Dear SPC Families,
The building is quickly getting ready for students, and it is an exciting time of year! The faculty and staff started yesterday, and we were blessed with some Student Government and National Junior Honor Society members who came to help prepare for the start of school.
This year marks the 100th year of St Paul of the Cross School! The Class of 2025 will be the 100th class to graduate from St. Paul of the Cross. We are truly blessed as a school with a vibrant school community where all children and families can grow in their faith and become faith-filled leaders for the 21st century. We will begin planning Centennial celebrations soon involving alumni, alumni parents, and current community members. Please stay tuned for opportunities to celebrate 100 years of St Paul of the Cross School. We have accomplished a great deal in the past 100 years, and as we look forward to the next 100 years, I am grateful for your partnership in strengthening our community!
I look forward to kicking off our Centennial Year on Sunday with our Back to School Mass, Meet the Teacher, and Ice Cream Social!
A FEW GENTLE REMINDERS
Morning Drop-Off and Kiss-and-Go!
If you are choosing to use the kiss-and-go lines in the morning, please remember that the drivers must remain in the car. It is a safety concern when cars stop in the kiss-and-go line and get out of the car; it creates a backup on the main streets, which is a hazard.
Thursday Mailings
Every Thursday, we send a detailed mailing with important information to all SPC families. Thank you in advance for your careful reading!
IPAD Agreement
We plan to distribute iPads on the first days of school. For your child to receive their iPad, an updated agreement needs to be completed. Please click below to sign the agreement.
https://forms.gle/7votX5pGB6nitHY76
School Office
August 16th Offices are closed
August 14th-15th Offices are open 8:00 am-1:00 pm
We will resume regular hours on August 21st.
- Back to School Mass/Teacher Meet and Greet and Ice Cream Social
- Class Lists
- Back to School Save the Dates
- American Sign Language for Preschool-Grade 2
- Back to School Night September 5th
- Recess Volunteers Needed
- Fall Support Groups
- 24-25 School Calendar
MASS/ ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND TEACHER MEET AND GREET
On August 18th, please join us for our Back to School Mass at 4:00. Immediately following Mass, we will have a Teacher meet-and-greet/supply drop-off and our Ice Cream Social. In the Gym, we will host the used uniform sale, the Park Ridge Public Library, and the New Family Welcome Committee Table. We will also have spirit wear available for purchase from The Athletic Board! (Checks and cash will be accepted for uniform sales and spirit wear.)
The Ice Cream will be located in the Safe Zone.
Teacher Meet and Greet/Supply Drop-off will be after Mass until 6:30. If you ordered your school supplies through Home and School, they will be delivered to your child’s classroom.
Class Lists Will Be Emailed Tomorrow, August 16th, at 4:00 pm
We know everyone is eagerly anticipating classroom assignments. We will send welcome letters tomorrow, August 16th, at 4:00 pm. Please remember that I do not accept teacher requests, and requests for classroom changes will not be entertained. We are blessed with an outstanding faculty and staff.
The process for developing class lists is a very thoughtful one that begins in May with teachers dividing the students into classrooms. For example, 3rd-grade teachers meet to divide the 3rd-grade students into the 4th-grade rooms. Many factors go into grouping students into classrooms: balancing class size, gender, abilities, and behavior concerns are just a few factors. Once those class lists are finalized in June, the administration assigns teachers during the summer.
BACK TO SCHOOL SAVE THE DATES
August 18: Back to School Mass followed by Teacher Meet & Greet!
August 21: First Day of Grades K-8
August 22: First Day of Preschool
August 26: EDP Starts
New in Preschool-2nd Grade
At the State of The School in May, I announced that we would be substituting American Sign Language for Spanish in Preschool- 2nd grade this school year. Spanish will continue to be offered as a club for these grades during the school year. We are excited to provide this opportunity to our students:
- Learning a new language like ASL stimulates your brain and enhances cognitive abilities.
- It improves your visual-spatial skills, memory, and multitasking capabilities.
- ASL also promotes cultural awareness and sensitivity towards diverse communication styles.
- Learning ASL encourages cognitive flexibility by engaging different brain regions responsible for language processing and motor skills.
- This flexibility can extend to problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and creative thinking.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Save the Date – September 5th
A reminder that back-to-school night is a child-free event. We will include a more detailed schedule in a later Thursday mailing. Please note the times we will have classroom presentations. This will allow families with multiple children to attend back-to-school night.
- Grades Preschool-3rd will have sessions from 7:00–8:30 pm. Please enter through door D5 on Ridge Terrace or door B1 for 3rd grade.
- Grades 4-8 from 6:00-7:20 pm (Please enter through door B1)
VOLUNTEERING FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
Lunch Recess and Field Trip Chaperones
I understand there is chatter about the shift from needing lunch supervisors to recess supervisors. The reason for the change is simple: teachers benefit from having time alone in the classroom without students for planning and preparation needs. Specifically in grades K-2, specials take place in the classroom, which does not allow for quiet prep in the room. This decision was based on what makes planning and preparation easier for teachers. A faculty member and our SPC security will be outside to assist with any emergencies. Thank you in advance for your willingness to volunteer.
