Category: Thursday Mailing

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Dear Saint Paul of the Cross Families,

As we begin September, I remain incredibly grateful for the wonderful start to our school year. Our hallways and classrooms are filled with energy, enthusiasm, faith, friendship, and a genuine excitement for learning. It is a blessing to witness our students growing not only academically but also as young people developing in character, confidence, and faith.

This year, we are placing a special emphasis on two important themes that help define who we are as a Catholic school community: Belonging and Discipleship.

At Saint Paul of the Cross, we want every student, parent, faculty member, and staff member to know that they belong here. Belonging means creating a school community where every person feels welcomed, valued, respected, supported, and connected. Our children learn and grow best when they know they are seen, known, and loved. Together, we have a responsibility to create classrooms, relationships, and experiences where every child understands that Saint Paul of the Cross is truly a place where they belong.

Our commitment to Discipleship calls us even further. As a Catholic school, we are not simply preparing students for academic success—we are helping to form young people who know and follow Jesus Christ. Through prayer, worship, service, kindness, compassion, and our daily interactions with one another, we strive to help our students understand what it means to be disciples who bring Christ’s love into the world.

When Belonging and Discipleship come together, we create something truly special: a community where people feel connected and are inspired to serve others. This is the kind of community we will continue to build at SPC—one rooted in faith, strengthened by relationships, and united in our mission to help every child grow in knowledge, character, leadership, and faith.

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Happy Labor Day!
This weekend, we wish all of our SPC families a happy, safe, and restful Labor Day! Labor Day provides us with an opportunity to pause and recognize the dignity of work and the many individuals whose dedication and service strengthen our families, communities, and country. We hope everyone enjoys this special time with family and friends

A Time of Remembrance: September 11th
As we move through September, we will also pause to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

On Friday, we will remember and pray for all those who lost their lives, the families forever impacted by that day, and the courageous first responders who demonstrated extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and selflessness.

As a Catholic school community, may we continue to pray for peace in our world and teach our children the importance of faith, compassion, service, courage, and caring for one another. May we always remember those who responded to tragedy by putting others’ needs before their own.

CURRICULUM NIGHT — GRADES 3–8
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
UGC

We look forward to welcoming parents of students in Grades 3–8 to our upcoming Curriculum Night.

Curriculum Night is an important opportunity for parents to learn more about their child’s educational experience and the many programs and opportunities available at Saint Paul of the Cross.

Parents will have the opportunity to:

• Learn more about classroom expectations and instructional practices.
• Meet and hear from their child’s teachers.
• Gain a better understanding of curriculum and academic programs.
• Learn about the resources and assessments that support student learning.
• Strengthen the important partnership between home and school.
• Learn more about the people, programs, traditions, and community that make SPC such a special place.

Just as importantly, Curriculum Night is an opportunity to strengthen our sense of community and belonging. A strong school depends upon strong relationships between students, parents, teachers, and staff. We are grateful for the partnership we share with our parents as we work together to help every child succeed academically, grow spiritually, and develop a genuine sense of belonging at Saint Paul of the Cross.

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Occupational Therapy at SPC
We are excited to partner with In2Great Pediatric Therapy to offer Occupational Therapy services at SPC. If you are interested in learning more, please join us for a virtual webinar on Tuesday, September 15 at 12:00 p.m. to learn about the services available to SPC students and families.

Please RSVP for the Google Meet link. If you have any questions, please contact Ronda Quinn, [email protected]

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Tiger Fun Run – Friday, September 25
A big thank you to all of our Tiger Fun Run sponsors who have already stepped up to support this year’s event! We are so grateful for your generosity and support of our students.

Please be sure to read below for this week’s important information from our Tiger Fun Run Chairs.

FOR THE WEEK

• Friday, September 4
  • Home & School Meeting 8:00 am – Holy Family Chapel
    All are invited and encouraged to attend!
• Monday, September 7
  • Labor Day – No School
• Wednesday, September 9
  • Curriculum Night – Grades 3-8
  • UGC Building 5:30-7:30 pm
• Thursday, September 10
  • i-Ready Math Assessment – Grades K–8
• Friday, September 11
  • Home & School Out of Uniform Day

Coming Soon

• Monday, September 14
  • 8th Grade Faith-Driven Leadership Retreat at Loyola Academy
• Friday, September 18
  • 8th Grade Leadership Retreat in Lake Geneva
  • SPC Parent Mingle 6:30–9:00 pm
• Sunday, September 20
  • Family Mass — 10:30 a.m. Holy Family Chapel
• Wednesday, September 23
  • Prospective Family Tour – Please share with your family and friends. They can sign up here.
• Friday, September 25
  • SPC Fun Run!
• Tuesday, September 29
  • First Responders Mass 9:45 am
• Sunday, November 8
  • Play Like a Champion Training – For Coaches & Parents

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to Saint Paul of the Cross.

Together, we will continue to support each child’s growth as a student and as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

May God continue to bless our students, families, faculty, and staff throughout the year ahead.

Go Tigers!

With gratitude and prayers,
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

With gratitude,
James White, M.Ed.

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SPC TIGER FUN RUN – September 25, 2026

A big thank you to all of our Tiger Fun Run sponsors who have already stepped up to support this year’s event! We are so grateful for your generosity and support of our students.

The 2026 SPC Tiger Fun Run is right around the corner, and we are excited to kick off one of our biggest and most fun fundraisers of the year! This year’s Fun Run will take place on Friday, September 25th.

There are still many ways to sponsor the Tiger Fun Run! Sponsorships are a great way for SPC families and our local business community to support our students while being part of the excitement of the Fun Run. From family-friendly options to highly visible business sponsorships, there are several ways to get involved.

Own a business or know a local business that would be a great SPC supporter? We would love to have them join us as a Fun Run sponsor! Please share our sponsorship information and help us spread the word.

Our T-shirt Sponsorships are limited and offer fantastic visibility, with sponsor names and logos featured on more than 800 Fun Run T-shirts worn by SPC students and faculty throughout the school year.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2026 TIGER FUN RUN SPONSOR!

Student T-Shirt Size Selection Form – Deadline September 3, 2026
Please submit your child’s t-shirt size here. The T-shirt size will be used for the Fun Run and SPC Olympics this year. The deadline to order T-shirt sizes for your student is today, Thursday, September 3. If not submitted, the committee will order a size based on the class average. Thank you!

Thank you for helping us make the 2026 SPC Tiger Fun Run a tremendous success! 

Fun Run Schedule – Plan Your Day!

• Preschool/Jr. Kindergarten: 8:30-8:45 am 
• Kindergarten: 8:50-9:15 am
• 1st Grade:  9:20-9:45 am
• 2nd Grade: 9:50-10:15 am
• 3rd Grade: 10:20-10:45 am
• 4th Grade: 10:50-11:15 am
• 5th Grade: 11:20-11:45 pm
• LUNCH: 11:45 am -12:25 pm
• 6th Grade: 12:30-12:55 pm
• 7th Grade: 1:00-1:25 pm
• 8th Grade: 1:30-1:55 pm

Thank you for supporting SPC!

Connie Keady, Kathy Madeja, & Stephanie Martinez
SPC Tiger Fun Run Chairs

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Join us for this year’s first meeting, tomorrow, Friday, September 4, at 8:00 a.m. in the Holy Family Chapel. If you prefer to join virtually, please see below for the zoom link. Additional meetings for this school year will be held on 10/16, 1/22 and 4/9.

Topic: September Home & School Meeting
Time: Sep 4, 2026 08:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting chat link
Meeting ID: 832 5054 7351
Passcode: S4Gq31

Join instructions

If you like to volunteer or have questions, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Don’t Forget to Purchase Your Out of Uniform Passes!
Just a friendly reminder to purchase your Out of Uniform Passes for the 2026–2027 school year! These passes help support the Home and School Association and fund many of the activities and programs we provide throughout the year.

