St. Paul Elementary Newsletter

St. Paul Elementary School Picture Retake is Oct. 7th, 2025. Please make sure your student is prepared and dressed for the occasion! We do not use a green screen. Our background is a neutral gray, so there's no need to worry about your child’s clothing color. However, we recommend considering the gray background when selecting an outfit to avoid clashing colors or outfits that closely match the background.

How to Order:

• Direct Online Link: https://orders.portraitmasters.volumephoto.io/?gallerypassword=SPES0925

• School Code: SPES0925

• If you prefer, visit PortraitMasters.com, click on “Order” at the top, click on the red button that says “Click here to be taken to our ordering page,” and enter your code in the provided box.

Envelopes will also be provided on site if you prefer to pay with cash or check. We will have envelopes with our photographers.

Please remember that student drop-off should not happen before 7:30 AM as there is no supervision before that time. We appreciate your help in keeping this process safe and smooth for all students and staff.

Over the past week, I’ve taken time to re-teach our expectations around cell phone use at school. While phones are still allowed before and after the bell, we’ve run into a growing challenge with volume during morning arrival and while waiting for pick up, especially on the porch and in the cafeteria. It’s been difficult for staff to give directions or share announcements with phones playing videos or music loudly.

As a parent myself, I’ve had similar moments at home — trying to have a conversation while my kids are completely tuned in to YouTube. (It’s a losing battle sometimes, right?)

To help with this at school:

• Staff may ask students to put their phones away if they are causing a disruption.

• If a student needs to make a phone call, they should come to the office to do so.

• Videos and games should be muted (please no headphones as this makes the challenge worse).

We understand that many parents want their child to carry a phone for safety, and we support that. At the same time, we encourage you to talk with your student about balancing phone time with real-world connection. A quick chat, a shared laugh, or just saying good morning to someone new rather than being on the cell phone helps build the communication and interpersonal skills that are so important; and having kids on phones as little as possible is backed by research!

The St. Paul Elementary PTC is looking for a fun and creative design for the labels for our 2025

cinnamon roll fundraiser. Therefore, we are hosting a contest to gather designs created by our

elementary students. Contest rules below:

1. Must be hand drawn, no use of computer or AI will be accepted
2. Must be created by St. Paul Elementary students in K-6th grade
3. St. Paul Elementary PTC Board Members will select one finalist from each class
4. Class finalists will be announced at the November assembly, and will receive a $10
5. Banker’s Cup gift card
6. Entry must include student name and grade (on the back of the drawing)
7. Limited to one entry per student
8. Entries must be turned into the Elementary office by 10/30/25

If your student wants to participate, please download the following attachment and turn in to the Elementary office.

The St. Paul Elementary PTC will have the following open Board Officer positions for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Co-Chair (1 position available) The chair shall preside over meetings of the organization and executive board, service as the primary contact for the principal, represent the organization at meetings outside the organization, serve as an ex officio member of all committees except the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served.
• Volunteer Coordinator (1 position available) The Volunteer Coordinator shall be responsible for identifying volunteers among the students, staff, and community to assist with fundraisers and community events. He or she shall manage and coordinate volunteer outreach and participation using email and other tools (e.g., SignUp Genius) to schedule volunteers for events.
• Treasurer (1 position available) The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the organization, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with the approval of the executive board. He or she will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executive board and make a full report at the end of the year. He or she will also be responsible for all reporting required to keep the PTC’s 501c(3) status in good standing.

The PTC Board Officer vote schedule is provided below:

• October 15, 2025 – Deadline to notify PTC Board of intent to run for officer position
• December 15, 2025 – Vote (online by Google Form)
• January 8, 2026 – Board Officers-Elect selected (begin shadowing Board Members)
• June 4, 2026 – Outgoing Board Members hand over PTC Board to Board Officers-Elect