Dear SPC Community,
After much reflection on the massacre at Robb Elementary, it outrages me that we, as educators and parents, are feeling the pain and anguish yet again of another school shooting. I find myself switching from feelings of outrage to despair. I remember when I was a new teacher answering questions about Columbine. Yet, after over 20 years, we are still reeling from school shootings, and nothing has been done to correct the systemic problem of gun violence in our country (see below for Cardinal Cupich's powerful response).
- There is nothing more important than the safety and security of our children. Given the recent events, I feel the need to address the current safety measures at SPC.
- All entrances to our building are locked throughout the day, with security cameras throughout the campus.
- Our doors are properly numbered on the interior and exterior to allow for fast first responder response on our large campus.
- No one is permitted to enter the buildings unless they are a parent, community member, employee, or someone who has an appointment or is a known delivery person.
- Visitors check-in at the main entrance,
- Our classrooms all lock when they are closed and need a key to unlock from the outside.
- Classrooms have phones to allow for outside emergency calls.
- We recently upgraded our intercom system to allow for notification both inside the building and speakers to alert the recess areas.
- Our emergency plan is updated yearly and practiced with teachers and children. Given the traumatic nature of practicing an active shooter drill, recent legislation allows for policies and procedures to be reviewed with children in a developmentally appropriate way. We no longer gather kids in silence in coat rooms as research shows that inflicts additional trauma and fear in children.
- Our social worker and interns meet regularly and proactively to assess and support the mental health of students and coordinate programs and interventions as necessary.
- We are blessed with a team of volunteer parents/grandparents who are current or off-duty police officers who provide security on campus! If you are a current police officer and wish to help, please contact the main office.
- We use a cyber security filtering system with our internet at school that filters inappropriate searches so that parents and mental health professionals can be alerted to possible issues.
- We implemented a cyber security safety program that provides training to students and parents.
Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate our school safety plan to see if we can strengthen our security efforts. We are currently looking into a security expert to come and assess if there are any additional safety measures that we need to implement.
The massacre at Robb Elementary is not something we will actively discuss in the classrooms. Please see below for some resources that may help you if your child brings up the news at home.
After hearing the news of the mass murder of students and teachers in Texas, many of us will experience a range of reactions. This is especially true for children. Reactions may include emotions (sadness, anger, shock, fear, etc.), changes in thoughts (difficulty concentrating, repetitive thoughts of the situation), physical reactions (feeling sick, headaches, not sleeping well, etc.), and behaviors (returning to older behaviors such as bedwetting, needing physical closeness with parents, fighting more, etc.).
Traumatic events often lead people to feel they have lost control of their sense of safety. Here are resources on how to help children cope with the frightening news and their reactions:
Talking with Children About Traumatic Events
Children and Trauma
We hope these resources provide a source of comfort and support during this difficult time.
Statement of Cardinal Cupich on the massacre of children in Uvalde, Texas, 5/24/22
Today, a gunman walked into a grade school in Uvalde, TX, and slaughtered at least 18 children and two adults—one of whom was the shooter's grandmother. Authorities say the suspect is dead. He was 18 years old.
The parents were told, "Please do not pick up students at this time. Students need to be accounted for before they are released to your care." Imagine being a parent with a child in that school. Imagine having to bury them.
Parents now face a delay in identifying the victims—such was the extent of the damage done to these children's bodies by the killer's weapons.
The NRA has its annual meeting on Friday in Houston, about 300 miles east of the massacre, less than a year after the TX governor signed into law a bill that allows people without license or training to carry handguns.
We don't yet know whether the Uvalde gunman took advantage of "permitless carry," but we do know that America is awash in guns. We have more firearms than people.
It was not always this way. But more Americans died from gun violence in 2020 than during any other year on record: more than 45,000. That was a 25% increase from 2015, and a 43% increase from 2010.
Mass shootings have become a daily reality in America today. Two people died and 7 were injured last week during a mass shooting just down the street from Holy Name Cathedral. Last weekend in Chicago, 28 people were shot.
The size of the crisis, and its sheer horror, make it all too easy to toss up one's hands and declare: Nothing can be done. But that is the counsel of despair, and we are a people of hope. What do we hope for our children?
That as a regular feature of their schooling, they learn how to behave should a shooter attack? That they feel endangered by simply doing what society says is good for them—going to school? That they come to wonder whether they even have futures at all?
Tonight our airwaves will fill with pundits who offer predictable lamentations and warnings and tut-tuts and thoughts and prayers. And we must pray—for the victims, their loved ones, for the parents who will send their kids off to school tomorrow.
We must weep and soak in the grief that comes with the knowledge that these children of God were cut down by a man who was just a few years their senior. But then we must steel ourselves to act in the face of what seems like insurmountable despair.