One form must be completed for each student enrolled at SPC. The form also gives you the opportunity to contribute toward our monthly Teacher Appreciation Lunches and faculty/staff birthday celebrations.

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 $40 and valid for the following dates (also indicated on the SPC School Calendar): Sept 11, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18, Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 19, Apr 23, May 21.

PS and JK students will be able to purchase a PJ Day Pass for $20. PJ days will be on the same days as out of uniform days.

On the form, you will also have an opportunity to donate towards Teacher Appreciation Lunches. Each month Home and School provides a faculty and staff lunch. The requested contribution per student is $20.00. 

Thank you!
Home and School Association Board

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More SPC Updates and Events

We are partnering with In2Great Pediatric Therapy to offer Occupational Therapy at SPC. If interested in learning more, please join the virtual webinar on 9/15 at 12:00 p.m. to hear more about what services are offered.

Please RSVP for the Google Meet link.
If you have any questions, please contact Ronda Quinn, [email protected]

ADHD Back to School Toolkit

To volunteer, please click here.

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Walking with Purpose -Attention Middle School Girls!

Walking with Purpose (WWP) is a popular national Catholic women’s ministry and parish-based Bible study program, its core mission is to help women and girls develop a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ by making Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church highly practical and relevant to daily life.

Join us for prayer, fellowship, and treats before class! 
Tuesday Mornings 7:10-7:40
Starting September 15th! EGC 226 Meet by D5 door 

Sign up here.

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FALL CLUB Registration
Discover our fun and creative after-school Clubs at SPC! These programs, designed by our staff, are separate from activities offered by outside vendors. Space is limited, so register early.

Click here to read the descriptions of all of our Fall Clubs. Registration opens Monday, September 7, 2026, at 8:00AM and closes Friday, September 11, 2026, at midnight. The registration link will be shared on Monday, September 7 via SPC Notifications Blast.

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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’ Weekly Letters

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Men’s Club Annual Golf Outing – Friday, September 25

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Children’s Choir
Online Registration is OPEN!

Online Registration for the 2026-2027 Children’s Choir is now open! All children in grades 2-8 are invited to sing with the choir. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 16th and run from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in The Holy Family Chapel.

Visit the church’s website to register your child.

For more information contact our Director of Music, Ed Eicker, at [email protected].

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St. Paul of the Cross Parish Women’s Club

SPC Parish Women’s Club Oktoberfest!
Friday, October 2
5:00–10:00 p.m.

Please join us for our first Oktoberfest!

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From our Catholic High Schools

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From our Community

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Dear SPC Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!

What an incredibly smooth and positive start we have experienced this week. The energy throughout our campus has been wonderful, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the opening days of school such a success.

This successful beginning is truly a testament to the hard work and preparation of our outstanding faculty and staff, the readiness of our students to return to school prepared to learn, and the tremendous support of our parents and broader school community. Thank you for the many ways you have helped make this opening week such a positive experience for our students.

I would also like to extend a special welcome to the newest members of our faculty:

• Ms. Allison Cosgrove – Grade 4
• Ms. Mia Gusloff – Physical Education
• Mrs. Lisa Christiano – Grade 2
• Mrs. Abbey Kilpatrick – Grade 6 Reading/ELA

We are thrilled to have these talented educators join our team and share in our mission to guide and educate our students as young disciples of Jesus Christ.

A very special welcome also goes to all of our new SPC families. We are so grateful that you have chosen Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic School for your children and family. We hope that you quickly feel at home within our school community and discover the warmth, faith, friendship, and commitment that make SPC such a special place.

Our Focus This Year: Belongingness

One of our important priorities this year is to increase the sense of belongingness throughout our school community.

We are intentionally implementing programs, activities, and daily practices designed to strengthen the sense of connection and belonging among our students, parents, faculty, and staff. At SPC, we want every member of our community to know that they are an important part of something special.

Most importantly, we are striving to ensure that each and every student feels safe, supported, included, and valued. Every child should know that they belong at Saint Paul of the Cross and that they have a community of adults and peers who care about them and want them to succeed.

As part of helping our families become more familiar with the many wonderful people who serve our students each day, we have created staff flow charts. These charts include photographs, names, and positions for members of our SPC faculty and staff.

We hope these resources will be especially helpful to our new families as they become familiar with our school community.

Coffee with the Principal: “Did You Know?”

I would like to personally invite all of our parents—especially those who are new to the SPC community—to join me for our first Coffee with the Principal gathering:

• Wednesday, September 2, 2026
  • 8:15 am Holy Family Chapel – Located in the lower level of the Church
  • The theme for this first gathering could best be described as: “Did You Know?”

Did You Know?
This will be an informal and informative opportunity for new and returning families to learn more about school routines, important upcoming events, student resources, and other details that help make the school year easier to navigate.

I will be joined by several members of our SPC leadership team, including:
Mrs. Quinn, Director of Student Services
Ms. Goldberg, Information Technology

Together, we will share helpful information and answer questions from those in attendance. Whether you are new to SPC or are interested in learning more about the many resources and opportunities available to our families, we hope you will join us.

Join Our SPC Community Events!
Building relationships and strengthening our sense of community are important parts of life at SPC. I am excited to invite everyone to two upcoming opportunities to gather together.

SPC Parent Mingle
Friday, September 18
5:30–9:00 p.m.

Please join us for a no-cost Parent Mingle and an opportunity to meet and connect with other members of our SPC community.

We especially encourage our new families to arrive at 5:30 p.m. so they can meet other new families and begin building connections within our community.

SPC Parish Women’s Club Oktoberfest
Friday, October 2
6:00–9:00 p.m.

This event is sponsored and facilitated by the SPC Parish Women’s Club, and we are grateful for their leadership and commitment to bringing our Parish community together. Please see below in the Parish section for more information and details to come.

Calendar of Events

Please take note of these important upcoming dates:

• Sunday, August 30
  • SPC Football at Notre Dame High School 🏈
  • JV Team begins at 12:00 p.m. vs. Queen of All Saints
    
• Monday, August 31
  • Extended Day Program begins
  • Marla’s Lunch service begins
  • Milk service begins
    
• Wednesday, September 2
  • Coffee with the Principal: “Did You Know?” ☕
  • 8:15 am – Holy Family Chapel
    
• Thursday, September 3
  • i-Ready Reading/ELA Assessment – Grades K–8
    
• Friday, September 4
  • Home & School Meeting 8:00 am – Holy Family Chapel
    All are invited and encouraged to attend!
    
• Monday, September 7
  • Labor Day – No School
    
• Wednesday, September 9
  • Curriculum Night – Grades 3-8
  • UGC Building 6:00-9:00 pm
    
• Thursday, September 10
  • i-Ready Math Assessment – Grades K–8

Save the Date!

• Friday, September 25
  • SPC Fun Run!

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Student Records:
If you have a new student at SPC and have not already done so, please send in a photocopy of your child’s original birth certificate and Baptismal certificate for our student files. If your child was Baptized at St. Paul of the Cross Church, you do not need to submit a Baptismal certificate.

These documents, along with any required health forms, should be dropped off at the school office.

Thursday Mailing:
Please be sure to read through the Thursday Mailing each week. It contains important school updates, upcoming events, deadlines, and other information you won’t want to miss. Be sure to scroll down for all of this week’s flyers, events, and announcements.

As we begin this new school year together, I want to thank each of you for your continued support, encouragement, and commitment to Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic School.

