October 2025 – St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School

October 30, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,
What an incredible week it has been at St. Paul of the Cross! Each day reminds us how truly blessed we are to be part of such a vibrant, faith-filled, and supportive community. As we close out October and look ahead to November, I want to take a moment to celebrate all the wonderful events, people, and moments that make SPC such a special place.

FUN Fair Success!
A huge thank you to our Home and School organization and everyone who had a hand in hosting our FUN Fair. The day was simply brilliant! The games, parent support, decorations, and activities all contributed to a tremendous experience for everyone. Seeing so many smiling faces reminded us that school is so much more than letters and numbers — it’s about community, joy, and shared moments. Way to go, TIGERS!

Honoring Our First Responders
Heartfelt thanks to all of our staff and parents who helped organize our First Responder Mass and luncheon. The day was one of pride, gratitude, and emotion as we honored those who serve in responder roles. We are deeply appreciative of their dedication and bravery.

Vocations Week Ahead
Next week is Vocations Week! With the guidance of Sr. Pia, we’ve arranged for members of various religious vocations to visit classrooms on Wednesday. Visits will depend on our guests’ availability, and we’re so excited for students to learn more about answering God’s call in different ways.

All Saints Day Celebration – Tuesday, November 4
We will celebrate All Saints Day at our regularly scheduled 9:45 a.m. Mass. Students will process into church dressed as their Prayer Buddy Teams’ patron saints — what a joyful sight that will be! We will also celebrate saints throughout November in our classrooms and as a school community.

Apple Distinguished School Application
St. Paul of the Cross is currently applying to become an Apple Distinguished School! These schools are recognized as centers of leadership and innovation that embody Apple’s vision for learning with technology. We expect to hear about our review by the end of the school year. Exciting times ahead!

Current Families New Student Enrollment Opens November 3
The 2026-2027 new student application opens to current SPC families only on Monday. You will receive an email with a link to sign into your account and create an application. Current families have priority and will be accepted immediately. Please note this is only for a sibling joining SPC. Re-registration for current students will open in December. If you have any questions about the application process, please get in touch with Meghan Waldeck at [email protected].

Upcoming School Tours
We are thrilled to be hosting 30 prospective new families for a conversation and tour on November 5. Word of mouth remains our best invitation for welcoming new families to join the TIGER community. Our next tour day will be December 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Enrollment information can be found HERE.

Coffee with the Principal – Wednesday, November 12
Join me from 8:00–9:00 a.m. for our next Coffee with the Principal. Our discussion will focus on Catholic Identity and the many ways our students encounter Christ throughout their time at SPC. RSVP — space is limited to 30 parents. We hope to see you there!

Thank you for all you do to make SPC such a wonderful community of faith and learning. Wishing you and your families a restful and blessed weekend!

James White, M.Ed.
Principal

More From SPC!

Coffee with the Principal – RSVP Today

Please click on **this link to RSVP**. Limited to 30 parents.

Celebrating the Spirit–Save the Date!

We’d love your support! 💙 If you’re interested in donating an item or experience for the event, please reach out to Kelly Bontempo at [email protected].
Have an idea or want to brainstorm a fun party board? Connect with Amy Dolan at [email protected]—she’d love to hear from you!

SPC Life Team

Baby Bottle Project – Due Wednesday, November 5th
Thank you to the SPC Life Team, who works with the parish on the Baby Bottle Project on behalf of The Women’s Center during Respect Life Month. The Women’s Center helps women in crisis pregnancies.

Students were sent home with their baby bottles last Wednesday, October 22nd. Please take a moment to read more about our annual Baby Bottle Project here.
Thank you for your generosity and support of this life-affirming cause!

Trivia Night is Back – Friday, November 14th! Tables are selling out!
Get ready for one of the most fun nights of the year! Trivia Night is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss it. Last year’s event sold out quickly—so don’t wait to organize your tables and grab your tickets! Bring your A-game, your team spirit, and get ready for a fantastic evening of friendly competition.

Use the QR code, or click here to purchase your table!

For questions, please contact the Endowment Committee at [email protected]. You can check out highlights from the past couple of years here.

Are you interested in attending the Endowment Fund SPC Trivia Night but don’t have a table yet?
Our SPC Home & School Association has created this form for anyone who would like to connect with others to form a table. We’ll group people by grade level as best as possible, depending on the number of sign-ups. Once your table is formed, please designate one person from your group to purchase the table on behalf of everyone (rather than purchasing individual tickets).

