Delagram 2nd July 2024

From the Principal

Loving Lord 
During this time away from my school I ask that you would release any conscious or unconscious stresses or strains that I may have built up over the past months, and help me to switch off my mind from the urgent things that may be mounting up at school, so that I may return reinvigorated and better equipped to face the responsibility on my return.
 Thank you for this time away from school, and I pray that this will be a time of great refreshment and
renewal and a special time Lord when I draw even closer to You. In Jesus' name I pray,
 Amen.

I am sure as you read this newsletter, your child is excited about the prospect of the two weeks that
lie ahead. I believe that the prayer I have added to my message this week is particularly pertinent.
There has been a surge in staff, student and community members who have been sick in some form
or fashion over the past few months and I sincerely hope that the holidays can be used to
regenerate and reinvigorate all of us that are on holidays in preparation for Semester Two.

As we look towards the new Semester, there are many things to look forward to:
 Introduction of a Term Calendar that we be sent to families in hard copies and in digital form.
 The construction of a new walkway between our Wellbeing Hub and the Music rooms.
 Co-curricular opportunities with commitments to the Diocesan Basketball Championships
and different Dance Eisteddfods.
 Parent Teacher Meetings for Years 8-12 in Week Two.
 Further parent information and engagement afternoons/evenings.
 Successful pathways planning for Year 10 students and decisions to be made for their
immediate future in 2025.
 The Graduation week for our Year 12 students.

Term Three is a particularly important academic term for our senior students:
 Year 12 students will be engaging in their HSC trial exams early next term.
 Year 12 students will then be preparing for their HSC exams that will commence at the
beginning of Term 4.
 Year 11 students will be engaging in their End of Preliminary stage exams before
commencing their HSC year at the beginning of Term 4.
 Year 10 students will need to reengage with their academic studies after completing 2 weeks
of work experience and the 2 weeks of holidays.
We hope that our students have a sense of the challenges that lie ahead. A football team that I
follow has the motto ‘Be Prepared’. I would like to borrow this very simple motto as I believe that it
can assist in the development and wellbeing of our students. Anxiety, stress, expectation and
emotions can all be managed better if our students are prepared. This means creating and allowing
time for a study schedule, managing notes, development of questions for teachers, engaging in the
many resources made available and participating in additional classes that teachers may offer.
Equally important is minimising external disruptions and/or decreasing part-time work hours. Whilst
our teachers are working hard to prepare our students for these exams, our students now need to
take that responsibility to apply their learning.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish two staff well as they finish their time at La Salle
Academy and look to engage in exciting new adventures. Mr Steve Carroll has been an important
member of our PDHPE team over the last few years and this year has been instrumental in assisting our
Year 10-12 students in the Pastoral/Wellbeing role. Dr Donna Mitchell has been a guiding
influence on the strategic directions and the supports that are being implemented throughout the
school as we look to strengthen our teaching and learning focus. Friday the 5th July marks the last
day that both Steve and Donna will be at La Salle Academy and we wish them both the very best
moving forward. Equally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Kerry Hogan who
be taking up the Pastoral/Wellbeing role for the remainder of the year. Ms Hogan has experience
within the Pastoral role albeit at a tertiary level. She has developed a strong rapport with both our
staff and students and we are delighted that she will be joining our pastoral team for Semester Two.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff and students for the efforts over Term Two. I
hope that everyone has a safe holiday and I look forward to seeing our students again as they embark on
the second half of our year commencing on Tuesday 23rd July.

Good Luck and God Bless.
Mr Glenn Carpenter

Assistant Principal

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews 
Congratulations to all our students for the achievements of Term 2. Parents and students can now access their Semester 1 Reports which are available on Compass. Managing time effectively and meeting subject deadlines on a range of tasks can be a great challenge for many of our students. For some, the reports show many examples of success, perseverance, and growth and for others the report is an opportunity for some careful reflection. If we are not happy with our results and grades, then what do we need to do differently and how we can use the support of our teachers to achieve new goals? We encourage you to have a conversation with your children about their mid-year report and help direct them to discussions and steps that can bring greater success for the semester ahead. 

