Mary Ploen – St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School

November 20, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

Happy Thanksgiving Week! All of us at SPC wish you and your families a joyful and restful break as we officially enter the holiday season. When we return to campus on December 1st, we will begin the beautiful season of Advent. Sr. Pia and our Catholic Identity Team have several meaningful opportunities planned as we prepare for the birth of our Savior. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, student-led kindness initiatives, and Advent prayer services, we hope each student will deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ during this sacred time.

Thank you to the Endowment Committee and everyone who came out for Trivia Night last Friday! The gym was filled with energy, creativity, and incredible spirit—another wonderful testament to our amazing SPC community.

The Endowment Committee hosts this annual event to bring people together in fun and fellowship while raising support for the SPC Parish Educational Endowment Fund. We are grateful for your participation and generosity!

Open Gym
As a fun opportunity over the break, we will be hosting Open Gym for students in grades 4–8 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (November 24–26) from 9:00–11:00 am. Students may be dropped off between 9:00 and 9:30 am. For security purposes, doors will lock promptly at 9:30 am. Please ensure pick-up is no later than 11:15 am.

A few reminders:

• No outside guests (insurance requirement)

• Gym shoes must be worn on the court

• Basketballs provided

• Bring a water bottle

Although school will not be in session next week, please take a moment to review these important upcoming dates as we approach Christmas break:

Upcoming Dates & Events

Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Day
Sunday, November 30–December 24 – Advent
Monday, December 1 – Term II Begins
Tuesday, December 2 – 9:45 am – All-School Mass
December 3–9 – Book Fair
Friday, December 5 – Report Cards Sent Online
Tuesday, December 9 – 9:45 am – All-School Mass
Wednesday, December 10 – 8:00–9:00 am – Early Grade Center: Prospective Family Tour
Wednesday, December 10 – 6:30–7:30 pm – Grades 3–6 Advent Vespers
Saturday, December 13 – Spotlight Hoops Tournament (UGC Gym – All Day)
Wednesday & Thursday, December 18–19 – No EDP after school
Friday, December 19 – 10:00 am – All-School Mass
Friday, December 19 – Early Dismissal:
- 1:00 pm for Grades 1–8
- 12:50 pm for Preschool & Kindergarten
Friday, December 19 – 11:30 am–12:30 pm – Christmas Room Parties (All Grades)

Announcements

Faculty Christmas Gift Fund
As we approach the holiday season, our Home & School Association will once again host the SPC Faculty Christmas Gift Fund. This school-wide collection is divided equitably among all full- and part-time faculty, administration, and support staff as a collective expression of gratitude. While past donations have averaged $40–$50 per student, families are welcome to contribute any amount they feel comfortable with. This takes the place of individual teacher gifts. The final date to donate is Friday, December 12. Thank you for your generosity and support of our outstanding staff!

Hearing & Vision Screening
Screenings will take place on December 5 & 10, with make-up dates in January as needed. Illinois requires annual screenings for:

Vision: Kindergarten, Grade 2, & Grade 8
Hearing: Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, & 3
Screenings may also be done at the parents’ or teachers’ request. Questions or opt-out requests may be directed to Nurse Kari at [email protected].

Coffee with the Principal
Join me on December 17, 8:00–9:00 am for our next Coffee With the Principal, featuring a conversation about Inclusion and Social & Emotional Learning at SPC.

We are grateful for the gift of your children and your continued partnership with us in Catholic education. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! Safe travels to all who may be away — we look forward to welcoming everyone back on December 1st.

May God’s blessings surround you this week and always,

James White
Principal

Celebrating the Spirit

NEW:
Our Celebrating the Spirit committee has been hard at work planning for another outstanding event!

Well Wishes
Please join us in celebrating the spirit and community of SPC through your well wishes!
Well Wishes are a great way for you to give shout-outs to your children, grandchildren, favorite athlete,
scout troop, artist, or a special faculty member or coach! Well Wishes will be published in the CTS 2026
Program Book, which will go home with your oldest/only the week before the event.

