Principal Post
May 14, 2025
Dear Parents,
This year we have focused time, energy, and resources on the safety of our students. Please see the information below.
Safety Updates
Campus Cameras
· With funds from a Federal Safety Grant, we have installed cameras across the entire campus which includes the school, church, and all property.
· The cameras allow for live feeds as well as recordings.
· The cameras are already coming in handy with concerns on the playground to help us sort out what really happened.
Glass Hardening Film
· Best Day Ever Funds will be used for this summer installation project. I have also applied for an SCRA grant to help with the costs.
· Film will be applied to all first-floor windows and doors in both the main school and ELC.
Evacuation Drill
· This Friday we will be practicing a school wide evacuation drill.
· The purpose of the drill is to get the students out of the building and into a safe location as quickly as possible. On Friday we will be using the church as our safe location.
· This is different from a fire drill in that it could be used for a variety of purposes such as a gas leak, flooding in the lower levels of the school, or an intruder in the building. There are many reasons this could be necessary.
· We will talk the students through the drill first and then practice it. We are not calling it an armed intruder drill as to not scare the students unnecessarily.
· Our safety consultant, Hank Jacobsen, will be on site to provide feedback on our procedure.
· Our main goal is to teach the children to listen to their teacher in emergency situations and follow their directions.
Safety Instruction
· During April and early May Hank Jacobsen, a safety consultant and former police officer, spoke with all classes about a variety of safety issues. Hank does a great job of talking with students at an age-appropriate level regarding a variety of topics including internet/social media, strangers, intruders, drug/alcohol, and bullying.
Totus Tuus
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is excited to partner with other area parishes and St. Ambrose University to offer Totus Tuus this summer! Totus Tuus is a summer Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. Led by college-aged missionaries Totus Tuus is a fun way for kids going into grades 1-12 to engage with their faith in a new and deeper way.
· Totus Tuus will take place on the St. Ambrose University campus July 6-11. click this link to register.
Altar Servers Needed
If your family will be home throughout the summer, join us for Mass on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 am. We are looking for Altar Servers for both Masses during the week. You can sign up on Ministry Scheduler Pro or call Jeanne in the parish office, 563.322.7994
May Dates
May 21
· Best Day Ever Celebration
May 29
· Field/Fun Day
May 30
· Kindergarten Graduation
· 8th Grade Graduation
· Last Day of School – 2 Hour early dismissal
NOT NEW BUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION
100th Anniversary Celebration
Every SPS family should have received a flier about St. Paul’s 100th Anniversary Celebration in the mail. Our cornerstone was laid in 2025 while our first classes were being held in the church basement.
Please join us for the following:
· Golf Outing, June 13
· All Class Reunion including Mass, school tours and dinner, June 14
· The celebration will continue throughout the 2025-2026 school year!
IMPORTANT: ESA Application Is Open – All Iowa Families are Eligible
The ESA application period is from April 16, 2025, to June 30, 2025.
· To apply, click the following link https://iowa.withodyssey.com/en/odyssey_auth/sign_up.
· If you already have an Odyssey account, click “sign in” below the login box.
· If you do not have access to a computer or otherwise find yourself unable to complete the ESA application independently, you may email martha.korneisel@sccsiowa.org or rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or call Martha at 563.326.5313 ext. 223 or Rose at 563.326.5313 ext. 269.
Following is a webpage with links to the application, a timeline and FAQ’s. https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educational-choice/education-savings-accounts#information-for-families
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