SPB Family Newsletter
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Mission Statement
The Eucharistic community of Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School
focuses on Christ-centered values and develops the unique potential of each student
through a rigorous and engaging curriculum.
Calendar of Events
Sunday
Palm Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Holy Thursday
Last Day of School Before Easter Break
School Morning Prayer--9:00 am
Holy Thursday Retreat
Friday
Good Friday
No School
Sunday
Easter Sunday
A Note from the Principal
I am THRILLED to share with you that WE DID IT!! Our amazing school families and parishioners once again stepped up big time and met the challenge of raising $10,000 for new lockers, and our very generous donor will be matching it with another $10,000. This $20,000, in addition to the $10,000 received from a Rooted in Faith grant, will allow us to replace lockers in five more classrooms this summer. Two classrooms will receive new lockers over Easter break with money donated through WeGiveCatholic in early December. If you are still interested in donating, we will continue to collect donations specifically for lockers. I want to extend my heartfelt and sincere thanks to all those who made donations to help us meet this challenge, with special thanks to the parishioner who offered this match. When I expressed my sincere thanks to the parishioner, he shared, "It was my pleasure. Just my expression of appreciation for the teachers I had at SPB many years ago."
Tomorrow marks the end of the third quarter, and on Monday we turn our sights to making the final quarter of the 2020-2021 school year a positive one. We have come a long way in this past year from the unknown to the prepared to the evolving, and we remain committed to the health and safety of our students. The CDC has once again updated its guidelines for schools, and we will be examining the COVID-19 protocols we have in place as new information about best practices is released.
The weather is getting warmer, the flowers will soon begin to bloom, and there is light at the end of tunnel in terms of the pandemic. Things are definitely looking brighter. Soon we will celebrate the most important day in our lives as Christians. Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians.
Peace and blessings,
Diane Raguz, Principal
IMPORTANT DRESS CODE REMINDERS
As the weather appears to be getting warmer, it is important to provide some necessary reminders to our school community regarding the appropriate dress code:
- With the changing weather, please make sure your child is wearing the correct uniform sweater or sweatshirt. Solid color, button-down or pullover sweaters in navy, white, hunter green, black or red are permitted. Sweatshirts purchased from Schoolbelles are part of the uniform.
- The policy for the length of uniform skirts is just above the knee. The upcoming Easter break would be a good time to take out the hems of skirts in order to make them the appropriate length. Skirts should not be rolled.
- A belt must be worn with pants having belt loops.
- Socks should be solid navy, black, hunter green, red, or white crew or knee socks without logos. No-show socks are not permitted.
- White shoes are not part of the dress code and should not be worn.
- The optional seasonal uniforms do not begin until May 1; therefore, shorts should not be worn until then, even on dress down days.
Please refer to the Uniform/Dress Code Policy on pages 25-27 in our Parent/Student Handbook should you have any questions. We appreciate the support of parents in helping students adhere to our policy.
Warm Weather Reminder
Green Knight of the Quarter
Brielle Swiderski is a third grade student at Saint Paschal Baylon who is our Green Knight for the third quarter! Teachers were quick to share that Brie was the perfect choice as our Green Knight. Brie was nominated for the Green Knight award by Mrs. Uzzo. She wrote, “From the start of the year, Brie has shown leadership qualities in all that she does. She shines at being an amazing friend to others. Brie is the first to volunteer to share, to help, and to problem-solve.” Mrs. Klepcyk commented that Brie is always positive, gets along with everyone, and stands out as an example to her peers. Mrs. Longano commented that Brie’s positive attitude would brighten up her second grade classroom each morning, and Mrs. Sarosy shared that Brie comes to school each day with a “can do” attitude and leads by example.
Brie lives with her parents, Joe and Trish, her brother Zach who is in the eighth grade, her sister Sydney who is in the fifth grade, and her dog Kai, an Irish Wheaten Terrier. The Swiderski family enjoys spending time outdoors, participating in sports, and traveling. Most recently, they visited Portugal. Brie’s favorite subject is math because it comes easily to her, and in the future, she hopes to be a veterinarian and have her own practice. When asked about Brie, her mom said that Brie is always first to lend a hand and puts others before herself. Her dad shared that Brie always cheers for the underdog and tries to include everyone. He continued, “She is daring, courageous, and despite any challenges, she always works to improve.” Brie’s brother Zach shared that she is always helping others and comes to all of his sporting events, and Sydney added that Brie is very nice and a friend to all.
Friendly, positive, motivated, polite, kind, and caring were words repeatedly used to describe Brie. Mrs. Rickey shared that Brie has a positive attitude, learns from her mistakes, and shows respect for her classmates. Ms. Raguz commented that Brie has so many positive qualities and sets an example for others. Miss Margevicius wrote, “Brie is a prime example of living out the Green Knight Way and a great example for all of us in how to add light and love in the world.” It is a pleasure to have Brie as a student at SPB, and we are blessed that she is part of our community. Congratulations, Brie, on this well-deserved honor!
School Advisory Council
Virtual Learning Option for 2021-2022
The diocese will be sharing much more on this topic in the next few weeks at parent information sessions, but they first need to determine interest from families in order to plan accordingly for the upcoming school year. This is not a commitment to enroll in a digital learning school, it is merely a survey to gauge interest from existing families within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland who are looking to pursue faith-based online learning for their children. Please complete the Parent Interest Survey.