Sponsorships
We invite you to support CTS 2026 through one of our sponsorship opportunities!
Our sponsors play an essential role in bringing this event to life and directly supporting the programs and experiences that make SPC such a special community. From premium visibility to recognition in our event materials, each sponsorship level offers meaningful ways to showcase your family or business. Explore the full sponsorship package through the link above and join us in creating an incredible evening for SPC!

Auction and Party Boards
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!

Christmas Faculty Gift Fund

With the Christmas right around the corner, the Home & School Association (HSA) will once again host the SPC Faculty Christmas Gift Fund. This is a school-wide collection of monetary gift donations which is then equitably divided among all SPC full and part-time faculty, administration, and support staff as a demonstration of our appreciation during this holiday season.

In previous years, families have donated $40-$50 per student (an average of $6-$10 per faculty or staff member with whom your child interacts depending on grade level), however, the FACTS form allows for you to contribute any amount with which you are comfortable. This donation is in lieu of individual gifts.

Donations can be made by clicking this link. The final date to donate is Friday, December 12th.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Home & School Association

**Save these dates for the Book Fair:**
**Wednesday, December 3rd through Tuesday, December 9th.**

Volunteers: We’d love to have your help. Thanks!
Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot or two!
Feel free to browse our webpage for some additional information…
St. Paul of the Cross Book Fair Homepage
Please click here to download the flyer with all of the details and links.

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

More From SPC!

Please scan the QR code or click here to RSVP.

**Homework Club (Grades 5-8)- Mondays and Thursdays 3-4**
Homework Club is back! Students can come to Mr. G’s room (UGC 117) after school from 3:00 to 4:00 to receive help with their homework. There is no cost to the club, and it will run every Monday and Thursday from now until the end of the year unless otherwise specified. All students need to do is show up and receive the help they need!

Please use the link below, log in to your account, and select Create a New Student Application. This is only for new students joining their sibling(s) next year. Re-enrollment for current students will open in December. Any questions, please contact Meghan Waldeck at [email protected]

Renweb Account

Students in Grades 3-6 Advent Program

SPC Athletics

Ballet with Ms. Rio Winter Spring Session – Registration Opens
Please click here to download and register.

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.

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

SPC Women’s Club Mingle & Jingle Christmas Social – Saturday, December 13th

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

November 13, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

As we enter the holiday season, our hearts are filled with gratitude and anticipation for the birth of our Savior. This special time invites us to pause, give thanks, and reflect on the many blessings we share as a faith-filled community. We pray that God anchors you in faith and provides you and your family with moments to encounter Christ in meaningful and joyful ways throughout the coming weeks.

Thank you to all who joined us for our first Coffee with the Principal this week to learn more about the many programs, traditions, and activities rooted in our Catholic Identity. Our discussion was both informative and inspiring, and I left feeling deeply grateful and reassured knowing we have so many faith-filled families who are committed to and make sacrifices for the gift of Catholic education at SPC. I am scheduling our next Coffee with the Principal on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Our topic will be inclusion, academic support, enrichment, and social-emotional learning. Our special guest will be Mrs. Ronda Quinn, Inclusion Coordinator, and members of her scaffolding team. We have 10 support staff members who work in the areas of student academic, social, and emotional support. Please consider joining us; we have a lot of information to share. We will email parents additional information and an RSVP soon.

I will be honoring my promise to work from the roof as an incentive for the Fun Run next Friday, November 21st. I will be easily recognizable in my Turkey costume!

Reminders:

As we approach the holidays, we understand that some families may plan to leave early for vacation. Please note that teachers are not required to provide homework or class assignments in advance of a planned absence. Any missed work will be made available to students upon their return to school. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain consistency in classroom instruction. Parents should notify the principal and students’ teachers via email if they intend to be off school on a planned leave.
This Sunday, November 16th, our Family Mass will be facilitated by grades 5 & 6 in the Holy Family Chapel at 10:30 am. All are welcome!!
On Tuesday, November 18th, we will be hosting an “Open” Board meeting. Nurse Kari will be presenting on identifying and minimizing health concerns in our school. The meeting will take place in Duffin Hall at 7:30 pm.
November 24-28 Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 21st, is the final day of the first term.

