The Weekly Panther

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING Halloween Safety As Halloween approaches, excitement is in the air! Before our Panthers head out for a fun night of trick-or-treating this Saturday, here are a few simple reminders to help keep everyone safe while enjoying the evening: Stay Visible : Wear light-colored costumes or add reflective tape and carry flashlights or glow sticks. Walk Safely : Stick to sidewalks and cross streets at corners using crosswalks. Remind children to look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Know Your Route : Younger children should always be with an adult, and older students should travel in groups on a planned route. Check Costumes : Make sure masks don’t block vision and costumes fit properly to avoid tripping. Candy Check : Remind children not to eat any treats until an adult has looked them over. Drivers, Be Alert : Slow down in neighborhoods and watch carefully for excited trick-or-treaters who may dart into the street. At St. Paul's safety is always a top priority whether in our classrooms, on our playgrounds, or out in the community. Let’s make sure this Halloween is filled with fun, laughter, and safe memories for everyone! Have a spooktacular weekend, Panthers! WHAT’S NEW Every Family. Every Gift. One St. Paul the Apostle. We are asking every St. Paul the Apostle school family to be part of our Investing in Our Faith Capital Campaign . There is no required gift amount—some families can give more, others less. What matters is that we come together as one St. Paul the Apostle community. Every pledge brings us closer to our goal and to breaking ground on June 1, 2027 . Please prayerfully consider making your family’s pledge today. Together, we can build St. Paul’s future for our children and the generations who will follow. Pledge Form ****************** STILL CURRENT ESA News Families who were not approved for a full-year ESA application may now submit a half-year application, which if completed correctly, will give you up to $4074 towards your 2nd semester tuition. Please click on the link below to apply. All applications must be submitted prior to November 15. 1/2 Year ESA Application Info ***************** Senior Thanksgiving Dinner Each year St. Paul the Apostle School hosts a Thanksgiving lunch for the seniors of our parish and community. · November 20 at 11:00 AM in Denning Hall · If you know of a grandparent, parishioner or neighbor who would like to attend, please RSVP to Jeanne Sodawasser in the Parish Office, 563-322-7994, or Leigh Thompson/Kelly Boche in the school office 563-322-2923. · Volunteer - We are also looking for volunteers to help the students serve the meal, set up and clean up. A link to the SignUp Genius is below. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please email Julie Delaney at davstpauldev@gmail.com. Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteer ******************* Ladies Night Bingo - Registration is Open! It is time for the annual Ladies Night Bingo Event! Thursday, November 12th in Denning Hall. Doors open at 5:00 pm and games start at 6:00 PM. 14 Rounds of Action: Plus a thrilling bonus round featuring a $250 Grand Prize! Tons of Great Prizes: Exciting rewards lined up for winners throughout the entire night. Tickets are $20 in advance, price increases to $25 after November 1st. We are accepting table reservations for groups of 10. Please designate a "Table Head." The entire reservation will be listed under that individual’s name. Signing up solo or with a smaller group? We will match you up to fill a table! Just select the individual ticket option. Registration is online through the QR code below. Select “Menu” on the bottom right, then “Get Tickets”. Paper forms can be found in the Parish Office. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VE7wR0JlTefepDUm5NKQJbqw6SQtr0G0fGiUYSjXF9w/edit?usp=sharing Link to register (if QR code not working) https://onecau.se/_ptdhh1 ******************** SPS Dinner Nights We have two more opportunities coming up to support St. Pauls: November 10 - Harris Pizza November 16 - Dave & Busters See link below for more information. SPS Dinner Nights Fall 2026.png ****************** 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

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING For 100 years, St. Paul the Apostle has helped students grow in faith, knowledge, and service. Our “Investing in Our Faith” capital campaign continues that legacy by supporting a school expansion and improved learning spaces that will benefit students for generations to come. We invite every family to prayerfully consider how they can support this effort. We also need campaign ambassadors to help distribute pledge materials. If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Julie Delaney at davstpauldev@gmail.com. Through prayer, sharing our story, and giving as you are able, each of us can help build the future of St. Paul’s. Thank you for your continued support! Please click here to make a pledge -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW No School Thursday and Friday Only Due to Parent/Teacher conferences, there will be no school Thursday or Friday this week. School will resume on Monday, but there will not be busing because Davenport Schools is not in session. ***************** First Semester Lunch Fees Due Tomorrow Oct. 15 First semester lunch fees have been billed in your Blackbaud tuition account and need to be paid by TOMORROW Oct. 15 to avoid the late fee. If you have any questions, please email rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org . **************** June 1 Is the Goal! We have a date in sight! Our goal is to break ground on the new Fine Arts addition on June 1, 2027 , with air conditioning installed throughout the school during summer 2027 . To stay on that timeline, we must reach 100% of our $4.75 