I am incredibly excited about the year ahead and all that our students will accomplish academically, socially, spiritually, and personally. Together, as a faith-filled community, we will continue our important mission of helping our children grow as learners, leaders, and young disciples of Jesus Christ.

I wish our entire SPC school community a faith-filled, joyful, and successful school year!

With gratitude,
James White, M.Ed.

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SPC TIGER FUN RUN IS COMING!

Get ready, Tigers! The 2026 SPC Tiger Fun Run is right around the corner, and we are excited to kick off one of our biggest and most fun fundraisers of the year!

This year’s Fun Run will take place on Friday, September 25th, and there are some fantastic opportunities to support SPC through a Fun Run Sponsorship.

Sponsorships are a great way for SPC families and our local business community to support our students while being part of the excitement of the Fun Run! From family-friendly sponsorship opportunities to highly visible business sponsorships, there are several ways to get involved.

Own a business or know a local business that would be a great SPC supporter? We would love to have them join us as a Fun Run sponsor! Please share our sponsorship information and help us spread the word.

Our T-shirt Sponsorships are limited, with sponsor names and logos featured on the Fun Run T-shirts worn by more than 800 SPC students and faculty throughout the school year.

Sign up for your Fun Run Sponsorship here, or scan the QR code.

Thank you for helping us make the 2026 SPC Tiger Fun Run a tremendous success! 

Fun Run Schedule – Plan Your Day!

• Preschool/Jr. Kindergarten: 8:30-8:45 am 
• Kindergarten: 8:50-9:15 am
• 1st Grade:  9:20-9:45 am
• 2nd Grade: 9:50-10:15 am
• 3rd Grade: 10:20-10:45 am
• 4th Grade: 10:50-11:15 am
• 5th Grade: 11:20-11:45 pm
• LUNCH: 11:45 am -12:25 pm
• 6th Grade: 12:30-12:55 pm
• 7th Grade: 1:00-1:25 pm
• 8th Grade: 1:30-1:55 pm

Thank you for supporting SPC!

Connie Keady, Kathy Madeja, & Stephanie Martinez
SPC Tiger Fun Run Chairs

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Welcome Parents! 
The St. Paul Home and School Association is the parent organization at St. Paul of the Cross School. We are excited for the 2026-2027 school year at SPC! As your Home & School board, we invite you to get involved. 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 like to volunteer or have questions, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Home and School Meetings
Please mark your calendars for the HSA meetings for this school year. Meetings are at 8am in the Holy Family Chapel. We will also send zoom links out if you prefer to join virtually. 9/4, 10/16, 1/22, 4/9

Out of Uniform Passes and Teacher Appreciation Lunches
Home and School Association 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 $40 and valid for the following dates (also indicated on the SPC School Calendar): Sept 11, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18, Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 19, Apr 23, May 21.

PS and JK students will be able to purchase a PJ Day Pass for $20. PJ days will be on the same days as out of uniform days.

On the form, you will also have an opportunity to donate towards Teacher Appreciation Lunches. Each month Home and School provides a faculty and staff lunch. The requested contribution per student is $20.00. 

Thank you!
Home and School Association Board

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Room Parents

Hello SPC families! 

As we settle into the first week of the new school year, we are on to planning our room parent volunteers for this 2026/27 school year.

Included in this email is a link to the Google form to fill out if you are interested in volunteering this year, as a room parent in a preschool to 7th grade classroom. Please complete the form no later than 8/31/26 to be considered for a volunteer placement.

A quick note: As a room parent, you will be the main point of contact between your teacher and other parents in your homeroom for special events that occur in the classroom and/or school where volunteers are needed. This means that you will be sending out communications throughout the year as necessary or requested by your teacher, responsible for volunteering and gathering volunteers for events, and supporting your homeroom teachers in other ways that they may request. 

Volunteers who are selected will be notified once we have assigned all volunteers for the school. All volunteers are required to be VIRTUS trained, prior to volunteering in the school. 

Thank you for your support in making SPC the special place that it is for our kids.https://forms.gle/j2DotkioNf51HcZR7

Thank you!
Jackie Stengle & Jenny Ramundo (Room Parent Coordinators)

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More SPC Updates

Fall Clubs

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The Language Academy
Spanish!
Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm
Beginning Tuesday, September 8th
Please click here for information.

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Smiling Strings
Guitar and Violin!
Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm
Beginning Tuesday, September 8th
Please click here for information.

ADHD Back to School Toolkit

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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’ Weekly Letters

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Children’s Choir
Online Registration is OPEN!

Online Registration for the 2026-2027 Children’s Choir is now open! All children in grades 2-8 are invited to sing with the choir. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 16th and run from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in The Holy Family Chapel.

Visit the church’s website to register your child.

For more information contact our Director of Music, Ed Eicker, at [email protected].

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St. Paul of the Cross Parish Women’s Club

SPC Parish Women’s Club Oktoberfest!
Friday, October 2
6:00–9:00 p.m.

Please join us for our first Oktoberfest!
This exciting community event is sponsored and facilitated by the SPC Parish Women’s Club, and we are grateful for their leadership and commitment to bringing our community together. We hope to see many SPC families joining us for an enjoyable evening of fellowship and fun.

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From our Catholic High Schools

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From our Community

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More SPC Happenings

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PS/JK RSVP Here.

K RSVP Here.

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It’s time to order ahead to save on School Supplies!
Click here for the details and payment information.

Supply packs will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher Night.
For questions, please contact Rosemary Francis

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

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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’ Weekly Letters

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From the Community

From our Catholic High Schools

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Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders –

Click here to download the details.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we approach the close of another wonderful school year at St. Paul of the Cross, my heart is filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for all that our students, staff, and families have accomplished together.

First and foremost, congratulations to all of our graduating 8th grade students! We are incredibly proud of each of you and all that you have achieved during your years at SPC. As you begin your high school journey, we pray that you continue to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Always remember where your foundation began and know that Jesus walks beside you in everything you do. Your SPC family will always be cheering you on, and we cannot wait to see the amazing things you accomplish in the years ahead.

I would also like to share some very exciting news for our school community. Prior to the end of the school year, Dr. Karl Ochsner and Ms. Kathy Goldberg submitted a video and application on behalf of St. Paul of the Cross to be considered as an Apple Distinguished School. Apple Distinguished Schools are recognized as some of the most innovative schools in the world and demonstrate excellence in leadership, teaching, learning, and the implementation of Apple technology in education. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Ochsner and Ms. Goldberg for their leadership, vision, and dedication throughout this process. This opportunity is a tremendous reflection of the amazing work happening daily in our classrooms.

SPC Olympics
Tomorrow, we will host one of our favorite SPC traditions—our annual SPC Olympics from 8:00 am-3:00 pm! This event is always filled with school spirit, teamwork, laughter, and fun memories for our students. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our volunteers who have generously given their time and energy to help make this day such an awesome experience for our children. Your support truly makes our community special.

Parking and Drop off
The main parking lot will be closed at 7:30 am. Please use Washington for drop off. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF NORTHBOUND ON WASHINGTON, WE DO NOT WANT KIDS CROSSING THE STREET IN BETWEEN TRAFFIC. You may also use Summit and Ridge Terrace for Kiss and Go.  

Dismissal
Hopefully the well planned schedule will go smoothly but we ask for some patience if dismissal is a little after 3:00. Our aim is to have the parking lot opened by 2:50. 

Please read through the SPC Notification email you received this morning containing important details for your child.

State of the School Presentation
Last week, we shared our State of the School presentation at the Board Meeting. You can view the slides here.

