PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING We have an updated timeline for our art room project: work is scheduled to begin in November. Some parents and staff have asked how we will protect students in the ELC while work takes place in the basement. ACE Waterproofing will install a vapor barrier designed to contain dust and other airborne contaminants within the work area and keep them from entering our Small Beginnings, preschool, and TK spaces. Student and staff safety will remain a priority throughout the project. We will share additional updates as work approaches. -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW School Picture Retakes You should have received an email from TSS photography yesterday with your child(ren)’s picture proof(s). Retakes will be this Friday, October 9 at 8AM. If getting a retake, your child may come to school out of uniform but will have to change into their uniform after they have their picture taken (unless they are out of uniform because you purchased Panther Perks yesterday). If your child misses retake day, please make arrangements with TSS to get their photo taken at the studio for our class composite/yearbook. 309-721-1498. ******************** SPS Dinner Nights We hope you had a chance to attend St. Paul’s night at Chick-fil-A night last night! Thank you for supporting SPS! We have three more opportunities coming up to support St. Pauls. See link below for more information. SPS Dinner Nights Fall 2026.png ****************** Bible Study All women are invited to join us for our next Sisters of Faith Bible Study as we journey with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity through This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity by Claire Dwyer. This six-week study will run from October 13 through November 17, with two meeting times available each Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. Gathering Space Study Schedule October 13: Chapters 1–5 October 20: Chapters 6–12 October 27: Chapters 13–19 November 3: Chapters 20–26 November 10: Chapters 27–33 November 17: Chapters 34–38 For additional resources and encouragement throughout the study, you can visit AbidingPodcast.com. Season 9, Episodes 8–13 will follow along with our study schedule. The book is available for next-day delivery through Amazon.com, so you can easily have your copy in time for our first gathering. Please contact Sara Sieren with any questions or to register. sarasieren3771@gmail.com or 563.210.6554 We hope you’ll join us as we discover the beautiful spirituality of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity and learn more about finding God’s presence in the midst of our everyday lives. All women are welcome! STILL CURRENT First Semester Lunch Fees Due Oct. 15 First semester lunch fees have been billed in your Blackbaud tuition account and need to be paid by Oct. 15 to avoid the late fee. If you have any questions, please email rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org . **************** Pathfinders Attention all 5th-8th graders! Beginning October 12th St Paul's will be starting another year of Pathfinders. Pathfinders is an after school group designed to help students discern their gifts and learn about vocations. Monthly sessions will include activities, a Saint of the month, speakers and great discussion. Pathfinders will be held after school in the gathering space. I will meet students in the school courtyard and we will walk across the street together. Our first meeting will be Monday October 12th from 3:00-4:15. We will discuss how calls knows us and loves us just as we are. We will also hear from father bruce about his journey to the priesthood. If your child will be coming you sign up Here or use the QR code below. I am happy to take students over to aftercare when the session is done as long as you let me know before the class. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Sarah Kahler at kahler.sj@gmail.com. We look forward to learning more about our faith together at Pathfinders! ***************** Canned Food Drive The St. Paul canned food drive will run through the end of October. SPS is competing against the other area Catholic schools to see who can bring in the most cans. For fun, we are going to compete within our school. At the end of the food drive, the winning grade level will win a popcorn-and-candy party! All of the food collected goes to Assumption to help them compete in the Student Hunger Drive. ******************* Military Status Help us to get our Student Information System up to date regarding military status. If you are presently serving in one of the armed forces or reserves, please email kelly.boche@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us . This is for our information only. The Arsenal usually requests the NUMBER of veterans we have in our school parent database, but we only tell them how many, not your name. Thank you for your service! ******************* Trunk or Treat We’re excited to invite our St. Paul families to our 2026 Trunk or Treat! Friday, October 23, 2026 5:30–7:00 PM St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School Bring your family, dress up, and enjoy an evening of trunk-or-treating, fun, and Halloween festivities! Want to decorate a trunk/pumpkin and participate in trick or treating? Please RSVP using the link below so we can plan for our participating trunks/pumpkins/trick or treaters: 2026 Trunk or Treat RSVP We can’t wait to see our St. Paul Panthers dressed up and ready for some Halloween fun! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Family Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Trunk or Treat! Get ready for some fall fun! We're excited to invite all school families to participate in our Family Pumpkin Decorating Contest! How it works: Decorate a pumpkin as a family—be as creative, spooky, silly, or unique as you'd like! You can carve, paint, dress up, or accessorize your pumpkin—anything goes (as long as it's school-appropriate). Pumpkin Drop-Off: Bring your decorated pumpkin at the end of the school day on October 23rd up until 5:00pm. We'll have a special display area where everyone can admire the amazing creations! Judging & Prizes: Four judges will be invited to blindly judge the pumpkins in each of our four categories: Most Creative Spookiest Funniest Best Family Theme In addition to our guest judges, families, students, and staff will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pumpkins! Winners will be determined using both the guest judges' selections and community votes. Winners will be announced on October 26th and will receive a small prize! ^^^^^^^^^^^^ Trunk Decorating Contest Think you have the most creative, spooky, or fun trunk at Trunk or Treat? Show us what you've got! Four families will be invited to serve as guest judges for the Trunk Decorating Contest. The judges will select the top three trunks, and each winning family will receive a family prize! We can't wait to see everyone's creativity! Let's make this a fun and festive celebration of fall together! ****************************** Ladies Night Bingo - Donations Needed SPS Home & School Association is gearing up for our annual Ladies Night Bingo fundraiser on November 12th! To help make this event a success, we are in need of prize donations (gift cards, baskets, products, or services) for round winners and raffles. Why donate? Support Our Students: Proceeds fund vital school expenses outside the regular budget. Promote Your Business: We will gladly advertise you or your business at the event through coupons, brochures, or marketing materials! If you are able to contribute, please contact the Home & School Board at saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com We will happily arrange to pick up your donation! Thank you for your generous support! ****************************** Volunteer Opportunities We are always looking for parent volunteers to help with recess. Recess is from 11:30 - 12:30 each day and all volunteers must complete Safe Environment Training and a Background check (required by the Diocese). If you are interested in volunteering, and already have completed/and are current on CMG training, click on the link below to sign up. If you need CMG training, please email jescie.pullinger@spscatholic.org. 26-27 Recess Volunteer Signup ****************** WEEK AT A GLANCE