SPB Family Newsletter
December 1, 2022
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.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING BUS SAFETY
Calendar of Events
Monday, December 5
Box Tops Dress Down Day
Penance Service--1:00 pm
Tuesday, December 6
Box Tops Dress Down Day
STEM Club Meeting--2:30-4:00 pm
Wednesday, December 7
Junior High Choir/Grs. 4-8 Band Concert--1:10 pm & 7:00 pm
Thursday, December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM
All School Mass--9:00 am
Catholic Math League-Grade 3--2:30-3:15 pm
Children's Choir Rehearsal--3:30-4:30 pm
PTO Meeting--7:00 pm
Friday, December 9
A Note from the Principal
Dear SPB Families,
This past Sunday marked the beginning of Advent, the time each year when we prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas. Once Thanksgiving is done, there seems to be a rush of activities that fill our days; however, Advent is a time for us to slow down and grow in patience as we prepare for the birth of Christ. As a family in the weeks ahead, consider devoting more time to prayer and quiet reflection on the meaning of Christmas. Perhaps your family already shares in some activities to celebrate this liturgical season, like Advent wreaths, Advent calendars, or special prayers or traditions. Maybe you want to start a new family tradition or learn more about Advent. Explore the Loyola Press website or Dynamic Catholic. May this Advent season prepare you well for the celebration of Christmas.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to all those who donated to our We Give Catholic campaign on Giving Tuesday, November 29. We had 112 donors contribute (14 more than last year), and we raised an amazing $35,137 dollars ($5,137 more than last year). The funds raised from this campaign will be used to paint our school hallways which haven't seen a fresh coat since 1998!
I must especially thank one of our parishioners, who wishes to remain anonymous, who offered a matching grant of $15,000. The matching grants that we had last year and this year certainly encouraged others to give to have double the impact. I continue to be amazed and touched by the generosity and love you show for our students and faculty and staff. We are blessed by such a supportive community, and we are truly thankful to everyone who supported our cause, especially during this holiday season. There is no other community like the SPB community!! God bless each of you!
Finally, I am happy to share that Mrs. Mary Curtis, our former fourth grade teacher, will join our staff as a tutor. Mrs. Curtis will be with us one day a week and will focus much of her assistance in the area of math in grades 4 and 5, and if time allows, in grade 6. We look forward to her rejoining us and sharing her math expertise with our students.
Peace and Blessings,
Diane Raguz, Principal
CAN YOU HELP OUR STUDENTS EARN A DRESS DOWN DAY?
Do you know about the Angel Scholarship Fund? The Catholic Community Foundation has established The Angel Scholarship Fund as a brand new opportunity to support our Catholic Schools and students in the Diocese of Cleveland. Begun in 2021, it is possible to “turn tax dollars into tuition” by making a charitable contribution to the Angel Scholarship Fund in 2022 that is eligible for a 100% TAX CREDIT on the donor’s 2022 State of Ohio income tax return. The maximum credit amount is currently $750 ($1500 if married filing jointly, where each spouse donates $750).
Through the Angel Scholarship Fund, families are invited to contribute funds that will be used to provide tuition assistance for Saint Paschal Baylon students. You will receive a 100% OHIO INCOME TAX CREDIT, up to $750 ($1,500 if filing jointly). Contributing to this fund means you get to "spend" some of the state income taxes you'd pay anyway. This is a WIN-WIN-WIN for taxpayer donors, scholarship recipients, our diocese, and Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School! We currently have nearly $20,000 in the Angel Scholarship Fund designated for Saint Paschal Baylon School. We know we have the potential to have even more.
Your contribution to the Angel Scholarship Fund is hugely instrumental because it will:
Make Catholic education more affordable and accessible
Allow you to choose what your tax dollars support
We strongly encourage members of our parish and school communities to participate in this program. Participation is not complicated - just follow these 3 easy steps!
Review your tax liability from last year (20211040 IT, line 8c) to help estimate the amount of your tax liability for this year against which the credit can be taken.
Click here to make a one-time or monthly gift to the Angel Scholarship Fund or download a contribution card to mail in your contribution.
Claim your tax credit on your 2022 Ohio tax form with the tax credit receipt that will be mailed to you from the Catholic Community Foundation.
This video explains how to contribute to the Angel Scholarship Fund. Many of your questions might be answered HERE.
Please take a moment to fill out this SHORT SURVEY. If 75% of our families complete the survey by Wednesday, December 7, we will have a special Christmas dress down day on Friday, December 9.
New Student Referral Program
Information about Upcoming Christmas Concerts
Primary Christmas Concert (Grades K-3)
SPB 8th Grade Class Play, FROZEN, JR.
~ Poinsettia Fundraiser, December 2, 3, & 4
Options to Purchase Poinsettias:
Pre-Order and Pick-up Poinsettia(s) Friday, Dec. 2, 2-3:15 pm in the Narthex (back of Church). Red is the only poinsettia color sold for pre-orders. Payment at pickup.
Choose your Poinsettia(s) in a variety of colors after masses on Saturday, Dec. 3, 4-6 pm, or Sunday, Dec. 4, 8-12 pm in the Narthex.
Poinsettias Sizes Sold:
6" Pot Single Stem = $12
8" Pot Single Stem = $35
Payment Types:
We prefer cash or Venmo payment. We will accept check.
