From the Principal
Dear SPC Families,
As we close out October, there is so much to celebrate and look forward to at Saint Paul of the Cross! Our school community continues to demonstrate the spirit of faith, friendship, generosity, and belonging that makes SPC such a special place for our students and families.
Halloween Fun Fair – Tomorrow!
We are looking forward to one of our students’ favorite traditions, our annual Halloween Fun Fair tomorrow, Friday, October 30! This wonderful event brings so much excitement and joy to our school, and we simply cannot thank our Home & School Association and the dozens of parent volunteers enough for the countless hours of planning, preparation, and hard work that make this celebration possible.
Events like Fun Fair remind us of the extraordinary commitment of our parent community. Behind every successful school tradition are dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and talents to create lasting memories for our children. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and generosity. Thank you for making SPC such a wonderful place to learn, grow, and celebrate together!
Prayer Buddies – Building Faith, Friendships, and Belonging
Last week, we launched our first Prayer Buddies gathering, and I could not have been more pleased with what I observed!
As I have shared previously, we have intentionally redesigned our Prayer Buddies program this year to create stronger, more meaningful connections among students across grade levels. Rather than K–8 groups, each prayer group now consists of two homerooms from different grade levels that will remain connected throughout the school year. For example, one eighth-grade homeroom is paired with the same second-grade homeroom for the entire year.
Within these groups, individual students are partnered together, allowing them to develop personal relationships, build friendships, and grow together in faith. An important part of this year’s program is that Prayer Buddies will also sit together during our school Masses. This provides another meaningful opportunity for our older and younger students to worship together, strengthen their relationships, and experience our Catholic faith as a community. Our goal is to move beyond a single shared activity and create a genuine sense of connection, mentorship, and belonging that continues throughout the school year.
I personally visited the groups gathered throughout our Early Grade Center, and the experience was brilliant in every way! Watching our older students engage so thoughtfully and enthusiastically with their younger partners was inspiring. The smiles, conversations, prayers, and genuine excitement were wonderful reminders of what makes our Catholic school community so special.
Our Prayer Buddies program is a beautiful example of our schoolwide theme of BELONGING in action. When students feel connected to one another, they begin to recognize that they are part of something much larger than their individual classrooms or grade levels.
Our next Prayer Buddies gathering will take place on Friday, November 6, and I look forward to watching these relationships continue to grow throughout the year.
And yes, for those who have asked, we are absolutely continuing our end-of-year Olympics! We recognize how much our students enjoy this tradition. Additional details will be shared once our planning is complete.
Celebrating Halloween and All Saints Day
As our students and families enjoy the excitement of Halloween, I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable, and fun-filled weekend!
This weekend also provides a meaningful opportunity to celebrate our Catholic faith as we recognize All Saints Day on Sunday, November 1. We will celebrate our schoolwide All Saints Mass with students on Wednesday, November 4, at 9:45 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the lives of the saints and the examples of faith, kindness, courage, and service they provide for each of us.
A Friendly Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour and enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
- Wednesday, November 4
- All Saints Mass | 9:45 a.m.
- Friday, November 6
- Prayer Buddy Gathering | Grades K–8
- Sunday, November 8
- Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
- We look forward to this important opportunity for our coaches and parents to reflect on the positive role athletics play in developing character, sportsmanship, leadership, and Christian values in our student-athletes.
- Thursday, November 12
- School Picture Retakes
- Friday, November 13
- Meet the Author: Matt Tavares | Grades K–3 | 1:30 p.m. | Holy Family Chapel
- SPC Endowment Trivia Night – We look forward to another wonderful opportunity for our SPC community to come together in support of our school’s future.
- Sunday, November 15
- Proposed First SPC Young Men’s Club Gathering | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
- We are working toward launching this exciting opportunity for boys in grades 4–8 to build friendships, develop leadership skills, strengthen their faith, and participate in meaningful activities together. Additional information will be shared as plans are finalized.
- 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, an increasingly important topic for our students and families.
- Friday, November 20
- K–8 Pep Assembly | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- We look forward to gathering as a school community to celebrate our students, recognize accomplishments, and share our Tiger Pride!
- November 23–27
- Thanksgiving Break — No School
Looking Ahead to January
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 hope you will join us for this valuable conversation about supporting children’s emotional well-being, confidence, and resilience. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Caroline Adelman for this special parent presentation focused on Raising Resilient Children.
As parents and educators, we share the important responsibility of helping our children develop the confidence, coping skills, independence, and emotional resilience necessary to navigate life’s challenges successfully.
This presentation will provide an opportunity to learn more about supporting our children’s social-emotional development while fostering healthy relationships, independence, and a strong sense of self.
I encourage all parents to mark their calendars and join us for what promises to be an informative and meaningful morning.
A Final Thought
As I reflect on the many wonderful things happening at SPC, I am continually reminded that the strength of our school is found in the people who make up our community. From the parents preparing for tomorrow’s Fun Fair to the teachers creating meaningful experiences for our Prayer Buddies, there are countless examples of individuals going above and beyond for our students.
Belonging is not simply something we talk about at SPC. It is something we create through our daily actions, relationships, traditions, and shared commitment to one another.
Thank you for all you do to make Saint Paul of the Cross a place where every child is welcomed, valued, included, and connected.
Wishing all of our SPC families a wonderful Halloween weekend filled with fun, laughter, and special memories!
With gratitude and Tiger pride,
James White, M.Ed.
Principal
Trivia Night
We only have a few tables left! Sign up before you miss out!
Scan the QR code or click on the image to RSVP!
This great event sells out, so be sure to get your table together and plan for a fun night!
Check out last year’s highlights here.
More SPC Updates and Events
Special Author Visit: Matt Tavares Friday, November 13
We are excited to welcome author and illustrator Matt Tavares to St. Paul of the Cross School!
On Thursday, November 13 at 1:30 PM, our Kindergarten through Grade 3 students are invited to attend a special author event featuring Matt Tavares and his beloved book, Dasher. The event will take place in Holy Family Chapel.
Families who would like to purchase a signed copy of Dasher or other Matt Tavares books may place an order through The Book Stall using the link below. All signed books ordered will be delivered directly to your child at school after the event.
Book Orders: Online Order Form – Matt Tavares Books
Order Deadline: November 8
We are looking forward to giving our students this wonderful opportunity to meet a celebrated author and illustrator and learn more about the creative process behind his books!
Winter Clubs at SPC
Winter Club Registration
Registration opens on Monday, November 9, 2026 and closes Friday, November 13, 2026. The Registration link will be shared on Monday, November 9 via SPC Notifications Blast.
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.
Winter Club Dates: November 30 – February 26, 2027
Spring Club Dates: March 1 – May 21, 2027
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.
This year’s yearbook will have 94 pages and include students from Jr. Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Save 10% when you order by October 31st!
Order at https://treering.com/
Yearbook Password: 101414618165482
All students receive two complimentary custom pages that can be personalized later.
Final order deadline: Friday, April 16th.
Questions? Contact Mrs. McCallister at [email protected].
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
Calling All SPC Artists!!!