Ladies Guild Women's Retreat
Save the Date! Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Guild is hosting a retreat for women of all ages. We will gather at Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine in Euclid, Ohio on May 22nd 12-4PM. An afternoon snack will be provided. Come relax, connect, and pray! Call Colleen to register or ask questions (440-655-1433).
SPB Hits the Silver Screen!
Our 8th Grade Class is taking SPB all the way to the silver screen!
We are pleased to announce....a movie...
Together...
A Musical Revue
Let’s watch it together at
Mayfield Drive-In Theatre on
Thursday, May 20th
Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts around 9:00.
Save the Date - tickets will be pre-sold and printed at home
Mayfield Drive-In Theatre at 12100 State Rte 322, Chardon
This is the Thursday before Spring Fling - no school the next day!
Stay tuned for updates as they develop.
With a year like no other, we give you an SPB experience like no other.
Spring Fling Raffle Tickets
Spring Fling Parish Festival XII
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Second Sunday of Lent
Dear Family and Friends,
2020 was a year to remember and possibly forget. When the country effectively closed its doors in March, we were busy preparing for our annual Spring Fling Parish Festival XII. Understanding the health situation that faced us, we made the decision to cancel many aspects of the ‘in person” 2020 Festival. We identified the 2021 Festival dates and began our preliminary planning activities.
Unfortunately, we are not having our typical 4-day “in person” 2021 Spring Fling Parish Festival XII because of safety concerns. We are working on a hybrid event with activities that can be safely enjoyed with guidance from the State of Ohio.
We will be publishing our annual Sponsor Booklet (1,500 copies). As a valued past sponsor and partner in our parish’s mission, we ask for your support. Not only will you be helping us achieve a successful event, our major fundraiser for our award-winning Catholic School, but there are great benefits to your business, and they include:
- Ad/Listing in program booklet which will be distributed throughout the parish and community.
- An online version will be posted on our website (digital) and emailed to our parishioners and friends.
- Promotion of your business/organization to over 2,300 families and friends.
- Listing in our weekly in-pew bulletin.
We invite you to take advantage of the many exciting sponsorship levels outlined. Contact us at 440-442-3410 x 101or at Festival@saintpaschal.com with questions. Our ad deadline is Wednesday, April 7, 2021 so please reserve your space now! We look forward to having you as a Saint Paschal Baylon Spring Fling XII Festival Sponsor. Thank you for all you do for SPB – let us continue to pray for each other!
In Christ our Eucharist,
Reverend John Thomas Lane, SSS, ’79
Pastor
Saint Paschal Baylon Roman Catholic Community is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your contribution is deductible to the fullest extent of the law, as no good or services were provided in consideration of your gift.
Camp Invention 2021
Check out this flyer for more information!
PTO Fundraisers
Romeo's Pizza on April 7
5th Avenue Deli and Grill on April 17
Five Below Easter Fundraiser March 22-29
Looking ahead...See the information below on our Chipotle Fundraiser on May 11 and watch for an exciting new fundraiser, "Nothing Bundt Cake", which we will hold around Mother's Day! Complete information will be shared soon.
Thank you for your overwhelming support this year!
Summer Solutions
Before Care Not Available NEXT YEAR
New Student Referral Program
Primary Grades Parents--We Need You!
We are asking that each family (mom, dad, grandma, etc.) choose at least two days to volunteer each time slot being 11:15 am-12:50 pm. There are many, many time slots open! We are so grateful for the help!
This is a great way for you to interact with your child and his/her classmates during the school day! Recess Volunteers should arrive to school at 11:10 and check in at the office. Duties will include supervising students at recess, escorting the students to and from the school doors. Volunteers will be with one school staff member each day to help direct.
Remember that after your two volunteer time slots, you are done for the year, as each month is assigned to a different grade.
COVID-19 Volunteer Protocol: all recess volunteers are required to wear a mask and complete the Visitor Self-Screening form when they arrive at school.
Thank you again for your time and service to the students and teachers of SPB! Simply click on the following links to sign up: Grade 2, Grade 1, Kindergarten.
Heinen's Teaming Up for Education
Crayola Recycling Program
Amazon Smile
Some Important Reminders Regarding COVID-19
If your child exhibits even one symptom on the list of common COVID-19 symptoms, please keep him/her at home. Children and adults who are only experiencing what they would normally consider to be a minor symptom are testing positive. Please don’t brush it off as nothing. We want to keep all of our students and faculty/staff members safe, but we need everyone to closely monitor their symptoms and consider the common good.
If someone in your home is being tested for COVID-19, please keep your child at home until you know the final results. This is very important because you could be potentially exposing students unnecessarily.
Also, if a family member tests positive, everyone in the household is considered a close contact and should quarantine for the 14 days recommended by the CDC.
Please inform us as soon as possible should your child test positive so that we can begin contact tracing immediately and identify high risk close contacts. This is an essential step in helping to slow the spread.
The boards of health in different counties are overwhelmed with cases; therefore, you may or may not receive a phone call from them should your child be identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive. Should your child be identified as a close contact in school, we will communicate this to you. Your child should quarantine for 14 days as recommended by the CDC. While they have put out new guidance for a shorter quarantine, we will remain with 14 days of quarantine which is what was recommended to us by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health during their visit.
Masks need to be worn by K-8 students at all times during the school day except for lunch. Masks need to be worn during recess and gym. Please make sure your child’s mask fits properly, that they have an extra or two in their bookbags, and that they are washed regularly.
Effective March 10, the state will no longer update its travel advisory. Instead, the Ohio Department of Health encourages you to carefully review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance when considering travel.