Next week marks our final week of school for the 2025-2026 school year. Please note the following important dates and reminders:

• EDP registration for the 2026-2027 school year closes on June 1, 2026. Families may register through the EDP page on the school website.
• The final day for Preschool and Kindergarten students is Thursday, June 4th.
  • The Preschool end-of-year program will be held in the gym at 10:30 am, with dismissal immediately following the program.
  • The Kindergarten end-of-year program will begin at 1:00 pm in the gym and conclude at 2:00 pm, when students will be dismissed for the school year.
• The final day for students in 1st through 7th grade will be Friday, June 5th. Dismissal will take place immediately following our end-of-year 10:00 am Mass.
• Trimester 3 officially concludes on Friday, June 5th.
• Elective sign-ups and course descriptions for incoming 7th and 8th grade students will be emailed in July. Please note that courses will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Summer Reading and Math
The 2026 summer reading and math packets are on our website here. As a reminder, all incoming 3rd through 8th graders are required to do the math and reading packets. The math and reading packets are enrichment for our incoming 1st and 2nd graders.

During the summer months, school office hours will be held from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I will also continue sending summer communications every few weeks to keep our families informed about important updates and school news.

As we conclude another incredible year together, I want to once again thank all of our families for choosing SPC as the place for your children to learn, grow, and deepen their faith. Thank you for entrusting us with their care, education, and faith formation. Your partnership, support, and belief in our mission make our school community truly extraordinary.

In Christ’s peace,
James White
Principal

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More SPC Happenings

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PS/JK RSVP Here.

K RSVP Here.

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Olympic day is tomorrow!  It’s hard to believe such an exciting tradition is upon us again.  A big thank you in advance to over 80+ parents who will be volunteering during the day tomorrow to make this a special day for our students.  Even our preschoolers will enjoy a special Tiny Tiger Olympics in the safe zone!  The weather looks like it will cooperate! 

STUDENT ATTIRE:
As a reminder, all students (in grades K-7) will be given their Olympic shirts when they report to their homeroom in the morning. Students will change into their shirts in the bathrooms.  Weather is expected to be in the low 80s, so we would encourage students to dress appropriately in SPC gym short bottoms.  Athletic shoes are required to participate in the day as well.  This year Home and School has purchased SPC Olympic shirts for each student, and each Olympic Team has a unique colored t-shirt. This will help keep teams together and will  help students easily identify their teams.  STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR ASSIGNED TEAM SHIRT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPICS.  Volunteers will also be given shirts.   All early-childhood Olympic information will be shared by your homeroom teacher and room parents. 

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TOMORROW?
Students will need to come to school with a labeled water bottle to carry with them throughout the games.  Snacks (Skinny Pop and Popsicles) will be provided by Home and School Association; and there will be hot lunch for those that ordered it.  Students will be outside for a majority of the day so applying sunscreen before school is a good idea. 

PARKING AND DROP OFF:
The main parking lot will be closed at 7:30am. Please use Washington for drop off. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF NORTHBOUND ON WASHINGTON, WE DO NOT WANT KIDS CROSSING THE STREET IN BETWEEN TRAFFIC. You may also use Summit and Ridge Terrace for Kiss and Go.  

DISMISSAL:  
Hopefully the well planned schedule will go smoothly but we ask for some patience if dismissal is a little after 3:00.  Our aim is to have the parking lot opened by 2:50. 

SPECTATORS:
Tomorrow is a very busy day with multiple logistics, if you are not signed up as a registered volunteer you are not permitted to come to campus to spectate. We have volunteer t-shirts for those adults assisting so that we can easily identify approved adults on campus. Non volunteers will be asked to leave campus. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Thank you to Mrs. Spanos and Home & School Association for all your hard work in putting this together.

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Faculty Gift Fund
With the end of the school year just around the corner, Home and School Association has begun collecting contributions for the Faculty Fund. The Faculty Fund is a school-wide collection of monetary gifts which is then equitably divided among all SPC full time faculty, part time faculty, administrative and support staff.  In previous years, families have donated $100 per family, however, the FACTS form allows for you to contribute any amount with which you are comfortable.

The link to the form will be open through June 1st. 

Thank you in advance for supporting our wonderful faculty and staff.

If you have any questions, please contact Home and School Association at [email protected]

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It’s time to order ahead to save on School Supplies!
Click here for the details and payment information.

Supply packs will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher Night.
For questions, please contact Rosemary Francis

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Raise Right and Box Tops Updates

Raise Right Update: I will be placing one final physical gift card order for the year on May 29th so that I can deliver cards before the last day of school. Please have any orders in by noon. I will be turning off “ship to coordinator” for the summer. You will still be able to buy virtual cards, reload cards, or have cards shipped to you. For more information on Raise Right, click here.

Box Tops Update: We have earned $225.60 so far this year with Box Tops. We have had an average of 9 parents scanning receipts each month and we’d love to have more. For more information on Box Tops, click here.

Thank you for your participation!
Carrie Jackiewicz

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SPC Athletics

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

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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’ Weekly Letters

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From the Community

From our Catholic High Schools

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Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders –

Click here to download the details.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we continue through this beautiful Easter season, we look ahead to the great celebration of Pentecost Sunday this weekend. Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with courage, wisdom, joy, and faith. May we continue to pray that the Spirit guides our students, families, faculty, and parish community as we finish our school year strong. We encourage all families to attend Mass this weekend and celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit together.

Our Spring Musical performances will take place tonight and tomorrow night, Thursday and Friday, from 6:30–8:30 PM. We are incredibly proud of our student performers and grateful to the faculty, staff, and parent volunteers who helped make this production possible. Thank you to all who signed up for our first “Dinner and a Show” performance on Thursday evening. Dinner will begin at 5:00 PM, and we look forward to a wonderful evening celebrating the arts and our school community.

Please note there will be no school on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We wish all of our SPC families a happy, safe, and restful holiday weekend as we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Next week marks many important milestones for our Graduating Class of 2026:

• Tuesday, May 26 is the final attendance day for Grade 8 students. Dismissal will be at 12:00 PM.
• Tuesday evening we will host our Grade 8 Memory Dinner and 8th Grade Dance.
• Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM, Grade 8 students will gather for yearbook signing and a celebratory lunch.
• Graduation Mass and Ceremony will take place Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM in the Church.

Congratulations to all of our 8th grade students and families. We are so proud of your accomplishments, leadership, faith, and growth throughout your years at SPC. As you prepare for the next chapter, always remember:
“Remember where you came from—Jesus is always by your side.”

SPC Olympics will be held next Friday, May 29. This is always one of the most exciting and joy-filled days of the school year, and we look forward to celebrating together as a school community.

Please note there will be no school Mass this coming Tuesday, May 26.

Looking ahead to next school year, information regarding Grade 7 & 8 elective opportunities will be shared with all eligible families in June. Students entering Grades 7 and 8 will receive signup information and will select their first trimester elective courses at that time. Elective offerings will be available in the general areas of STEM, Music, and Art, helping students explore their interests and talents in new and exciting ways.

Thank you for all who attended our “Coffee with the Principal” on Wednesday morning. You may download the presentation information here.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us for this week’s Open Board Meeting. I sincerely appreciated your time, thoughtful questions, and continued support of Saint Paul of the Cross School. Your partnership and involvement help strengthen our school community and mission each and every day.

May God continue to bless our SPC families abundantly as we move toward the close of another wonderful school year.

Reminder: Summer Office Hours: EGC Door D5
Tuesday/Wednesday 8:00am-12:00pm (Summer Drop Box for forms located on the front door)

• Thursday, May 21st and Friday May 22nd
  • Spring Musical – Dr. Dolittle
    We are excited for this year’s production! Join us for a special Thursday evening performance featuring a homemade pasta dinner before the show. Please click the link below for show dates and dinner package information.
• Friday, May 29th
  • SPC Olympics (Preschool–7th Grade)
    A full day of school spirit, fun, and community-building!

