2/28 Newsletter

St. Petronille Families,

This past week, one of my tasks was completing a report for the state board of education that involved reporting on the home school districts of our students. I was amazed to discover that St. Petronille Catholic School enrolls students representing 13 different districts! Another task of the week has been wrapping up initial notifications to families after an extremely competitive application season for the 2025-26 school year. While our size restrictions necessitated that we had to waitlist a significant number of applicants, it was a joy reading the applications and parents’ statements on the hopes they have for their precious children and their future school.

I mention the two seemingly banal and unrelated tasks above because they have caused me to reflect on our community and the diversity in experiences and perspectives we each bring that enrich our shared mission. This diversity fosters an environment rooted in inclusivity, care for one another, and a collective commitment to the formation of our children for the glory of the Lord. When I speak with current and prospective families about why they choose St. Petronille School, a common theme emerges: a profound sense of belonging. Our school is not just a place of learning - it is a community where students, parents, grandparents, and friends are valued and embraced.

At World Mission Sunday in 2024, Pope Francis drew from the Gospel of Matthew in charging the Church with the mission to “go and invite everyone to the banquet.” Our school has adopted that phrase as our theme for the 2024-25 school year, and we have read those words to our students every day during our morning prayer and announcements. It is incredible to know that over a dozen different communities have seats at our banquet table, and that so many more are eager to join! In this spirit, we are committed to welcoming all who seek a place where their children can grow in academic excellence, deepen their relationship with Christ, and cultivate a heart for service. We never take for granted that our families entrust us with their children, their most precious gifts from God, and we in turn embrace and pursue our mission with every child presented to us.

Thank you for choosing St. Petronille School. Your presence enriches our community, and your continued support strengthens our mission.

God bless,

Eric Schmidt

• As a reminder, as we move into trimester 3, please know that we value open communication with all families. If you have a question about your child or their classroom, please do not hesitate to reach out to our teachers. If your question regards school policy or procedures, please reach out to me directly. These discussions are enriching and necessary, so please always feel free to reach out directly to the source when a question or concern arises.

• Trimester 2 report cards have just been sent out! Please check your email for the notification that they are ready for viewing in FACTS!

• Our school calendar for the 25-26 school year is undergoing final review and will be out early next week.

• While more details will be forthcoming, we have decided to adopt Lands' End as our new school uniform provider at St. Petronille! Thank you to Mrs. Wardynski who headed the search effort, all of the teachers who provided input, and over 200 families who completed the uniform survey to guide this process and bring it to a conclusion that will serve St. Petronille well.

• Please see below for information on this week's Raise Right sale that ends March 4!

Dear Parents,

We’re rolling out the red carpet and can’t wait to see you there! But don’t wait too long—ticket sales close today, February 28. If you haven’t reserved a table, no problem! You’ll be seated with other parents from your child’s grade.

Thanks to your generosity, we have an incredible selection of auction items waiting for your bids! From exclusive teacher experiences and premier sporting events to summer concerts, unique dining experiences, and unforgettable travel opportunities—there’s something for everyone.

The silent auction, including limited quantity sign-up parties, will open on Monday, March 3rd at NOON. CLICK HERE to register and be ready to bid!

Can’t join us in person? You can still take part by bidding online or purchasing a raffle ticket for a chance to win:

Ø Tuition or $5,000 Cash

Ø A $2,500 Shopping Spree at Costello Jewelers

Ø A bottle of WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII

Your support of the annual auction is essential in closing our school’s operating budget gap. Every dollar raised directly benefits our students—enhancing curriculum, upgrading classrooms and facilities, strengthening Catholic faith formation, expanding student services, and supporting our dedicated teachers.

Last but not least, we’d love your help! If you can spare an hour or two to assist with setup or takedown, please sign up and let us know we can count on you. Sign Up Here

Your support makes a huge difference, and we truly appreciate your time and effort in making this event a success. Thank you!

Questions? Please email auction@stpetschool.org

Congratulations to the Charlotte Ross family on winning OBOS Week 3 trivia!

Please see below for this week's trivia questions!

We have two Spring after-school clubs to offer our students! Chess Wizards is offering another session of their great class and our partnership with Music Kids is beginning! Please see below for details and information for the upcoming classes.

Our Pre-K billy goats and trolls "trip trapped" over to the school office to put on a play! Wonderful job, kids!

We welcomed children's author Lisa Maggiore and illustrator Ross Felton to our school who talked to our students about the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book. One important thing they mentioned was that their interest in writing and drawing began at a young age, so I'm guessing we have some budding authors and artists in our student body!

Sunday, March 2: Pizza Night after 5 PM mass

Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:30 AM

Thursday, March 6: 8th Grade Picture Retakes

Friday, March 7: Stations of the Cross Prayer Service at 9:15 AM

Saturday, March 8: Lights, Camera, Auction!!!

Monday, March 10: Sports Picture Day

Wednesday, March 12: 5th Grade Wax Museum

Friday, March 14: Stations of the Cross Prayer Service at 9:15 AM

Saturday, March 15: 8th Grade Confirmation Mass at 10:00 AM

Website: www.stpetschool.org

Location: 425 Prospect Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630-469-5041