Dear SPC Families,
Welcome Back to School! It has been a long lonely (albeit busy) summer here at SPC and it is wonderful to finally have the classrooms and hallways full once again! I think we may have a new tradition here at SPC with the “Teacher Meet and Greet/Supply Drop Off” evening. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to meet their new teacher and enjoy some ice cream! It was a good way to start the school year and I was so excited to see all of you after your summer vacation!
New this year we have completely revamped our Upper Grade schedule. This week our students and faculty have been learning the ropes and finding their way around. This is new for everyone and I am happy to say that as we all find our bearings, there have been very few glitches!
This is a busy letter this week with many back to school reminders. Happy reading!
When I Ask My Child About Their Day All I Hear is “Fine.”
How many times do we sit down at dinner to ask our kids about their day at school and are a little disappointed to hear “it was fine”? I stumbled upon an article a few years ago that I like to share at the beginning of each school year as a reminder that if we pose the question differently, we may get better responses from our children that lead to great conversations about their day. I encourage you to try a few different questions with your child. Click here.
A Note About the School Day Schedule
This year the school day starts at 8:00am each day. Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:00am. Students in the EGC will be marked tardy after 8:05. Students in the UGC will be marked tardy after 8:00am. The doors in both the UGC and the EGC will be open at 7:45am each morning to allow plenty of time to get to homeroom. Drop off lines will also begin at 7:45. We will continue to dismiss all students at 3:00pm.
We know it will take some getting used to so we will not issue tardies until after Labor Day!
Bus Service
Bus service for our students will begin on Monday, August 26th. If you have not received an email from us regarding your stop and times, you were not registered with the district. You must contact them in order to see if you qualify for bus service. The District 64 bus rep is Stephanie Colon. Her email address is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone #847-318-4308.
Milk
Our milk program will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day (September 3rd.) Please make sure your milk and payment is returned to us by Wednesday, August 28th.
No Parking in FM Global Parking Lot
Please remember that parents are not allowed to park in the FM Global Parking Lot (the parking lot across from our big lot on Washington). We know that you are allowed to park there on Sundays for Mass but parking is not allowed on school days.
No Parking in Ryan Parke Funeral Home During the Day
A reminder that you are allowed to park in the funeral home parking lot to drop off your children or pick your children up. Please do not park there if you need to leave your car there after 8:00am. Also, when you see the cones up (even in the rear lots) you will have to seek parking elsewhere due to a service at the funeral home.
Puerto Rico 2020!
We are very excited to announce that in February of 2020 we will be offering a service trip to Puerto Rico visiting and working with the Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. In 2017, St. Paul of the raised money during the Lenten Mission to rebuild the damaged church of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. However, there is still work that needs to be done. We will be assisting at Our Lady of the Rosary Church and School. We will also have time to learn about the culture and history of Puerto Rico---and even have some fun! This trip is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. Parents are also eligible to attend the trip. St. Paul of the Cross Puerto Rico 2020.pdf
In order to plan ahead, please RSVP to a parent information meeting on August 28th at 5:30 in the AB Room. Click here to RSVP.
Back to School Night - August 28th 6:30-8:30 pm
I look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday for our Back to School Night!
6:30: Parents Meet in the Gym
- Prayer
- Welcome
- SPC 2019-2020 School Year Overview
6:50-8:30pm Classroom Visits-details will be sent in a separate schedule early next week. This is a great time to meet your student's teachers however; it is not a time to discuss individual students. The teachers will be sharing information about their curriculum and class expectations. We are creating a schedule that will allow families with multiple children the opportunity to visit more than 1 teacher.
Navigating the High School Admissions Process Parent Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Place: AB Meeting Rooms
Open to 7th and 8th grade parents
I will host a meeting detailing all aspects of the high school admissions process on September 4th at 6:00 pm in the AB Room. So that we can plan accordingly, please RSVP by clicking here. This parent meeting will discuss the admissions process and timeline for Catholic high schools, Chicago Public Schools, and Maine South. The meeting will begin with the discussion of Catholic high schools followed by the public schools.
While the workshop is intended for 8th grade parents, 7th grade parents will be able to gain insight into the process as well as learn what they can do now to prepare for 8th grade.
Save the Date: Family Mass Dates
Last year we started the tradition of family Mass where students from a particular grade in the School and the Religious Education took the lead in the Sunday liturgy. We will continue with this special mass this year. We will invite students and parents from that grade to attend the Sunday 9AM Mass in the Holy Family Chapel. The students will act as readers, altar servers, ushers and helpers. Please save the date and come and celebrate Mass with your grade level.
September 15 Grade 6
October 20 Grade 3
November 17 Grade 8
December 15 Grade 5
January 26 All Grades (CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS in Upper Church)
February 9 Grade 7
March 1 Grade 4
April 26 Grade 1
May 17 Grade 2
SPC is off to a great start of the School Year! God Bless you all!
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Principal
Home & School Association Updates
First Restaurant Fundraiser of the Year!
Save the Date! - Tiger Fun Run!!
Look for exciting updates in the coming weeks.
SPC Activities and Clubs - Fall Signup Information
Sticky Fingers - Grades PK - 6th
Thursdays from 3:15-4:15pm
September 19th - November 14th
Click here for the details and registration 4-6 year-olds
Click here for the details and registration 7-12 year-olds
Chess Ed Grades 1-8
Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00pm
September 10th - November 12th (Ten Weeks)
Registration for the Fall Session of the after school chess program is underway! The chess program is taught by Chess-Ed instructors and is open to all SPC students in grades 1-8, of all chess abilities, novice or continuing. Professional instruction will include the basics for novice players and build with opening theory, middle game planning, and end game combinations for continuing students.
DISCOUNTED Registration Fee applies through 8/27/19; On Time and Late fees begin 8/28/19. Chess-Ed is looking forward to seeing your CHESS ENTHUSIAST this Fall!
Click here to download the flyer.
Click here for complete details and to register!
SPC Media Club Grades 6-8
Open to all 6th, 7th & 8th grade students
Meetings: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm
First Meeting: Wednesday, September 4th
Media Club is an SPC news broadcast team. We create live broadcasts and newspapers that promote happenings throughout the SPC campus.
Please click here for more information and to sign up.
Annual SPC Parish Picnic
7th & 8th Grade Students - Service Hours
The annual St. Paul Parish Picnic is on Saturday, September 7th starting with 4:30pm Mass outdoors and the fun and festivities immediately following.
We are in need of 7th & 8th graders as well as adults to help make the SPC Parish Picnic successful! The greatest need is from 5:30 throughout the evening. It's a fun way to help out and interact with fellow parishioners!
Please join us! If you or your 7th/8th grader are able to help out, please email Leah Wolfe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up for student and adult shifts.
From The Parish
We have an active and vibrant parish and encourage everyone to read the weekly bulletins for Fr. Britto's weekly letter and to stay informed about all of the upcoming events and programs. Parish Bulletin for August 25, 2019