million campaign goal in pledges. If your family has been considering a pledge, now is the time. Your pledge today can help move these projects from plans on paper to improvements our students can experience. Pledges can be fulfilled over 3 years. Every pledge moves us closer to June 1! To make a pledge go to https://www.stpaulcatholicparish.org/make-a-pledge ************ Trunk or Treat Please consider volunteering to set up and clean up for the Trunk or Treat Event Trunk or Treat Volunteer Sign Up We also need more Trunks for the Trunk or Treat Event! Remember to sign up using this link: 2026 Trunk or Treat RSVP ************* Ladies Night Bingo - Registration is Open! It is time for the annual Ladies Night Bingo Event! Thursday, November 12th in Denning Hall. Doors open at 5:00 pm and games start at 6:00 PM. 14 Rounds of Action: Plus a thrilling bonus round featuring a $250 Grand Prize! Tons of Great Prizes: Exciting rewards lined up for winners throughout the entire night. Tickets are $20 in advance, price increases to $25 after November 1st. We are accepting table reservations for groups of 10. Please designate a "Table Head." The entire reservation will be listed under that individual’s name. Signing up solo or with a smaller group? We will match you up to fill a table! Just select the individual ticket option. Registration is online through the QR code below. Select “Menu” on the bottom right, then “Get Tickets”. Paper forms can be found in the Parish Office. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VE7wR0JlTefepDUm5NKQJbqw6SQtr0G0fGiUYSjXF9w/edit?usp=sharing ******************** 5th - 8th Grade Parent Meeting 10/21/26 Real Choices, a 5th-8th grade healthy relationships education program, will hold a parent meeting for all that are interested in learning more about the lessons and content. This meeting will take place Wednesday, October 21, in the SPS Media Center at 6:30pm. For more information, visit www.realchoicesedu.org . STILL CURRENT SPS Dinner Nights We have three more opportunities coming up to support St. Pauls: October 22 - Texas Roadhouse November 10 - Harris Pizza November 16 - Dave & Busters 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 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! ************** 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! ******************* 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

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING For 100 years, St. Paul the Apostle has helped students grow in faith, knowledge, and service. Our “Investing in Our Faith” capital campaign continues that legacy by supporting a school expansion and improved learning spaces that will benefit students for generations to come. We invite every family to prayerfully consider how they can support this effort. We also need campaign ambassadors to help distribute pledge materials. If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Julie Delaney at davstpauldev@gmail.com. Through prayer, sharing our story, and giving as you are able, each of us can help build the future of St. Paul’s. Thank you for your continued support! Please click here to make a pledge -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW No School Thursday and Friday Only Due to Parent/Teacher conferences, there will be no school Thursday or Friday this week. School will resume on Monday, but there will not be busing because Davenport Schools is not in session. ***************** First Semester Lunch Fees Due Tomorrow Oct. 15 First semester lunch fees have been billed in your Blackbaud tuition account and need to be paid by TOMORROW Oct. 15 to avoid the late fee. If you have any questions, please email rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org . **************** June 1 Is the Goal! We have a date in sight! Our goal is to break ground on the new Fine Arts addition on June 1, 2027 , with air conditioning installed throughout the school during summer 2027 . To stay on that timeline, we must reach 100% of our $4.75 million campaign goal in pledges. If your family has been considering a pledge, now is the time. Your pledge today can help move these projects from plans on paper to improvements our students can experience. Pledges can be fulfilled over 3 years. Every pledge moves us closer to June 1! To make a pledge go to https://www.stpaulcatholicparish.org/make-a-pledge ************ Trunk or Treat Please consider volunteering to set up and clean up for the Trunk or Treat Event Trunk or Treat Volunteer Sign Up We also need more Trunks for the Trunk or Treat Event! Remember to sign up using this link: 2026 Trunk or Treat RSVP ************* Ladies Night Bingo - Registration is Open! It is time for the annual Ladies Night Bingo Event! Thursday, November 12th in Denning Hall. Doors open at 5:00 pm and games start at 6:00 PM. 14 Rounds of Action: Plus a thrilling bonus round featuring a $250 Grand Prize! Tons of Great Prizes: Exciting rewards lined up for winners throughout the entire night. Tickets are $20 in advance, price increases to $25 after November 1st. We are accepting table reservations for groups of 10. Please designate a "Table Head." The entire reservation will be listed under that individual’s name. Signing up solo or with a smaller group? We will match you up to fill a table! Just select the individual ticket option. Registration is online through the QR code below. Select “Menu” on the bottom right, then “Get Tickets”. Paper forms can be found in the Parish Office. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VE7wR0JlTefepDUm5NKQJbqw6SQtr0G0fGiUYSjXF9w/edit?usp=sharing ******************** 5th - 8th Grade Parent Meeting 10/21/26 Real Choices, a 5th-8th grade healthy relationships education program, will hold a parent meeting for all that are interested in learning more about the lessons and content. This meeting will take place Wednesday, October 21, in the SPS Media Center at 6:30pm. For more information, visit www.realchoicesedu.org . STILL CURRENT SPS Dinner Nights We have three more opportunities coming up to support St. Pauls: October 22 - Texas Roadhouse November 10 - Harris Pizza November 16 - Dave & Busters 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 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! ************** 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! ******************* 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