Have an Awesome Week!
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

Celebrating the Spirit–Sponsorships!

We are excited to present our CTS Sponsorship Opportunities! We will be opening up our sponsorship link this week; please look for an email with the details!

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!

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

SPC Women’s Club is excited for its first kick-off event of the year. Please join us at Harp and Fiddle on November 18th.

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

November 6, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,

I am pleased to announce that Sr. Pia, our school’s chaplain, has been approved to officially become a part-time employee at SPC! She will be spending a minimum of 20 hours per week working at the school and parish. Her innovative and creative programming, along with her spiritual presence, is a blessing to our school. Since Sr. Pia has arrived, we have redesigned and coordinated prayer buddies, hosted Family, First Responders, and All Saints Masses, coordinated Advent activities from Mary on the Mantel to the Kindness project, and so much more.

We will be celebrating our monthly Family Mass on Sunday, November 16th at 10:30 am in the Holy Family Chapel. Our 5th & 6th Grades will lead Mass. Please join us. All family, friends, and guests are welcome!

Please reference our uniform policy. We have too many students not in the prescribed uniform. HERE (p.78)

Baby Bottles:
Absolute final turn-in day is Monday, November 10th. Please drop off items in the main offices.

One final recap from Sr. Pia about Vocations Week:
Students spent the week praying for those God has called to be priests, deacons, religious Brothers and Sisters, and for those called to the vocation of marriage.

On Wednesday, Fr. James, our parish Seminarians, Greg Wilk, Dominic Jirak, and Tim Kujawa, and Sr. Pia, along with Sr. Molly Bernadette Spiering, CSFN, visited classrooms to talk about vocations. They shared about how God led them to their own vocation, answered questions about what life is like as a Priest, Seminarian, and Religious Sister, and encouraged students to think about how God is inviting them to respond to His love each and every day.

Asynchronous Learning Day – TOMORROW, Friday, November 7
For the next school year, there will be NO asynchronous learning days scheduled for students during teacher professional development days. If there is a need for teachers to attend staff development (Archdiocesan 3-days), students will be off from school. Additionally, we are discussing providing an all-day program for students who need support on these days.

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!

Upcoming School Tours – December 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Word of mouth remains our best invitation for welcoming new families to join the TIGER community. Our next visitation 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 to 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! (Sr. Pia will be our special guest.)

Up & Coming Events

Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans’ Day

9:45 a.m. – Mass
2:00 p.m. Dismissal-PD time for teachers
Reconciliation Meeting 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 12 – Coffee with the Principal 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 13 – Student and Staff Picture Retakes 8:00 a.m.

Friday, November 14

Prayer Buddies 2:00 p.m.
Endowment Trivia Night 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 16 – Family Mass led by the SPC 5th and 6th Grade 10:30 am in the Holy Family Chapel

Coming Soon:
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Celebrating the Spirit Gala

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

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

**Homework Club (Grades 5-8)- Mondays and Thursdays 3-4**
Homework Club is back! Starting Monday, November 10th, students can come to Mr. G’s room (UGC 117) after school from 3:00 to 4:00 to receive help with their homework. There is no cost to the club, and it will run every Monday and Thursday from now until the end of the year unless otherwise specified. All students need to do is show up and receive the help they need!

Renweb Account

Celebrating the Spirit–Save the Date!

Trivia Night – 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.

SPC Athletics

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

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

SPC Women’s Club is excited for its first kick-off event of the year. Please join us at Harp and Fiddle on November 18th.

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

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

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

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.

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

Celebrating the Spirit–Save the Date!

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.

Chess Ed

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 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.