We know that gun safety measures make a difference. A 2021 Northwestern Medicine study found that the Federal Assault Weapons Ban prevented 10 mass shootings during the 10 years it was in effect. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2021/03/assault-weapon-ban-significantly-reduces-mass-shooting/
Researchers also determined that if the ban had remained in place in the years since it was allowed to expire, it could have prevented another 30 public mass shootings that killed 339 people and injured 1139 more.
As I reflect on this latest American massacre, I keep returning to the questions: Who are we as a nation if we do not act to protect our children? What do we love more: our instruments of death or our future?
The Second Amendment did not come down from Sinai. The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life. Our children have rights too. And our elected officials have a moral duty to protect them.
UNIFORM ORDERING–ISSUES WITH BACKORDERS
I have recently learned that parents are trying to order uniforms and are concerned about the backorder. Please see the response from our sales rep when I inquired about the issues:
RESPONSE FROM TOMMY HILFIGER (NOT ACTUALLY TOMMY HILFIGER HIMSELF–THE REP)
1) 'out of stock' - we recently went thru a systems upgrade and, in the next 48 hours, will be updating items that say 'out of stock' with an in-stock date - and they will become orderable.
2) 'backorder w/ date items' - families can place an order today on any of these items, and they will ship out on or before the date shown.
We placed our large PO's 3 months earlier last year for delivery this month. Due to continuing challenges with the global supply chain - some of these large PO's have been delayed - but are on the way and in BIG numbers/units - and right now, all look to be arriving in time to ship well before back to school.
With backorder date of 6/29 - parents should place their order now (which will reserve their item), and it will ship to them later in June/early July. They should still have time to return/rebuy if they need to for size etc...
I can confirm the dates for your school's one week BTS promotion are 7/18/22-7/24/22 - more information to be coming in the next week. The goal is for all items to be in on or before that date, but as mentioned above - most if not all of your items currently showing 'out of stock' should be loaded and 'orderable' by next week.
We generally do not see too many orders come in till 6/15 or after - but families are making an effort to order early this year - which is a VERY good thing in the long run.
A REMINDER ABOUT THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL:
June 2nd: Please keep the Class of 2022 in your prayers as they celebrate their graduation
June 3rd: SPC OLYMPICS! See below for information from Home and School!
June 6th: 6th and 7th Grade Trip to Springfield
1st Grade Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo
June 8th: Last Day of Preschool, PreK and Multi-Age
June 9th: Last Day of Kindergarten
June 10th: Last Day of School Grades 1-7 Dismissal at 11:00
COVID Dashboard 5/26/22
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Principal
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS FOR SPC OLYMPICS!
We are in need of several volunteers to help make this exciting day run as smoothly as possible. From set-up to running various games, there are many opportunities available. SIGN UP TODAY to take part in the fun!
School Supplies 2022- 2023 HSA Fundraiser 
Hello Everyone,
It is that time of year to pre-order your child’s school supplies easily and conveniently while supporting Home and School Association.
*IMPORTANT DATES:
• Order by 6/3, kits are discounted with FREE home delivery.
• Order 6/4 – 7/10, standard kit and shipping rates apply.
• Storefront closes at end of day on 7/10.
Please click here to start your order.
If you have any question reach out to Maria Almendarez Gemoets at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Summer Events!
Home & School Association is proud to present some fun events this summer! SPC will be hosting 4 drive-in movie nights that can be signed up for below. Act fast! Each movie is limited to 45 vehicles.
Out of Uniform Passes for 2022-2023
Summer Ballet Camps at SPC - Attention Students Entering Grades 1-5
Please download the flyer with all the details here.
From the Parish
We have an active and vibrant parish and encourage everyone to read the weekly bulletins for Fr. James' weekly letter and stay informed about all upcoming events and programs.
Please click here for the latest bulletin.
Please click here for Fr. James' "The Daily" - Daily Mass Readings and Reflections
St. Paul of the Cross Parish Vacation Bible School
Come join a week of fun as we Harvest the Fruit of the Spirit at St. Paul's Vacation Bible School!
From the Community
From our High Schools
St. Patrick's Summer Camps Begin June 7th
Please click here to download the Summer Camp Flyer
Please click here for all of the Summer Camp information.
Kumbaya 2022 -Summer Chess Camp: EARLY Registration is OPEN!
Please click here for all the details of Summer Chess Camp.
Edison Park Youth Soccer Fall 2022 Program - Registration starts June 4th
Please click here to download the flyer.
Special Illinois State Sales Tax Holiday on Back-to-School Items August 5th through August 14th
Please click here for the Illinois Dept. of Revenue informational bulletin about this tax break.