A reminder that if you are accessing Compass on your phone via the app, you will need to click the
‘view on web browser’ link. From here simply navigate to your child’s report for Semester 1 Report, 2024. 

We are looking forward to welcoming parents and carers to our Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews
which will be held for students from Years 8-11 on Tuesday, July 30th from 2.30pm - 7.00pm.
Bookings can be made on Compass. Parents of students in Year 8 – 10 will be given the first opportunity to book with staff, followed by Year 11 from week 2 of the holidays. If you are having any difficulties, please contact the office when school returns and we can provide some assistance. 

Timetable changes for Term 3
Some students will note a few adjustments to timetables when they return for Term 3. These
changes have been made to accommodate Mr Carroll’s and Mrs Mitchell's departure and the
The new timetable will be released on the first day of school for teachers which is, Monday
July 22nd. Students will return on Tuesday July 23 rd . When making Parent Teacher bookings
we encourage you to book with the staff member who wrote the report as they will have the
best insight into your son/daughter’s learning thus far. Where the teacher has left the school,
no teacher interview will be available.

Work Experience & Work Placement
Year 10 have just completed Work Experience and I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all of the employers who have hosted our students for the last two weeks. We greatly
appreciate your generosity. Well done also to our students who participated fully in a wide
range of industries from Hospitality, Defence Force, Hairdressing, Plumbing and Construction
to name a few. We look forward to hearing about your experiences in Term 3.

Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations
The beginning of Term 3 will see our Year 12 students preparing for their Trial HSC Exams
which commence on Monday of Week 3 (5th August). Students have been emailed their own
individual timetable and although students do not attend formal classes during this exam
period when they don’t have exams, students still have access to the school library for study
and exam preparation. It is important to be at school on time during the first 2 weeks of term
to ensure that students are fully prepared for these exams.

In closing, I would like to wish everyone a safe holiday and we look forward to seeing students back
in class in Term 3 on Tuesday 23 rd July.

Mrs Jenny Holgate
Assistant Principal

From the Religious Education Coordinator

As we approach the end of Term 2, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the wonderful activities and events that have taken place within our school community over the last few weeks, and express my gratitude to all who have contributed to their success, especially Imogen Della Bosca (Youth Minister).

During Week 9, our Year 7 and 8 students participated in enriching retreat days. These days were run by the Lasallian Mission, focusing on building community and enhancing emotional intelligence among our students. Thank you to the Lasallian Mission team for their dedication and support.
Last Friday, we hosted our second Youth Group Gathering movie night. With 20 people in attendance, the evening was filled with laughter, delicious treats including hotdogs, popcorn and of course CHOCOLATE! It was truly a night to remember and we are grateful to everyone who made it possible, especially Harry for bringing the fairy floss machine. 
On the 2nd of July, our Year 12 students participated in a comprehensive Studies of Religion workshop in Orange. Over 400 students from various schools gathered to deepen their knowledge of the syllabus content and gain valuable HSC exam tips. We extend our thanks to James Sheeran High School, especially Mrs Tania Morris for organising this insightful day.

As we look forward to Term 3, there are many exciting events planned in the mission and religious areas:

• Year 9 & 10 Retreat Days: 19th and 20th September
• Primary Retreat Days (Years 4, 5 and 6): Run by our CSYMI Year 9/10 students
• Sacramental Program: Commencing for Year 7-12 students
• Assumption of Mary Mass
• Year 12 Graduation Mass

These events are vital opportunities for spiritual growth, community building, and personal development. As Pope Francis reminds us, "Faith, community, and service are not just aspects of our life; they are the core of our Christian responsibility." Let us continue to embrace all opportunities with open arms and a real sense of service to others.

As we conclude this term, I wish all students, staff, and families a safe and restful break. May you return rejuvenated and ready for the wonderful activities and opportunities that Term 3 will bring.

Mrs Wilsmore-Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

Youth Minister

It has been an extremely busy week last week, with both the year 7 and 8 La Sallian retreat days run by Josh and Damo on Wednesday and Thursday. Both of which were great days for the students to reflect and build connections with their peers.  

