June 10, 2021

Dear SPC Families,

My goodness, WE MADE IT!! What a year!

I know that we were all scared and worried about what this school year would bring at the beginning of this school year. I have said many times that I would have lost the bet on whether we would make it all year in person. I was hoping for school until Columbus Day, and here were June 10th--we did it! Each day I prayed in Thanksgiving that we were in person; while there were a few bumps in the road, I don’t think anyone would have anticipated that we would have an amazing, albeit challenging, school year.

Our teachers are the true heroes this year. They showed up each day to teach in a mask using instructional methods that were not easy given our guidelines. They sacrificed with grace and courage. The gift of in-person learning is truly priceless and was made possible because they said “yes” and continued to show up each day!

This year the phrase “It takes a village” could not be more truthful. Our school year is the result of everyone in the SPC community saying, “we are going to prioritize in-person education for our kids above all other things!” I know many of you made multiple sacrifices to make sure the entire school community of SPC stayed safe. You followed all the Covid rules and asked questions where there was uncertainty! Thank you for your patience. At the beginning of the school year, I remember saying that I did not take lightly the trust that you all had to put into us to send your kids to school during a pandemic, and you trusted that our reopening plan was safe. For that, I am grateful.

Yes, this year was tough, but the joy of seeing your children grow and learn truly made it all worth it. Years from now, the children of St. Paul of the Cross will look back on the year they learned in masks, and they will remember how they felt safe and loved by their teachers. They will remember learning with their friends. They will not remember a world cloaked in fear and worry, and that is an amazing gift!

May God Bless each and every one of you with a joy-filled and restful summer! And please remember, I always assign the homework of eating ice cream for breakfast at least once over summer vacation!

New Hires:
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF NEW HIRES PLEASE CLICK HERE 

Ms. Rachel Kasprzyk
3rd Grade
Rachel just graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her bachelor of arts in Urban Education this May. Her student teaching experience was in a 3rd-grade classroom in Chicago Public Schools. Rachel also has worked as a director of Skokie summer camp for the past five summers, working with over 150 children, ranging in ages 3-13.

Rachel was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, living on Norwood Circle and recently moving to Niles. Having gone to Catholic elementary and high school, religion is very important in her daily life, as well as implementing it in the school curriculum. She cannot wait to connect with this community and meet her future students very soon!!

Teacher Placement for Next Year!

EGC

Preschool
Nora Archer
Emily Burke

PreK
Ashley Kusinski
Mary Connolly

Multi-Age
Stephanie Xamplas
Deneane LoGalbo

Kindergarten
Elizabeth Rabinack
Mary Ruth Rinaldi
Kate Murphy
Jennifer Ciupinski

1st Grade
Susan Hader
Sue Dohr
Roberta Kraft

2nd Grade
Melissa McCallister
Monica Chaparro
Stephanie Galvin

UGC

3rd Grade
Kaitlyn Gregoreck
Gail Johnson
Rachel Kaspzyk

The teachers lists below are listed as the homeroom teachers but teach multiple grades:

4th Grade
Becky Zimmerman (Math, Religion)
Nicole Lewandowski (Social Studies, Religion)

5th Grade
Gabby Valdez (Language Arts
Carla Huber (Science, Language Arts and Religion)
Beth Pecoraro (Math)

6th Grade
Kathleen Hayes (Language Arts)
Melinda Meo (Math)

7th Grade
Kelly Scott (Language Arts)
Paul Okimoto (Math)
Michael Galuska (Science)

8th Grade
Monica Shultz (Social Studies)
Meghan Donahue (Religion)

PFAs
Art: Natalie Whalen
Music: Courtney Shulz
STEM: Karl Oschner
PE: Kelly Spanos
Spanish: Teachers from Language Academy
Library: Paula Almquist

Additional Teachers
Helen Stephens (Math)

Inclusion Team:
Tina Bull
Megan Dietz
Peggy Godley
Dorothy Ross

Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh


2021-2022 National Junior Honor Society Induction

NJHS 2021 22
Congratulations to all the NJHS Inductees! Our new members hosted elections this week and I want to announce the 2021-22 NJHS leadership board:

President: Audrey Wilson
Vice President: Giovanna Sanfratello
Secretary: Karina Dzierzanowska
Treasurer: Angelo Geroulis & Liam Haran
Marketing Director: Caroline Sullivan & Carolyn Bomely


USED UNIFORM DONATIONS NEEDED! 
Clear out your closets-Used Uniform Sale donations needed! Due TOMORROW, June 11th
We will be collecting used uniforms for the used uniform sale, which will be held in August during the Teacher Meet & Greets. Items we will accept:

  • Navy/khaki shorts and pants
  • Plaid skirts and jumpers
  • All Lands End polos, gym uniforms, sweatshirts, pullovers, fleeces, dresses, skirts, etc.

Please drop off bagged items you are donating to the UGC office next week. Please deliver all items no later than tomorrow, June 11th. 


 

HSA School Supply Kits Pre-Order 
Hello Everyone, it is that time of year to pre-order your child’s school supplies easily and conveniently. 

Please place orders by 7/11. Discounted pricing is valid through 6/20/2021.  All orders will be shipped to home, and shipping costs are included in kit price.  Please order assignment notebooks through the site to guarantee availability, even if you aren't ordering a kit.
If you have any questions please contact Maria Almendarez Gemoets at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please click here to download the school supply kit flyer.


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 stay informed about all upcoming events and programs. 
Please click here for the latest bulletin.


FROM THE COMMUNITY

Park Ridge Library Summer Reading Club!
Summer 2021 CS Flyer 1
Click on the image above to download the complete flyer with all the details!
Click here for a video about the Park Ridge Library Summer Reading Club.


Co-Ed Basketball Skills Sessions June & July Grades 5th-8th
Click on the flyer here.


Trinity Girls' Basketball Camp Grades K-4th, 5th-8th, 9-12th
Click here for the flyer.


Loyola Academy Junior High Summer Enrichment Program
Summer will be here soon! Loyola Academy will be offering their Jr. High Summer Enrichment Program for summer 2021. Please click here to download the flyer.

Loyola Academy Sports Camps for Rising 6th Graders and Up
Summer 2021 Sports Camps Brochure

Summer Basketball Camps Flyer

Loyola Academy Summer Rowing Camps for Rising 6th - 9th Graders
Please click here to download the flyer with all the details.
Please click here to watch a video on a recent rowing season.


Summer Camps 2021

Please click here to learn all about St. Patrick High School's 2021 Summer Camps! Many of the camps are for all ages and are co-ed.


Regina Dominican Summer Athletic Camps 5th–8th Grade Girls

Girls in the 5th-8th grade are invited to join us this summer for one of our athletic camps! Meet Regina Dominican Coaches and current Panthers as you enhance your athletic skills while enjoying all summer has to offer!
To register, click here.
Download the flyer here.


Resurrection Summer 2021 Girls Athletic Camps 4th–12th Grade Girls
Basketball, Lacrosse, Tennis, Running, Softball & Volleyball!
To register, click here.


STEM CAMP Grades K-6th
Energize your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program, Recharge! When this nationally acclaimed program comes to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity from August 2 - 6, 2021 campers in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends in hands-on, open-ended STEM challenges. They’ll take apart a microphone to explore its inner workings, build and test a device to launch rubber ducks, and design morphing vehicles for the Super Road Rally! Each activity is designed to inspire curiosity, spark imaginations and give your young innovator the best summer ever. Click here to secure your spot! Use promo code SUM25 by 5/26 to save $25.