SPB Family Newsletter

Week of November 25, 2019

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.
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Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events

Saturday

Holiday Craft Show--9:00 am-4:00 pm


Monday

Preschool Parent-Teacher Conferences--No Preschool classes

Starry Knights Art Club--2:30-3:30 pm


Tuesday

Preschool Parent-Teacher Conferences--No Preschool classes

Vocation Day

All School Thanksgiving Mass--1:15pm


Wednesday

Thanksgiving Break--No School


Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!


Friday

Thanksgiving Break--No School

Calendar of Events
A Note from the Principal

A Note from the Principal

Dear SPB Families,


Thanksgiving is the perfect time to say THANK YOU to all of our families for sharing the gift of your children with us and for your steadfast support of our school. What a blessing it is for me to see 400+ students walk our hallways each day and to have parents who see the value in Catholic education. I have always said that the sense of community that surrounds SPB is what makes it such a special place, and I truly feel blessed and lucky to be a part of it. Thank you for all that you do, big or small, to make SPB a loving and vibrant community of faith, friendship, and love!


On behalf of the faculty and staff of Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School, I wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving filled with God's peace!


Blessings,

Diane Raguz, Principal

A Note from the Principal
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Grade 8 Washington, D.C. Trip

Our eighth graders returned Sunday evening from a jam-packed three-day tour of Washington, D.C. Students had the opportunity to visit the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Holocaust Museum, and so much more. On their last day in Washington, D.C., Student Council officers Nora Carlton, Ellie Goff, Katie Keefe, and Connor Majernik had the honor of placing the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as their classmates looked on. It was a very moving moment. Thank you to parents Beth Carlton, Amy Goff, Kelly Keefe, and Beth and Mike Mennel for organizing the trip for our students and to all of the parent chaperones who went on the trip to ensure our students were safe. We heard that a great time was had by all!

Veterans Day Breakfast--CORRECTION

We want to sincerely thank Mrs. Jaime Mance and Mrs. Kathy Andru who coordinated the Veterans Day breakfast hosted by our first graders. We inadvertently omitted Mrs. Mance's name, and we certainly want to thank her for all that she did on that day. We apologize for the error.

Spelling Bee Winner

Congratulations to our school spelling bee winner, seventh grader AJ Lowery! He successfully spelled the word "generation" to claim the title after a tough battle among all the competitors that lasted 13 rounds. AJ will go on to represent SPB at the Northeast Ohio Scripps National Spelling Bee in March. Also, congratulations to eighth grader Kieran Bickar who was the runner-up. Thank you to Mrs. Popelka for moderating the event and to Mrs. Marti for judging.
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X-STREAM Games Participation Form

In today's communication folder, there is an interest form for participation in different STREAM activities leading to competition in the Diocesan X-STREAM Games on March 28, 2020. We are excited to expand our presence from last year with participation in TEN EVENTS this coming year! We sincerely thank our PTO for providing the funding for the additional purchase of an activity binder as well as the training of two additional teachers over the summer.


There are opportunities for students in PreK through Grade 8; however, space is very limited. Please be sure to turn in the form by December 6, 2020. Forms turned in late will not be accepted. To prepare for the X-STREAM Games, students will meet beginning in mid-January. Sessions will take place every Wednesday after school for approximately 6-8 weeks depending on the activity, except for Robotics which is already in session. More information will follow once all the registration forms are received. In the event that there are more students interested in an activity than there are available seats, a lottery system will be used to select students. Be sure to read all of the details about the activities detailed on the form. We are thrilled to offer these STREAM opportunities to our students!

Check out the article from The News-Herald about our Only One You project! Click on the picture below.

Christmas Concerts

Christmas Concerts

Band and Junior High Christmas Concert

Coming soon! The Band and Junior High Choir Christmas Concert is on Thursday, December 12th at 1:00 and 7:00 pm, both in the Church (new location!). Performers should wear school uniforms for the daytime concert and dressy black and white outfits (khaki pants are also ok!) for the evening performance. ALL Junior High students are expected to perform in both concerts. Junior High students not involved in Band are asked to arrive at 6:30 pm and go to their homeroom before the concert. Hope to see you there as we celebrate the sights and sounds of Christmas in song!


