Thursday, December 3, 2020

Dear SPC Families,

I pray you all enjoyed a quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving! We only have two weeks before Christmas break. Please read Classroom newsletters carefully about Christmas celebration guidelines. While I will miss the annual Christmas concerts and all-school Mass, I am so incredibly grateful that we are still in school and going strong!

REGISTRATION for 2021-2022
This past Monday, you should have received an email from me (a lengthy one) outlining the process for re-enrolling your children for NEXT school year. It contained a tentative 2021-2022 school calendar and tuition information. As articulated in the letter, we have an unprecedented number of applications across all grade levels for next school year. I do not anticipate being able to accept all new families who are interested in attending. Please secure your child’s space no later than January 20th. Much of the re-enrollment process will take the place of the summer mailing. Re-Enrollment Letter Click Here.

Congratulations to Mrs. Ufheil!
Mrs. Ufheil has announced her retirement. After a very long and amazing 27 years at SPC as the gym teacher, Athletic Director, and wearing many other hats, she will begin her next journey. We hope she won't be a stranger but wish her the best in her next stage of life! We are working to secure a full-time replacement for the PE position.

Adopt-A-Family Update
Thank you for the amazing donations for our Social Service Ministry Adopt-A-Family Program! I am thrilled to announce that we have raised more than $11,000 for the SPC Adopt-A-Family program. Your generosity has allowed us to provide the necessary gift cards and provide extra resources to the program to help any last minute families. Thanks to your generous spirit, so many needy families will be able to have a joyful Christmas!

COVID DASHBOARD as of December 3, 2020
As you can see from the data below, our numbers continue to be far below what we see on the state and national levels. Thank you to everyone who continues to make decisions that allow for us to remain in school. Given what we know about the numbers, we anticipate a surge in numbers around December 5-10 after the Thanksgiving holiday. Please continue to be attentive to your child’s symptoms and the possibility for exposure.
Covid Graph 12 3

Peace,

Dr. Erika Mickelburgh
Principal


Home & School Association 

Faculty Gift Fund
The SPC Home and School Association is pleased to sponsor the Holiday Faculty Gift Fund. The Faculty Gift Fund is a convenient way for parents to give Christmas gifts to all their children’s teachers and staff. Your contribution will provide a monetary gift to all teachers (homeroom, practical fine arts, and resources), aides, the principal, assistant principal, administrative assistants, school secretaries, and the maintenance staff. The SPC teachers and staff truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Please consider making a monetary contribution as a way to show your gratitude to our wonderful teachers and staff. They have worked extra hard this year to make sure our children have a safe environment to learn and excel. A donation is not required, and we want to encourage you to give at your comfort level. We realize that families make financial sacrifices to send their children to Catholic school and may face challenges with COVID, so please give at the level that is comfortable for your family—any amount is appreciated. Last year's contributions averaged around $80.00 per family.

There are two (2) ways to make donations:

  • Contribute online by at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=S2FH6X558CNXU
    OR
  • There will be one Red Envelope marked “Holiday Faculty Gift Fund” coming home with your oldest child. Make your check payable to “St Paul of the Cross Home and School Association.” These envelopes will be collected in your child’s homeroom classroom.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Murphy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kelly Regan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your consideration—we have much to be thankful for this year! 


Book Fair FNL Image

Our Virtual Bookfair is running through December 6th! 
Click here to open up the Virtual Scholastic Bookfair. 

National Jr. Honor Society - Care Packages for the Homeless
Dear Parents/Guardians,

The SPC National Junior Honor Society is creating care packages to donate to Catholic Charities for the homeless. We would be very grateful if each student would bring one of each item that is listed for their grade. You are welcome to bring more, as there is always a need! All items are due to your student’s homeroom teacher by Friday, December 11th. We greatly appreciate your help and your generosity in the Christmas season!

         Grade   Item

Preschool

Packaged Nut Free snack (such

as cracker packs or granola bars)

Pre-K

Packaged Nut Free snack (such

as  cracker packs or granola bars)

Kindergarten

Toothbrush

First Grade

Travel Sized Toothpaste

Second Grade

Black or white colored socks

Third Grade

Chapstick

Fourth Grade

Travel Sized Kleenex Packs

Fifth Grade

Winter Hat

Sixth Grade

Winter Gloves

Seventh Grade

Travel Sized Shampoo & Conditioner

Eighth Grade

Travel Sized Deodorant

We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity! 

