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
More From SPC!
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.
St. Paul of the Cross Life Team2025 – 2026 Our SPC School and Parish invite students in 7th and 8th Grade to participate in the SPC Life Team! Please download the flyer here.
SPC Athletics
Home and School Meetings Our next meeting will take place on Friday, October 17, at 8am in the Holy Family Chapel. A Zoom link will be sent out if you would like to attend virtually.
Additional meetings for this school year will be 1/23 and 4/17.
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.
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.
