Dear SPC Families,
Thank you in advance for reading this newsy letter! There are many details regarding construction and our speaker next week. I truly hope you will all attend the evening session, which is designed for parents to attend with their student. The evening is a valuable opportunity to learn with your child. Jodee Blanco is a nationally known speaker and a frequent collaborator in Catholic Schools and NCEA on bullying prevention.
A reminder that this weekend is the Parish Picnic, I hope to see you all there!
Included in this week's letter:
- Construction on the Kinane Center--impact to drop off
- Catholic High School Fair--NEW EVENING TIME!
- High School Placement Test Prep offered at SPC
- Study Hall for 7th and 8th Grade
- Vaping-the dangers and some resources
- Jodee Blanco Schedule for September 10th.
- Family Mass Schedule
Construction Beginning on the Kinane Center
Effective September 9th, the construction will begin on the Kinane Center. While this will not impact drop off or pick up along Ridge Terrace, you will not be able to use the small “Tiger Parking” lot for dropping off. The sidewalk in front of the Kinane Center will also be closed. We anticipate the construction to take 6 months.
Save the Date: Catholic High School Fair Moves to the Evening
On September 18th from 6:30-7:30 pm we will host the Catholic High School Fair. We have moved this event to the evening to allow parents to come talk to representatives of Catholic High Schools with their child. This is open to families in grades 6-8. We will not be offering a Catholic High School Fair during the school day. Please RSVP by clicking here.
High School Placement Test Preparation
PEACE Educational Services will be offering their High School Test Preparation Program on Thursdays beginning September 26th for 8 consecutive weeks at St. Paul of the Cross School.
PEACE provides a comprehensive program, which fully prepares students so that their full ability is reflected on their high school entrance exam. We teach the format of the HSPT.
Over 8 weeks, we review and practice in the test format 17 essential math concepts. We also review and practice language skills required for the test including grammar, usage, verbal classifications, and vocabulary. We teach specific reading comprehension strategies and practice them over 7 sessions. We fully explain and practice analogies and logic problems, which are new skills for most students. The full curriculum is attached.
On the last day the students take a full HSPT to practice the skills acquired over the 8 weeks. You are provided a full report categorized by skill areas and vast resources for further practice if needed. The cost of the program is $575 plus materials.
For information on the curriculum and/or to register, please go to www.www.PeaceEdServices.com or call Patti Smith at (847)567-7260 with further questions.
Study Hall Option During Recess for 7th and 8th Grade
Based on feedback from some of our students, we have decided to offer a study hall during recess for our 7th and 8th graders on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students should see their homeroom teacher in the morning to sign up study hall. There are limited seats available and students can only sign up for a day at a time. If a student fails to show up for 2 study hall sessions that they reserved, they will lose the study hall privilege for the remainder of the trimester. It is the student’s responsibility to reserve their spot, parent requests via email to the homeroom teacher will not be honored.
VAPING: A DANGEROUS EPIDEMIC AMONG MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN
In recent weeks we have seen tragic vaping related deaths in the news. Last year, we hosted a parent education session in the evening that was surprisingly poorly attended. Given the recent deaths and the continual research on the impact of vaping on the body, this is an issue that we must be mindful of. We will be hosting another session for both students and parents in the upcoming months. In the meantime please take some time to read these articles and discuss the dangers of vaping with your middle school children. As soon as we have secured our speakers, we will provide you advance notice of the parent workshop.
JODEE BLANCO COMES TO SPC
Student, Teacher and Family Workshops. Please attend the Tuesday evening session with your child.
On September 10th, SPC will host Nationally Recognized Speaker and bullying survivor, Jodee Blanco. She will speak to all students in grades K-8, host a teacher training, and then hold a workshop for parents and students in the evening. The document below details her bio and outlines (in Jodee's words) the content of each workshop. We are fortunate that our Home and School Association is providing the funding for this daylong series of workshops. I strongly encourage you to save the date and attend the evening workshop with your child. Please click here for the complete details. The following is the schedule for September 10th:
Evening Parent/Family Seminar (GRADES K-8 Kids Strongly Encouraged to Attend!)
Please RSVP by clicking here.
Gym
6:30-7:30pm
Presentation for Grades K-4
September 10th
10:30am-11:15am
Presentation for Grades 5-8
12:15pm-1:30pm
Teacher Training (During Tuesday PD)
Tuesday September 10
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
Please continue to read on for important updates that you won't want to miss. Every week you will find new information added.