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

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING I am so happy that we have finally launched our capital campaign. St. Paul's has a long history of Catholic education. “Investing in Our Faith” is about building on the foundation this community has laid over the past 100 years and preparing our school for the next 100. The fine arts addition will give our students more instructional time, larger classrooms for fine arts and other classrooms, and breakout rooms for intervention, IEP, 504, and parent meetings. If we receive enough commitment from our school and parish community, we will also add HVAC throughout the building. This school has shaped my family across generations. My grandfather graduated in the class of 1942. My siblings, cousins, and I all graduated from St. Paul's. Now my niece and nephew are enrolled, and my son is in our four-year-old preschool program. St. Paul's gave my family its past, and it is shaping our future. Let's make sure it can do the same for the next generation and for our whole community. Please join me in Investing in Our Faith! -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW 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 . **************** Lockdown Drill Thursday we are planning a lockdown drill. Teachers have been talking to students about this and many have sent emails home already to parents. Reasons for a lockdown in the past have been: · A medical emergency that require us to keep hallways clear for EMT’s · An unarmed stranger in the building · An event in the neighborhood that involves a weapon · A non-custodial parent on campus trying to gain access to their child · A suspicious vehicle parked near the school In some of these instances police have been called to assist us. When we have an actual lockdown, we inform teachers the reason for the lockdown, so they are aware of the level of security needed. A medical emergency requires a different level; keeping kids out of the hallway, whereas an unarmed stranger requires us to keep kids in locked classrooms, out of sight while we locate the person. This has ended up being someone who has checked into the office, but their visitor badge isn’t visible, and a staff member reports an unidentified person in the building. A suspicious vehicle lockdown consists of keeping students in the building and not moving between the main school and ELC. Police are always called in this situation. Overall, we may only have 1 or 2 lockdowns in a school year. Parents will be informed when this occurs. In the case of an armed intruder, we use “Run, Hide, Fight”. We will be doing that type of drill in the 3rd and 4th quarters . We call that an evacuation drill when we do the drill. Teachers will talk with the students about “Run, Hide, Fight” before our evacuation drills. When those conversations occur, we will inform parents. The most important concept to impress upon your children is to listen to their teacher and follow their directions during an emergency. **************** Pet Blessing On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi we honor our pets with a Drive-thru Pet Blessing. Join us this Friday, October 2nd, before or after school pickup, on Tremont Circle for our annual pet blessing! ***************** 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 . 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! ***************** STILL CURRENT 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

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING Thank you to everyone who came to the Block Party! An event like this takes a tremendous amount of preparation from our Home and School team. Although the weather forced us to wrap up early, we still enjoyed a wonderful time together. A huge thank-you to Sara Schwartz and Adam Meade for leading the event, and to everyone who helped make it happen! -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW Join Us for Our Capital Campaign Kickoff! St. Paul the Apostle school families are invited to join us as we officially kick off our Investing in Our Faith Capital Campaign: Celebrating Our Past and Building for the Future! Come celebrate with our students and get an exciting look at what’s ahead for St. Paul the Apostle! Monday, September 28 2:15 PM West Parking Lot We hope you can join us as we celebrate this exciting next chapter for our school and the future of St. Paul the Apostle! ***The West Parking Lot will not open until 2:45 on Monday for the safety of the students. Please park your car and come join us for the Kickoff.*** ****************** School picture day is Sept 29 Students may be out of uniform next Tuesday, September 29 for School Pictures. Please watch your email for a proof of their picture and for ordering information. TSS Photography will be taking pictures, so if you have any questions, please reach out to them. tsscustomerserviceqc@gmail.com ******************* Canned Food Drive The St. Paul canned food drive began this week and 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! ****************************** WEEK AT A GLANCE

