Dear SPC Families,
I pray you all have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! We had an exciting week, complete with the tradition of the early childhood feasts; thank you to all the parents who helped with the celebrations! I look forward to seeing everyone when we return to school on November 27th. There will be no Thursday mailing next week.
Tomorrow marks the end of Trimester 1; the first third of the school year has flown by. I am so proud of our hardworking students and faculty! I hope you see how your children are learning and growing each day! Report cards will be emailed home on November 30th.
THIS IS ANOTHER JAM-PACKED THURSDAY MAILING:
- Coming Soon Re-enrollment
- Change in 3-8 Music & Band
- Looking to Volunteer?
- Uncle Pete's Ministry Bagged Lunches-Dropoff Tomorrow Morning
- Save the Date Christmas Prayer Service and Concert Grades PS-3
- November/December Save the Dates
- Preschool-1st Grade Parent Mingles!
- Book Fair Save the Date and Information
- Adopt A Family Donations–CHRISTMAS DONATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICE MINISTRY
Re-Enrollment for 2024-2025
Coming soon! We will hold our re-enrollment from December 1st through January 18th. You will need to complete re-enrollment (we are using the same process as last year through FACTS) to secure your child’s space for the 24-25 school year. A detailed re-enrollment letter will be sent the week of November 27th.
Change in Grades 3-8 Music and Band
I regret to inform you that Mr. Angus is leaving St Paul of the Cross to return home to attend to family matters. We thank him for his service and wish him well in the future. St Paul of the Cross partners with RISE education for the music program and they have secured a new teacher who will begin after Thanksgiving break!
Welcome Mrs. Giusti!
My name is Jenilca Giusti, a Mother of 2 young boys living in Brookfield, IL. I have been teaching music to children for over 10 years and went to school for Audio Engineer at Columbia Flash Point in Chicago. I grew up in Florida where I attended Catholic School throughout my school years and was always involved in band, theatre and choir. I also started in Music young at the age of 17 touring the world with many artists where I took breaks to also study Music Theory. Now I keep myself busy between Mom life, teaching and writing and recording music. I look forward to meeting everyone and I’m excited to have a fun rest of the year!
Future Plans for Band:
I am committed to ensuring that SPC continues to provide band! We are partnering with Band for Today to continue the band program! When we return from Thanksgiving all students in band and in the 3-8 will receive information on registering for band and lessons. One small change to the program is that all lessons will take place during the school day. Our hope is that this change will encourage more students to participate in the program as it will not interfere with afterschool activities! Students will take their weekly lessons on a 5 week rotating basis so that they are not pulled the same time each week. We will also begin offering piano instruction for K-8 students during the school day.
Looking to Volunteer?
A reminder that all volunteers at school must be in full compliance with our safe environment protocols! Please click here if you think you would like to volunteer in the future. This includes coaching, room parents, lunch parents, SPC Olympic volunteers etc..
Uncle Pete's Ministry Bagged Lunches!
Tomorrow, Friday, November 17th, Uncle Pete's Ministry and our NJHS students will be collecting meals for those in need. These bags will be collected as students enter the building tomorrow morning. Thank you everyone for your support of this mission to feed the hungry.
Save the Date Christmas Prayer Service and Concert Grades PS-3
WHERE: Church
WHEN: Thursday, December 21 at 10:00 am
GUESTS ALLOWED: We will Livestream so friends and family can watch it. Please be mindful of the number of guests you bring; we have limited capacity.
PARKING: Parking will be a challenge. Please utilize the public parking in Park Ridge. YOU MAY NOT PARK IN FM GLOBAL or RYAN PARKE FUNERAL HOME.
CAN I BRING MY OLDER STUDENTS TO THE CONCERT? No, the older students will see the concert on Wednesday, December 20th, during the practice, allowing for more room in the church.
WHY DO WE DO THE SERVICE DURING THE DAY? Excellent question; the truth is when we host the concert at 6 or 7 at night for these little ones, it can be a challenge. Asking them to perform when they should be unwinding for the day and getting ready for bed does not make for ideal circumstances, especially during the excitement of the holiday season. We understand that it isn't always the best for parent schedules, but we appreciate your understanding that this decision is focused on what is best for the kids. We will livestream the performance so that you can still see your child perform if you can't be there.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER SAVE THE DATES:
- November 20-24 - THANKSGIVING BREAK
- Book Fair November 30 - December 5
- December 21 - Preschool-3 Christmas Concert
- December 22 - Last day of school before Christmas break!
