SPD Weekly Update #10
November 6th, 2026
Good afternoon, Saint Paul families!
Welcome to this week’s Principal Update! We have completed the first quarter of the academic year. We are looking forward to an even better second quarter. Here are the upcoming events and important reminders to keep on your radar!
ON THE HORIZON
Monday, November 2nd | 2027-2028 Financial Aid Window Opened
Financial Aid for the school year 2027-28 is now open for all current families. The link is available in your Family Portal under the Financial tab. More information can be found in Resource Documents: 2027-2028 Diocesan Policies FA
If you have any questions regarding your Family Portal please email Jennifer Maurello
If you have questions regarding Financial Aid, please contact Jeannie MacDonough
Friday, November 6th | End of Quarter 1
Grades will close for the first quarter today; report cards will be available toward the end of next week.
Wednesday, November 11th | No school
In observance of Veterans Day, there will be no school. We pause to honor and give thanks to all those who have served our country. We keep our veterans, active service members, and their families in our thoughts and prayers.
Friday and Saturday, November 20th and 21st | Fall Show
The drama department will present the fall show: Poe: Dreams of Madness on November 20th and 21st. Tickets are $5.00, and the curtain rises at 7:00PM. Come and join us for a great night of theater! Thanks to Juelz Haugli for designing the beautiful poster.
ACADEMICS & LEARNING
Tuesday, November 17th | Parent/Teacher Conferences
Mark your calendars for Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday night, November 17th, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Grades for the first quarter will close on Friday, November 6th. These conferences will give you an opportunity to speak with the teachers about your child's progress. There are no specific appointment times.
A Partnership for a Phone-Free School Day
Dear Saint Paul Families, we ask for your partnership in helping our students develop healthier relationships with technology and enjoy a school day free from the constant distractions and dopamine-driven habits of smartphones. Our goal is to help students stay focused, build meaningful relationships, and be fully present in their learning. We are aware that some students continue to keep their phones and, in some cases, use them as hotspots to provide internet access to other devices. We need your help reinforcing this expectation at home. As stated on page 19 of the Student Handbook, personal electronic devices are prohibited during the school day (7:30 AM–2:00 PM), unless specifically authorized by a School Counselor.
Moving forward, any personal electronic device found in a student's possession or being used during these hours will be confiscated. The same disciplinary procedures and consequences applied to other handbook violations will follow. This is about more than enforcing a rule. It is about helping our students reclaim their attention and make the most of their time at school. Thank you for your support and partnership. Together, we can make a difference!
STUDENT LIFE & ACTIVITIES
Tomorrow, Saturday, November 7 | Fall Open House
We are excited to welcome prospective students and families to Saint Paul tomorrow, Saturday, November 7! There is still time to register online, or simply walk in tomorrow. Everyone is welcome!
A heartfelt thank you to our Saint Paul community for your continued support and for helping us spread the word. We look forward to welcoming new families to our Saint Paul family!
ATHLETICS
It is with great pleasure that we congratulate the Saint Paul Fall Athletic Teams for being selected by our district to receive the 2026 MIAA District 2 Sportsmanship Award. This significant recognition is selected by the schools with whom we have competed this season. We are so very proud of our athletes as they bring character and excellence to the sports fields every time they compete.
Congratulations to the co-op Football Team in their win over Easthampton High School in the first round of the State Championship Tournament last night. They will be playing in the second round some time next week. We will pass on the date, time, and place of the game once we have the details.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Monday, November 9th | 2 PM Adoration
Make room for what matters most. Take a peaceful pause, step away from the noise, and spend time in the presence of Jesus. Join us for Monday Adoration, 2:00–3:00 PM. All are welcome!
Thursday, November 12th | Sandwich Making & Service
Join us this week from 2:00–2:30 PM in the Campus Ministry Office/Cafeteria to prepare sandwiches and pack lunches for the Worcester Free Fridge. Spend 30 minutes with friends while making a difference in our community. Everyone is welcome!
Friday, November 13th | Devotional Prayer
Take a moment to pause and pray. Join Mr. Hoogasian in the Chapel from 2:05–2:30 PM for seasonal devotional prayer. All are welcome!
November Thanksgiving Food Drive
Saint Paul will be participating once again in a food drive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Baskets will be coordinated through theology classes. Please see the attached letter below for more details.
Steubenville Youth Conference
Sign-ups for the Steubenville Youth Conference have begun. This trip is open to students currently in 8th grade-current seniors. The trip runs July 15-18. The conference itself is the 16-18 but we will be traveling by bus all day on the 15th and getting back late the night of the 18th. The Steubenville Youth Conference is hosted at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and consists of inspiring talks, Mass, praise and worship music, and more. To see the list of speakers for this year’s conference, check out https://steubenvilleconferences.com/events/main-campus-4/
What is the cost?
The cost of the trip is $650/participant, due in late May. Financial aid and fundraising opportunities may be available. A $75/person deposit (non-refundable) is due by December 15th to secure your spot.
What does the cost include?
The cost includes conference registration, bus transportation, an extra night stay in Steubenville on campus before the conference begins, meals in Steubenville, and a campus tour before the conference begins!
What is the deadline to sign-up?
The school has a certain number reserved at the moment, and extra tickets will be returned by the school on December 15th. After that date, it is possible to still sign-up but only as long as tickets remain available, and the conference typically sells out.
How do I sign up or learn more?
E-mail Father Donato at dinfante@saintpaulknights.org
Banner Contest
We are pleased to announce the winner of our banner design contest is our junior, Gianna Sánchez. Congratulations, Gianna! You can see her banner design below.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Save the Date! On Friday December 11th, the Visual Arts Department will welcome Tina from Bemis Farms back to campus for a Wreath Workshop Fundraiser to help us buy new Display Boards for art shows and other visual arts displays. We made it 10% of the way to our goal at our Spring Porch Pot event, so let's double that this winter! Your Admission gets you access to all supplies to create one wreath built of fresh greenery and decorations. We will offer light refreshments, a festive atmosphere, and the delightful story telling of Tina Bemis. Please join us from 6-8pm for what should be a wonderful evening of community and creativity! This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend, so please spread the word to any family or friends who would like to join!
Help Us Spread the Word About Saint Paul! We Need You!
We are still looking for families to join our Knight Digital Ambassador Team, and nobody has reached out yet. We would love to have you on board!
The commitment is simple: help share Saint Paul news, events, achievements, and announcements through your local town, community, parish, and neighborhood social media groups.
Every share helps another family discover what makes Saint Paul special!
Interested? Please email Fr. José at jcarvajal@saintpaulknights.org
Let's spread the word and show Worcester County what it means to be Stronger Together!
LUNCH MENU
The lunch menu for the week of November 9-13, 2026 is attached here.