Dear SPC Families,

Welcome Back!

Summer has been super busy here at SPC! I am excited to welcome you back for a wonderful school year and pray you all had a restful summer.  

 

The new classroom furniture has been installed! All classrooms received a facelift, including the science lab, music room, new STEM lab, and art room. We replaced the old desks with furniture that better facilitates collaboration and engaged learning!

 

Construction on Dr. O's walls and three additional inclusion meeting spaces will be wrapping up in the next week and will be ready (fingers crossed) for the start of school! Complete with a green screen wall and brand new furniture, our 2nd STEM lab is the perfect space for all our robotics, virtual reality, STEM equipment, and, more importantly, learning!

 

The iPads are ready to go! During the back-to-school night, we will hold two parent info sessions on how to help your child navigate the iPads. In the first few weeks of school, all the students will receive "Apple student" training to help them transition from Chromebooks to iPads. While many can already use an iPad, we want to ensure their success using iPads as an educational tool.

 

Teachers are already coming in to start preparing the classrooms! On August 14th, all faculty and staff officially return with a jam-packed week of planning and professional development. We will host three days of iPad training through Apple Education as part of a year-long development plan. On August 15th, we welcome back  Paula Kluth, who will build upon last year's workshops on differentiation and inclusion. On August 16th, we are thrilled to welcome Suzy Pepper Rollins, who will work on engaging learning strategies for teachers in grades 4-8. At the end of the week, we will welcome Adam Peterson, author of Teach, Play, Learn, who will work with our early childhood teachers. We will also host over 200 teachers from surrounding Catholic Schools throughout the week at these workshops. Partnering with other Catholic Schools enables us to bring nationally recognized speakers to SPC and also allows our teachers to network with other teachers! 

 

New Dismissal Times! Dismissal Doors Will Remain the Same.

2:50- Preschool- Kindergarten dismissal 

3:00 1st-8th grade dismissal

 

Save the Date!

August 20 - Back to School Mass and Welcome Ice Cream Social 

August 21- Teacher Meet and Greet 4:00-6:00 pm

August 22 - First Day of School 1-8

August 23 - First Day of School PS-K

August 29 - Back to School Mass 10:00 am

August 31 - Back to School Night 6:00-9:00 pm (see below for specific schedule)

September 4 - No School Labor Day

September 8 - Parent Mixer 7:00-9:00 pm in Safe Zone

September 22 – Fun Run

September 29 - 8th Grade Team Building Trip to Lake Geneva

 

When do I find out my child's homeroom?

I know everyone is excited to know their assigned teachers. On August 17th, we will email the teacher welcome letters at 4:00 pm. A friendly reminder that I will not entertain any requests for classroom changes as we do not take teacher requests. Please understand that our teachers are all wonderful, and your child will have a great year of learning, growing, and making new friends! Students in grades 4-8 will receive their class schedules at the teacher meet-and-greet on August 21st.

iPad Agreements
All students in Grades K-8 must complete this agreement in order to receive their iPad. Please click here to read and sign the agreement.

 

Preschool and Kindergarten Orientations:

Monday, August 21 - Preschool & Kindergarten welcome back/orientation parent sessions. You will receive a signup genius in your welcome back letter from your child's teacher to sign up for a session that best fits your family's availability. There will be limited spaces at each time slot. 

Session 1 - 4-4:30 pm

Session 2 - 4:45-5:15 pm

Session 3 - 5:30-6:00 pm

 

Welcome, New Faculty!

Please join me in welcoming our outstanding new faculty! Over the summer, we had one staffing change as Mr. Foster left SPC for a different position; we wish him well and are grateful for his time here at SPC.

 

Mrs. Karen Nelson – Preschool Teacher 

I am excited to begin my 18th year of teaching at Saint Paul of the Cross. I have worked at a private preschool in Peoria, Il, for over ten years. Not only did I teach, but I also coordinated and developed the preschool curriculum. Since returning home to Chicago, I have worked as a preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade teacher. My previous teaching experience with the Archdiocese was with Saint Josaphat School in Lincoln Park.

 

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development from Illinois State University and a Master of the Arts in Teaching Elementary Education from Western Governor's University.

 

I am a native of the northwest side of Chicago and a product of the Archdiocese, having attended Saint Francis Borgia for grammar school and Mother Guerin for high school. I love to read, play tennis, and walk with my husband and dog in my spare time.

 

Mrs. Erin Fornelli - First Grade Teacher

I am grateful and excited to join the staff at St. Paul of the Cross for the 2023-2024 school year. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University and have over 14 years of teaching experience in Preschool through 5th grade. I've spent my last four years teaching first grade in Wheaton CUSD 200. I have found teaching first grade to be so rewarding because of the amazing growth that takes place throughout the year, both academically and socially.

After living in the far western suburbs for the last 20 years, my family and I moved to the area last year. My son is a Notre Dame graduate and is heading off to college. My daughter will be a Junior at Resurrection, and my youngest daughter will be an 8th grader here at SPC. We chose to make the transition to Catholic schools for many of the same reasons you chose Catholic schools for your family. The feeling of community that Catholic schools and parishes offer is the biggest thing I wanted my children to experience. My children have loved their time here so much that I decided it was time to make the transition myself! As a graduate of St. Eugene and Resurrection High School, I am thrilled to be back in the community. 