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING With e-bikes becoming increasingly popular, I want to share a gentle reminder about keeping our children safe while they ride. E-bikes can travel faster than traditional bicycles, and navigating public roads can be challenging for young riders. Please take a moment to talk with your children about wearing a helmet, watching carefully for vehicles and pedestrians, following traffic rules, and riding with appropriate adult guidance. We all want our students to enjoy these activities while staying safe in our neighborhood and community. -Mr. Connors WHAT’S NEW St. Paul’s Voted #1 Twice! We are thrilled to share that St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School has been voted: #1 Private School (K-8) #1 Preschool These honors are a wonderful reflection of our dedicated teachers and staff, supportive families and parishioners, and the incredible students who make St. Paul’s such a special place. Thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support our school. We are proud of this recognition, but even more proud of the faith-filled, caring community it represents. It is always a great day to be a Panther! ************* Art Room Request The Art Room is in need of thin markers. If you could help by sending a package - We would greatly appreciate it. Please send Crayola 10-ct classic color markers labeled for ''art". Thank you for your support. ************ $5 Rock Wall Climb Starting September 14 through the end of May, we’re excited to offer $5 Rock Wall climbs to all students at DICK’S House of Sport in Davenport! We’d love your help spreading the word to students and families in the community. This is a great opportunity for kids to stay active, try something new, and enjoy our Rock Wall at a fraction of the regular climbing cost! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/studentRW5 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zl8DiroOCZtZoDS9N8G26q0DdX-qxYQF/view?usp=sharing *********************** STILL CURRENT Back-to-School Block Party! It’s time to kick off the school year with a night of fun! Join us for the St. Paul’s Home & School Association Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, September 19 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School! There will be something for everyone, including face painting, popcorn, Here’s the Scoop ice cream, a rock wall, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, toddler area, cake walk, dunk tank, hot dogs, burgers, and more! Choose the ticket option that matches your family/group: 1–3 people: Purchase an Individual Ticket for each person — $15 each. 4–6 people: Purchase 1 Family Pass — $60 for up to 6 people. 7+ people: Purchase 1 Family Pass + an Additional Ticket for each person over 6 — $10 per additional person. We will send the wristbands home with the students the week of the event or you can pick them up from the Parish office if you choose that option. The Block Party is open to all St. Paul’s families and parish members, so invite your friends and neighbors and come enjoy a fun night together! Grab your tickets and join us for one of our favorite St. Paul’s events of the year! We can’t wait to see you there! Click to purchase tickets/wristbands! ************************ Block Party Volunteers - September 19th The Back-to-School Block Party is one of our favorite St. Paul’s traditions, and it’s a fun evening with something for the whole family! An event this big takes a lot of helping hands, and we are so thankful for our amazing St. Paul’s community that always comes together to make it a success. We’d love your help! Please sign up for a volunteer time slot and join us in making this a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. We have volunteer opportunities for set-up (light or physical work) help during the event and clean up. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Schwartz at saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com. Link to Volunteer: https://app.unison.io/schedules/6483EtsOdd16VkY87UsLoe ********************** Cake Walk Donations! One of our students’ favorite parts of the Block Party is the Cake Walk! We’d love for you to show off your baking skills (or buying skills) and help make this favorite tradition a success! If you can't volunteer at the event the cake walk donation is a great way to still help out! We welcome all kinds of treats—cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, Bundt cakes, and more! Store-bought treats are absolutely welcome, too! A few quick reminders: Please use disposable packaging only. Stickers will be available at drop-off for you to add your name and a description of your treat. Treats can be dropped off in Denning Hall on Friday or early Saturday before the event. Thank you for helping make the Cake Walk so much fun for our students! Cake Donation Sign Up: https://app.unison.io/schedules/7vxr247R1ND7dJgm5xL5SQ ******************** ESA Tuition Reminder Parents need to verify the tuition amount SCCS entered in your student(s) ESA Odyssey account. This needs to be completed by September 30th so the school can be paid the tuition funds from the State of Iowa. If it is not verified, you will not be eligible for any funds for all of the 26/27 school year and will be responsible for the entire tuition amount. Mr. Connors emailed the families this morning that have not yet completed this step. ******************** KKD 2026 Fall Kids Clinic What: 2026 Knight Kompany Dancers Fall Kids Clinic Who: For Girls and Boys Grades Kindergarten-8th (Fall 2026) Where: Assumption High School Gym When: Friday, September 25th - 4:00pm-6:00pm Performance: Friday, September 25th @ Halftime of the Varsity Football Game. Dancers arrive at the stadium at 7:30pm. Cost: $40 (includes T-Shirt & bow). Deadline: Thursday, September 17th (late sign ups will not receive a T-Shirt). Payment: Cash or checks made out to SCCS KKD (online payment not accepted) Contact: Head Coach Hailey Hlubek haileyhlubek@gmail.com Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1sY_6cyPiICPUUzV9_J-z2JDOqH3O2kstMf9GldmJm6OVZA/viewform?pli=1 *************** St. Ambrose Fall Kids Camp For grades K-8. Participants will spend the day with the SAU Spirit program. Each participant will be split by age. During the camp, they will rotate through stations where they will learn a cheer, jumps, and stunts. This will all be performed in the first half of our home football game. They will also learn a short routine to be performed at the halftime of the St. Ambrose University football game that same day!! This clinic is great for all levels of experience! All participants will receive an SAU Spirit t-shirt! When: Saturday, September 19th Clinic: 8-11a.m. ( Wellness Recreation Center) Performance: Halftime of the 1p.m. Home Football Game (Jack and Pat Stadium) Grades- K-8th Cost Per Athlete: $50 (includes T-shirt and entrance to football game for dancer and 1 adult) SIGN UP HERE: FALL KIDS CAMP ******************* 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

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING Last week’s excessive heat required flexibility and patience from everyone. Through the changes, our staff continued caring for students, our families remained understanding, and our students adjusted remarkably well. Children notice how we respond when things do not go as planned. Investing in their faith means modeling patience, kindness, gratitude, and grace, even during difficult moments. Thank you for showing our students what it means to care for one another. WHAT’S NEW No Buses Next Monday, Sept. 14 Davenport Community School District does not have school but SCCS schools are in session, so there are no buses available. Please make arrangements to get your child(ren) to and from school on this day. ********************* Panther Perks Out of Uniform The out of uniform day for those who ordered Panther Perks on Tuesday, Sept. 1 will be tomorrow. All other students must be in uniform. ******************** CyHawk Out of Uniform This Friday, Sept. 11 all students may be out of uniform if wearing Hawkeye or Cyclone clothing (or their colors - black/gold or red/gold). If you choose not to wear CyHawk colors/items, you must be in uniform. ******************** ESA Tuition Reminder Parents need to verify the tuition amount SCCS entered in your student(s) ESA Odyssey account. This needs to be completed by September 30th so the school can be paid the tuition funds from the State of Iowa. If it is not verified, you will not be eligible for any funds for all of the 26/27 school year and will be responsible for the entire tuition amount. Mr. Connors emailed the families this morning that have not yet completed this step. ******************** Middle School Youth Nights Middle School Youth Nights begin tonight from 6PM - 7:30 in Denning Hall. Come for fellowship, games, a teaching, and small group conversations centered around specific topics of faith and relationships with Jesus. Please see attached for more information: Middle School Youth Nights Flyer ****************** FLK Girls Basketball FLK 3-8 girls basketball registration is this Sunday, September 13. See flyer for more information: 2026 FLK registration.png *********************** St. Ambrose Fall Kids Camp For grades K-8. Participants will spend the day with the SAU Spirit program. Each participant will be split by age. During the camp, they will rotate through stations where they will learn a cheer, jumps, and stunts. This will all be performed in the first half of our home football game. They will also learn a short routine to be performed at the halftime of the St. Ambrose University football game that same day!! This clinic is great for all levels of experience! All participants will receive an SAU Spirit t-shirt! When: Saturday, September 19th Clinic: 8-11a.m. ( Wellness Recreation Center) Performance: Halftime of the 1p.m. Home Football Game (Jack and Pat Stadium) Grades- K-8th Cost Per Athlete: $50 (includes T-shirt and entrance to football game for dancer and 1 adult) SIGN UP HERE: FALL KIDS CAMP ******************* Swim Meet Invitation My name is Kyle Verdon and I am the head coach of the Davenport Swim team. This year we are a one team district, so ALL elementary schools are our feeders! We also share a co-op with Assumption. With that in mind, we’d love to invite all K–5 students to come out and support the team at our next home meet on Tuesday, September 22nd! Come cheer on our athletes, watch some exciting races, and then jump in the pool with us after the meet! They can play in the shallow end, race the members on the team, play games, jump off the diving board, etc. All of my staff is lifeguard certified and also many of my athletes are lifeguards at the local pools. The meet will start with diving @5:30 and then swimming to follow. We will have the pool open for about 45 minutes to an hour after the meet is done. If you have any questions, please reach out. Kyle Verdon Davenport West High School Head Girls and Boys District Swim Coach 563 723 5600 ************** STILL CURRENT Back-to-School Block Party! It’s time to kick off the school year with a night of fun! Join us for the St. Paul’s Home & School Association Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, September 19 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School! There will be something for everyone, including face painting, popcorn, Here’s the Scoop ice cream, a rock wall, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, toddler area, cake walk, dunk tank, hot dogs, burgers, and more! Choose the ticket option that matches your family/group: 1–3 people: Purchase an Individual Ticket for each person — $15 each. 4–6 people: Purchase 1 Family Pass — $60 for up to 6 people. 