In Christ’s peace,
James White
Principal

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More SPC Happenings

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Hello, SPC Families!

With the end of the school year just around the corner, Home and School Association has begun collecting contributions for the Faculty Fund. The Faculty Fund is a school-wide collection of monetary gifts which is then equitably divided among all SPC full time faculty, part time faculty, administrative and support staff.  In previous years, families have donated $100 per family, however, the FACTS form allows for you to contribute any amount with which you are comfortable.

The link to the form will be open through June 1st. 

Thank you in advance for supporting our wonderful faculty and staff.

If you have any questions, please contact Home and School Association at [email protected]

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It’s time to order ahead to save on School Supplies!
Click here for the details and payment information.

Supply packs will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher Night.
For questions, please contact Rosemary Francis

---

Raise Right and Box Tops Updates

Raise Right Update: I will be placing one final physical gift card order for the year on May 29th so that I can deliver cards before the last day of school. Please have any orders in by noon. I will be turning off “ship to coordinator” for the summer. You will still be able to buy virtual cards, reload cards, or have cards shipped to you. For more information on Raise Right, click here.

Box Tops Update: We have earned $225.60 so far this year with Box Tops. We have had an average of 9 parents scanning receipts each month and we’d love to have more. For more information on Box Tops, click here.

Thank you for your participation!
Carrie Jackiewicz

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SPC Athletics

---

Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

---

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’ Weekly Letters

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From the Community

From our Catholic High Schools

---

Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders – Click here to download the details.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we continue through this beautiful Easter season, I want to thank our students, parents, teachers, and parish community for the many ways you continue to support the mission and spirit of St. Paul of the Cross School. As we enter the final weeks of the school year, there is tremendous energy and excitement throughout our building. We encourage all of our students to continue finishing the year strong academically, spiritually, and socially both in and out of the classroom.

We warmly invite all SPC families to join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM for our Family Mass in the Holy Family Chapel. This special Mass will be facilitated by our Grade 8 NJHS members, and we look forward to celebrating together as a faith community.

We are also excited to officially announce that the National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony for our incoming Grade 7 members, along with the NJHS Graduation Ceremony for our current Grade 8 members, will take place on Monday, May 18 from 6:30–7:30 PM in the Holy Family Chapel. We congratulate all of our students being recognized for their scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship.

On Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 pm, we will host an open Advisory Board Meeting in the Holy Family Chapel featuring a “State of the School” presentation. We encourage families interested in learning more about our school’s continued growth, planning, and future initiatives to attend. Earlier that morning, during our weekly 9:45 AM Mass, we will also celebrate our Grade 8 Ribbon Ceremony as we begin recognizing the accomplishments of the Class of 2026.

As we begin preparing for summer months, please note that the main office in the EGC building will remain open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM throughout the summer. A secure drop box for summer forms and paperwork will also be available outside Door D5 for your convenience.

Our next “Coffee with the Principal” gathering will take place Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00 AM in the Art Room. We are pleased to share an exciting partnership and opportunity to support your child’s success here at school. Following a recent professional development presentation: Understanding how sensory challenges can affect learning and behavior, our school is taking steps to better connect families with occupational therapy (OT) services — and the good news is that these services may be covered through your health insurance. We are partnering with In2Great Pediatric Therapy. Dr. Angie Harisiadis will host a parent info session.

On Thursday, May 21, students in grades K-8 will begin our final iReady Reading testing window. We kindly ask parents to encourage students to do their very best on this assessment. iReady data continues to serve as an important tool in helping us determine academic placement, instructional support, and inclusion services for the upcoming school year. We greatly appreciate your partnership and encouragement at home.

We are thrilled to invite everyone to our Spring Musical, “Dr. Doolittle,” taking place next Thursday and Friday evenings from 6:30–8:30 PM. Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard preparing for this wonderful production. A pre-show dinner will also be available on Thursday evening. Please see the links and additional details below in this mailing for ticket and dinner information.

Please remember there will be no school on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day as we honor and remember the men and women who have faithfully served our country.

As we continue planning for the 2026–2027 school year, we are pleased to share that teacher hiring has officially been completed at this time. We are excited to welcome three outstanding new faculty members joining our school family in Grade 2, Grade 4, and Grade 6 ELA/Reading next fall.

Additionally, summer academic packets and information will soon be posted on our school website. For students entering grades K–2, summer materials will remain optional and are intended as helpful family resources. Students entering grades 3–8 will be assigned summer reading along with a mathematics packet. Please note that summer expectations and assignments have been intentionally reduced from prior years in an effort to create a healthy balance of academic review and summer family time.

We are excited to announce the results of this year’s Advisory Board elections. Congratulations to Tiffany Braun and Ashley McNichols, who will officially join the Advisory Board beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. We thank all of the candidates who were willing to serve our school community through leadership, stewardship, and a commitment to Catholic education.

I would also like to share that the Advisory Board recently met with Dr. O and Mrs. Goldberg to discuss the thoughtful and responsible use of technology in our classrooms, including how it supports learning and student well‑being. These conversations are part of an ongoing effort to ensure technology is used intentionally, consistently, and in alignment with the school’s educational mission. As technology continues to evolve in education and in our daily lives, we believe it is important to thoughtfully evaluate both the opportunities and challenges connected to student and teacher technology use within our classrooms and school community.

To support this important work, we will be forming a Technology Team made up of stakeholders who will explore technology integration, expectations, best practices, and student engagement in the classroom setting. At the same time, the administration and administrative team are actively reviewing our current practices and procedures regarding technology use by both teachers and students.

As we move forward, our goal is to ensure that technology remains a meaningful tool that supports academic excellence, critical thinking, creativity, responsible digital citizenship, and healthy student development while remaining aligned with the mission and values of our Catholic school community. We look forward to engaging in thoughtful dialogue and collaborative planning as we continue preparing our students for success in an ever-changing world.

Up and Coming

• Friday, May 15
  • Prayer Buddies Day
    Home and School Dress Down Day
    Financial Assistance Notifications sent via email
• Sunday, May 17
  • Family Mass at 10:30 AM in the Holy Family Chapel – Facilitated by our National Junior Honor Society students
  • Fine Arts Show – 11:15 am – 1:30 pm Gym
    Celebrating the artistic talents of our 4th – 8th graders. **Students who show up to support their fellow classmates will be rewarded an “Out of Uniform” pass for Monday the 18th!

Looking Ahead

• Tuesday, May 19th
  • Open School Board Meeting – State of the School Presentation 7:30 pm – Holy Family Chapel
• Wednesday, May 20th
  • Coffee with the Principal – 8:00 AM in the EGC Art Room
    Topic: Occupational Therapy and Family Access to Support Resources
• Thursday, May 21st and Friday May 22nd
  • Spring Musical – Dr. Dolittle
    We are excited for this year’s production! Join us for a special Thursday evening performance featuring a homemade pasta dinner before the show. Please click the link below for show dates and dinner package information.
• Friday, May 29th
  • SPC Olympics (Preschool–7th Grade)
    A full day of school spirit, fun, and community-building!

Thank you once again for your continued support, positivity, and commitment to our SPC community. May God continue to bless our students, families, faculty, and parish as we finish this school year with joy, gratitude, and faith.

In Christ’s peace,
James White
Principal

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More SPC Happenings

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It’s time to order ahead to save on School Supplies!
Click here for the details and payment information.

Supply packs will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher Night.
For questions, please contact Rosemary Francis

---

Raise Right and Box Tops Updates

Raise Right Update: I will be placing one final physical gift card order for the year on May 29th so that I can deliver cards before the last day of school. Please have any orders in by noon. I will be turning off “ship to coordinator” for the summer. You will still be able to buy virtual cards, reload cards, or have cards shipped to you. For more information on Raise Right, click here.

