From the Principal
Dear SPC Families,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am reminded of the many blessings that make Saint Paul of the Cross School such a wonderful place for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. November is a special time to reflect on the importance of gratitude, kindness, faith, and the relationships that bring us together as a school community. Throughout this school year, our theme of Belonging has encouraged our students to recognize the importance of making others feel welcomed, valued, included, and connected. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I encourage our students and families to carry this spirit of belonging into their homes, neighborhoods, and everyday interactions.
We have another exciting week ahead at SPC, filled with opportunities to celebrate our faith, strengthen friendships, support our students, and come together as a community. I especially look forward to our Thanksgiving Pep Assembly on Friday, November 20, when our students in grades K–8 will gather to celebrate school spirit, recognize the accomplishments of our students and staff, and express gratitude for the many people who make SPC such a special place. What a wonderful way to begin our Thanksgiving break!
Please take a few moments to review the important events, reminders, and upcoming activities below.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
- Friday, November 13
- SPC Endowment Trivia Night – Doors Open 6:30 pm
- Get ready for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and SPC community spirit!
- Get ready for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and SPC community spirit!
- SPC Endowment Trivia Night – Doors Open 6:30 pm
- Sunday, November 15
- Family Mass | 10:30 a.m.
- We warmly invite our first- and second-grade families to join us for Mass in the Holy Family Chapel. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Catholic faith together as a school community.
- First SPC Young Men’s Club Gathering | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
- Boys in grades 4–8 are invited to join us in the UGC Gym for an afternoon of basketball, lunch, friendship, and fun. Our Young Men’s Club continues to provide opportunities for students to develop positive relationships and enjoy time together outside the classroom.
- Register for the Young Men’s Club HERE
- Family Mass | 10:30 a.m.
- Monday, November 16
- Grade 8 SOS Program
- Our eighth-grade students will participate in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. This educational initiative is designed to promote awareness of mental health, help students recognize warning signs of emotional distress, and encourage them to seek assistance from trusted adults when needed. We appreciate the partnership of our families and the guidance of our school counseling team in supporting the social and emotional well-being of our students.
- Our eighth-grade students will participate in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. This educational initiative is designed to promote awareness of mental health, help students recognize warning signs of emotional distress, and encourage them to seek assistance from trusted adults when needed. We appreciate the partnership of our families and the guidance of our school counseling team in supporting the social and emotional well-being of our students.
- Grade 8 SOS Program
- Tuesday, November 17
- Advisory Board Open Meeting | 7:30 p.m. | UGC A/B Room
- Our upcoming meeting will include a focus on Digital Citizenship and Online Safety. We are pleased to welcome Liz Repking, who will share important information and practical strategies for helping families navigate the challenges of raising children in today’s digital world. Topics will focus on responsible technology use, online safety, and supporting children in developing healthy digital habits.
- All SPC parents are encouraged to attend this informative presentation.
Please RSVP using the registration information provided HERE
- Advisory Board Open Meeting | 7:30 p.m. | UGC A/B Room
- Thursday, November 19
- SPC Parish Men’s Club Basketball | 8:00 p.m. PLC – Gym
- We appreciate the continued fellowship and involvement of our Parish SPC Men’s Club in supporting our school community.
- We appreciate the continued fellowship and involvement of our Parish SPC Men’s Club in supporting our school community.
- SPC Parish Men’s Club Basketball | 8:00 p.m. PLC – Gym
- Friday, November 20
- Home & School Out-of-Uniform Day
- Students may enjoy an out-of-uniform day in accordance with school guidelines.
- K–8 Pep Assembly | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Students in grades K–8 will gather in the UGC Gym for an afternoon of celebration, school spirit, recognition, and fun. Our assembly will highlight the importance of gratitude and recognize students and staff who exemplify kindness, generosity, and our school theme of Belonging.
- IMPORTANT No Extended Day Program (EDP) After School
- Families who normally utilize EDP should make alternative arrangements for student pickup.
- Families who normally utilize EDP should make alternative arrangements for student pickup.
- Home & School Out-of-Uniform Day
- November 23–27
- Thanksgiving Break — No School
- SPC will be closed for Thanksgiving Break from Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27. Classes will resume on Monday, November 30. We hope this extended break provides our students, families, faculty, and staff with opportunities for rest, family traditions, and meaningful time together.
- Thanksgiving Break — No School
Important Reminder – Fall Clubs Conclude this Week
Our fall extracurricular clubs conclude this week. Thank you to our faculty, staff, parent volunteers, and club leaders for providing our students with such wonderful enrichment opportunities. These programs contribute significantly to the well-rounded educational experience we strive to provide at SPC.
We look forward to the beginning of our winter club offerings after Thanksgiving break!
Looking Ahead: Important Dates
Week of November 30 – Winter Clubs Begin
Our winter extracurricular programs begin this week. We look forward to another season of engaging activities that allow students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build friendships.
