Dear SPC Families,

Last week, you received your Celebrating the Spirit Invitation in your oldest/only student's Thursday takehome folder. As you can see from the invitation, it will be quite an amazing evening! A very big thank you to all of our CTS Event and Ad sponsors!! 

I know it's a busy time of year, but you will definitely want to get a head start and purchase your tickets. Also, be sure to plan for your Well Wish so you don't miss the deadline which is MONDAY, December 18th. You can visit the CTS website to order your well wish, and simply email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your well wish photo! Tickets and Well Wishes can be purchased by going to the Celebrating the Spirit 2024 website here. 

In Today's Thursday Mailing: 

• EDP on 12/21 & 12/22
• GERMS
• BAND REGISTRATION IS LIVE
• RE-ENROLLMENT IS IN PROCESS!
• SAVE THE DATE: CHRISTMAS PRAYER SERVICE & CONCERT GRADES PS-3 (updated parking options)
• DECEMBER SAVE THE DATES

EDP Next Week:

A reminder of the following changes for the EDP schedule next week:
THURSDAY 12/21: All students in EDP must be picked up by 4:00 pm.  
FRIDAY 12/22: NO afternoon EDP!

Germs:

The urgent care cases in the main offices keep climbing! I know this time of year is particularly busy with coughs, sore throats, etc. However, if you have to give your child medicine in the morning to "get them through" the school day, that is an indicator to keep them home! Kids are very candid, and it is frustrating when we hear, "I took medicine this morning (cold medicine and Tylenol), and I said I was sick," and they were still sent to school. We know it is often difficult, but we must do our best to keep the germs away from the classroom; strep, flu, COVID, RSV, and other viruses are going around. If your child throws up, they must stay home for 24 hours. If they have a fever, they must stay home until fever-free without fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours before returning to school. I appreciate your cooperation.

Adopt A Family Donations–Thank you!

Thank you for your generosity! We have collected almost $5000 for the Adopt a Family gift cards! We've sent the donations over to the Social Service Ministry Office!

 
Band and Piano Registration is Now Live
We are excited to announce that registration for band (4-8) and piano (K-3) is now live! Be sure to register before January 1st to allow us time to create the schedule. 

If you have questions about band and music lessons, please email Jim Jozwiak at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. *Please see Band and Piano Registration information below in the School News section.

Re-ENROLLMENT for 2024-2025
Re-enrollment is in FULL SWING! 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. All families should have received the link for their student packet(s). If any family accidentally created a new student application, please contact Mrs. Waldeck immediately so she can deactivate that application and reverse the fee.  

CHRISTMAS PRAYER SERVICE & CONCERT GRADES PS-3 December 21st

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. There is also parking available along the tracks for a fee. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND carpooling! YOU MAY NOT PARK IN FM GLOBAL or RYAN PARKE FUNERAL HOME.  

PARKING OPTIONS:

• Tiger Parking Lot—small parking lot off of Ridge Terrace next to the Kinnane Center. Teachers will not be parking there on concert day. 
• Pay for Metra Parking along the tracks
• Park Ridge Public Works will extend a courtesy parking on Summit Ave on the day of the event (12/21) from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. 
  The courtesy parking will begin at the point where the street sign says "bus parking only" and extend to Ridge Terrace. ***The part from S. Washington Ave up to door B7 is still off limits. 
• Uptown Park Ridge Public Parking

CAN I BRING MY OLDER STUDENTS TO THE CONCERT? No, the older students will see the concert during the practice on Wednesday, December 20th, 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.

DECEMBER SAVE THE DATES:
December 21- Preschool-3 Christmas Concert (see above for details)
December 22 - Last day of school before Christmas break – 3:00 Dismissal!

Peace,

Dr. Erika Mickelburgh

Celebrating the Spirit 2024

We just want to have fun with you at CTS!
Purchase tickets here, and don't forget to submit your well wishes by this MONDAY, December 18th!

Thank you! 
CTS 2024 Co-Chairs
Kelly Bontempo, Amy DiGregorio, and Megan Weber

SPC Home & School Association

Happy December!  
With the holidays right around the corner, the Home and School Association (HSA) will once again host the SPC Faculty Christmas Gift Fund.  This is a school-wide collection of monetary gift donations which is then equitably divided among all SPC full and part-time faculty, administration, and support staff as a demonstration of our appreciation during this holiday season. 

In previous years, families have donated $40-$50 per student (an average of $6-$10 per faculty or staff member with whom your child interacts depending on grade level), however, the FACTS form allows for you to contribute any amount with which you are comfortable.

This donation is in lieu of individual gifts. The last names (only) will be added to the Christmas card that will be given to each faculty and staff member with the check enclosed on Friday, December 22nd.

Donations can be made by clicking this link. The final date to donate is Tuesday, December 19th at 5:00 pm.
Thank you in advance for your generosity! 
Home and School Association

Teacher Cookie Exchange!

Please click on the flyer above for the Sign Up Genius.
Please click here to download the flyer directly.

Dear Parents and Families,

Thank you for making our Book Fair amazing and creating memories that will last a lifetime, and for making our Book Fair an outstanding success! We are so grateful to all the Book Fair volunteers from our school community! Please click here for a letter from the Book Fair Chair, Mrs. Sue Dohr. 

More School News 

St Paul of the Cross School - Enrollment - Log In (renweb.com)

Roundball 2024
Save the Dates for the 2024 Roundball Tournament, March 3rd – 9th! Practice will begin on March 2nd. Look for player, coach, and sponsor forms soon! 

Band and Piano Registration is Now Live
We are excited to announce that registration for band (4-8) and piano (K-3) is now live! Please click below for all the details and the registration link. If you have questions about band and music lessons, please email Jim Jozwiak at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SPC Band Registration Flyer
SPC Piano Registration Flyer

Hot Lunch
The January-April hot lunch link will be open till Dec 22nd at 11:59 pm. This link is for registration for the 2nd trimester, and If you want to just register for January alone.

SPC Athletic News

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

FROM THE COMMUNITY

From Our Catholic High Schools

From the Community

Park Ridge Hawks Lacrosse Boys and Girls Spring Registration

Edison Park Indoor Youth Soccer Spring Registration Information 
Click here to download the flyer with all the details. 

 Pre-K Social Skills Therapy Groups in January at Assential Therapy