September 25, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,
What an incredible week it’s been! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Fun Run such a success. Your time, talents, and treasures have truly made a difference—we are so grateful for the amazing energy and support you continue to pour into our community. 💙💛 SPC really is the sweetest place on earth! 🍭 Please read the important details and reminders below from the Fun Run Committee for tomorrow.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to kick off Spirit Week next week! 🎉 It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to show their school pride and have some extra fun together. You’ll find the dress-up schedule below—let’s make it a week to remember by letting our SPC spirit soar!

📌 Important Notices

✅ Asynchronous Learning Days Added
Two asynchronous learning days have been added to our 2025–2026 school calendar:

Friday, November 7
Friday, February 6
These days will accommodate Diocesan Professional Development focused on Catholic Identity and Social & Emotional Learning.

✅ i-Ready Scores
Scores will be emailed to all parents by October 3, 2025.

📅 Up & Coming Events

Friday, September 26

🎽 Fun Run (All are invited!)
🍕 Home Run Inn Hot Lunch

Monday, September 29

🥪 Potbelly Hot Lunch

Tuesday, September 30

✝️ 9:45 AM Mass
🏫 School Board Meeting – Open to All Parents
- 7:30 PM | Dr. O’s Classroom (UGC)
- Special presentation on the SPC STEM Program: current initiatives + future plans!

Wednesday, October 1

📸 Picture Day

Thursday, October 2

🚌 Grade 6 & 7 Field Trip – Springfield, IL

Friday, October 3

👕 Spirit Wear Day
🍜 HKK Hot Lunch

Wednesday, October 8

👨‍👩‍👧 Prospective Family Tour (Tell a friend!)

Thursday, October 9

🗓 Parent-Teacher Conferences
⏰ ½ Day | 12:00 Dismissal

Friday, October 10

💻 Asynchronous Learning Day

Thank you, as always, for your partnership in making SPC such a strong, faith-filled, and joyful community!
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

SPC Tiger Fun Run 2025 – Tomorrow! Important Reminders & Updates

Dear SPC Families,
Our 2025 Tiger Fun Run is tomorrow, September 26th. A huge THANK YOU to all the friends and families for your generous pledges and to our incredible sponsors for your support! The pledges have been coming in steadily, and we are getting closer to reaching our $165,000 goal! Keep those pledges coming! We will accept online pledges through midnight tomorrow night after the Fun Run at https://pledgestar.com/stpaulofthecross/.

Reminders for the Big Day:

The big parking lot will be closed at 6:00 am. Please be patient and use caution as we utilize Washington Avenue for the UGC “kiss-and-go.”
Please do not park in the FM Global Lot at any time during the school day.
Please do not bring dogs to the Fun Run.
Please ensure your student wears a t-shirt (teachers will distribute the fun run shirts tomorrow morning at the start of school), comfortable bottoms, gym shoes, and a full water bottle.
Come cheer the students on! Create a sign, wear your sweetest gear, or just come as you are and cheer on the students as they run laps (schedule below).

Fun Run Schedule

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 Grade: 12:30-12:55 pm
6th Grade: 1:00-1:25 pm
7th & 8th Grade: 1:30-1:55 pm

Fun Run Sponsorship Opportunities
There is still time to become a website sponsor, and we have some grade-level announcer slots still available! Visit the sponsorship page here.

Triple Scoop’d Raffle

Students who have sent out 5 requests or more will be entered for a chance to win a $10 Triple Scoop’d gift card! Five winners will be chosen, so get those requests out tonight!!

Attention Caffeine Enthusiasts
SPC parents don’t have to worry about making a coffee run between races this year! Triple Scoop’d will be on site selling hot coffee, iced coffee, and water. Ten % of the proceeds will be donated back to St. Paul of the Cross School.

Spirit Wear Sale
A spirit wear table will be set up for parents, grandparents, and other Fun Run supporters to update their SPC swag! Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted.

Pom Poms $2
Camo Specialty Tee $25
Tiger Earrings $25
Tie Dye Socks $12

Incentives
Students will receive our final round of individual incentives tomorrow morning before the Fun Run.