We also had our second Youth group gathering last Friday, in which we hosted a Movie Night where we screened ‘Wonka. It was an extremely enjoyable night for many of our students who attended. I would especially like to thank Mrs Wilsmore-Smith for all her help  and contributions in the organisation of the afternoon. I would also like to thank Harry Pottinger and Miss Tannous for all their help in the evening, as it couldn’t have happened without their support. I am hoping to continue the Youth Gatherings over Term 3, as it has received very positive feedback from the students who attended. 

I wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday and look forward to seeing everyone ready for Term 3!

Imogen Della Bosca
La Salle Youth Minister

Youth Group Gathering

Year 7-9 Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

As we reach the end of another exciting term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the achievements and growth we've witnessed in our students in Years 7-9. It has been a pleasure to see each of you thrive academically, socially, and personally. Throughout the term, we've seen outstanding efforts in classrooms, on the sports field, and in various extracurricular activities. The dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and you are to be commended for your perseverance and enthusiasm.

While enjoying your break, remember to stay safe online. Whether you're connecting with friends or exploring new interests, it's essential to be mindful of internet safety. Protect your personal information and be cautious of the content you share. If you encounter anything concerning, don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult or use available resources such as the eSafety commissioner for support.

With the end of term upon us, I wish you all a fantastic and well-deserved break. Whether you're travelling or staying close to home, I hope you find time to relax, recharge, and enjoy quality time with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for the new term in two weeks time!

Ms Tahni Isedale
Year 7-9 Pastoral Wellbeing

Pastoral Welfare Co-ordinator Years 10 - 12

This is my last Delagram article and I am saving the best to last! (well…… in my opinion). Term 3 is an important term for many reasons across years 10 -12.
Year 10 marks the beginning of the transition towards senior study and choosing HSC subjects. Using these terms makes the decision sound a little more important and gives the decisions a little more weight! Let it be  known that I have spoken to all of year 10 several times this year in meetings, outlining that this process is fast approaching. I have asked year 10 students to give some thought to their future subjects and engage in conversations with parents, teachers and older peers. For those students that heard this advice and have acted on this, they will be a little more prepared for this process. For those that have given no thought to their future, I strongly suggest you start thinking about what you would like 2025 to look like. If you would like a particular outcome then you need to make some action for goals to be achieved. 

Year 11 is almost complete. Exams are late in term 3 and a lot of subjects have completed their core units of work. These exams will be a taste of the year 12 trial HSC and the HSC exams to come. In a lot of instances they follow a similar structure and outline with a variety of similar structured questions. Be aware that the year 11 exams in most instances are shorter in duration. One thing to keep in mind is that the year 11 reports are the reports that are used to apply for early entry into university. Both the comments and final mark will be very important in the application process and no doubt will be instrumental in determining whether a placement is offered. Advice is to follow the advice given on numerous occasions thus far and prepare for these exams, they are 10 weeks away! 

Year 12 trial HSC exams are held in week 3 of next term. Students all over NSW will be sitting these exams early in term 3. In a lot of instances they hold great weighting towards the final HSC assessment mark. I have looked at a few students across some subjects that may be achieving lower than their capabilities. If they were to achieve a modest mark of 70-75% in their exam it could increase their final assessment of 8 marks in some courses. It should also be noted that students that are achieving desired marks need to mirror these achievements in these exams to obtain their desired assessment mark. Not achieving in these exams could also lead to a drop of 5-8 marks in their overall assessment. 

What should year 12 students be doing now? The best answer would be what they should have been doing for the past month or more. I suspect a fair percentage are working well below what is required and huge changes will need to be made. Year 12 are competing for marks across all of NSW. In PDHPE there are 17 000 students and our students are competing against all 17 000 students to gain marks. In english the number is closer to         70 000! Students should be completing at least 1 to 2 hours of study per subject per week. These coming holidays should see students spending the majority of their time revising and completing past HSC papers. These coming holidays should be a time of revision and as parents, you can support your young adult by ensuring that they are at least attempting to spend time in the books. 

