Principal Post

Principal Post

October 16, 2024

Dear Parents,

Monday evening we had a very productive School Advisory Board meeting pertaining to safety and security policies and procedures. Several parents attended the meeting and provided suggestions and examples from other schools and districts during Open Forum. The Board is taking all these resources along with some we have gathered,  will be updating our safety and security policies and procedures with the help of a committee. Look for further information from our School Advisory Board to be sent out in upcoming days.

Great Academic News – Fall Assessments

iReady and FAST (Reading and Math) assessments are completed, and our students did a great job. I put our score below as well as the average scores of students in our local area (public and nonpublic combined) and the state average (public and nonpublic).

·      FAST Reading K-6: 82% at benchmark

·      The state goal for schools is 80% by the end of the school year.

·      For comparison

·      MBAEA Our local area schools: 63% at benchmark

·      State of Iowa schools: 63% at benchmark

·      iReady Math K-8: 88% at benchmark,

·      The state goal for schools is 80% by the end of the school year.

·      For comparison

·      MBAEA Our local area schools: 70% at benchmark

·      State of Iowa schools: 68% at benchmark

SPS Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest and New Spooky Story Contest

All children at SPS are invited to participate in the annual pumpkin decorating contest on October 31st at school. Children will enter their pumpkins in to be judged with fellow classmates. Each class will view pumpkins and be able to vote for their favorite from each grade level. Please encourage your students to create their own artistic visions.

·      Pumpkin Drop Off will take place on October 30th in Denning Hall from 4-6.

·      New this year for students in 4-8th grade is the Spooky Story Contest, students can submit a story of their own creation until October 25th and the winner from each grade will be announced on October 30th!

·      Stories can be turned into the office and should include a title, author name, and grade.
We are awaiting your ghoulish creations!!!!!

·      Have any questions please reach out to Erin Haluska at erinturner26@gmail.com

Small Beginnings

Our 3–5-year-old extended day program is looking for part time help. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be interested, please contact Kelly Salek, at Kelly.Salek@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us.

Spirit Wear Days

The Building Leadership Team, composed of administration and teachers, has chosen the following days that students may wear their St. Paul the Apostle Spirit Wear with uniform bottoms. All these days are 2-hour early dismissals.

·      Oct. 25th

·      Jan 15th

·      March 28th

·      April 25th

·      May 30th

Upcoming Events

·      Trunk or Treat, October 25

·      Halloween Out of Uniform, October 31

·      Pumpkin Decorating Contest, October 30/31

·      All Saints Day Mass, November 1

·      Parent Teacher Conferences, November 5-7 (No School November 7&8)

o  November 5 – 3:15 – 8:00 PM

o  November 6 – 3:15 – 5:00 PM

o  November 7 – 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

·      Ladies Night Bingo, November 14

Not New but Still Important

In-School Therapist

Great news! We have an in-school therapist, Elizabeth Graham Ploense LMHC, Licensed Mental Healthcare Provider, who will be starting with us next week Monday. Mrs. Ploense is with Coventry Family Solutions. A letter of introduction will be sent out to all families in the next week, and we will have a referral process if you would like to use her services. She will be in the school on Monday afternoons.

ESA Families – Help

To keep the ESA legislation strong and from being challenged in the state legislature, Catholic schools are being asked to provide testimonials from families who received an ESA and are willing to share their story.

·      Why you chose to participate in this school choice initiative.

·      What your children have gained from being enrolled at St. Paul’s.

·      Any other information you would like to share.

Please let me know and I will pass your information on to our superintendent, Lynne Devaney, for next steps. Thank you!

Who to Call or Contact

It is always best to solve a problem at the level closest to its occurrence. Parents often don’t know who to best direct their concern or question to. Below I have listed some of the people and their contact information. 

Recess or Before/Aftercare Concern: Mrs. Pullinger, Jescie.Pullinger@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us

Technology: Mrs. Bates, Katee.Bates@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us

Academic or Classroom Behavior Concern: The teacher who teaches that class (homeroom, art, music, band, PE)

Financial Concern: SCCS Finance Office, 563-326,5313, Start with Rose Strickland, Rose.Strickland@sccsiowa.org

Bus Behavior, Discipline Concerns: Mrs. HB, Octavia.hboyd@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us

All other concerns or unresolved concerns: Dr. Delaney, Julie.Delaney@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us

Help Needed: Substitute Teachers and Aids

Love children? Want to work just a few days a week? We have a position for you! We need teachers and classroom aids who are willing to substitute when we have a staff member out.

Qualifications:

·      Classroom Aid – Background check and child abuse (CMG) training and other AEA trainings. We will provide the information and links.

·      Teacher – Substitute Authorization, which can be obtained through a class at the AEA, substitute teaching license or a valid teaching license. Background check and child abuse training (CMG) and other AEA training.

Contact the school office is you would like more information about either one of these positions.