Yearbooks – Early Bird Sale Through October 31st–10% Off!

With all the back-to-school chaos still whirling around, you may have yet to hear…It’s an early bird sale on St. Paul of the Cross yearbooks!
Take 10% OFF the best moments of the school year! We’ll even package them up in a beautifully bound yearbook and deliver it.

Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.

Click here for details.

TRIP/Raise Right
Hello Parents,
Thank you for participating in TRIP through Raise Right. The holidays are a busy time for physical gift cards. To simplify the ordering process and to ensure timely delivery of the cards, please have your payment and orders in by the first Fridays of both November and December. Please contact me with any questions: [email protected]|
Thank you!
Carrie Jackiewicz

Trivia Night
Are you interested in attending the Endowment Fund SPC Trivia Night but don’t have a table yet? Fill out this form to get connected to other people looking to create a table. We will connect groups based on grade level depending on the number signed up. Once you have your table, we ask that you pick one person from your group to purchase the table for the group rather than purchase individual tickets.

Chess Ed

REGISTER NOW FOR THE WINTER AFTER-SCHOOL CHESS PROGRAM Registration for the Winter chess program at SPC School is underway! The 11-week after-school program takes place on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm and runs from 12/2/25 to 2/24/26. The chess program is taught by Chess-Ed instructors and is open to SPC students in grades 1 through 8 and of all chess abilities, beginner to advanced.
Please click here for complete details and registration links.

Boy Scout Troop 24 Wreath Sale

Please click here for all the details and the order form.

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’ Weekly Letters

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

For all the details on Notre Dame’s upcoming admissions events—including tours, shadow days, tuition, and financial aid information—please click here.

For all the details on St. Pat’s upcoming admissions events—including tours, shadow days, tuition, and financial aid information—please click here.

October 23, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

I hope you’ve had a wonderful week so far! As we move into the final stretch of October, there’s plenty of excitement and activity around campus. Below is a detailed list of upcoming events to help with your planning.

We’re also looking forward to our first Coffee with the Principal on Wednesday, November 12, from 8:00–9:00 a.m. Details and an RSVP link are included below. Our discussion will focus on Catholic Identity and the many ways our students encounter Christ throughout their time at SPC.

A heartfelt thank you to our Home and School Committee for their creativity, organization, and countless hours of support since the start of the year. Your dedication helps make SPC such a special place. I’d also like to thank everyone for lending their time, talents, and treasures to organize this year’s FUN Fair—we’re excited for another great event!

First Responders Mass
Tuesday, October 28 | 10:00 a.m. | Church
We invite our SPC parents (of students in grades K-8) who are doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and other emergency professionals to attend the all-school First Responders Mass on October 28th at 10:00 am. Please arrive in uniform at the UGC office (door B1) around 9:40 am. You will line up in the gym and process into church with your children.

We hope that you can join us in thanksgiving for your service, as we pray for the safety of our first responder parents. Due to limited capacity in the church, we are limiting attendance to those parents who are first responders. This is an all-school mass for students in grades K-8.

A First Responders Luncheon will be held from 12:00–1:00 p.m. following Mass.
👉 CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Archdiocese Parent Satisfaction Survey – Due Date Tomorrow, October 24
On October 10, the Archdiocese sent a Parent Satisfaction Survey to all families in our Archdiocesan schools. We encourage you to take a few moments to share your feedback—your input is greatly appreciated!

The Week at a Glance

Today, Thursday, Oct. 23 – Home & School Triple Scoop’d Fundraiser (3–9 p.m.)
Friday, October 24 – Grade 2 Field Trip (9 a.m.–12 p.m., Finding Nemo at Marriott Theatre); HHK Hot Lunch
Tuesday, October 28 – First Responders Mass
Thursday, October 30 – Fun Fair
Friday, October 31 – Teacher/Staff Development Day – No School

Up and Coming

Friday, November 14 – Trivia Night (see flyer below.)
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Celebrating the Spirit Gala
(Previously scheduled for February 6, 2026) Please update your calendars and join us for this very special adults-only event supporting our Teacher Trust!

Tardy Reminder
A friendly reminder that school begins at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after that time are considered tardy. We understand that doctor appointments and unexpected situations come up, but arriving late should be the exception rather than the norm.