Box Tops Update: We have earned $225.60 so far this year with Box Tops. We have had an average of 9 parents scanning receipts each month and we’d love to have more. For more information on Box Tops, click here.

Thank you for your participation!
Carrie Jackiewicz

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Volunteer Sign-Up – May 29
The time has arrived to sign up for SPC Olympics volunteer opportunities on May 29!

As a reminder, the SPC Olympics are for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Information regarding early childhood Olympic festivities will be shared separately by room parents.

Important Reminders:

• All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
• By signing up, you are confirming that you are available for the full commitment and do not have any conflicting responsibilities that day (including lunch shifts, recess duty for early childhood classrooms, childcare, or other obligations).
• New this year: To allow more families the opportunity to participate, only one parent per family may sign up for a volunteer slot. Please do not register multiple, extended family members.

Volunteer sign-up link here.
If you need to cancel your sign-up, you may do so through the registration site up until May 17.
Thank you for helping make this a fun and successful day for our students!  

Spots fill up very quickly, so THANK YOU for your support in advance of this fun tradition for our students! 

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SPC Athletics

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

---

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’ Weekly Letters

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IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!

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Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.

From the Community

From our Catholic High Schools

Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders – Click here to download the details.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we continue through the joyful Easter season, I am reminded of the many blessings that make our St. Paul of the Cross community so special. This time of year is filled with celebrations, milestones, and meaningful moments for our students, and I am grateful for the partnership we share in supporting them.

First, thank you to our incredible Home and School Association for the thoughtful ways they have celebrated our teachers and staff throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. The treats, snacks, and gestures of kindness have been deeply appreciated by our faculty and staff. We are especially grateful for the breakfast they will provide during our Professional Development Day on Friday. Your generosity and support mean so much.

A special thank you as well to Sue Dohr and the Book Fair Team for organizing and hosting this year’s Book Fair. As always, it was a tremendous success and brought great joy to our students and families while helping foster a love of reading in our community.

A reminder that Friday, May 8th is a Professional Development Day for faculty and staff, and there will be no school for students. During this time, our teachers will be engaged in important planning for the upcoming school year, including constructing class lists for the fall trimester and building daily instructional schedules. In addition, all faculty and staff will participate in a two-hour CPR training.

Please know that the process of drafting class lists is done with great care, using multiple points of data, teacher collaboration, and administrative input to ensure we create learning environments that best support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. Because of this intentional process, SPC does not accommodate parent requests for specific teachers or classroom placements. Thank you for your trust and understanding as we make decisions centered on what is best for all students.

Our Bago Set Raffle will continue Monday through Friday next week. This beautiful handmade set is being raffled as a continuation of the “Round Ball” set featured a few months ago. Tickets will be available for purchase in Mrs. Iacopelli’s office throughout the week. Please note this raffle is cash only.

Ticket pricing is as follows:
• 1 ticket for $5
• 3 tickets for $10
• 8 tickets for $20

The drawing will take place the following week and will be conducted by our 8th Grade Parent Group. Thank you for your support of this fundraiser!

As we begin to look ahead to summer, please note our summer office hours beginning June 15th. The Main Office in the EGC will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. A secure drop box will also be available during the week for any forms or paperwork that need to be submitted outside of office hours.

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 10th, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in our community. Your love, sacrifice, and faith-filled witness shape the hearts of your children in countless ways. May God bless you abundantly this Mother’s Day. Please note an important calendar adjustment for next week: our weekly school Mass will be moved to Wednesday, May 13th at 10:00 AM in honor of our beautiful May Crowning celebration. Congratulations to the students who have been selected to serve on this year’s May Crowning Court.

Up and Coming

• Wednesday, May 13
  • 1st Communion School Photos
  • May Crowning Mass – 10:00 AM
  • 8th Grade Mother’s Lunch immediately following Mass in the Gym
• Friday, May 15
  • • Prayer Buddies Day
    • Home and School Dress Down Day
    • Financial Assistance Notifications sent via email
• Sunday, May 17
  • • Family Mass at 10:30 AM in the Holy Family Chapel – Facilitated by our National Junior Honor Society students
• A complete list of 8th grade end-of-year activities is included below in this mailing. We look forward to celebrating our graduating class as they prepare for their next chapter.

Looking Ahead

• Wednesday, May 20th
  • Coffee with the Principal – 8:00 AM in the EGC Art Room
    Topic: Occupational Therapy and Family Access to Support Resources
• Thursday, May 21st
  • Spring Musical – Dr. Dolittle
    We are excited for this year’s production! Join us for a special Thursday evening performance featuring a homemade pasta dinner before the show. Please click the link below for show dates and dinner package information.
• Friday, May 29th
  • SPC Olympics (Preschool–8th Grade
    A full day of school spirit, fun, and community-building!

This is truly one of the busiest—and most joyful—times of the school year. There is so much to celebrate, and none of it would be possible without the dedication of our teachers, staff, and parent volunteers who generously give their time and talents to make these experiences so meaningful for our students.

Thank you for your continued partnership, your trust, and your commitment to our SPC community. May God continue to bless your families and guide us through this beautiful season of celebration and gratitude.

In Christ’s peace,
James White
Principal

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SPC School Board Election

The SPC School Board is holding an election to fill two (2) vacancies for terms that will run from May 2026 through May 2029. We are fortunate to have four (4) candidates interested in serving on the Board:

• Meghan Arquette
• Tiffany Braun
• Zach Fichter
• Ashley McNichols

Online Voting will be open through Monday, May 11th.
School parents & registered parishioners are eligible to vote.

To review the candidates’ personal statements then cast your online vote, please scan the QR code or click here.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact current SPC School Board Member, Kathy Manny at [email protected] or 847-927-4392.

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SPC Athletics

More SPC Happenings

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Here is the complete list of 8th grade end-of-year activities. We look forward to celebrating our graduating class as they prepare for their next chapter.

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Mentor Families Last Chance to Sign Up!!!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already signed up to welcome our new families! We are so fortunate to be part of such a welcoming SPC community.

We are excited to greet many new families this fall and are still looking for current parents to serve as mentor families. Mentor families provide a friendly resource for new families, answering questions as they prepare for school and keeping them informed throughout the year.

We also try to match student grades so new students can meet a friend or two before the school year begins.
Please click here to volunteer as a mentor for the 2026-2027 school year

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Volunteer Sign-Up – May 29
The time has arrived to sign up for SPC Olympics volunteer opportunities on May 29!

As a reminder, the SPC Olympics are for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Information regarding early childhood Olympic festivities will be shared separately by room parents.

Important Reminders:

• All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
• By signing up, you are confirming that you are available for the full commitment and do not have any conflicting responsibilities that day (including lunch shifts, recess duty for early childhood classrooms, childcare, or other obligations).
• New this year: To allow more families the opportunity to participate, only one parent per family may sign up for a volunteer slot. Please do not register multiple, extended family members.

Volunteer sign-up link here.
If you need to cancel your sign-up, you may do so through the registration site up until May 17.
Thank you for helping make this a fun and successful day for our students!  

Spots fill up very quickly, so THANK YOU for your support in advance of this fun tradition for our students! 

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

---

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’ Weekly Letters

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IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!

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Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.

From the Community

Park Ridge Soccer Club 2026-2027 Travel Tryouts
May 4-7
Please click here for the details and registration information.

From our Catholic High Schools

Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders – Click here to download the details.