Here are a few reminders for all band members for the upcoming weeks:

  • Band Students will meet at O’Brien Hall for instrument case storage and tuning. Students should arrive at 6:30 pm.
  • We will also have an in-school concert on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at 1:00 pm. You are welcome to attend. Please make sure that your child has his or her instrument and music on this day.
  • All band members must ensure that their instrument is in working condition and have extra reeds (as needed) at hand as well as their band folders with all their sheet music prior to the concert day.
  • Feel free to invite your friends and family to our concert.
  • Encourage your son or daughter to practice their concert music! Band students who store their instruments at the school are strongly encouraged to take the instruments home to practice their concert music. A great concert is more likely the result of deliberate practice, not talent.
  • Feel free to email me at emandujano@musicallianceinc.org if you have any questions.


Primary Grades Christmas Concert

Save the date for our annual Primary Grades Christmas Concert! This year's concert is on Wednesday, December 18th, with performances at 1:15 and 7:00 pm, both in the Church! All Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade students have a role in our show, so please make sure they are in attendance! Performers should wear school uniforms (or gym uniforms if it's a gym day) for the daytime performance and dress up for the evening performance! (Sunday best as some like to call it!) Performers should arrive for the concert at 6:30 pm and find their class and teacher in the Eymard Room. Hope to see you there as we ring in the Christmas Season and celebrate the birth of Jesus in song!

Christmas Concerts

Seeking Distinguished Graduate Award Nominations

Do you know a “Distinguished Graduate” of Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School? If so, please nominate him or her for the Distinguished Graduate Award to be announced at the closing Mass for Catholic Schools Week on Friday, January 31, 2020. To be eligible, the nominee should have graduated from Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School at least ten years ago. The award recipient will be selected based on his or her contributions to the community, society, and the Catholic Church. Our school will accept nominations until December 15, 2019. The nomination form can be found below or on our school website under Quick Links.

Blood Drive--Next Sunday, December 1st

St. Paschal Baylon will be having a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross next Sunday, Dec. 1st, from 8am to 1:30 in the Eymard Room. The scheduling of this drive purposefully coincides with an increased need for blood in our community.

Hospitals anticipate a seasonal blood shortage over the winter months, and it’s especially difficult to collect blood between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, the demand for it typically increases during this time! December blood donors are needed and appreciated more than ever.

As an incentive to donate, the American Red Cross is again offering a grant award for our school. For each unit of blood we collect, SPB School will receive $10 in grant money.

Walk-in donors are welcome, but online appointments are most helpful . . . especially for double-red cell donors. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org/give to reserve your time if you are able. Thank you!

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GRADES 5 PARENTS/ GUARDIANS-we need you!

GRADES 5 PARENTS/ GUARDIANS-we need you!

The links for December for Grade 5 can be found below. With the holiday season upon us, we know that you will want to get the dates that work for your busy schedule!


We are asking that each family (mom, dad, grandma, etc.) choose at least two days to volunteer each time slot being 11:00-1:00. 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! Lunch/Recess Volunteers should arrive to school at 11:00 and check in at the office. Duties will include supervising students at recess, escorting students to the cafeteria from recess, and supervising in the cafeteria. Volunteers will be with one teacher and two "core" volunteers 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 grade level link to pick a time convenient for you: Grade 5.

GRADES 5 PARENTS/ GUARDIANS-we need you!

#weGiveCatholic

Tuesday, December 3 is our annual day of giving. This year, for #weGiveCatholic, we are raising money for new lockers. Please see the insert in your child's folder for more information and login into wegivecatholic.com on December 3! Thank you for your support!
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Camp Invention June 2020

Do you love to sketch, create, and design? Do you like using your imagination to come up with new ideas? Check out the all-new Camp Invention 2020 program, where you will bring your designs and ideas to life, explore hands-on activities with friends, and take apart and personalize your own robot. St. Paschal's is excited to host Camp Invention again this summer the week of June 8-12 from 9:00-3:30 pm with an option to add Extended Day. Secure your spot today by visiting invent.org/camp. Register by March 31st using the promo code ELEVATE25 to save $25 off your registration. Contact Mrs. Popelka, mpopelka@saintpaschal.com, with any questions.

Community News

Great Lakes Science Center Winter Programs
SPB Links

SPB Links

5360 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, OH, USA office@saintpaschal.com 440-442-6766 saintpaschal.com