As we continue our Lenten journey, we are reminded that this sacred season calls us to prayer, reflection, and a deeper awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives. Even in the quiet and simplicity of Lent, there are so many moments of grace and joy within our school community.
One such moment was witnessed last week through the incredible work of our 5th-grade students in their Living Stations presentation. Their reverence, preparation, and heartfelt portrayal of Christ’s Passion were truly inspiring and a powerful reminder of the meaning of this season. We are so proud of them and grateful for the way they helped bring our community into deeper reflection.
I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Sister Pia for her ongoing dedication to our students and her leadership in program development. Her presence is a true blessing to our school, and we are fortunate to have her guiding our students in faith and purpose each day.
As we look ahead, please keep an eye out for information coming in April about our next Coffee with the Principal gathering and an upcoming Young Men’s Club meeting. These opportunities continue to strengthen the partnership between school and family, and I look forward to connecting with many of you.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support, your partnership, and your commitment to our shared mission. Let us continue to walk together in faith during this Lenten season, keeping our hearts centered on Christ.
Important Updates & Notables
Accelerated Reading/ELA:
Invitations for Accelerated Reading/ELA will be sent on 03/19. Information on the selection process is noted below.
Hot Lunch:
SPC will partner with Marlas Lunch as our food service provider beginning in fall 2026. Our partnership will provide our families with daily lunch options, expanded lunch variety and selections, compliance with tax laws, direct business management of our lunch program, and more. More detailed information will be provided in our summer mailing.
April School Board Meeting:
Our next “open” board meeting is scheduled for April 28, from 7–8pm in the UGC/Room 203. I will provide an overview of many of the changes we will implement in fall 2026. The format will be a slide presentation. Copies of the slides will be available on our website for all stakeholders in May.
Blaze:
We’re excited to introduce Blaze, a new program for girls in grades 7–8 at SPC. Blaze is part of the Walking with Purpose ministry that so many of the women at our Parish already know and love. We will begin with a 6-week Bible study titled “Discovering My Purpose.
This Bible study opens girls’ eyes to their unique gifts, their God-given purpose, and the depth of His love for them. The aim of Blaze is to help young women grow in confidence, deepen their faith, and better understand who God created them to be. Our hope is that through honest conversations, meaningful lessons, and time spent as a community, each girl will feel seen, encouraged, and inspired.
If your daughter is interested in joining Blaze, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Sr. Pia at [email protected]. If you are a mom interested in learning more about our Walking With Purpose women’s groups, please reach out to Megan McLaughlin at [email protected]
Parent Survey Deadline Tomorrow, March 20th:
WE NEED YOU! This is a reminder that the 2026 Archdiocese of Chicago 5Essentials Parent Survey opened on Feb. 17, 2026. The survey window will close tomorrow, March 20, 2026. SPC needs at least 50% of parents to respond to reach our survey goal.Link for parents to take the survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/archchicago/survey/parent/
Calendar of Events
Friday, March 20:
NO SCHOOL (Students)-Teacher Professional Development Day
Tuesday, March 24
All School Mass – 9:45am
2:00 Dismissal – Teacher PD
Wednesday, March 25
Restaurant Fundraiser – Cane’s
Thursday, March 26
Restaurant Fundraiser – Cane’s
Friday, March 27
H & S Out of Uniform Day
Up and Coming
Spring Break: April 2-12
Week of the Young Child – April 20–24 (See below for details.)
Career Day – April 29 (8:00–11:30 a.m.)
As we walk through this Lenten season together, may we continue to model Christ’s love through our words, actions, and service. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to our mission. Let us keep one another in prayer as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
With gratitude and blessings, James White Principal
Accelerated Reading/ELA Program Requirements
Grades 6–8 St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School is committed to providing an engaging and challenging academic environment that supports the growth of every student. In our Middle School program (Grades 6–8), students participate in a two-period English block designed to strengthen both Reading and English Language Arts (ELA) skills.
Program Structure All students in Grades 6–8 are enrolled in two daily periods of English instruction (fall 2026), divided into the following areas:
Reading
English Language Arts (ELA)
Each grade level (6–8) has three English sections. Within these sections, one designated section per grade level is assigned as the Accelerated Reading/ELA section. This section provides students with opportunities for deeper analysis, advanced reading selections, and a more rigorous pace of instruction.
Accelerated Reading/ELA Placement Students invited to participate in the Accelerated Reading/ELA section are selected based on a holistic review of academic performance and readiness. Placement considerations include:
i-Ready Reading/English assessment scores
Earned grades in English and Reading coursework
Teacher recommendation
The number of students selected for the accelerated section may vary based on overall grade-level enrollment and scheduling considerations.
Placement Review Process To ensure thoughtful and appropriate placement, the Principal, Assistant Principal, and English teachers in Grades 5–8 meet to review student data and discuss potential candidates for the Accelerated Reading/ELA program. This collaborative review allows faculty to consider each student’s academic performance, work habits, and readiness for an accelerated learning environment.
Final Determination Final placement decisions are made after careful consideration of the above criteria and the overall composition of each grade level. The goal of this process is to ensure that students are placed in learning environments that best support their continued growth, confidence, and academic success.
Our next meeting will take place on Friday, April 17, at 8am in the Holy Family Chapel. A Zoom link will be sent out if you would like to attend virtually.
Join a Committee We are looking for volunteers who would like to join or lead some of our committees. Please see this form to get more information and sign up to get involved.
More School News & Happenings
Little Flowers Girls’ Club
Summer Registration for the Little Flowers Girls’ Club Summer Session is now open for girls in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade.
Rooted in the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” this authentic and joyful Catholic program nurtures a love for the faith at a young age. Through shared learning and prayer, the girls form a special community that fosters friendship while discovering what it means to be a beloved daughter of God.
For more information, please see the attached Google Form or contact our coordinator, Ms. Ciupinski, at [email protected].
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.
St Paul of the Cross Blood Drive- 20th Anniversary!
The Holy Family Guild is hosting the St Paul of the Cross blood drive in association with Vitalant on Sunday, March 29th from 8 a.m until 2 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the Morello Parish Life Center at 320 S. Washington in Park Ridge (behind the church). Appointments are highly recommended, but walk-ins will be accepted.
Come be a hero and help us save lives — every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion in this country, and the blood shortage is critical!
Contact the Blood Drive Coordinators, Christine Perille, 847-494-5150 or Eileen Kaczmarek 847-533-7952 with any questions or to schedule your appointment. You may also go to Vitalant.org and use code ORD0RG08. Please call 877-258-4825 option #1 with medical or travel questions.
From the Community
Jersey Mikes Month of Giving for Local Special Olympics Athletes