PTO Christmas Gift Program
Jingle Bell Shop--December 5, 6, 7, 8
The Jingle Bell Shop is just around the corner, December 5, 6, 7, 8! In today’s communication folder, you will find your child’s Jingle Bell Shop shopping envelope. Simply complete their list, place money in the envelope and send it to school on their shopping day. Your child’s Jingle Bell Shop envelope will be returned to them and serves as a receipt for the items purchased. In addition, any left-over change will be sent home in the envelope.
The sign-up genius with the most up-to-date information on which classes are going on which days can be found below. Note that seventh graders will be attending the shop Thursday, and not Wednesday. Wednesday is very lightly scheduled, but we will still be there most of the day. Thank you to all of you who have already volunteered.! We are looking forward to a great week!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FABAB2CA7F85-jingle
How can I get more information about the Jingle Bell Shop? Please contact Gina Quagliata at gq3411@gmail.com, or Julie Seline at juldwyer@yahoo.com with any questions.
Toys for Tots at Our Jingle Bell Shop
Attention parents! This year at our Jingle Bell Shop, while we shop for all those we love, please consider donating to our local Toys for Tots charity. We are collecting NEW, unused, unwrapped toys for those children less fortunate who may not have a chance to open up presents this Christmas. Let's remind our children how very fortunate we are and how important it is to show kindness and sacrifice just as Jesus did. You can send in the toys with the kids and they can bring them anytime to the Eymard room where the collection box and the Jingle Bell shop will be!!
Thank you so much!
Gina Quagliata and Julie Seline
PTO News
Our December Box Top Dress Down Days are Monday, December 5th & Tuesday, December 6th. Please submit 10 paper box tops to your child's teacher the day your child would like to dress down or use 10 scanned box tops to dress down. Scanned box tops can be "submitted" via email at majdihp@gmail.com or text 216.577.8014 or a paper print out via your child's teacher. Thank you for supporting the box top program at SPB.
Our December PTO meeting is Thursday, December 8th at 7pm in the Eymard Room. Please join us in person or virtually to discuss up coming PTO events. All who attend will receive a dress down pass for their child.
A Message from Father Lane
Dear Saint Paschal Baylon Family and Friends:
I hope that this note finds you doing well during this Advent Season and enjoying the joy, hope and peace that this holy liturgical season offers us. Our extra spiritual activities are a delight for us. We hope you’ll also enjoy the QUIRE CLE free concert Saturday in our church at 8 pm. Just one of the many events we are fortunate to share; consult our Paschal Life weekly email or bulletin for more scheduled events.
May I also share with you an important event coming Monday, January 9 at 6:30 pm in the Eymard Room of the Family Life Center? We will be having our Town Hall Meeting. This annual meeting focuses on key concerns of the parish. This year’s main topic is our Catholic school’s finances, the rationale behind our tuition increase to support our faculty and other finance conners and information about this main line item of our parish s budget. We are blessed to have an award-winning parochial school that has been a hallmark of our parish’s life - the largest budget item. I hope you’ll join with the Finance Council and Pastoral Council to attend and learn more about our budget and hear critical information about the long-term sustainability of our parish school.
Thank you for all you do for Saint Paschal Baylon and for the ways you sacrifice to make our many ministries, especially our school faith formation ministry thrive! You truly help us live our motto: enriching minds and nourishing souls! See you at Sunday Mass!
Advent blessings & Prayers -
-Father Lane, SSS
Light the Church for Christmas!
Blessings & prayers
-John Thomas Lane SSS
SEEKING DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Extended Day Announcement
Please mark your calendars with the following dates when Extended Day WILL NOT be in session.
NO EXTENDED DAY:
December 20, 2022 (last day before Christmas break)
April 6, 2023 (last day before Easter break)
June 2, 2023 (last day of school)
Playground Volunteers Needed-Kindergarten to Grade 5
We are asking that each family (mom, dad, grandma, etc.) choose at least two days to volunteer each time slot being 11:10 am-12:55 pm. There are many, many time slots open! We are so grateful for the help!
Grade 6 families are asked to volunteer in November, Grade 5 families in December, Grade 4 in January, Grade 3 in February, Grade 2 in March, Grade 1 in April, Kindergarten and anyone who would like to help in May/June.
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.
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 5, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2, Grade 1, Kindergarten
Our sincere thanks to those who were able to volunteer during the month of November: Mrs. Monica Bickar, Mrs. Jaime Mance, Mrs. Dena Sanson, Mrs. Meghan D'Angelo, Mrs. Meghan Krajnak, Mr. Dave Seline, Mr. Kevin Gaughan, Mrs. Kristie Krebs, Mrs. Ruth Pak, Mrs. Megan Baco, Mrs. Gina Quagliata, Mrs. Stephanie Moisio, Mrs. Kate Herberth, Mr. David Fitzwater, and Mr. John D'Angelo.
What is in Today's Communication Folder?
ANGEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Your state taxes can benefit our Catholic schools
Make a charitable donation to the new Angel Scholarship Fund and
“turn tax dollars into tuition” through an Ohio income TAX CREDIT of up to $750
($1,500 if married filing jointly) against your 2022 state tax liability.
Donations can be designated to benefit St. Paschal Baylon School
or another school in the Diocese of Cleveland.
For more information, visit www.catholiccommunity.org/angel
Community News
Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School
Email: office@saintpaschal.com
Website: www.saintpaschal.com
Location: 5360 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, OH, USA
Phone: (440) 442-6766
Facebook: facebook.com/stpaschalbaylonschoolohio
Twitter: @SPBGreenKnights