August 29, 2024

Dear SPC Families,

We celebrated our 1st all-school Mass of the 24-25 school year on Tuesday, and it was beautiful to be together praying and singing in Thanksgiving for the start of another great school year! We launched our first American Sign Language Classes for Preschool-2nd Grade this week. I am thrilled that we are embarking on this learning opportunity for our students as a way to strengthen inclusion in our community while encouraging cognitive flexibility, language processing, and motor skills. 

I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday for Back to School Night; please see the detailed schedule below.  Thank you in advance for reading the lengthy newsletter packed with all things SPC!

In this Thursday mailing:

  • MORNING DROP-OFF AND AFTERNOON PICK-UP
  • High School Fair-Save the Date 6th-8th grade parents
  • Parent Funtober
  • Fun Run Schedule for September 27th
  • Fun Run Sponsorship
  • SAVE THE DATE: First Responder Mass November 5th!
  • 24-25 Family Mass Schedule
  • Back to School Night Schedule
  • Volunteering

MORNING-DROP OFF AND AFTERNOON PICK-UP
The start of school can be tricky with everyone settling into pick-up and drop-off patterns. Pick-up should improve since EDP started this week, which decreases the number of children leaving at 3:00 pm. Please know that my insistence on following these rules is rooted only in keeping our children safe. To keep pick-up and drop-off safe, please drive slowly, get off your phone, and follow the procedures. I know parking spots are limited, and we all have places to go, but keeping our children safe is the only thing that matters.

Please read the reminders that correspond with your pick-up and drop-off Route:

SUMMIT: (in the words of one observer, “This is a disaster waiting to happen”)

  • Absolutely, under no circumstances can drivers do a U-Turn in the middle of the street anywhere on Summit)
  • Please cross at the crosswalks! Do not jaywalk anywhere on Summit. You and your child should cross at a stop sign. 
  • When using the kiss-and-go lane, your child must exit on the sidewalk side of the car.
  • Do not wave your child across the street at dismissal. 
  • Please stay in the kiss-and-go lane until you reach the end. Do not get out of the lane and merge into traffic. 

MAIN PARKING LOT:  (we have some room for improvement)

  • Please enter from the northside entrance to the lot (the one closer to Northwest Highway)
  • Exit out of the southside entrance.
  • Do not make a left turn on Washington out of the parking lot during drop-off and pick-up hours.
  • Do not double-park
  • PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN LEAVING THE PARKING LOT.
  • Put the phones away while driving.

RIDGE TERRACE (looking really good)

  • If you park on Summit and walk your children to the entrance, please cross at the crosswalk from Summitt onto Ridge Terrace.
  • When driving down Ridge (those not in the kiss-and-go lane), please slow down. 
  • If you are parking on Summit and walking, do not make a U-turn on Summit. 

HIGH SCHOOL FAIR: GRADES 6th-8th September 18th
Parents, please consider joining us right after drop-off for the High School Fair! 
CLICK HERE TO RSVP 

Date: Wednesday, September 18th

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Schools Invited / Proposed Visit Schedule: 

  • DePaul College Prep
  • Fenwick
  • Loyola Academy
  • Notre Dame, 
  • Regina Dominican 
  • Resurrection
  • St. Ignatius 
  • St. Patrick
  • St. Viator
  • Trinity
  • Woodlands
  • LaLumiere (boarding school in Indiana)

Funtober Parent Mingle – Save the Date for Friday, October 4th
Enjoy a fun evening mingling with other SPC parents in the Safe Zone! See more information below. 

Fun Run Schedule – Friday, September 27:
While Fun Run is almost a month away, we want you all to be able to plan ahead so you can come and cheer on your Tigers!

  • Multi-Age Early Childhood: 8:30-8:55 am
  • Kindergarten: 9:10-9:35 am
  • 1st Grade:  9:40-10:05 am
  • 2nd Grade: 10:10-10:35 am
  • 3rd Grade: 10:40-11:05 am
  • 4th Grade: 11:10-11:35 am
  • LUNCH: 11:40 am-12:20 pm
  • 5th & 6th Grade: 12:20-12:45 pm
  • 7th & 8th Grade: 12:50-1:15 pm

Fun Run Sponsorship Opportunities
$1,000 Family or Business Sponsorship – SOLD OUT!

$500 Family or Business Sponsorship – Deadline September 10th

  • Name or Logo on both Fun Run Banners September 18th – October 7th – One in front of the school on Northwest Highway, and one by the main SPC parking lot. 
  • Name or Logo on the Tiger Fun Run webpage – Your logo will link to your business website.

$500 Spirit Table Sponsorship – Only 1 Available Deadline September 10th

  • Name or Logo on Fun Run Spirit Table — Table provides posters and markers for fans to make signs for the runners

$250 Family or Business Sponsorship 

  • Name or Logo on the Tiger Fun Run webpage – Your logo will link to your business website.

$200 Announcer – Only 5 Available 

  • ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! Announce the start of your child’s run! You also have the option to let your child announce the start.
  • In addition to announcing the start, you also get to choose the (school-appropriate) run-out song!
  • One announcer available per run (Preschool, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth/Sixth, and Seventh/Eighth).

Please read through the sponsorship letter here, which contains excellent opportunities to sponsor the Fun Run!

