., Jack M., Coco S., Claire J., Thomas R., Alex V-B, Edward V.
A big thank you to Mrs. Sulton for sponsoring the club and supporting our young readers. We are so proud of our students’ dedication and love of reading! 

8th Grade Basketball Season Comes to a Close
We are proud of our 8th grade boys and girls basketball players, who were honored at their end-of-season rose ceremony. This special celebration recognized their hard work, dedication, and strong teamwork throughout the season. Congratulations to Andrew, Jane, Ana, Lexi, Sophia, Olivia, and Jessie on a wonderful year and a job well done. I also would like to extend my sincere thanks to Coach Doss and Coach Badillo for their dedication and commitment to helping our young athletes grow in skill, confidence, and character.​

January 2026 News

Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope you and your family had a joyful and restful Christmas break.

As we begin the new year, there is much to be excited about at Pope John XXIII School. You may notice that Mr. Mike is busy painting our lobby and several hallways, giving our school a refreshed and modern look. We are delighted to continue welcoming new families to our community, with one new student joining us this week and another arriving next week. Next week, we will have yard signs available for families to take home and help spread the word about PJ23.

​Middle School Science Fair
We are looking forward to our Middle School Science Fair on Thursday, January 22, which will take place during the school day. We need judges! Please contact Dr. Chopra at [email protected] to volunteer. A background in science is NOT necessary, and training will be provided. That evening, all PJ23 families are invited to attend our Science Expo, where science fair awards will be announced and our 4th and 5th grade students will proudly showcase their own science projects. It will be a wonderful celebration of curiosity, creativity, and student learning.

Catholic Schools Week
In addition, we are preparing for Catholic Schools Week, which will begin with Family Bingo Night on January 24, and our Catholic Schools Week Mass and Open House on Sunday, January 25. We look forward to celebrating our school, our students, and the many blessings of our PJ23 community. We will wrap up the month with our Spelling Bee at the end of January, another exciting opportunity to celebrate student achievement and academic excellence.

i-Ready Testing
As we administer the winter i-Ready assessment this month, I have had the opportunity to reflect on both our i-Ready data and 5Essentials Survey results from the spring of 2025. The progress our students and staff have made is truly encouraging. Not only have we shown meaningful growth, but our results place us well above many other communities, both local and statewide, that participate in the same assessment and survey. These outcomes affirm that our focused improvement efforts are working and moving us in the right direction. I am happy to share the data with you in the Google slides presentation: iReady scores comparison.pptx

December 2025 News

This year marks the 25th anniversary of our beloved Lessons and Carols celebration! Lessons and Carols is a beautiful prayer service that weaves together Scripture readings (“lessons”) and music (“carols”) to help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Marcheschi for her dedication and for doing such an outstanding job leading this tradition, and to Mrs. Wolff for her support with costuming and other important aspects of the production. I am proud of our wonderful students for their hard work and heartfelt participation.
Please join us for one of our two performances on Thursday, December 11, at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in St. Nicholas Church. It’s a joyful way to enter into the Advent and Christmas season together as a community.


Honor Roll RecognitionAt Pope John XXIII School, we are proud to celebrate the academic achievements of our middle school students. Each trimester, students who demonstrate strong academic performance are recognized on the Honor Roll. We commend these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Their achievements reflect not only their academic abilities but also their perseverance and growth as learners. Congratulations to all of our Honor Roll students—you inspire our school community!


8th Grade High Honor Roll (3.5-4.0 GPA): Ellia Angara, Lexi Badillo, Lily Belgrade, Panchi Chiwah, Nami Geiger, Lou Kosyla, Stephanie Mateescu, Madonna Mirza, Jessie Novak, Sophia Potosnak, Jane Sullivan, Anya Tyurin, Ana Williams, Andrew Zamudio-Flores 


7th Grade High Honor Roll (3.5-4.0 GPA): Immy Bennett, Ronan Doss, Gavin Hanley, Lauren Hansen, Eli Haywood, Ilana Lubinsky, Ben Markle, Emanuel Piverger, Gigi Schindlbeck, Ian Seo


6th Grade High Honor Roll (3.5-4.0 GPA): Isaiah Badillo, Koto Geiger, Bruce Hart, Cooper Jones, Ella Lei, Alexa Lee, Aine McCormack, Gio Milazzo, George Peterburs, Helena Sanchez


Middle School Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 GPA): Liliana Dzwonkowska, Kayden Garduno, Gio Konkey, Eilish Coleman, Gigi Haverkamp, Nico Konkey, Davina Adeyemi, Lily D’Almeida, Jordan Monte, Esosoa Osadolor, Harlan Sabino, Theo Wagner, Nicole Zamudio-Abonce