Lunch/Recess Supervisor Sign-Up Information
Looking for a great way to get involved and help our teachers? Volunteer to be a Lunch Recess Supervisor! Volunteers will be assigned a classroom to supervise at lunch recess. Duties include supervising students outside during their scheduled recess time. Exact recess times will be communicated, but generally between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Parent volunteers must attend a training session in August to be approved (see sign-up below). Virtus requirements will also be adhered to (see below for more on Virtus).
If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the Google Form HERE. We will use this form to gauge parent interest at this time. We will communicate classroom assignments in August once class lists have been communicated.
NEW RECESS/LUNCH PROCEDURES TRAINING:
WHEN: August 15th – 5:00–5:30 pm, or August 20th – 5:00–5:30 pm.
WHERE: School GYM
WHAT: Training on new lunch/recess supervision procedures. We will review school emergency protocols, recess/lunch protocols, and student health protocols. Please attend one of the training sessions to be on the approved list.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
FIELD TRIP CHAPERONE TRAINING:
WHEN: September 5th – 5:30 pm (immediately before Back to School Night)
WHERE: School GYM
WHAT: This year, we are instituting training for field trip procedures. To be placed on the field trip-approved list, you must attend the training and be fully compliant with volunteer requirements.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
VIRTUS REMINDER:
To volunteer in any capacity, such as coaching, recess/lunch, room parent, field trip chaperone, Fun Fair, or Olympics, to name a few, you must be a registered and approved volunteer. All aforementioned volunteers will only be assigned if they are fully compliant. If you have questions about your compliance, please email Mrs. Miulli. Click here for the list of requirements. You can drop off all forms in the EGC office during summer office hours or email them to Mrs. Miulli at [email protected].
Fall Support Groups
A survey was sent out earlier this summer to assist us with planning our Fall programming. If you are still interested in having your child participate in an after-school program, please use this link for additional information. Mrs.Quinn will follow up regarding registration.
FINAL 24-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR
We have finalized the 24-25 school calendar and uploaded it into the Google Calendar, so please check to see if it has synced with your phones.
Click here to download the pdf version.
HOT LUNCH
If you plan to order Hot Lunch for your students, we have new procedures in place this year. Please read through the information.
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Welcome Parents!
The St. Paul Home & School Association is the parent organization at St. Paul of the Cross School. We are excited for the 2024-2025 school year at SPC! As your Home & School board, we invite you to get involved in your children’s school. Home & School is a great way to meet other parents and teachers, spend time with your children, and meet their friends. There are many volunteer opportunities both at school and from your home. Please contact any member of Home & School with questions.
Home and School Association Board
Dan Bohlke, President
Erin Greene, Vice President
Christine Bryant, Treasurer
Rachel Barrett Kennedy, Secretary
If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please contact [email protected] for more information.
Please mark your calendars for the HSA meetings for this school year. Meetings are at 8am in Duffin Hall. We will also send Zoom links out if you prefer to join virtually.
9/6, 10/4, 12/6, 1/24, 4/4
Out of Uniform Passes
HSA programs or co-sponsored activities are already underway and we need your partnership to keep the positive momentum. Out of Uniform Passes fund the majority of Home and School activities. We are asking each family to complete this form. One form per student enrolled at SPC needs to be completed. This form will allow you to purchase Out of Uniform Passes and also provide you the opportunity to donate towards our monthly teacher/faculty luncheon and birthday celebrations.
This year the Home and School Out of Uniform Passes are valid for the following dates (also indicated on the SPC School Calendar).
8/30, 9/20, 10/18. 11/22. 12/13, 1/17, 2/21, 2/28, 4/4, 5/16
NEW THIS YEAR:
Preschool students will be able to purchase “themed day” passes for the same days (for example PJ day, super hero day etc). The list of Themes will be sent in August.
We are looking forward to a great year and thank you in advance for your continued support!
Thank you!
Home and School Association Board
Back to School: Parent Self-Care
Back to School Readiness Group:
Main Street Counseling is offering a Back to School Readiness group (for 1st-3rd graders) on August 15th from 12:00–2:00 pm and will be $75. The workshop will be focused on discussing and practicing ways to transition back to school on a positive note. They will also review expected behaviors at school. If interested, please contact Laney Dossey at Main Street Counseling, Park Ridge.
Now Accepting New Students for Fall Smiling Strings Violin and Classical Guitar
Smiling Strings Violin Grades K-8 Tuesdays 2-3 PM
Guitar Grades 3-8 Tuesdays 3-4 PM
Registration information here.
Fall Ballet Classes – September 17-December 17
For details and to register, click here.
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 9/10/24 to 11/12/24.
For more information and to register, please go to https://2024-2025stpaulofthecrosschess.eventbee.com/ and register by August 27th 2024 for the lowest rate. Chess-Ed is looking forward to seeing your CHESS ENTHUSIAST!