Dear SPC Families,
I pray that you are all doing well and remain healthy. As you already know, Governor Pritzker has extended school closures until April 30th. I pray that we can be together soon, but in the meantime, we are working to strengthen our remote learning so that our students continue to learn.
Please note the following:
1. Our teachers have received excellent feedback from parents regarding possible changes to remote learning. As I mentioned in Sunday's email, we initially planned for two weeks, and now we are pivoting again to change our approach to deliver higher quality instruction for a longer period of time. Many grade levels have already made some of these changes, and some will be forthcoming after Spring Break. Changes include some of the following:
- Using Screencastify to include more direct instruction from teachers. This is a new resource for our teachers, so they have just completed training this week.
- Smaller student groups in Zoom lessons to provide support.
- Clearer directions from teachers on how to submit work on Google Classroom.
2. Spring Break will take place from April 9th-April 17th. Remote learning will resume on April 20th. No Remote learning on April 9th.
3. FIELD TRIPS: Even if we return to school on May 1st, I have canceled all field trips for the rest of the school year. As a result, all unused field trip funds from the field trip fee will be credited to families' May tuition statement. (7th grade will not receive a credit because the Springfield Trip has just been moved to October 22nd).
4. Please complete the SPC REMOTE LEARNING SURVEY
Please submit a separate survey for each child. Given the remote learning considerations and demands for different grade levels, it is important that we receive feedback focused on individual grade levels. Your feedback will assist our teachers in planning for the longer period of remote learning.
5. See below for a parent resource, we know parenting during this pandemic is challenging. The resource below from Compass Health Center may provide valuable tools.
Resources from Compass Health Center:
Parenting in a Pandemic: Support for Families
Just about everyone we know is experiencing heightened anxiety and added stress due to COVID-19. Kids' schedules and routines have been upended, and parents are being asked to juggle more than ever in these uncertain times. Working from home, e-learning, boredom, an increase in irritability, and a lack of physical activity are just a few of the issues raised by parents over the last several weeks.
We have decided to offer a free, drop-in discussion session for parents to provide support and guidance during this challenging time. Question and discussion sessions will be led by licensed clinical psychologists and offered via ZOOM.
Our Facilitators:
Dr. Ronald S. Dachman. Dr. Ronald S. Dachman is a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C. He is the Director of Clinical Training and has been working with children, adolescents, and families for over 30 years. Dr. Dachman’s clinical interests include parent-child training and parent-coaching, the management of behaviors associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the treatment of anxiety disorders, issues pertaining to divorce, and pediatric psychology.
Dr. Virginia Seng. Dr. Virginia (Gigi) Seng is a licensed clinical psychologist. Affiliated with Behavioral Psychology Associates since 1999, Dr. Seng specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her clinical interests include social skills training, treatment of anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and pediatric psychology. She especially enjoys working with children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum.
First session: April 13, 2020 7:00pm Central Time
Facilitator: Virginia Seng, Ph.D.
Topic: Parenting in a Pandemic: Support for parents
Date/Time: Use the following link and ID to join our Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/566765792?pwd=cG5OamgxdTlVNjYxbSsxTngvSHg2Zz09
Tuesday Mass at 9:00 am:
Please join us on Tuesday, April 7th at 9:00 am. We will celebrate Mass as a school from the Holy Family Chapel via Facebook Live. If you haven’t like our Facebook page, please make sure you do. Please have your students join us for Mass.
Lastly, please look below to review a few of the programs taking place. The Endowment Merit Scholarship application deadline is coming up on April 7th. All of the details are outlined below.
Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Principal
Heart of the School Awards Nomination Due Date Extended to April 3, 2020
Every year, the Archdiocese of Chicago honors outstanding Catholic school employees with the Heart of the School Awards. Any current full or part-time St. Paul of the Cross School teacher, administrator, or staff member may be nominated here through April 3, 2020. Nominations are accepted across seven categories: Heart of Christ, Heart of the Community, Heart of Excellence, Heart of Enrichment, Heart of the Future, Heart of Inclusion, and Heart of Service. We encourage all school parents and students to consider the many ways your teachers and staff embody the descriptions of these seven categories and take a moment to honor them with your nomination. Parents, students, fellow teachers and staff may submit up to seven separate nominations (one form per category). Winners will be selected by a committee appointed by the Office of Catholic Schools and honored at the Heart of the School luncheon this spring.
ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINE EXTENDED APRIL 7th - Attention Parents and Students - Five Merit Based Scholarships
The Endowment Committee is excited to announce the merit-based scholarships available to current SPC students for the 2020-2021 school year. Each year the Endowment administers five merit-based, named scholarships totaling $3,750:
- Pastoral Leadership Award- We are pleased to invite current 5th and 6th grade students to Three monetary awards of $750 will be given to students who most demonstrate the qualities of leadership and service to others.
- Maureen Kelly McCambridge Scholarship- We are pleased to invite current 7th grade students to apply for this $1000 scholarship established in Maureen’s honor and
- Roseann McHugh New Family Welcome Award- This $500 award is available to families who, for the first time during the 2019-2020 school year, have students in K-7th grades and are returning to SPC for a second year. It will be granted to welcome a new family to the SPC community.
St. Baldrick's Save the Date and Sign Up! Virtual Event
Last Year SPC raised over $33,000 to fight childhood cancer. We participated in honor of Dominic Vecchio, who sadly lost his courageous battle this December. This year let us honor the memory and fight of Dominic and so many children who face cancer. Please consider joining the team and raising money. Last year we also had a great time at the event while fighting for a great cause!
https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/129638/20
St. Paul of the Cross will started a reading incentive program called Squeeze’s Scholars on Monday, March 16th. The Chicago Dogs professional baseball team in Rosemont is providing us with this wonderful opportunity. As an incentive to participate in this fun program, every student who reads the goal set by their grade level teacher between March 16th and May 8th will receive a free hat and a free ticket to any Chicago Dogs 2020 regular season home game at Impact Field. When your child has completed their reading goal at home, send the verification form attached to this email on or before Friday, May 8th. Your child's homeroom/reading teacher will then send home the ticket order form. Please contact Mrs. McCallister at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
Reading Goals
Preschool- read 50 books
Prekindergarten- read 50 books
Kindergarten- read 480 minutes
First Grade- read 25 books on their own
Second Grade- read 600 minutes
Third Grade- read 700 minutes
Fourth Grade- read 600 minutes
Fifth Grade- read 600 minutes
Sixth Grade- read 400 minutes
Seventh Grade- read 400 minutes
Eight Grade- read 400 minutes
Please click here for the details and form.
The Six Flags® Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club
A few weeks ago all kindergarten through sixth grade students received the Six Flags Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club information. The Six Flags® Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club is due by Wednesday. April 8th. Teachers will not be accepting reading logs after that date. Every student in kindergarten through sixth grade who completes six hours of recreational reading and enters the information online by Friday, Wednesday, April 8th is eligible for a free admission ticket valid at Six Flags Great America. Tickets will arrive in May, and will be distributed to those students that participated.
This year all reading logs need to be completed online. You can register your child/ren by going to http://www.sixflags.com/books . Please see all homeroom teacher’s codes below.
Homeroom Teacher Codes:
Mrs. Kusinski- XW4QZ
Mrs. Murphy- PADTH
Mrs. Rinaldi- A9TU3
Mrs. Hader-HFETT
Ms. Kraft-MDWRX
Mrs. Chaparro- D9EAH
Mrs. McCallister-S5E6V
Ms. Chambers- PZZHU
Mrs. Johnson- A5CY6
Mrs. Galvin- EKCVJ
Mrs. Golden-YWR2H
Ms. Lewandowski-4RMSZ
Mrs. Valdez- JPDBZ
Ms. FaQuin- ZQNPZ
Mrs. Zimmerman-Q9K7V
Mr. Okimoto-EKVBE
Mrs. Pecoraro-CGW7S
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. McCallister at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
St. Paul of the Cross Parish
We have an active and vibrant parish and encourage everyone to read the weekly bulletins for Fr. Britto's weekly letter and to stay informed about all of the upcoming events and programs. Parish Bulletin for April 5, 2020
From The Community
Loyola Academy Summer Jr. High Enrichment Program
Summer Camps
