October 7, 2020

Dear SPC Parents,

It was lovely to have the kids back in school today, even for one day. Given the long weekend (although Conferences are Thursday and Friday), I wanted to send the Thursday mailing today as it relates to a review of travel restrictions should you be thinking of traveling over the weekend. Thank you for your efforts in keeping our students safe.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Given the upcoming holiday weekend, I think it bears a reminder of travel restrictions. We are using the Chicago Travel list per the guidance from the Archdiocese of Chicago. We are required to use the most strict list since we are along the border of Chicago and Park Ridge.

If you plan on traveling to any of these states (listed below) — you MUST quarantine for 14 days upon return. No questions!!! This applies EVEN if you are just going to a cabin and not going anywhere else. The rules are even if you travel for less than 24 hours— so no apple picking in Wisconsin, No outlet shopping in Kenosha, no quick trip to Mars Cheese Castle, no spotted Cow beer run. No trip to the Field of Dreams in Iowa. This guidance also applies to travel sports.
The old guidance was less than 24 hours, which has changed. If you are in the state for any amount of time, you must quarantine upon return.
Please see below for the updated Travel List:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/emergency-travel-order.html

NEW COVID TESTING AND DOCTOR’S NOTE GUIDANCE
The local departments of public health in Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago have recently updated their guidance concerning COVID-19 testing and return-to-work/school admittance.

Based on this new guidance, any individual (student or employee) who experiences COVID-like symptom(s):

Should be sent home immediately with any siblings
All students in the home may return to school if the symptoms dissipate within 24 hours and they have not been exposed to any individual infected with COVID-19. If symptoms do not dissipate within 24 hours, the individual should be:
referred to their healthcare provider for COVID-19 testing (it is important to note the type of test administered)
quarantined with the entire family while awaiting the test result.
The individual may return to school if both of the following criteria are met:

Documentation of a negative test for COVID-19
24-hours with no fever (without fever-reducing medication)
If symptoms persist, the individual should obtain an alternate diagnosis from a medical provider in addition to the negative COVID-19 diagnosis (e.g., strep throat diagnosis and negative COVID-19 result).

If an alternative diagnosis of a communicable illness is provided, the individual should stay home until symptoms have receded per doctor’s instruction. As a reminder, a doctor’s note is not required for individuals who are:

Confirmed COVID-19 positive. For the individual to return to school, he or she must have:

• Remained at home for 10 days
• No fever for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), and
• A general reduction of other symptoms by 75% or more

Quarantined, but not symptomatic, due to COVID-19 exposure. Individuals may return to school if they have been quarantined for 14 days and not developed symptoms of COVID-19 during that time.

Practical Strategies for Emotional Checks in at Home.
Children and adults feel an array of emotions these days as we adapt in the face of uncertainty. One trauma-informed strategy we are using at school and encourage you to use at home is emotional check-in. This blog shares simple strategies and a calendar for daily activities. Don't forget to check-in yourself!

Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh

Great news! Don't throw those 2020 Read to Succeed Six Flags Great America tickets away. Six Flags Great America will honor the 2020 tickets through August 2021. Those students who were in kindergarten through sixth grade during the 2019-2020 school year and read 360 minutes received a free ticket to Great America. 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.  

SPC Home & School Association

TRIP Information! 
On behalf of the Home and School Association, welcome to St. Paul of the Cross.I wanted to quickly introduce myself as your new T.R.I.P. (Tuition Reimbursement Incentive Plan) Coordinator for the 2020-2021 school year.If you are unfamiliar with T.R.I.P., more information can be found here on our website.T.R.I.P. offers excellent rebates through purchases of e-gift cards that families use every day.  Ranging from Lands End Uniforms to Amazon to local restaurants and more- you are able to put small percentages of your purchases back towards your FACTS account with St. Paul of the Cross.You may register for your account here, and even transfer your profile from your former school (if one exists) by using the code C21ELFAD426. 

Due to COVID this year, we are suspending the purchase of physical gift cards until further notice. There are several gift cards that we have on hand that can be purchased on a first come, first serve basis by emailing Tiffany Braun atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You must have a valid TRIP account to purchase these cards before emailing. Checks will need to be made out to SPC TRIP, or you can arrange a credit card payment through Shop with Scrip after emailing Tiffany.
Please click here for our current inventory.

Have you seen the cool SPC canvas tote bags and car magnets around town? The tote bags are a natural colored canvas with an embroidered SPC logo, navy accents, top zip and front pocket. Handles are long enough to go over the shoulder. Car magnets are a great way to show off that SPC is the place to be!
These are available for purchase on the Home and School Association webpage.
Please visit our web page by clicking here (https://www.spc-school.net/parents/homeandschool), select the quantity and your purchase will be delivered to you at pick up or drop off. All proceeds/profit support Home & School expenses. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Almendarez Gemoets at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..