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Principal
CTS Out of Uniform Passes
Next Friday, September 13th, is our first CTS Out of Uniform Day of our school year (Grades K-8). For anyone who missed out on purchasing the Out of Uniform Passes from Celebrating the Spirit last spring, you can now purchase them online only through September 12th for $20.
If you already purchased the Out of Uniform Passes, you would have received an email receipt at that time and another reminder email.
The first Out of Uniform date is Friday, September 13th. The homeroom teachers will have updated lists of their students who have the Out of Uniform Passes for the year. Please note that the final deadline to purchase the passes is September 12th. Please click here to purchase your passes.
Tiger Fun Run Hot Lunch Order for September 27th
You will have the option to purchase a hot dog lunch from Home Run Inn for your student(s). You will receive a choice of a hotdog, chips and apples. The cost of the lunch is $5.00. You must register to secure your students lunch on this fun day. Registration is open from Thursday, September 5th - Sunday, September 8th. Lunches will not be able to be purchased the day of fun run. Please click this link to order your hot lunch for fun run.
More From SPC Home and School Association
SPC School Directory
Did you know that the SPC Home & School Association sells a school directory so that families can stay in touch? Parents can purchase printed versions of the directory as well as access to an online version or app.
An email with directions on how to confirm your information and purchase your copy was sent to all SPC families on Tuesday. In order to ensure timely delivery of the directory, please confirm your contact information and make your purchases by Monday, September 16th.
If you or another adult in your family did not receive the directory email, please check your junk mail folder. If the message is not there, please let Wendy Diez know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that a new email can be sent.
Thank you!
Wendy Diez and Cheryl Sorce
Directory Co-Chairs
Earn tuition credit for your October statement, sign up is simple and does not need to be updated annually.
Once you are enrolled, stop by the UGC and purchase your cards. Please, see the calendar for dates. Remember, gift cards are always available for purchase online.
To get started:
SPC Activities and Clubs - Fall Signup Information
SPC Life Team
All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are invited to join the SPC Life Team!
The team is sponsored by the Parish Respect Life Committee and our mission is to live the Gospel of Life through service to the most vulnerable: the unborn, those with special needs, the poor, the elderly, etc. Our goal is to live out the social justice teaching of respecting the life and dignity of every human person. Although the team was just created in January, we had overwhelming participation and were able to serve the community in a variety of life-affirming ways. This school year, our first activity will be to help with the Baby Bottle project during Respect Life month (October).
Our first meeting of the year will be next Wednesday, September 11th at 11:30 am in the A/B room. We would love to see your kids there!
If your child is interested in joining the committee, please let Wendy Diez (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Karen Maloney (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know and have them plan to attend our first meeting next week!
Bricks 4 Kidz - Grades K-4th
The fall session begins on Wednesday, September 18th
Please click here for the details and the link to register.
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.
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!
Annual 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 sign up here. Questions, please contact 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 September 8, 2019
Children’s Choir Rehearsals
begin on Monday, September 16th!!
4-5 p.m. in DUFFIN HALL
Open to all students in Grades 2-6
REGISTER ONLINE!
https://spc-church.org/about/news/775-childrens-choir-sign-up
For more information, e-mail our Director of Music, Ed Eicker, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From The Community
Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts & Princesses - Attention All Boys and Girls in Grades Kdg-2nd!
The Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts & Princesses (PRWSWP) is an American family tradition that dates back to 1925.
PRWSWP is divided into four nations (3 Princess Nations & 1 Scouts Nations), consisting of a total 22 tribes. The PRWSWP annual season runs during the school year from September through early June.
Please click here to download more details and to register!
Maine South Hawkettes Clinic and Dance Performance - For students in grades 1-8
Students in 1st to 8th grade will learn and perform a professional dance routine from the UDA National High Kick Champions - Maine South Hawkettes. The performance will take place during half-time of the Maine South vs. Palatine Varsity Football Game at Wilson Stadium on Friday, September 20th.
Clinic Dates: Wednesday, September 18 from 5:00 - 7:00pm and Thursday, September 19 from 5:00 to 6:45 pm in the Back Gym at Maine South High School
Click on this flyer for details.