Scholastic Book Fair - Thursday, November 30th through Tuesday, December 5th. Please see the information below.
Adopt A Family Donations–CHRISTMAS DONATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICE MINISTRY
SPC has a long-standing tradition of partnering with the parish social service ministry to ensure that needy families in our community have a wonderful Christmas. The Adopt-A-Family program will collect funds and purchase gift cards so families can buy their own gifts. Given the timeline, we ask that funds be collected by December 10, 2023. Please consider donating to the Adopt-A-Family program so our school can continue this Advent tradition. 100% of these proceeds will go towards the Adopt-A-Family program in Social Service Ministry. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION
Preschool-1st Grade Parent Mingles! Please see the information below.
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
SPC Home & School Association
Home & School Association Restaurant Fundraiser - Raising Cane’s Chicken- Wednesday, December 6 from 4pm to close
The H&S fundraiser will be at Raising Cane’s Chicken on Wednesday, December 6th. If you participate, students may come out of uniform on Thursday, December 7th. Please mention the SPC fundraiser when placing your order. They will not have out of uniform passes, so please send your receipt to school with your child. Thank you for your support!
Celebrating the Spirit 2024
CTS FAQ sheet
Please click here for our flipbook packet on Celebrating the Spirit 2024!
Or, click on the individual links below.
Parent Letter
Well Wishes
Sponsorships
Auction
Party Boards
Thank you!
CTS 2024 Co-Chairs
Kelly Bontempo, Amy DiGregorio, and Megan Weber
Scholastic Book Fair - November 30th - December 5th
Please click here to download all the details!
More School News
Preschool-1st Grade Parent Mingles!
Calling all preschool- first-grade parents... it's time for a fun parent night out! We hope you can join your grade-level night to sip, mingle, and enjoy a fun time! Appetizers, wine, beer, and mixed drinks will be served. This is a parent-only event. There will also be a fun raffle as we look forward to SPegas CTS on February 2, 2024. All parents who attend will be entered into a raffle to win a fun CTS surprise. Please click the link to RSVP. Payment Forms (nelnet.net)
- Parent/Student volunteers sign up form at our home games. Signup Genius
- Volleyball Registration (Closes tomorrow, Nov 17th.)
Smiling Strings Violin AND Guitar Winter Season Begins on December 5th. Please click here for the details and flyer.
Register NOW for the Fall Session of Chess-Ed’s Chess Enrichment Program
Registration for the Fall Session of the after-school chess program is underway! The 10-
week program takes place on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm and runs from 12/05/23 to
02/20/24.
The chess program is taught by Chess-Ed instructors and is open to students in
1 st through 8 th grade and students of all chess abilities. Professional instruction will include
the basics for beginning and novice players and build with opening theory, middle game
planning, and end game combinations for continuing students. Playing chess improves
memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility,
sportsmanship, social skills and more! The benefits of chess last a lifetime!
To register, please go to https://2023-2024stpaulofthecrosschess.eventbee.com. For
more information about the program, please see the program flyer. Chess-Ed is looking
forward to seeing your CHESS ENTHUSIAST!
Click here to download the flyer.
Registration for Ballet with Ms. Rio Winter 2024 Session is Now Open!
Please click here for all of the details and the registration link.
FROM THE PARISH
We have an active and vibrant parish and encourage everyone to read the weekly bulletins for Fr. James' weekly letter and stay informed about all upcoming events and programs.
Please click here for the latest bulletin.
Please click here for Fr. James' "The Daily" - Daily Mass Readings and Reflections
Please click here for the Apostolate of Women Registration Form.
St. Nick’s Party: St. Nick’s is back! Last year we were able to bring part of the event back and this year we will have the full event (including the children’s shopping area!). The event will be 10 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday, December 3 in the Morello Parish Life Center – Gym. Please mark your calendars to attend and consider volunteering! See sign up links for adult and student volunteers below.
Adult volunteer link: https://www.signupgenius.com/
go/409094DA9AC23AAFA7- 45604041-stnicks Student volunteer link (service hours available): Students: St. Nick's Party - Student Volunteers (signupgenius.com)
Click here to download the flyer.