Principal’s Message
Dear SPC Families,
Dear SPC Families,
As we continue through the 5th Week of the Easter Season, we are reminded of the joy and hope of the Resurrection and the ways God continues to bless our school community each day. The Easter season invites us to live as people of hope, gratitude, and renewal, and I am thankful for the many ways our SPC families and staff continue to build such a strong and faith-filled community.
A sincere thank you to all of the parents who attended our Open Board Meeting this past week. We had meaningful conversations about a wide range of topics, including what families can expect next fall, i-Ready testing, summer learning packets, and other important school initiatives. I am grateful for the open dialogue, thoughtful questions, and the opportunity to hear concerns and address challenges together. Your partnership and engagement help make our school stronger.
A reminder to families that Financial Aid Award notifications will be emailed by May 15th.
As we continue to plan for the 2026–2027 school year, St. Paul of the Cross is currently seeking applicants for two teaching positions: a Grade 6 English Teacher and a Grade 4 Self-Contained Teacher. If you know of qualified candidates who may be interested in joining our incredible school community, please encourage them to send their résumé to [email protected].
This Saturday at 10:00 a.m., our 2nd grade students will celebrate the beautiful sacrament of First Holy Communion. This is such a special milestone in their faith journey. Please keep these students and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.
Next week, we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to offer a special shout-out to all of our teachers and staff at SPC. Your dedication, love, and commitment to our students are what make SPC truly “The Place to Be.”Thank you for the countless ways you serve our children and our mission each day.
Please note that Friday, May 8th is a scheduled No School Day for students as our faculty will participate in on-campus professional development.
Our annual Book Fair will be held in the UGC from May 5–7. We encourage families to stop by and support our school while helping foster a love of reading in our students.
Up and Coming
- May 5 – 7
- Scholastic Book Fair (details and links below)
- Tuesday, May 5
- Weekly School Mass at 9:45 a.m.
- Kindergarten Field Trip to Wagner Farm
- Cinco de Mayo
- Friday, May 8
- No School for Students (Faculty Professional Development)
- Sunday, May 10
- Mother’s Day
As the weather continues to warm and we spend more time outdoors, please be reminded that pets are not permitted on campus. We have noticed an increase in pets during arrival, dismissal, and school events. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.
As we enter the month of May, dedicated in a special way to our Blessed Mother, let us continue to ask for her intercession for our school, our families, and our children. May God bless all of our SPC mothers, grandmothers, and mother-figures as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day next weekend.
In Faith & Education,
James White
Principal
SPC School Board Election
The SPC School Board is holding an election to fill two (2) vacancies for terms that will run from May 2026 through May 2029. We are fortunate to have four (4) candidates interested in serving on the Board:
- Meghan Arquette
- Tiffany Braun
- Zach Fichter
- Ashley McNichols
Online Voting will be open from Thursday, April 30th through Monday, May 11th.
School parents & registered parishioners are eligible to vote.
To review the candidates’ personal statements then cast your online vote, please scan the QR code or click here.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact current SPC School Board Member, Kathy Manny at [email protected] or 847-927-4392.
Book Fair Tuesday, May 5th through Thursday, May 7th!
Click here for all of the details!
Mentor Families
We are thrilled to welcome many new families to SPC in the fall and are looking for our current parents to help be a mentor family. Mentor families will be a go-to source for new families for questions they may have as they prepare for their new school and help keep them in the loop with information throughout the year. We do our best to also match student grades so the new students get to also meet a new friend or two prior to the start of the school year.
Please click here to volunteer as a mentor for the 2026-2027 school year
Upcoming Parent Workshops
Please click on this link to read about some valuable upcoming parent workshops.
Volunteer Sign-Up – May 29
The time has arrived to sign up for SPC Olympics volunteer opportunities on May 29!
As a reminder, the SPC Olympics are for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Information regarding early childhood Olympic festivities will be shared separately by room parents.
Important Reminders:
- All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained.
- By signing up, you are confirming that you are available for the full commitment and do not have any conflicting responsibilities that day (including lunch shifts, recess duty for early childhood classrooms, childcare, or other obligations).
- New this year: To allow more families the opportunity to participate, only one parent per family may sign up for a volunteer slot. Please do not register multiple, extended family members.
Volunteer sign-up link here.
If you need to cancel your sign-up, you may do so through the registration site up until May 17.
Thank you for helping make this a fun and successful day for our students!
Spots fill up very quickly, so THANK YOU for your support in advance of this fun tradition for our students!
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
IT’S TIME TO TEND THE GARDEN! EARN SERVICE HOURS!
Sponsor A Raised Bed in our Vegetable Garden to Feed the Hungry!
Sponsoring our parish vegetable garden means planting, watering, and harvesting your own 4’x4’
raised bed throughout the growing season. We supply the boxes, organic mix, grids, trellises, and
plants, plus all the information and support you need to make your garden grow. In keeping with our mission to feed the hungry, the vegetables we grow will be distributed through our food pantry.
Please click here to download all of the details!
Vacation Bible School – All Incoming PK 4 yr – 5th Graders
June 15-19th
Please click here for the details.
From the Community
Park Ridge Soccer Club 2026-2027 Travel Tryouts
May 4-7
Please click here for the details and registration information.
From our Catholic High Schools
Loyola Academy Learn to Row Camp
Open to rising 7th, 8th & 9th Graders – Click here to download the details.
Future Friar Shadow Days are back! See information here.
Register for Summer Camps.