Tuesday, December 1 – Re-Enrollment Begins
Re-enrollment for our currently enrolled SPC students opens for the 2027–2028 school year. We are grateful for the trust our families place in our school and look forward to continuing our partnership in providing an outstanding Catholic education for your children. Additional information regarding the re-enrollment process will be shared with families.
Week of December 6 – Scholastic Book Fair
Our Scholastic Book Fair returns to SPC! This much-loved event provides students with an opportunity to discover new books, develop a greater appreciation for reading, and celebrate the joy of literacy. Additional information regarding shopping opportunities and schedules will be forthcoming.
Friday, January 8, 2027: Coffee with the Principal
Raising Resilient Children, featuring special guest speaker Caroline Adelman, Ph.D.
Location: Holy Family Chapel
- 8:00–8:30 a.m.: Coffee and Social
- 8:30–9:30 a.m.: Guest Presentation
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Caroline Adelman for this special parent presentation focused on raising resilient children.
Helping children develop resilience, confidence, emotional strength, and healthy coping skills is an important part of their overall development. This presentation will offer parents valuable perspectives and practical strategies for supporting children as they navigate challenges, build independence, and develop the skills necessary for lifelong success.
We hope many of our SPC parents will join us for this meaningful and informative morning!
A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our extraordinary SPC faculty and staff, whose dedication, compassion, and commitment to our students are evident every day. I am equally grateful to our parents, grandparents, parish community, and countless volunteers who generously share their time, talents, and resources to support our school. Most importantly, I am thankful for our students, who bring joy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and a wonderful spirit to our classrooms and hallways each day.
Our school is much more than a place of academic learning. SPC is a community rooted in faith, strengthened by relationships, and united by a shared commitment to helping every child feel that they truly belong. It is this spirit that makes Saint Paul of the Cross School so special.
During this season of Thanksgiving, may we remember that gratitude is more than simply saying thank you. It is demonstrated through our actions, our kindness toward others, our willingness to serve, and our appreciation for the blessings we sometimes take for granted.
On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, I wish you and your families a blessed, peaceful, and joy-filled Thanksgiving. May your homes be filled with love, laughter, good health, and the warmth of family and friends.
Thank you for being such an important part of our SPC family. We have so much to be grateful for!
Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless!
James White, M.Ed.
Principal
Trivia Night – Tomorrow, Friday, November 13th!
We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow night for a fun evening of trivia, friendly competition, and support for our Parish Educational Endowment Fund!
A quick reminder for our Team/Table Captains: Please be sure to forward the email you received from the Endowment Committee earlier this week to all your teammates so everyone has the scoop before Friday night.
Thank you, and let the trivia begin!
More SPC Updates and Events
SPC School Winter Club Registration – Registration Closes Tomorrow, November 13
Discover our fun and creative after-school Clubs at SPC! These programs, designed by our staff, are separate from activities offered by outside vendors. Space is limited, so register early.
SPC School Winter Club Dates: November 30 – February 26, 2027
Spring Club Dates: March 1 – May 21, 2027
Smiling Strings
Guitar and Violin Sign-Ups
♫♫♫ Winter Session Dates: (Dec 1st – Feb 23rd) ♫♫♫
Tuition: $255 (Plus one-time $55 registration/materials fee per school year)
(Tuesdays) Violin Grade K-6
(Tuesdays) Guitar Grade 2-6
Please click here to download the flyer and registration link.
The Language Academy Spanish Club
Tuesdays after school classes
January 12th to March 13th (10 weeks)
Kdg to 2nd Grades 2:00 – 2:45p.m.
Please click here to download the flyer and registration link.
Chess Ed
Chess Ed
Register Now for the Winter Chess Program!
Registration for the Winter chess program at SPC School is underway! Discounted early registration is encouraged. The 11-week after-school program takes place on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm and runs from 12/1/26 to 2/23/27. Please Click here for complete details and to register.
The Stage School – PreK – 2nd Grade
Attention 6th-8th Grade Students – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Two workshops at SPC. Executive Functioning and High School Placement Exam Prep.
Please click here for all of the details.
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 our Catholic High Schools
From our Community
The 3rd Annual Park Ridge Christmas Stroll is a FREE, community-wide celebration on Saturday, December 12, 10 AM–4 PM throughout Uptown Park Ridge, benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Park Ridge and its efforts to support local children and teens in need, including mental health resources for area high school students.
Families will stroll uptown Park Ridge to various locations including St. Paul of the Cross while enjoying a Children’s Christmas pageant, visits with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, snowball fun with Buddy the Elf, a community bake sale, gingerbread house competition, ugly sweater contest, and performances from dozens of school and community groups, including Fenwick High School, Maine South, Resurrection College Prep, Willows Academy, and various middle and grade school groups. The Holy Family will also make an appearance!
Earlier that morning, we’ll kick off the festivities with the 2nd Annual Santa Stroll 5K, Stroll Mile & Jingle Jog, benefiting Avenues to Independence, which serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Calling All SPC Artists!!!