Kiss & Go Morning Drop-Off Reminder
We are working to improve safety and organization during morning drop-off on Ridge Terrace. Please help us by following these essential guidelines:

Pull forward as far as possible to the Main Office, Door D5.
Stay in your vehicle at all times.
Do not leave the coned area until your child is safely on the sidewalk.
Make sure student car seats are on the driver’s side for easy access.
A staff member will open your car door and assist your child.
Once your child exits, check both directions and pull forward carefully.
If walking from the Ryan Park Funeral Home lot, please wait for a crossing guard to assist.

We’ll be using whistles to help remind drivers when needed. Thank you for keeping our students safe!

Thank you for your continued support of our SPC community!
Wishing you a safe and joy-filled week ahead.
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

More From SPC!

Coffee with the Principal – RSVP Today

Celebrating the Spirit–Save the Date!

SPC Life Team

Baby Bottle Project – Respect Life Month|
Thank you to the SPC Life Team, who works with the parish on the Baby Bottle Project on behalf of The Women’s Center during Respect Life Month. The Women’s Center helps women in crisis pregnancies.

Students were sent home with their baby bottles yesterday, Wednesday, October 22nd. Please take a moment to read more about our annual Baby Bottle Project here.
Thank you for your generosity and support of this life-affirming cause!

Trivia Night is Back – Friday, November 14th!
Get ready for one of the most fun nights of the year! Trivia Night is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss it. Last year’s event sold out quickly—so don’t wait to organize your tables and grab your tickets! Bring your A-game, your team spirit, and get ready for a fantastic evening of friendly competition.

Use the QR code, or click here to purchase your table!

Yearbooks – Early Bird Sale Through October 31st–10% Off!

Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.

Click here for details.

Boy Scout Troop 24 Wreath Sale

Please click here for all the details and the order form.

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’ Weekly Letters

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

October 16, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

Thank you to all the families who attended last week’s Parent-Teacher Conferences! We hope the time with your child’s teachers was both meaningful and informative. It’s always wonderful to strengthen the partnership between home and school.

🚗 Kiss & Go Morning Drop-Off Reminder
We are working to improve safety and organization during morning drop-off on Ridge Terrace. Please help us by following these essential guidelines:

Pull forward as far as possible to the Main Office, Door D5.
Stay in your vehicle at all times.
Do not leave the coned area until your child is safely on the sidewalk.
Make sure student car seats are on the driver’s side for easy access.
A staff member will open your car door and assist your child.
Once your child exits, check both directions and pull forward carefully.
If walking from the Ryan Park Funeral Home lot, please wait for a crossing guard to assist.

Starting next week, we’ll be using whistles to help remind drivers when needed. Thank you for keeping our students safe!

Archdiocese Parent Satisfaction Survey
On October 10, the Archdiocese sent a Parent Satisfaction Survey to all families in our Archdiocesan schools. We encourage you to take a few moments to share your feedback—your input is greatly appreciated!

Fall Athletics Family Mass
Sunday, October 19 | 10:30 a.m. | Holy Family Chapel

All Fall Sport Athletes (Soccer, Football, Cross Country, Cheer) are invited to attend and serve at Mass. Athletes should wear their team jersey tops.
Sr. Pia is looking for volunteers to:

Read or bring up the gifts
Serve as greeters or collection ushers
Eucharistic Ministers (for SPC alumni or coaches already trained)

Please email Sr. Pia Shelton at [email protected] if your child—or you—would like to volunteer. Join us as we pray for a fun and safe season for all our athletes!

The Week at a Glance

Friday, October 17 – Home & School Out of Uniform, Home and School Meeting 8:00 am, HHK Hot Lunch, Prayer Buddies 2–3 pm
Sunday, October 19 – 10:30 am Family Mass Holy Family – Fall Athletes
Wednesday, October 22 – 6:30–8:30 pm Preschool Parent Mixer at Harp and Fiddle
Wed. & Thurs., Oct. 22–23 – Home & School Triple Scoop’d Fundraiser (3–9 p.m.)
Friday, October 24 – HHK Hot Lunch; Grade 2 Field Trip (9 a.m.–12 p.m., Finding Nemo at Marriott Theatre)

Up and Coming

Tuesday, October 28 – First Responders Mass
Thursday, October 30 – Fun Fair
Friday, October 31 – Teacher/Staff Development Day – No School
Friday, November 14 – Trivia Night (see flyer below.)
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Celebrating the Spirit Gala
(Previously scheduled for February 6, 2026) Please update your calendars and join us for this very special adults-only event supporting our Teacher Trust!