November 2025 News

We had a wonderful time serving together at Feed My Starving Children! Our 4th–8th grade students, along with parent volunteers and staff, worked side by side to pack meals for children around the world. It was inspiring to see our students approach this service opportunity with such enthusiasm, teamwork, and compassion, truly following the example of Christ in serving others. Their dedication reflects the generous spirit at the heart of our PJ23 community.
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In addition, our PJ Players delighted us with their performance of “The Pig Who Cried Wolf.” A heartfelt thank-you to Mrs. Wolff for her leadership, creativity, and direction. Congratulations to our talented cast, Ellie Angara, Maggie Brescoll, Anthony Dzwonkowski, Helena Sanchez, Gigi Schindlbeck, Coco Spencer, and Theo Wagner, for your amazing performances! You entertained us with confidence and joy, and I am so proud of each of you.

Fall Conferences at Pope John XXIII School
We look forward to connecting with you to discuss your child’s growth and progress this school year! Conferences are required for all families and will be held in person at school. Our Fall Conferences will take place on: 
Monday, November 24 | 1:00–6:00  PM
Tuesday, November 25 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM

October 2025 News

I am deeply grateful to our Parish Rapid Response Team for their presence and vigilance in providing extra security during recess, drop-off, and pick-up times when there have been ICE sightings in the area. This dedicated group has been trained on how to respond appropriately should ICE agents appear on our campus, helping to ensure the safety and peace of mind of our students, families, and staff. The team is looking to expand and would like to offer additional training. If you are interested, please consider attending a training session and joining this important ministry of support and protection for our community. 

Trunk or Treat is Back!
Trunk or Treat returns on Saturday, October 25th from 3:00–6:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now. In addition to trunk-or-treating, families can look forward to fun games, crafts, a spooky haunted house, delicious food, the return of Pumpkin Chuckin’, and the always-popular Chili Cook-Off. Proceeds from this event support Parent Association activities throughout the year, so your participation makes a big difference. We can’t wait to see you there! 

PJ23 Dads – Steak Night
Calling all PJ23 dads! Join us for a fun evening featuring grilled steaks by Chef Jaime Guerrero, along with spirits, sides, and desserts. College football will be on the big screen while you enjoy good food and great company.Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Oldershaw Hall
Cost: $100 per person
Please RSVP by October 31. Hosted by the PJ23 Athletic Board.
PJ23 Golf Range Experience for 4th-8th Grade Students
Date: Thursday, October 16, 3:45–5:30 PM
Location: Skokie Sports Park on Oakton Ave
Cost: FREE!
Future golfers are invited to join the PJ23 Golf Team coaches and current players for a fun 2-hour golf range session! Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Clubs
​You can still enroll in Chess Club Chess Club Link, Middle School Math Club Math Club Link and Quiz Bowl Quiz Bowl Club Link.

September 2025 News

I am  proud to announce the newly elected Student Council Officers for the 2025–2026 school year!

• President: Anya Tyurin
• Vice President: Madonna Mirza
• Secretary: Lauren Hansen
• Treasurer: Emanuel Piverger
• School Historian: Gigi Schindlbeck
• School Spirit: Lou Kosyla

The Student Council plays an important role in our school community. They arrange special out-of-uniform days, host assemblies, lead the morning announcements, and take on many other responsibilities that enrich the life of our school. I am truly grateful for their leadership and service.

Grandparents’ Day: Tuesday, September 24, 8:15-10:00
Grandparents and special friends are invited to join us for Grandparents Day next week. The celebration will begin with Mass at 8:15 a.m., followed by a reception in the school lunchroom and a visit to your grandchild’s classroom. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating this special day together!

Girls’ Volleyball Season Kickoff and Spirit Wear Day
Join us on Thursday, September 25 as we kick off our girls’ volleyball season with a home game against St. JFX! Come cheer on our Panthers, show your school spirit, and feel free to wear your PJ23 spirit wear to school and to the game. Here is the link to purchase spirit wear.
Oktoberfiesta Is Almost Here
Join us on Saturday, September 27 at the St. Mary’s campus for our annual Oktoberfiesta—a lively evening filled with fun for the whole family. Guests will enjoy delicious German and Mexican food and drinks, live music, a quilt auction, and our Grand Raffle.
This year’s celebration will showcase music from two bands connected to our school community. The Lemon Zests, our very own group of talented 6th grade girls, were discovered at last spring’s Talent Show and will be performing again. We are also thrilled to welcome Switchback, a professional band featuring our own Marty McCormack, who blends the rich traditions of folk, Irish, rock, and country music.
This event is an important fundraiser for our school. The Parish and school split the proceeds 50/50, so your participation makes a big difference. We’ll need both parent volunteers and many families to come out and enjoy the fun to help make it a success!
It promises to be an evening of wonderful music, great food, and community celebration. We hope to see you there!