7+ people: Purchase 1 Family Pass + an Additional Ticket for each person over 6 — $10 per additional person. We will send the wristbands home with the students the week of the event or you can pick them up from the Parish office if you choose that option. The Block Party is open to all St. Paul’s families and parish members, so invite your friends and neighbors and come enjoy a fun night together! Grab your tickets and join us for one of our favorite St. Paul’s events of the year! We can’t wait to see you there! Click to purchase tickets/wristbands! ************************ Block Party Volunteers - September 19th The Back-to-School Block Party is one of our favorite St. Paul’s traditions, and it’s a fun evening with something for the whole family! An event this big takes a lot of helping hands, and we are so thankful for our amazing St. Paul’s community that always comes together to make it a success. We’d love your help! Please sign up for a volunteer time slot and join us in making this a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. We have volunteer opportunities for set-up (light or physical work) help during the event and clean up. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Schwartz at saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com. Link to Volunteer: https://app.unison.io/schedules/6483EtsOdd16VkY87UsLoe ********************** Cake Walk Donations! One of our students’ favorite parts of the Block Party is the Cake Walk! We’d love for you to show off your baking skills (or buying skills) and help make this favorite tradition a success! If you can't volunteer at the event the cake walk donation is a great way to still help out! We welcome all kinds of treats—cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, Bundt cakes, and more! Store-bought treats are absolutely welcome, too! A few quick reminders: Please use disposable packaging only. Stickers will be available at drop-off for you to add your name and a description of your treat. Treats can be dropped off in Denning Hall on Friday or early Saturday before the event. Thank you for helping make the Cake Walk so much fun for our students! Cake Donation Sign Up: https://app.unison.io/schedules/7vxr247R1ND7dJgm5xL5SQ ******************** Cub Scouts for K-5 On September 15th, Pack 3020 will have a recruitment night in Denning Hall for all interested students from 6 - 7:30. ******************* 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 ****************** KKD 2026 Fall Kids Clinic What: 2026 Knight Kompany Dancers Fall Kids Clinic Who: For Girls and Boys Grades Kindergarten-8th (Fall 2026) Where: Assumption High School Gym When: Friday, September 25th - 4:00pm-6:00pm Performance: Friday, September 25th @ Halftime of the Varsity Football Game. Dancers arrive at the stadium at 7:30pm. Cost: $40 (includes T-Shirt & bow). Deadline: Thursday, September 17th (late sign ups will not receive a T-Shirt). Payment: Cash or checks made out to SCCS KKD (online payment not accepted) Contact: Head Coach Hailey Hlubek haileyhlubek@gmail.com Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1sY_6cyPiICPUUzV9_J-z2JDOqH3O2kstMf9GldmJm6OVZA/viewform?pli=1 *************** Preschool Back to School Pizza Party Let’s kick off the school year with pizza and fun! We’re excited to invite all ELC (Early Learning Center/preschool/TK) families to our ELC Pizza Party on Friday, September 11th, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in Denning Hall! Come enjoy some pizza, meet other ELC families, and celebrate the start of a great school year together. It’s a fun and easy way to get to know the St. Paul ELC community! Please RSVP by September 8th using the link/QR code below. We hope to see you there! Info Flyer: ELC Pizza Party RSVP Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB2CA7F4CE9-65154073-stpauls#/ ************************ ************************ WEEK AT A GLANCE

PRINCIPAL’S PONDERING The temperatures are rising in Davenport, and staying hydrated is especially important! Please encourage your children to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day and drink water regularly. We will continue reminding students to take water breaks and pay attention to how they are feeling. Together, we can help everyone stay safe, healthy, and ready to learn during these hot days! WHAT’S NEW Back-to-School Block Party! It’s time to kick off the school year with a night of fun! Join us for the St. Paul’s Home & School Association Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, September 19 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School! There will be something for everyone, including face painting, popcorn, Here’s the Scoop ice cream, a rock wall, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, toddler area, cake walk, dunk tank, hot dogs, burgers, and more! Choose the ticket option that matches your family/group: 1–3 people: Purchase an Individual Ticket for each person — $15 each. 4–6 people: Purchase 1 Family Pass — $60 for up to 6 people. 7+ people: Purchase 1 Family Pass + an Additional Ticket for each person over 6 — $10 per additional person. We will send the wristbands home with the students the week of the event or you can pick them up from the Parish office if you choose that option. The Block Party is open to all St. Paul’s families and parish members, so invite your friends and neighbors and come enjoy a fun night together! Grab your tickets and join us for one of our favorite St. Paul’s events of the year! We can’t wait to see you there! Click to purchase tickets/wristbands! ************************ Block Party Volunteers - September 19th The Back-to-School Block Party is one of our favorite St. Paul’s traditions, and it’s a fun evening with something for the whole family! An event this big takes a lot of helping hands, and we are so thankful for our amazing St. Paul’s community that always comes together to make it a success. We’d love your help! Please sign up for a volunteer time slot and join us in making this a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. We have volunteer opportunities for set-up (light or physical work) help during the event and clean up. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Schwartz at saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com. Link to Volunteer: https://app.unison.io/schedules/6483EtsOdd16VkY87UsLoe ********************** Cake Walk Donations! One of our students’ favorite parts of the Block Party is the Cake Walk! We’d love for you to show off your baking skills (or buying skills) and help make this favorite tradition a success! If you can't volunteer at the event the cake walk donation is a great way to still help out! We welcome all kinds of treats—cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, Bundt cakes, and more! Store-bought treats are absolutely welcome, too! A few quick reminders: Please use disposable packaging only. Stickers will be available at drop-off for you to add your name and a description of your treat. Treats can be dropped off in Denning Hall on Friday or early Saturday before the event. Thank you for helping make the Cake Walk so much fun for our students! Cake Donation Sign Up: https://app.unison.io/schedules/7vxr247R1ND7dJgm5xL5SQ ******************** Cub Scouts for K-5 On September 15th, Pack 3020 will have a recruitment night in Denning Hall for all interested students from 6 - 7:30. ********************* Job Opening The Diocese of Davenport is currently looking for a Director of Evangelization. This will be a full-time exempt position. JOB PRIMARY PURPOSE/FUNCTION Inspired by the mission of the Diocese of Davenport, “As a Eucharistic community, we live out Jesus’ call to go and make disciples of all nations and to love God and neighbor,” the Director of Evangelization serves as a strategic leader who advances a culture of missionary discipleship throughout the Diocese. The Director collaborates with Diocesan offices, parishes, schools,clergy, religious, and lay leaders to proclaim the Gospel in ways that are compelling, invitational, and relevant to today’s world. Through the integrated use of evangelization, storytelling, communication, marketing, and digital engagement, the Director assists parishes and Diocesan ministries to share the mission of the Church given by Jesus Christ. The Director develops and implements strategies that inspire engagement, strengthen parish vitality, foster belonging, and reach those who have become disconnected from the Church as well as those who have never encountered the Gospel. Send resume and cover letter to: Tiara Hatfield hatfield@davenportdiocese.org 780 W Central Park Ave Davenport, IA 52804 ************************ STILL CURRENT SPS Spirit Wear and Some Uniform Items The uniform and spirit wear store closes today! If you missed placing your order a few weeks ago, now is your chance. Orders will be delivered to SPS by September 24th. This is a great time to order your uniform approved quarter zip sweatshirts for those cold winter days ahead. Check out all the fun St. Paul spirit wear and show your school spirit. Remember that spirit wear tops can be worn with uniform bottoms on early out days, so stock up. https://stores.inksoft.com/saint_paul_davenport/shop/home ********************* ESA Tuition Reminder Parents need to verify the tuition amount SCCS entered in your student(s) ESA Odyssey account. This needs to be completed by September 30th so the school can be paid the tuition funds from the State of Iowa. If it is not verified, you will not be eligible for any funds for all of the 26/27 school year and will be responsible for the entire tuition amount. ******************** School Messenger Please use the link below to sign up for School Messenger so that you don’t miss important communication from the school office. Early dismissals due to heat, no school due to snow days, or sudden power outages are just a few occurrences that may result in us needing to get a message to you as soon as possible. Please make sure you are signed up so that you don’t miss this important communication. School Messenger Opt In Instructions ******************** Link for Gym Uniform (4th - 8th Grade students only) 4th - 8th grade students are required to wear P.E. uniforms on days that they have P.E. If you still need to purchase these, please go to https://www.empoweringabilities.org/stores/st-paul-the-apostle-school/ ******************* 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 ****************** KKD 2026 Fall Kids Clinic What: 2026 Knight Kompany Dancers Fall Kids Clinic Who: For Girls and Boys Grades Kindergarten-8th (Fall 2026) Where: Assumption High School Gym When: Friday, September 25th - 4:00pm-6:00pm Performance: Friday, September 25th @ Halftime of the Varsity Football Game. Dancers arrive at the stadium at 7:30pm. Cost: $40 (includes T-Shirt & bow). Deadline: Thursday, September 17th (late sign ups will not receive a T-Shirt). Payment: Cash or checks made out to SCCS KKD (online payment not accepted) Contact: Head Coach Hailey Hlubek haileyhlubek@gmail.com Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1sY_6cyPiICPUUzV9_J-z2JDOqH3O2kstMf9GldmJm6OVZA/viewform?pli=1 *************** School Website Please check out our website at https://www.stpaulcatholicschool.org/ . You can find lots of important information there. The “Parents” tab can be helpful for PowerSchool access, The School Calendar, School Policies, and to submit your Home and School Volunteer hours. Scroll down on the home page to see the “Weekly Panther” if you can’t find it in your email. *************** Home and School News Hello St. Paul Parents! As we kick off the 2026–2027 school year , the St. Paul Home & School Association would like to reintroduce ourselves and welcome everyone to another great year! Home & School is made up of parents and teachers at St. Paul’s and exists to support our students, teachers, school, and parish community. Throughout the year, we raise money