Reminders:

No shorts after October 15th
Please remind students that if they need to contact home, they should go to the main office in their respective building and ask to call home.

Thank you for your continued support of our SPC community!
Wishing you a safe and joy-filled week ahead.
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

More From SPC!

Celebrating the Spirit–Save the Date!

SPC Life Team

Baby Bottle Project – Respect Life Month|
During Respect Life Month, St. Paul of the Cross Parish is participating in the Baby Bottle Project on behalf of The Women’s Centers of Chicago, which provides care and support to women in crisis pregnancies. Our SPC Life Team is partnering with the parish on this important initiative.

Students will receive their baby bottles on Wednesday, October 22nd. Please take a moment to read more about our annual Baby Bottle Project here.
Thank you for your generosity and support of this life-affirming cause!

Use the QR code, or click here to purchase your table!

Attention Preschool-Kindergarten Parents!

Please click here to RSVP!

SPC Athletics

Please click here to download this week’s Athletics Newsletter.

Yearbooks – Early Bird Sale Through October 31st–10% Off!

Go ahead. Check it off your to-do list.

Click here for details.

Home and School Meetings
Our next meeting will take place tomorrow, Friday, October 17, at 8 am in the Holy Family Chapel. If you would like to attend virtually, please use this link:

Topic: Home and School October Meeting
Time: Oct 17, 2025 08:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81362841367?pwd=CqlgpNo7HLpcmHbvW38a6yY74JJrzZ.1

Meeting ID: 813 6284 1367
Passcode: HvnA5G

Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/81362841367/invitations?signature=bHDT1wqwke3mz54ADhI1ijImXrkDiIDlBD3vQXkuYnI

Additional meetings for this school year will be 1/23 and 4/17.

Boy Scout Troop 24 Wreath Sale

Please click here for all the details and the order form.

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’ Weekly Letters

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

More From the Community

Park Ridge Healthy Kids
Ready, set, run! Sign up your kids for the Park Ridge Healthy Kids Running Series and watch them build confidence one finish line at a time. Registration link and more information here.

October 9, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we move into October, our days are filled with meaningful moments that reflect the spirit and community of Saint Paul of the Cross! Thank you for your continued partnership as we balance learning, faith, and fun. Tomorrow, we will host our virtual parent-teacher conferences on Friday, October 10th, followed by a long weekend with no school on Monday in observance of Columbus Day. We appreciate your time and commitment to connecting with teachers as we work together to support each child’s growth.

Looking ahead, there are many exciting opportunities for faith and fellowship on the horizon—from our First Responder Mass and Family Mass to the always-anticipated Fun Fair and the newly scheduled Celebrating the Spirit Gala on Friday, January 30th, 2026. Please take a moment to update your calendars and join us for these special events that make SPC such a vibrant and connected community.

Special Notes From Sr.Pia!:

Please save the date for our Fall Athletes Family Mass, October 19th at 10:30 am in the Holy Family Chapel. We invite all Fall Sport Athletes (Soccer, Football, Cross Country, Football Cheer) to attend and help serve at the Mass. All athletes are asked to wear their jersey tops for Mass.

Sr. Pia is seeking volunteers to assist with reading, presenting gifts, and serving as collection ushers and greeters. Please let her know if your child would be interested in volunteering!

She is also looking for any coaches or alumni of SPC who are trained Eucharistic Ministers who would like to serve as an EM for Mass.

We hope you can join us for this special Mass as we pray for a fun and safe season. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sr. Pia at [email protected].

We invite our SPC parents (of students in grades K-8) who are doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and other emergency professionals to attend the all-school First Responders Mass on October 28th at 10:00 am. Please arrive in uniform at the UGC office (door B1) around 9:40 am. You will line up in the gym and process into church with your children.

The Week at a Glance

Friday, October 10 – Asynchronous Learning Day for Students-Virtual Parent Conferences 9 am-3:30 pm
Monday, October 13 – No School – Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 14 – 9:45 am School Mass, Canes Hot Lunch
Friday, October 17 – Home & School Out of Uniform, Home and School Meeting 8:00 am, HHK Hot Lunch, Prayer Buddies 2–3 pm

Up and Coming

Sunday, October 19 – 10:30 am Family Mass Holy Family – Fall Athletes
October 22 – 6:30–8:30 pm Preschool Parent Mixer at Harp and Fiddle
Tuesday, October 28 – First Responders Mass
Thursday, October 30 – Fun Fair
Friday, October 31 – Teacher/Staff Development Day – No School
Friday, November 14 – Trivia Night (see flyer below.)
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Celebrating the Spirit Gala
(Previously scheduled for February 6, 2026) Please update your calendars and join us for this very special adults-only event supporting our Teacher Trust!