Ms. Kelly Burke – Third-Grade Teacher

I am honored and ecstatic to rejoin the Saint Paul of the Cross community as a third-grade teacher. As a former student at St. Paul, I dreamed of returning as a teacher, and my aspiration has been actualized as I begin my teaching career back where my love for learning began! I am a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and additional endorsements in Reading Education and teaching English as a Second Language. During my student teaching position in a first-grade classroom at St. Benedict School in Chicago, I utilized innovative and responsive educational practices to create a challenging yet supportive learning environment for each of my students. I am passionate about meeting each of my student's needs and creating a community-based classroom just like those I was a part of years ago at SPC. In my free time, I enjoy baking tasty treats, reading, relaxing through pilates and yoga, and spending quality time with family and friends. I am beyond grateful to be a part of the SPC community once again and strive to inspire a love for learning in our young school community members. 

 

Mrs. Kaitlyn Pagliari – K-2 STEM Teacher

I am beyond excited to be joining the St. Paul of the Cross community this Fall! After subbing at SPC last year (your kids may remember me as Ms. Andersen), I am so excited to officially be a part of the SPC staff! After growing up in Mundelein, IL, I always knew I wanted to become a teacher! I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and returned to Chicago shortly after to begin my teaching career! I taught Preschool for the Archdiocese of Chicago for six years, most recently as a Lead Preschool Teacher for three years at St. Josaphat School in Lincoln Park. I have taught both Half Day and Full Day Preschool, and while I was teaching Half Day, I would spend my afternoons as a Resource Teacher for students K-4. I would give extra support in Reading, Math, Science, and Writing! My fiance (who is an SPC alum) and I moved to Park Ridge last year after living in Chicago for six years, and we will be getting married in Lake Geneva this September! I am thrilled to be starting this exciting new chapter as an SPC teacher! 

 

Terri Schroeder — 4/5th grade Math and LA

 I am thrilled to be joining the St. Paul of the Cross community. I will be starting my 28th year of teaching in a Catholic school. I consider myself an energetic, creative teacher that provides a warm and fun learning environment. I have experience in various grade levels, but could also be found coaching volleyball in the gym. 

Having grown up on the Northwest side of Chicago, I also attended Catholic schools. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my two kids and family, along with our new puppy, Finley! I really enjoy working out, spending weekends at the lake, and just being with friends! I look forward to meeting all my students and parents in a few weeks. I am truly excited for this new adventure! 

 

Mrs. Kathy Goldberg – Director of Technology 

I am delighted to be joining the St. Paul of the Cross family. I graduated from St. Raymond and Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Rolling Meadows, and am eternally grateful to my parents for their sacrifice to send six children to Catholic schools. Education is a second career for me. After graduating from Georgetown University, I spent 11 years in various roles at Motorola, Inc. My passion for teaching was sparked while volunteering for the St. Raymond Religious Education Program. Luckily, I was able to obtain my Masters in Education from DePaul University and spent 10 years teaching and as the Technology Coordinator at St. Raymond Catholic School. My other passions include travel, photography, and sports! I am looking forward to sharing my skills and expertise with the terrific faculty, staff, and students of St. Paul. Go Tigers!

 

And Returning to SPC….

We are also THRILLED to welcome back Mrs. Doreen Curry as our part-time PE teacher and Mr. Oscar David, our Spanish teacher for 3rd-8th.

 

Back to School Nerves?

It is normal for some students to be nervous about the start of school. This free webinar provides strategies to help your child with back-to-school anxiety. 

https://adaa.org/webinar/consumer/helping-your-child-cope-back-school-anxiety?_zs=7Ixhd&_zl=kpJg3

 

Coming soon—BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Please note the times when we will have specific classroom presentations to allow for families with multiple children to attend back-to-school night.

 

This a reminder that Back to School Night is a child-free event. 

 

ADMINISTRATION PRESENTATIONS:

Looking Forward to a Great School Year – Dr. Mickelburgh

5:30-5:55 GYM

7:10-7:35 GYM 

How to Help My (4th-8th) Child With the iPad - Mrs. Goldberg

6:00-6:30 GYM

6:35-7:00 GYM 

 

1st- 3rd Grade Schedule

You may choose which session to attend based on your availability. All sessions will be the same.

6:00-6:20 Session 1 Preschool through Grade 3 

6: 25-6:45 Session 2 Preschool through Grade 3

6:50-7:20 Session 3 Preschool through Grade 3

 

4th - 8th GradeSchedule

7:00-8:30 pm 

• We will release this schedule in the next few weeks.
• The teachers will be holding brief presentations on the curriculum map and classroom expectations. 
• You do not have to follow your child's bell schedule, as the schedule does not correlate with the schedule below. Based on your child's teachers, you will decide where and when you go. Given that our curriculum is consistent from class to class, you only need to visit the teacher and subject. 

 

I am looking forward to a great school year! Enjoy the last few days of summer! 

Peace,
Dr. Erika Mickelburgh

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RSVP Here!

 

Fall After School Activities at SPC

Chess Ed

Fall 2023 Ballet Classes Begin September 12th! 
Please click here for the flyer with the registration link and all the details!

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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' "The Daily" - Daily Mass Readings and Reflections

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Women's Golf Outing Saturday, September 16, 2023

The Faith, Hope & Charity Guild is hosting its first Women's Golf Outing! All women of the parish are invited to what we hope will become an annual event. Create your own foursome or we'll pair you with some new friends.

We will use the proceeds to help fund the parish Social Service Ministry, honoring Adrienne Timm, who has led the ministry for many years and recently announced her retirement.

We are looking for hole sponsors: Cost is $250 and will include advertising signage.

When
Saturday, September 16th at 4:00 pm - Shotgun Start
Cocktails and Buffet Dinner at 6:30 pm
Open Bar for one hour, then Cash Bar

Where
Tam O'Shanter Golf Course
6700 W. Howard Street
Niles, Illinois

Cost
Golf Only: $65
Buffet Dinner Only: $60
Golf and Dinner: $120

To RSVP and for payment instructions, please visit our SignUpGenius page by clicking here.