“Ex nihilo nihil fit” translates to “out of nothing comes nothing!” Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist, defines grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. In the context of Years 10, 11, and 12, grit means staying committed to academic goals despite challenges. It’s about pushing through difficult topics, persevering through lengthy study sessions, and remaining focused on the end goal.

There’s no substitute for hard work. Academic success is the result of consistent effort over time. Students who put in the hours, who tackle difficult problems, and who go the extra mile, often find that their hard work pays off. It’s about making the choice to study even when it’s tempting to procrastinate.

Determination is the drive to keep going despite setbacks. It’s about maintaining a positive mindset, believing in one’s abilities, and refusing to give up when faced with obstacles. Determined students are resilient; they learn from their mistakes and use them as stepping stones to improvement.

It has been a wonderful experience in my short time working closely with these students. I have been offered another opportunity that was too good to pass up so I am leaving La Salle this term. I urge years 7-10 to take on the challenges above and go on and make a positive mark in the world, just remember though if you can do it with grit, determination and hard work will leave a bigger mark.

 Mr Stephen Carroll
Year 10-12 Coordinator.

Charles Sturt University

2024 Open Days - Charles Sturt University

Open Day is a great opportunity to discover what life at Charles Sturt is all about. Be inspired by academic staff, explore facilities and accommodation on guided tours, and chat to current students about what studying at Charles Sturt is really like.

From information sessions and campus tours to free food, entertainment, and giveaways – there’s something for everyone.

All students, carers or teachers planning to attend will need to register individually to attend Open Day to be sure to receive the reminders and key event information in the lead up to the day. 

Be sure to book early to lock in your spot! 

Wagga Wagga                   Sunday 28^th July 10am – 2:30pm  

Port Macquarie                Sunday 4^th August 10am – 2:30pm  

Albury-Wodonga              Sunday 11^th August 10am – 1:30pm  

Bathurst                             Sunday 18^th August 10am – 2:30pm  

Orange                               Sunday 25^th August 10am – 12:30pm  

Book your spot below

https://study.csu.edu.au/why-charles-sturt/events/open-day?_

Library News

Holiday Reading
There has been a flurry of activity in the library this week as students in Years 7-10 borrow their accelerated reading books to read over the holiday break. Students are encouraged to maintain the good reading habits put in place throughout Semester 1. Not only will this help them to develop their vocabulary, comprehension and understanding of the craft of writing, but it will also ensure they are ready to complete the associated book quiz on their return to school. Additionally, it is in maintaining consistent reading habits that enables our students to also enhance their mental health and wellbeing. Australia Reads is an organisation aimed at ‘getting more people to read more often.’ They conduct a wide range of research on reading habits and their benefits and have found:

… that people who read regularly report higher self-esteem, are less lonely, and are more likely to empathise with others. Reading also slows the heart rate, reduces stress and can even extend our lives.

For more statistics and information, see the research tiles attached below. You can also access information through their website https://australiareads.org.au/

Book and DVD Donations
This semester, the library team has undertaken a huge clean out of the physical collection to ensure that all fiction and non-fiction books are relevant and engaging for our learning community. This means that we have a vast number of resources now needing a new home. Thanks to the wonderful connections made with Maree Wilsmore and the team at Bathurst Uniting Support Services (BUSS) during our recent National Refuge Awareness day, we have been able to share with them a large number of resources including DVDs, and adult fiction and non-fiction texts. BUSS is a program run by the Bathurst Uniting Church and offers kindness and care to people in need and some of the projects focus on social contact and pastoral care. So the resources we can no longer use will definitely be going to a good home where they will find a brand new audience. If there are any other organisations within the community that would benefit from a donation of books, please contact the school office. 

Book Week 2024
This national, annual celebration of Australian children’s literature is just around the corner. From the 17th- 23rd August, the focus will be on the theme ‘Reading is Magic’. This event has been run by the Children’s Book Council Awards since 1946, and it aims to honour the authors and illustrators of Australian children’s literature whilst also enriching young lives through the transformational power of stories. At La Salle, we will be celebrating the week by running a range of book-related activities in the library with prizes on offer. More information will be shared early next term.