Reminders:

No shorts after October 15th
Please remind students that if they need to contact home, they should go to the main office in their respective building and ask to call home.

Thanks for All You Do: Way to go, SPC! Doing the right thing.
We received this heartfelt letter from Evanston Catholic and the St. Athanasius School community. Please read the letter here.

James White, M.Ed.
Principal

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’ Weekly Letters

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

More From the Community

Park Ridge Healthy Kids
Ready, set, run! Sign up your kids for the Park Ridge Healthy Kids Running Series and watch them build confidence one finish line at a time. Registration link and more information here.

October 2, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

It has been a joyful and energizing week at Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic School! Thank you to our SPC students, faculty, families, friends, and generous sponsors! Because of you, our SPC Tigers raised an incredible $165,000!

A special shoutout to our Fun Run chairs—Caitlin Brown, Lauren Nast, and Katie Noonan—for their creativity, energy, and thoughtful planning. The day ran seamlessly from start to finish, and the students had an absolute blast.

As a newcomer, I couldn’t have asked for a more brilliant introduction to such a special tradition. The excitement was electric! This achievement is a true testament to the dedication and support of our amazing SPC community.

We were proud to host an open Board meeting this past week, which featured an outstanding presentation on our STEM program. Dr. Ochsner led the presentation with clarity and passion, highlighting the incredible growth and innovation taking place within our curriculum. Our partnership with Notre Dame University continues to provide our teachers with life-changing fellowship opportunities, and the impact is evident in the classroom.

The integration of core content areas, the application of real-world STEM projects, and the high expectations we uphold for every student have truly set our program apart. The delivery of STEM instruction at SPC is among the best I’ve seen at the elementary level, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work being done by our dedicated teachers and brilliant students. Congratulations to our entire STEM team—you are defining excellence at SPC!
The SPC STEM presentation slides are here for your review.

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for Parent-Teacher Conferences next week:

Thursday, October 9 (In-Person): 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday, October 10 (Virtual): 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

A sign-up link was sent earlier this week, and we kindly ask that you finalize your time slots by Tuesday, October 7. To accommodate in-person conferences, we will have early dismissal at 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 9.

In preparation for your conferences, i-Ready student assessment data will be available to parents by October 7. We will also include a video overview to help you better understand the results and how this data informs classroom instruction. Additionally, we’re planning an in-person i-Ready Parent Information Session in November. During this session, we’ll also share more about SPC’s inclusion practices, scaffolding support, and enrichment opportunities. Stay tuned for details!

We’re also excited to launch a new opportunity for community connection: “Coffee with the Principal” beginning in November. This will be a casual monthly gathering where parents can come together, ask questions, and hear school updates. We will share our first date in the coming weeks—we hope to see many of you there!

Upcoming Dates

📅 Tuesday, October 7 – 9:45 AM School Mass
📅 Wednesday, October 8 – Prospective Family Tour Day (Please help spread the word!)
🍕 Wednesday, October 8 – Pizza Boy Hot Lunch
🚫 Monday, October 13 – No School (Columbus Day)
Scores will be emailed to all parents by October 3, 2025.

📌 Calendar Date Change
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Celebrating the Spirit Gala
(Previously scheduled for February 6, 2026) Please update your calendars and join us for this very special adults-only event supporting our Teacher Trust!

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and investment in your child’s education and in our school community. It is a joy to walk this journey with you.
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

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’ Weekly Letters

Welcoming Jessica India and Ashley McNichols the new co-presidents of the SPC Women’s Group
Come join her in leading and serving the women of the parish! Read more here.

A Special Invitation to Lead and Serve with the St. Paul Women’s Group (AOW)
Since 1941, the St. Paul of the Cross Women’s Group, the Apostolate of Women (AOW), has been a vibrant part of our parish and community, helping us grow in our faith, establish lifelong friendships, and help those in need.
Please read more here.

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

More From the Community

Park Ridge Healthy Kids
Ready, set, run! Sign up your kids for the Park Ridge Healthy Kids Running Series and watch them build confidence one finish line at a time. Registration link and more information here.