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Future Friar Shadow Days are back! See information here.
Register for Summer Camps.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

Dear SPC Families,

As we continue through the 5th Week of the Easter Season, we are reminded of the joy and hope of the Resurrection and the ways God continues to bless our school community each day. The Easter season invites us to live as people of hope, gratitude, and renewal, and I am thankful for the many ways our SPC families and staff continue to build such a strong and faith-filled community.

A sincere thank you to all of the parents who attended our Open Board Meeting this past week. We had meaningful conversations about a wide range of topics, including what families can expect next fall, i-Ready testing, summer learning packets, and other important school initiatives. I am grateful for the open dialogue, thoughtful questions, and the opportunity to hear concerns and address challenges together. Your partnership and engagement help make our school stronger.

A reminder to families that Financial Aid Award notifications will be emailed by May 15th.

As we continue to plan for the 2026–2027 school year, St. Paul of the Cross is currently seeking applicants for two teaching positions: a Grade 6 English Teacher and a Grade 4 Self-Contained Teacher. If you know of qualified candidates who may be interested in joining our incredible school community, please encourage them to send their résumé  to [email protected].

This Saturday at 10:00 a.m., our 2nd grade students will celebrate the beautiful sacrament of First Holy Communion. This is such a special milestone in their faith journey. Please keep these students and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.

Next week, we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to offer a special shout-out to all of our teachers and staff at SPC. Your dedication, love, and commitment to our students are what make SPC truly “The Place to Be.”Thank you for the countless ways you serve our children and our mission each day.

Please note that Friday, May 8th is a scheduled No School Day for students as our faculty will participate in on-campus professional development.

Our annual Book Fair will be held in the UGC from May 5–7. We encourage families to stop by and support our school while helping foster a love of reading in our students.

Up and Coming

• May 5 – 7
  • Scholastic Book Fair (details and links below)
• Tuesday, May 5
  • Weekly School Mass at 9:45 a.m.
  • Kindergarten Field Trip to Wagner Farm
  • Cinco de Mayo
• Friday, May 8
  • No School for Students (Faculty Professional Development)
• Sunday, May 10
  • Mother’s Day

As the weather continues to warm and we spend more time outdoors, please be reminded that pets are not permitted on campus. We have noticed an increase in pets during arrival, dismissal, and school events. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.

As we enter the month of May, dedicated in a special way to our Blessed Mother, let us continue to ask for her intercession for our school, our families, and our children. May God bless all of our SPC mothers, grandmothers, and mother-figures as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day next weekend.

In Faith & Education,

James White
Principal

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SPC School Board Election

The SPC School Board is holding an election to fill two (2) vacancies for terms that will run from May 2026 through May 2029. We are fortunate to have four (4) candidates interested in serving on the Board:

• Meghan Arquette
• Tiffany Braun
• Zach Fichter
• Ashley McNichols

Online Voting will be open from Thursday, April 30th through Monday, May 11th.
School parents & registered parishioners are eligible to vote.

To review the candidates’ personal statements then cast your online vote, please scan the QR code or click here.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact current SPC School Board Member, Kathy Manny at [email protected] or 847-927-4392.

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Book Fair Tuesday, May 5th through Thursday, May 7th!

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Mentor Families
We are thrilled to welcome many new families to SPC in the fall and are looking for our current parents to help be a mentor family. Mentor families will be a go-to source for new families for questions they may have as they prepare for their new school and help keep them in the loop with information throughout the year. We do our best to also match student grades so the new students get to also meet a new friend or two prior to the start of the school year.
Please click here to volunteer as a mentor for the 2026-2027 school year

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

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Volunteer Sign-Up – May 29
The time has arrived to sign up for SPC Olympics volunteer opportunities on May 29!

As a reminder, the SPC Olympics are for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Information regarding early childhood Olympic festivities will be shared separately by room parents.

Important Reminders:

• All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
• By signing up, you are confirming that you are available for the full commitment and do not have any conflicting responsibilities that day (including lunch shifts, recess duty for early childhood classrooms, childcare, or other obligations).
• New this year: To allow more families the opportunity to participate, only one parent per family may sign up for a volunteer slot. Please do not register multiple, extended family members.

Volunteer sign-up link here.
If you need to cancel your sign-up, you may do so through the registration site up until May 17.
Thank you for helping make this a fun and successful day for our students!  

Spots fill up very quickly, so THANK YOU for your support in advance of this fun tradition for our students! 

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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’ Weekly Letters

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IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!

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Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.

From the Community

Park Ridge Soccer Club 2026-2027 Travel Tryouts
May 4-7
Please click here for the details and registration information.

From our Catholic High Schools

Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders – Click here to download the details.

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Future Friar Shadow Days are back! See information here.
Register for Summer Camps.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we continue our journey through this Easter season, we are reminded of the many blessings God pours into our school community each day. Thank you for your continued partnership in faith, learning, and love.

Next week, our students in grades K–8 will begin the Archdiocese Religion Assessment, which will take place from April 27–May 8, 2026. This assessment will be administered during their regularly scheduled religion classes. We encourage our students to approach this opportunity with confidence, doing their best to reflect the knowledge and understanding they have grown in throughout the year.

We will also hold our Advisory Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 28th in the UGC. The meeting will begin with an executive session at 6:30 PM, followed by an open session from 7:00–8:00 PM. During the open portion, I will share a presentation highlighting the many exciting updates and enhancements our families and students can look forward to this coming fall. All are welcome to attend.

On Wednesday, April 29th, we are excited to host Career Day for our students in grades 4–8. We are deeply grateful to the parents and volunteers who have generously offered their time to share their professional experiences. Your witness to vocation and service is a powerful example for our students as they begin to reflect on their God-given gifts and future paths.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Hart, our Week of the Young Child team, and our Home & School Association for making this past week such a joyful and high-energy experience for our students. The thoughtful planning and care behind each activity were truly evident. One example of this dedication was our movie outing on Wednesday, where the safety and support of our students were ensured by the presence of Nurse Kari, several security officers, and more than 80 parent volunteers. We are incredibly thankful to all who gave their time and energy to make this week so special.

Coffee with the Principal – Wednesday, May 20th, 8:00-9:00 am
Topic: Occupational Therapy Services at School
We are pleased to share an exciting partnership and opportunity to support your child’s success here at school. Following a recent professional development presentation: Understanding how sensory challenges can affect learning and behavior, our school is taking steps to better connect families with occupational therapy (OT) services — and the good news is that these services may be covered through your health insurance. We are partnering with In2Great Pediatric Therapy. Dr. Angie Harisiadis will host a parent info session on Wednesday, May 20th at 8:00 a.m.

What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps children develop the skills they need to participate fully in everyday activities — including learning, socializing, and self-regulation.
Please click here to read more about this and how our SPC counselors can help.

Finally, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to our 2nd grade students who will receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on May 2. This is a beautiful and sacred milestone in their faith journey. May they feel the presence of Christ in a special way, and may the Holy Spirit guide them always. We ask our entire community to keep these students and their families in your prayers.

Up and Coming

• Tuesday, April 28
  • School Board Meeting – Open Session 7:00 – 8:00pm UGC Room 203
• Wednesday, April 29
  • Career Day Grades 4-8
• Friday, May 1
  • Spirit Wear Day

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joy-filled weekend.

James White
Principal

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Endowment Scholarships – Time Sensitive!
Each year, the Endowment awards merit-based, named scholarships to current SPC students who will be returning for the following school year. Please read this letter for complete details, eligibility requirements, and the timeline for these exceptional opportunities.

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SPC Athletics

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Parents of girls who will be in Kindergarten at SPC in Fall 2026:
Would you be willing to become a leader? We would like to start a Daisy Girl Scout troop for girls entering Kindergarten and we need a few parents to volunteer as leaders for the troop.
Please click here to read more about how you can help!