Premier’s Reading Challenge
A reminder that the PRC will close on Friday, 23rd August. So make sure all entries are added to the Person Reading Logs before this date to ensure you will get the certificate in Term 4. Also, there has been an update to student online access to the site and now when students login they will be redirected immediately to the student experience site. This update eliminates the need for students to manually navigate there via the banner at the top of the PRC Main site.

If any students, parents or carers still use the PRC main site to log their reading, please refer to the following resources to aid you in understanding the changes:

1. The relevant grade's Challenge rules PowerPoint on the Tips and Teaching Notes page, which includes screenshots demonstrating how to log books on the Student Experience Site.
2. Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the PRC video.
3. This help article, which contains a downloadable PDF of the process.

If you need further assistance, please contact the library staff.

Happy Reading,
Mrs Devine

Finance

SCHOOL FEES REMINDER
A quick reminder that our year is rolling on through and we are almost at the end of Term 2.
Due to our fee structure being set up as three payments over three terms, Instalments 1 and 2
should now be paid.

2024 Billing Dates:
Term 1 Billing date: 01/03/2024 and Instalment Due date: 15/03/2024
Term 2 Billing date: 10/05/2024 and Instalment Due date: 24/05/2024
Term 3 Billing date: 02/08/2024 and Instalment Due date: 16/08/2024
If you have not received your School Fee Statement via email, please contact the school
office to ensure that we have the correct email address on our system.

Just a reminder that payments can be made by the following payment options:
 Account balances can be accessed via Compass and payments can be made on the App.
 BPay Payment References are readily available on the Fee Statements.
 Direct Debit Forms are available at the school – just call or email to enquire.
 EFTPOS is available in person at the office or you are welcome to make payment over the phone.
 Centrepay Forms are available from ServiceNSW or call / email and we can arrange one to be sent.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the office by calling (02) 6354 5100 or by emailing the
school on lasallelithgow@bth.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions relating to your
account or if experiencing any difficulty so we can do our best to find a suitable solution.

Warm regards,
Narelle Lee

All things Attendance

It is law in NSW that all school age children must attend school every day that the school is open.
There is a direct relationship between learning success and excellent attendance

Hi Everybody,
Can you believe that we are at the end of Term 2, where has the time gone?
I just thought I would put a little article in the newsletter to remind parents and guardians of the importance of regular attendance for their child at school.

• We are now experiencing a high level of absence at school due to sickness – Cold and flu, RSV is going around and Covid is still lingering. We ask that if your child is displaying symptoms of cold and flu to keep them at home. If you are worried that your child is missing any lessons, please let the school know and the teacher can send work home or work can be added to Google Classroom
• Whilst at school we ask that we adopt the usual practices of washing and sanitizing our hands regularly to keep the germs at bay.
• There has been an increase in children being absent during the school term for non-essential travel and we ask that this be only done when absolutely necessary. If you are planning on taking leave during the school term, even if this only for a few days, we ask that you contact the school prior to going away as some leave needs to be approved by the school Principal.
• We encourage parents and carers to make every effort to schedule appointments outside of school hours, however we realise this may not always be possible.
• Parents please also remember to update your child’s absences when they are not at school. This needs to be done within 7 days from the time of the absence. You can do this in a number of ways but we ask that you access the Compass Parent portal as the main contact.
• To enter a note on compass please follow the instructions below. Please remember to change the start and finish time to reflect a full day’s absence as shown in the second picture
• You may also send an email to the school – lasallelithgow@bth.catholic.edu.au, send in a note with the child when they return or call the front office – 6354 5100 and explain the absence. If you are having issues with Compass, please contact the front office and we will be more than happy to assist you.
• Parents if you have received any notifications in regards to your child’s attendance could you please action this or if you have any questions, please contact me or the school.
• Also if you are experiencing any difficulties with your child attending school please do not hesitate to contact their Year advisor to find ways in which we can help your son or daughter

I think that covers everything at this stage, have a lovely two-week break and come back refreshed and ready to go for the next two terms of 2024.