SAVE THE DATE: First Responder Mass-November 5th

We invite all our St Paul of the Cross parents (of students in grades K-8) who are doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and other emergency professionals to attend this special Mass on November 5th at 10:00 am. We ask that you come in uniform and arrive around 9:40. You will line up in the gym and process in with your children. We hope you can join us in thanksgiving for their service and pray for their safety. Students in grades K-8 will attend the Mass with their first responder parents. We will send an RSVP closer to the date!

2024-2025 Family Masses: Save The Dates
This year, the school will be hosting family Masses at 10:30 in the Holy Family Chapel, and it will be an excellent opportunity for our school community to pray together! Our students will be reading and serving as ushers, and our alumni will return to be Eucharistic ministers. 

  • September 15th All 4-8th grade Fall Athletes will pray together. Fall Athletes will wear their fall sports jerseys!
  • October 20th: 7th and 8th Grade
  • November 17th: 5th and 6th Grade
  • December 15th: All 4-8th grade (and Bitty Basketball) Winter Athletes will pray together. Winter Athletes will wear their fall sports jerseys!
  • January 19th: 3rd and 4th Grade
  • February 23: 1st and 2nd Grade
  • March 16th: All 4-8th grade Spring Athletes will pray together. Spring Athletes will wear their fall sports jerseys!
  • NO MASS in APRIL
  • May 25th: Preschool & Kindergarten

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT  September 5th
Download the full schedule here.
A reminder that back-to-school night is a child-free event. We will include a more detailed schedule in a later Thursday mailing. Please note the times we will have classroom presentations. This will allow families with multiple children to attend back-to-school night.

  • Grades Preschool-3rd will have sessions from 7:00–8:30 pm. Please enter through door D5 on Ridge Terrace or door B1 for 3rd grade.
  • Grades 4-8  from 6:00-7:20 pm (Please enter through door B1)


VOLUNTEERING FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR

FIELD TRIP CHAPERONE TRAINING:
WHEN: September 5th – 5:30 pm (immediately before Back to School Night)
WHERE: School GYM
WHAT: This year, we are instituting training for field trip procedures. To be placed on the field trip-approved list, you must attend the training and be fully compliant with volunteer requirements. 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

VIRTUS REMINDER:
To volunteer in any capacity, such as coaching, recess/lunch, room parent, field trip chaperone, Fun Fair, or Olympics, to name a few, you must be a registered and approved volunteer. All aforementioned volunteers will only be assigned if they are fully compliant. If you have questions about your compliance, please email Mrs. Miulli. Click here for the list of requirements. You can drop off all forms to either the EGC or UGC office or email them to Mrs. Miulli at [email protected].

FINAL 24-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR
We have finalized the 24-25 school calendar and uploaded it into the Google Calendar, so please check to see if it has synced with your phones.
Click here to download the pdf version.

Peace,

Dr. Erika Mickelburgh


Fun Run Sponsorships!

Please RSVP Here.

HSA Logo

Dear Parents,

Please complete this form for each child at SPC. We will use these t-shirt sizes to order Olympics T-shirts. 

Reminder–Out of Uniform Passes due by TOMORROW- 8/30
HSA 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 valid for the following dates (also indicated on the SPC School Calendar). 8/30, 9/20, 10/18. 11/22. 12/13, 1/17, 2/21, 3/28, 4/4, 5/16

NEW THIS YEAR:
Preschool students will be able to purchase “themed day” passes for the same days (for example PJ day, super hero day etc). The list of Themes will be sent in August. 
We are looking forward to a great year and thank you in advance for your continued support!

Thank you!
Home and School Association Board


Now Accepting New Students for Fall Smiling Strings Violin and Classical Guitar 
Smiling Strings Violin Grades K-8 Tuesdays 2-3 PM
Guitar Grades 3-8 Tuesdays 3-4 PM
Registration information here. 


Download the flyer here. 

Ballet Ms. Rio image

Fall Ballet Classes – September 17-December 17 
Primary Ballet (Grades K-2) – A few spots available! 


chess ed

Registration for the Fall Session of the after-school chess program is underway. 
The 10-week program takes place on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm and runs from 9/10/24 to 11/12/24. 

For more information and to register, please go to https://2024-2025stpaulofthecrosschess.eventbee.com/ and register by August 27th 2024 for the lowest rate. Chess-Ed is looking forward to seeing your CHESS ENTHUSIAST!


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


The Parish Picnic is Back! Sunday, September 8th
All are welcome!  Fun for the whole family!  

Following Noon Mass in the Upper Church on September 8th
12:45-3:00pm
SPC Parking Lot

Join us for great fellowship and a picnic lunch. Sandwiches, Chips, Desserts, & Rita’s Italian Ice DJ • Soft Drinks & Beer • Corn Hole • Kids Games
To help us order and plan accordingly, please RSVP by Friday 8/30 using google form: https://forms.gle/YsSdDsBLbrEoSRDW8
There are great volunteer opportunities! 
For all the details, please download this flyer. 


2024 SPMC Golf Outing
Please click here to download the flyer. 


From Our Catholic High Schools

Regina Parent Night

 Loyola Flyer 

Extras

Edison Park Youth Basketball – Girls & Boys Grades 1-8
Edison Park Youth Basketball Registration Information