Grade Level Incentives
Homeroom teachers will inform you about the incentives each grade has earned and when they will be redeemed.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for supporting St. Paul of the Cross School’s Tiger Fun Run 2025!

Thank You,
Caitlin Brown, Lauren Nast, and Katie Noonan
Fun Run Committee Chairs

More From SPC!

SPC Homecoming Spirit Week Next Week!
SPC Spirit Week is next week, culminating in Homecoming on Saturday, October 4th, for many of our fall sports. Please download the Homecoming Spirit Week flyer here.

St. Paul of the Cross Life Team 2025 – 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.

Lunch Bunch Registration Form – For Half-Day Preschool/Pre-K Students Only
Parents of half-day Preschool/Pre-K may register for Lunch Bunch October-December dates here. Please note, the deadline to register for Lunch Bunch is October 1st.

School Picture Day is Wednesday, October 1st
For ordering information, please click here.

SPC Athletics

Box Tops for Education and Raise Right
Thank you for participating in Box Tops and Raise Right. The money we earn from these programs supports the Home and School Association and all of the fun events we hold each year.

Box Tops
Box Tops is an easy way to earn money for the Home and School Association. You buy participating products, scan receipts with the Box Tops app and you earn money. For information about Box Tops and my tips, please click this link. Last year we raised over $300.00!

Through 9/30, when you buy a participating product at Costco and scan your receipt, you will earn 10 Bonus Box Tops (that’s $1.00!). You could also win $10 for our school in their sweepstakes.

Raise Right
We use Raise Right for our Tuition Reduction Program. When you buy gift cards through Raise Right, you earn a rebate that is a percentage of your purchase price. This rebate is put back into your FACTS account twice a year. Last year a few families earned over $600.00 toward tuition. For information about how Raise Right works at SPC, tips for ordering gift cards for uniforms, and my tips about using the app, please click this link.

Please contact me with questions about either program.
Carrie Jackiewicz
[email protected]

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 Ashley McNichols as the new president of the SPC Women’s Group
Come join her in leading and serving the women of the parish! Read more here.

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

Attention 7th-8th Grade Students Fenwick Scholarship Fair

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.

September 18, 2025

Principal’s Message

Dear SPC Families,
Thank you to all of you who have responded that you will be attending this Friday’s Parent Mixer. We have over 300 responses! This demonstrates a very healthy and involved school community. I know many of you will also be attending our after-school cross-country meet and our own “Friday under the Lights” with all of the football games scheduled for the evening. Thank you for being present and in support of our school, students, and programs.

Next week marks the official start of fall—a season of new beginnings and growth. In that spirit, we will be sending your child’s I-Ready scores home prior to parent conferences on October 9 & 10. These results will help guide our conversations and ensure we are working together to support your child’s continued progress.

I am also truly looking forward to my first Fun Run event scheduled for next Friday. Thank you to everyone who is supporting, planning, and working to make the event a success.

Friday, September 19:

Hot Lunch Chic Filet
Home & School “Out of Uniform Day”
Prayer Buddies 2:00-3:00pm
Back to School Parent Mixer 6:30-9:00pm

Sunday, September 21:
Family Mass Is Back!
Join us this Sunday, September 21st, at 10:30 a.m. for our first Family Mass of the year in Holy Family Chapel. We are excited for this wonderful opportunity to grow in faith as a family and connect with others in our parish. The 7th and 8th grade classes will be helping serve in the liturgy, and our children’s choir will be singing. If your child is a 7th or 8th-grade student and would like to volunteer to serve as readers, gift bearers, and collection ushers, please contact Sister Pia at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there as we begin this new year united in prayer and community!

Tuesday, September 23:
All-School Mass 9:45

Wednesday, September 24:
Home & School Fundraiser: Chipotle 4:00-8:00pm

Friday, September 26:
FUN RUN!!!
Hot Lunch Home Run-Pizza

inflammate omnia—“go, set the world on fire.”