National Jr. Honor Society 


The Student Council is Bringing Back The School Store! 
Sparkly pencils SC
The SPC Student Council is bringing back the School Store …on wheels! Student Council officers will bring a cart of School Store items to classes (grades K - 6) during the lunch/recess period. We are going to be selling holiday-themed items, toys, and fun school supplies. To view the items that will be available for purchase, please see the Student Council School Store Catalog. To find out when the School Store is coming to your child's class, please see the Student Council School Store Schedule. If your child would like to purchase something from the School Store, please send them to school with the appropriate amount of money to buy it.

Happy holidays!
Caitlin Vengazo, Student Council President


Do You Want To Build A Snowman!?

Snowman Flyer
Spreading SPC Cheer During This Year...click here!
We are so excited for our first annual snowman decorating contest! To get an understanding of how many families are interested in participating, please complete the form. The kit is $40 and each family will receive one 3ft wooden snowman and stake to decorate however they wish- have fun! A link to pay will be sent to all participating families prior to snowman pick-up day. All families must sign-up before December 18th. We will then reach out to all participating families to pick-up their kits outside of school in January and will send a google photo link to submit your finished creation! All photos must be submitted by February 5 and winner will be announced and given a fun prize! We will be sharing all the fun snowmen throughout January and February to spread cheer in the New Year!! Please email Meghan Waldeck any time with questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

St. Paul of the Cross School Board
The SPC School Board is excited to introduce its new members Les Bodganowicz and Dave de Tagyos, who will succeed exiting members Alex Novak and Ann Nyhan. Continuing members include Scott Foster, Jackie Stengle, Diana Enderle, Salomea Klunzinger, and Siobhán Haugh. We welcome our new members and thank our exiting members for their dedication and service. Although Ann's term on the board is done, fortunately she will continue serving on the school finance committee. The new members will officially join the Board at the next open school board meeting on January 26, 2021 at 7:30pm.


 

The yearbook committee has started working hard on this year's yearbook. We are looking for photos from the first day of school. Please feel free to add any photos to this shared folder. We will be asking for other photos throughout the school year to add to the yearbook.

First Day of School Photos for Yearbook


FROM THE PARISH

We have an active and vibrant parish and encourage everyone to read the weekly bulletins for Fr. Britto's weekly letter and stay informed about all upcoming events and programs. 
Please click here for the latest bulletin.


Support our Fair Trade Vendors this Christmas Season!

Our annual Fair Trade Market is postponed until next year, but please enjoy a virtual cup of coffee and pastry as you browse the online selections of our local Fair Trade Vendors. Find unique and special gifts for everyone on your list and support global artists at the same time. Below are descriptions and websites of our vendors:

Global Handmade Hope: www.globalhandmadehope.com

Our mission is to promote social justice, help families provide food, shelter, education and gain access to health care. We accomplish our goal by offering artists a place and opportunity to sell their goods. We offer sustainably produced items from around the world. You will find a diverse array of Fair Trade home decor, accessories, apparel, kids’ items and more.

Loom: www.loomchicago.com

LOOM is a social enterprise of Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Agency. At LOOM we provide a studio space where refugee women can practice fiber arts, make beautiful products and cultivate community and friendship with their peers. LOOM provides a pathway to financial independence for refugee women and facilitates impactful connections between individuals from disparate cultural backgrounds.

Tree of Life Imports: https://www.thetreeoflifeimports.com

Tree of Life Imports was founded in 1989 during El Salvador's civil war as a means to bring the art of La Palma to the American market. Since then, we have focused our attention on several Latin American communities to help provide equal opportunity for all to work, including women and the rural poor. All of our products are handmade by artisans in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Tulia's: www.tulias.com

Tulia’s Artisan Gallery offers finely crafted jewelry and home decor made by master artisans in Colombia. Collections include flying mobiles, butterfly ornaments, and statement earrings. Each purchase comes with a free friendship bracelet.


Hello School Families!                      

Our parish food pantry currently needs brown paper grocery bags, with handles, from Trader Joe's, Mariano's and Whole Foods.
Please repurpose your unwanted bags by putting them through the food pantry drop box anytime.
Please email Adrienne Timm with questions.    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Thanks in advance for your help!   
 

FROM THE COMMUNITY

Future Lion Newsletter St. Viator High School - December