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

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Volunteer Sign-Up – May 29
The time has arrived to sign up for SPC Olympics volunteer opportunities on May 29!

As a reminder, the SPC Olympics are for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Information regarding early childhood Olympic festivities will be shared separately by room parents.

Important Reminders:

• All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
• By signing up, you are confirming that you are available for the full commitment and do not have any conflicting responsibilities that day (including lunch shifts, recess duty for early childhood classrooms, childcare, or other obligations).
• New this year: To allow more families the opportunity to participate, only one parent per family may sign up for a volunteer slot. Please do not register multiple, extended family members.

Volunteer sign-up link here.
If you need to cancel your sign-up, you may do so through the registration site up until May 17.
Thank you for helping make this a fun and successful day for our students!  

Spots fill up very quickly, so THANK YOU for your support in advance of this fun tradition for our students! 

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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’ Weekly Letters

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IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!

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Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.

From the Community

Maine South Spring Musical Final Weekend

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. This breathtaking story intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Persephone — as it invites you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Maine South High School take on this beautiful, Tony award-winning musical.

Get your tickets today using the QR code. Show opens on 04/17 and closes on 04/25.

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Park Ridge Soccer Club 2026-2027 Travel Tryouts
May 4-7
Please click here for the details and registration information.

Please download the Park Ridge Healthy Kids Running Series details here.

From our Catholic High Schools

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Future Friar Shadow Days are back! See information here.
Register for Summer Camps.

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Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we continue our journey through this beautiful season of growth and renewal. Each day, I am grateful for the faith, joy, and sense of community that fills our school. Thank you for the many ways you support our students, teachers, and mission.

School Masses This Week
We look forward to gathering in prayer together:

• Grades 4–8 will attend Mass on Tuesday at 9:45 AM
• Grades K–3 will attend Mass on Friday at 10:00 AM in celebration of VIP Day and Week of the Young Child (WOYC)

Week of the Young Child (PS–3)
Next week, we joyfully celebrate our youngest learners in Preschool through Grade 3! This special week highlights the importance of early childhood education and the wonder of learning at these formative ages. Please see the detailed schedule of events below for all the exciting activities planned.

Pancake Breakfast – Supporting SPC Athletics
A special thank you to our athletics program for organizing this weekend’s Pancake Breakfast, taking place this Sunday. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community while supporting our student-athletes. Additional details are included below—we hope to see many of you there!

Family Mass
All are welcome to join us for Family Mass this Sunday at 10:30 AM in the Holy Family Chapel. This week’s Mass will be beautifully facilitated by our Spring athletes—we are grateful for their leadership and witness of faith.

Prayer Buddies
Our cherished Prayer Buddies program will take place on Friday from 2:00–2:50 PM. It is always a meaningful time as our students connect across grade levels in prayer and fellowship.

Board Meeting Update
As part of our ongoing commitment to thoughtful stewardship of our school environment, this week’s internal Board meeting (closed session) will include a focused discussion on the use of technology at SPC. This includes considerations around screen time, age-appropriateness, and how technology is utilized to best support student learning in the classroom.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to our SPC community. It is a blessing to work together in forming our students in faith, knowledge, and character.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joy-filled weekend. Go Tigers!

James White
Principal

Up and Coming

• Sunday, April 19
  • Family Mass 10:30 am Holy Family Chapel
  • Pancake Breakfast 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (details and link below)
• April 20–24
  • Week of the Young Child – (See below for details.)
• Thursday, April 23
  • Home & School Out of Uniform
• Friday, April 24
  • VIP Day – Grades K-3
• Tuesday, April 28
  • School Board Meeting – Open Session 7:00 – 8:00pm Duffin Hall

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Endowment Scholarships – Time Sensitive!
Each year, the Endowment awards merit-based, named scholarships to current SPC students who will be returning for the following school year. Please read this letter for complete details, eligibility requirements, and the timeline for these exceptional opportunities.

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Family Mass and Pancake Breakfast

Join us at our Family Mass this Sunday, April 19th in honor of our spring athletes!

• Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm | Gym
• Family Mass: 10:30 am | Holy Family Chapel

We invite all baseball, softball, floor hockey, and flag football players to attend and help serve. Please wear your team jersey top to Mass as we pray for a fun and safe season.

Volunteers Needed
Sr. Pia is seeking the following volunteers to assist with the liturgy:

• Students: To read, bring up gifts, usher, or greet.
• Coaches & Alumni: Trained Eucharistic Ministers to serve during Mass.

To volunteer: Email Sr. Pia at [email protected].

We hope you can join us for this special Mass and breakfast as we pray for a fun and safe season.

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St. Paul of the Cross Early Childhood VIP DAY (Very Important Person Day)
Save the Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Please find all of the details here. RSVP by Friday (tomorrow), April 17th.

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Week of the Young Child 2026! April 20-24

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Mentor Families
We are thrilled to welcome many new families to SPC in the fall and are looking for our current parents to help be a mentor family. Mentor families will be a go-to source for new families for questions they may have as they prepare for their new school and help keep them in the loop with information throughout the year. We do our best to also match student grades so the new students get to also meet a new friend or two prior to the start of the school year.
Please click here to volunteer as a mentor for the 2026-2027 school year

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Parents of girls who will be in Kindergarten at SPC in Fall 2026:
Would you be willing to become a leader? We would like to start a Daisy Girl Scout troop for girls entering Kindergarten and we need a few parents to volunteer as leaders for the troop.
Please click here to read more about how you can help!

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Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.

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Please join us for our final meeting of the year tomorrow, Friday April 17th, at 8:00 AM in the Holy Family Chapel. If you can’t join in person, Please join us via Zoom:

Topic: April HASA Meeting
Time: Apr 17, 2026 08:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84527800966?pwd=jVXq8SdKpSutXzLYjexgJosE0peao9.1

Meeting ID: 845 2780 0966
Passcode: 4Nirkk

Join instructions
https://us05web.zoom.us/meetings/84527800966/invitations?signature=plH8rDsxdbB8Aa8pBDlJf2MEg1gOkVwFFMtFUOfet24

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Join us for the inaugural SPC Sneaker Ball! 
Information is below; tickets can be purchased by clicking the link here.

Volunteers Needed
The success of this event relies on volunteer support, and we currently have very few commitments. We encourage anyone who is able to get involved. Please consider volunteering to help with set up or one of the two sessions, your time makes a huge difference. 
You can volunteer by clicking here.

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We are excited to continue the tradition of our St. Paul of the Cross School Olympics Day on May 29- a day filled with energy, teamwork, and school spirit for more than 600 of our students and faculty. To help make this day unforgettable, we are seeking sponsors to offset the cost of the event t-shirts worn by every participant. With a donation of $1,500, your family or business will be recognized with your logo featured on the back of the shirts- a lasting way to show your support for our school community. If you’re interested in sponsoring or would like more information, we would be so grateful for your partnership in making this special day possible! Please email us at [email protected] and [email protected].

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Our next HSA meeting will take place on Friday, April 17, at 8am in the Holy Family Chapel. A Zoom link will be sent out if you would like to attend virtually.

Join a Committee
We are looking for volunteers who would like to join or lead some of our committees. Please see this form to get more information and sign up to get involved.

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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’ Weekly Letters

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IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!

---

Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.

From the Community

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. This breathtaking story intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Persephone — as it invites you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Maine South High School take on this beautiful, Tony award-winning musical.

Get your tickets today using the QR code. Show opens on 04/17 and closes on 04/25.

---

Please download the Park Ridge Healthy Kids Running Series details here.

From our Catholic High Schools

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Future Friar Shadow Days are back! See information here.
Register for Summer Camps.

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