Thanks for All You Do,
James White, M.Ed.
Principal

SPC Tiger Fun Run 2025 – And We’re Off!!

Dear SPC Families,
The Tiger Fun Run kick-off has arrived, and we are well on our way to meeting the goal! Thank you to everyone who has registered and collected pledges. What a fantastic kick-off to Fun Run 2025!

If you have not yet registered, please go to https://pledgestar.com/stpaulofthecross/ and click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event.”

Fun Run Schedule

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 Grade: 12:30-12:55 pm
6th Grade: 1:00-1:25 pm
7th & 8th Grade: 1:30-1:55 pm

Fun Run Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Fun Run sponsorships! There is still time to become a website sponsor and multiple grade level announcer slots are still available!
Please read all the sponsorship opportunities here.

Attention Caffeine Enthusiasts
SPC parents don’t have to worry about making a coffee run between races this year! Triple Scoop’d will be on site selling hot coffee, iced coffee, and water. 10% of the proceeds will be donated back to St. Paul of the Cross School!

Spirit Wear Sale
We will have a spirit wear table set up for parents, grandparents, and other Fun Run supporters to update their SPC swag!

Incentives
Individual incentives will be passed out on the following dates this year:
Friday, September 19th
Tuesday, September 23rd
Friday, September 26th

The cut-off time to receive the incentive is 5:00 pm the night before they will be delivered. This gives the Fun Run crew enough time to organize and sort the incentives before passing them out.

Grade Level Incentives
Homeroom teachers will inform you about the incentives each grade has earned and when they will be redeemed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Thank you for supporting St. Paul of the Cross School’s Tiger Fun Run 2025!

Thank You,
Caitlin Brown, Lauren Nast, and Katie Noonan
Fun Run Committee Chairs
Parent Mingle – Please Note New Time!

We are so excited for our annual parent mixer this Friday, September 19! This is always such a fantastic community event, and we love getting our parents together to celebrate the start of the year! We understand there is also a Friday Night Lights game, so to help accommodate the football families a little, we have pushed back the event by a half hour. We will have the new parent toast at 6:30 (mentors are welcome to attend at this time), and the event for all parents runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Father James will open with a blessing, followed by a toast from Mr. White. The event will also feature a beer truck, wine bars, and a DJ! This is a casual parent night out to enjoy, mingle, and celebrate SPC. Please click below to RSVP. If you signed up to volunteer, we will email you with any changes to the times as needed.

Please RSVP here!

St. Paul of the Cross Life Team 2025 – 2026
Our SPC School and Parish invite students in 7th and 8th Grade to participate in the SPC Life Team!

The mission of Life Team is to live the Gospel of Life and serve the most vulnerable: the elderly, the poor, the unborn, and those with special needs through completing service projects together.

Some of the service projects will be the following:

Baby Bottles for The Women’s Center
Food & Clothing Drives
Greeting Cards for local Nursing Homes
Christmas Stocking & Easter Baskets for Aid for Women

The SPC Life Team will meet monthly on Wednesdays during the lunch/recess period in the Music Room. We will tentatively meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
*8th Grade Life Team students will earn service hours for each service project.
*7th Grade Life Team students will earn service hours beginning 3rd Trimester.

Teacher Sponsors:
Ms. Ciupinski & Dr. Ochsner
Please contact Ms. Ciupinski ([email protected]) with any questions.

If you are interested in joining the Life Team, please register through the attached link – SPC Life Team Registration
Please download the flyer here.

**Out-of-uniform date (with receipt) is on Thursday September 25!**

Through 9/30, when you buy a participating product at Costco and scan your receipt, you will earn 10 Bonus Box Tops (that’s $1.00!). You could also win $10 for our school in their sweepstakes.

Please contact me with questions about either program.
Carrie Jackiewicz
[email protected]

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 Ashley McNichols as the new president of the SPC Women’s Group
Come join her in leading and serving the women of the parish! Read more here.

From the Community

Catholic High School Events

Attention 7th-8th Grade Students Fenwick Scholarship Fair

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.