to provide our students with extra resources and opportunities outside of the school budget, including technology, library books, art supplies, PE equipment, classroom needs, and much more. We also support our teachers and staff throughout the year by providing classroom funding, hospitality, and special events to show our appreciation for the incredible work they do with our children. In addition, Home & School helps organize and support social events throughout the year that bring our school and parish families together and help build a strong sense of community. Home & School Meetings Home & School meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Meetings are typically held in the St. Paul’s Media Center . Everyone is welcome to attend! Whether you are able to volunteer regularly or simply want to learn more about what Home & School does, we would love to have you join us. Volunteer Opportunities & Family Commitment Each parent has the opportunity to support Home & School by completing 20 volunteer hours throughout the school year. Families can fulfill this commitment in one of several ways: 20 volunteer hours $200 buyout in lieu of volunteer hours $200 in Panther Perks profit (rebate credit) A combination of all three options Volunteer hours can be completed through a variety of school and Home & School activities throughout the year. More information about volunteer opportunities and Panther Perks will be shared as the school year gets underway. Get Involved & Join a Committee! We are always looking for volunteers, and this year we have several great committees you can join, including Trunk or Treat, Ladies Bingo Night, Fundraising, and the Block Party . As a little extra incentive, anyone who signs up to serve on one of these committees will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Kohl’s gift card! We'd love to have you join us and help make these events a success. Even if you can only give a little time, every volunteer makes a difference! We will send emails throughout the school year with volunteer opportunities and information about upcoming events. We will also share announcements through email and on the St. Paul the Apostle Home & School Association Facebook page so make sure you are following us on Facebook (Link to Facebook) . There are so many ways to get involved, whether you have an hour to volunteer at an event, want to join a committee, help with a fundraiser, or simply attend a meeting. Every bit of help makes a difference! We are looking forward to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year and are excited to work together to make it a great year for our students, teachers, and families. Thank you for your continued support of St. Paul Home & School! saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com *************** Panther Perks Update 2026–2027 Thank you for your continued support of the Panther Perks Gift Card Program! We are excited to announce that Panther Perks is going digital for the 2026–2027 school year , making it easier and more convenient than ever to participate. Panther Perks allows families to purchase physical and digital gift cards, with a percentage of each purchase going directly back to St. Paul the Apostle. Your participation helps Home & School provide funding for field trips, educational resources, library books, classroom supplies, and many other programs and opportunities for our students. You will no longer need to complete a paper order form or return an envelope each month. All orders can be placed online or through the RaiseRight app. St. Paul the Apostle Enrollment Code: FDBA8C8C35L9 Enroll or Shop Online: https://www.raiseright.com/enroll/FDBA8C8C35L9 RaiseRight offers a wide selection of physical and digital gift cards from many popular retailers. You can also purchase e-gift cards and reload eligible gift cards directly through the app. Panther Perks Day is the first Tuesday of each month. Monthly orders purchased on Raise Right will be processed by our parent volunteers at 8:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month and sent home with students on the second Tuesday of the month. There is also a special benefit for participating families: Orders placed from the Wednesday prior through 8:00 a.m. on Panther Perks Tuesday will qualify your student for an out-of-uniform day for their students on the specified day each month. (See E Order Form Flyer for Dates) E Order Form Flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SIx7wHspL6p9JSO4c4W4DBjGEYZmiFFku2bklXpcD_o/edit?usp=sharing All online RaiseRight purchases count toward an out-of-uniform day , including: E-gift cards Physical gift cards Eligible gift card reloads Remember that digital gift cards are delivered to you on the RaiseRight app immediately, no need to wait for a physical gift card! We are grateful for your continued support of Panther Perks and for helping Home & School provide additional resources and opportunities for our students. Every purchase makes a difference! If you have questions or would like to volunteer with the Panther Perks program, please contact saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com . ************************ Preschool Back to School Pizza Party Let’s kick off the school year with pizza and fun! We’re excited to invite all ELC (Early Learning Center/preschool/TK) families to our ELC Pizza Party on Friday, September 11th, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in Denning Hall ! Come enjoy some pizza, meet other ELC families, and celebrate the start of a great school year together. It’s a fun and easy way to get to know the St. Paul ELC community! Please RSVP by September 8th using the link/QR code below. We hope to see you there! Info Flyer: ELC Pizza Party RSVP Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB2CA7F4CE9-65154073-stpauls#/ ************************ WEEK AT A GLANCE