Mrs Kath Staines
Attendance Wellbeing Officer

Re: 'Jesus Revolution' Movie Screening, Sunday 28th July 2024, 3pm - 6pm, Union Theatre, Lithgow

We are excited to announce a series of inspirational events coming to Lithgow, 'The Lithgow Event Series', aimed at fostering hope and connection within our community. The Event Co, Lithgow, and Hope Bathurst* are teaming up with local churches to bring you a series of free movie screenings and musical events, starting with the inaugural event on Sunday, July 28th, 2024. 

We would love to invite the students, staff and community of La Salle Academy Lithgow to attend this event. Please find further information below and a poster attached to this email.
This free event will be held at the historic Union Theatre in Lithgow and feature a live band, warm drinks and the screening of 'Jesus Revolution' (2023), a powerful film depicting the historical spiritual revival of the 1970s. Based on true events, the movie centres around the character of young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney), who is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a JESUS REVOLUTION.

Date: Sunday 28th July 2024 Time: 3pm (doors open), 4pm - 6pm (movie screening)

Address: Union Theatre, 65 Bridge Street, Lithgow 

Entry: Free entry, no bookings required. 

Food/Drink: Light refreshments and warm drinks will be available free of chargeAge: Open to all ages, however the 'Jesus Revolution' film is classified M for mature audiences, and contains mature themes and drug references. Parents and guardians may need to find out more about the content in a film or computer game before deciding whether it is suitable for a child in their care.

CONTACT: For further inquiries  please contact, Lani Johnson, Coordinator - ‘The Lithgow Event Series’
Email: theeventcolithgow@gmail.com    Phone: 0410 560 898

PCYC Safe Drivers course

This course counts towards 20 hours towards the participants log book, and they learn with professional driving instructors.
The Safer Drivers Course aims to provide learner drivers with the knowledge they need to reduce road risks and prevent accidents by becoming a safe driver. As an Accredited Provider of the transport for NSW Safer Drivers Course, PCYC NSW know that our students will complete the course with a greater of understanding of how to be a safe P-plate driver.Statistically, the first six months after receiving your provisional license are the most dangerous. New P-plate drivers can find it challenging on the roads without the support of an experienced instructor by their side. Our course equips young drivers with the tools they need to manage the transition to a full license.I have attached two tiles which can be used, or alternatively, if you can advertise hyperlinks, you can use this as well. PCYC Safer Drivers Course
I really appreciate any support in advertising this to our local kids and can be contacted on the below details if you need any further information. 

Art Classes

A workshop especially for teens aged 15 to 18 years with Dobell Drawing Prize #23 finalist Luke Thurgate.

 Luke Thurgate is a fantastic artist who teaches the Dobell Drawing School classes for year 11 students at the National Art School. He is exhibiting in our current exhibition Dobell Drawing Prize #23 and is teaching this teens only class at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in the upcoming school holidays:

Teens only Charcoal Drawing Class with Luke Thurgate

Sunday 14 July                12:30 pm – 3.30 pm

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/teens-only-charcoal-drawing-class-with-luke-thurgate-tickets-922011971627?aff=oddtdtcreator

 Sarah Emerson  l Blue Mountains Cultural Centre -  Public Programs Coordinator

Blue Mountains City Council l 02 4780 5675 l Locked Bag 1005 Katoomba NSW 2780 

www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au l www.bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au

Karate Classes

We are a local karate school who have been operating for over 25 years with experienced, qualified instructors.
We provide fun, affordable karate classes for kids, teens and adults to develop fitness, determination, focus and self defence in a safe, welcoming environment.
Our karate school is a traditional school that follows the virtues of respect, peace and perseverance and helps to develop students in the dojo as well as in their daily lives.
We are offering a FREE trial lesson to all new students.

Kind regards,
Tamara Snow
Blue Mountains Karate Admin and Instructor

Phone: 0425 370 859
Email: info@karatensw.com.au
Website: karatensw.com.au
Facebook: chito ryu karate blue mountains

Basic Student Stationary Pack

Canteen- Flexischools App

We have the flexischools app for your convenience order online - See the flyers below with instructions on how to order

School Zones Reminder

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all the days the school is open, even pupil free days.