PRINCIPAL’S NOTES

When I got in the office today there was a library book on my desk. This was not just any library book; this was “The Swiss Family Robinson.” Now you may think that this is not such a big deal, but it is. The book was checked out by a student 20 years ago and he returned it this week. Let’s see, that would be 365 days in a year times 20 years times 10 cents per day which would come to $730. It is the most expensive book in our collection now. The young man who brought it in was one of my students who I had not only taught in class but also tutored. He was a caring kid back then and he loved life. St. Paul made such an impact on him that he remembered even twenty years later to bring back the book he had misplaced. It reminded me of a bible story that I love. The prodigal son is a story of someone who was lost and came back because he remembered who loved him. I think most people would not have brought the book back. They may have just tucked it away on a shelf somewhere and forgot about it or even tossed it out, but this book came back because someone cared. This son of mine was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.' "So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:24)  Now I don’t think I will throw a big party and put the book back on the shelf, but the office staff and I did get a smile on our face as we remembered the student who brought it back. It did bring joy to our day and I guess that is a kind of celebration. Sometimes it’s the big things that bring joy and sometimes it’s just small gestures that really turn your frown upside down. So thanks, Jimmy, for the lift.

We bid a fond farewell to our eighth graders as they graduate tonight. They will be heading to six different high schools. We pray a blessing on them as they now go on to the next level of their education. God go with them as they face new and exciting experiences.     Congratulations Class of 2008!

      Rebecca Frank   Joseph Partipilo  Allison Rendon  Vivek Trivedi

      Alexander Ortega  Emmanuel Perez   Jennifer Shmerl    

CHAPEL INFORMATION

Next week’s closing chapel service will be on Thursday at 2:00 P.M. and will be led by Pastor on the topic “God Forgives and Calls Us”. Our PreK will sing.

MUSIC NOTES 

. . . Our 5-6 Junior Choir will sing at the graduation service tonight at 7:30 P.M.

. . . Our PreK will sing at our closing service next Thursday, June 5^th, at 2:00 P. M.

SPECIAL TUITION REDUCTION COUPON

In order to qualify for the tuition reduction for the 2008-09 school year, your coupon and payment must be turned in to the school office by JUNE 30^th. As previously mentioned, we are offering this year’s tuition rates for as many months as you wish to pay up front as long as it is turned in by the June 30^th deadline. You can choose to pay it all if you wish or pay for just some months. Checks should be payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church. If you need a coupon, extras are available in the office.

ADDITIONAL TUITION INCENTIVES FOR 2008-09

1) Any existing family that brings in a new family will be given a $150.00 break in tuition if the family enrolls and stays through the first quarter. This would be a one-time break per existing family situation.

2) New families enrolling for the first time in a full, five-day per week program (K-8) will be offered a tuition discount of 10% for the first year’s tuition if enrolled before July 1st. They will receive a 5% discount if they are enrolled before August 19^th, which is registration day.

2007-08 TUITION AND FEES

A reminder to everyone that tuition and fees for this school year should be paid up by June 5th. Fees include things like overdue library book fines, lunch ticket and helper fees, damaged textbooks, or damages to school property such as desktops, etc. During our last week of school, teachers will collect textbooks, assess any damage fees, and let parents know what is needed. Please make sure that all fees are paid. Report cards will not be given out if fees are outstanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Heinze

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE

On Monday morning yearbooks will be distributed to those who placed an ad, sponsored a page, are a $17 patron, or who turned in an order. Extra copies will be available for purchase in the school office. We will allow time that afternoon for signing yearbooks. Also, MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR HOT LUNCH. The kitchen will be closed the rest of the week for cleaning. Wednesday, the 4^th, there will be NO SCHOOL as it is a “records day” when the teachers will be finalizing report cards. Thursday, the 5^th, will be our last day of school. We will begin the day with students working in the classrooms to clean up desks, etc. At 1:00 we will hold our Awards Assembly followed by our closing service at 2:00. After the service, students will return to their classrooms where they will receive their report cards and be dismissed. After care will be available that day.

ARTWORK ON DISPLAY

We invite you to stop by the long hallway and take a look at the artwork our students have worked on throughout the school year. It will be on display through next Wednesday.

LIBRARY NEWS

Volunteers are still needed to help tidy up the library any day, any time, between now and the end of the school year. Please let Mrs. Graf know if you can help. Thank you!

SCHOOL REGISTRATION DAY for the 2008-09 school year will be Tuesday, August 19^h, between the

hours of 1:00 – 6:00 P.M. Watch for your packet of registration materials to arrive the end June/early July.

We encourage all our families to plan to register on August 19^th. If your vacation plans conflict with that date, please make arrangements with Mrs. White to register BEFORE you leave for vacation. Your cooperation with this request will be greatly appreciated.

CUB SCOUT PACK #3977 CAR WASH

Our Scouts thank you for supporting their car wash last Saturday. The money raised will go towards next year’s program here at St. Paul.

GIRL SCOUT NEWS

- We will be leaving right after school on Thursday, June 5^th for our final outing to the Coco Key Water Park. Junior Troop 579 parents please make sure your daughter brings her swimming attire to school.

- The Junior Girl Scout program is open to girls in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade at St. Paul and surrounding schools. Juni0or Girl Scout Troop 579 is in need of leader(s) for next year. Please consider this rewarding opportunity so St. Paul can continue to offer this enriching program. If you are interested, please contact Joan Levar @773-774-0978 or Doreen O’Donnell @773-631-7332.

- Congratulations to Bess Abramovitz, Emily Johnson, Lauren Kreher and Nicole Levar, former Junior girl scouts of Troop 579 for “flying up” to Cadettes. The Cadette Girl Scout program is open to girls in the 7^th and 8^th grade and we would like to bring this opportunity to girls at St. Paul. Please contact Joan Levar or Doreen O’Donnell if your daughter is interested in joining or if you would like more information about the program.

IL TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT REMINDER

The form can be filled out in the office until next Thursday, June 5^th. Compute your claim as follows: Multiply the distance (mileage) between home and school by 4. Multiply your answer by 0.485¢. Then multiply that answer by 176 – the number of school days in the year.

      W.I.L.D.K.A.T.S. SUMMER CAMP

St. Paul W.I.L.D.K.A.T.S. Summer Camp begins Monday, June 16^th and ends Friday, August 8^th. Time is running out to register. If you have not given Mrs. Palmer your registration forms with dates, the following Fridays are full for students: June 20, July 18, and August 1. Students may come any other dates but those dates are full and late registration will not be accepted for those days. For those three days alternate care will not be provided. Please make appropriate arrangements for your child(ren). Questions?? Contact Mrs. Palmer.

CARTRIDGES FOR KIDS

This year-round program pays our school cash for empty ink jet, laser, fax and copier cartridges (even those already remanufactured); toner and drum cartridges; PDA’s; Ipods; also working DVD’s; in addition to used cell phones at no cost to us. NO SUMMER BREAK FOR RECYCLING! We will be accepting recycled items during the summer months too. You may drop off items at the collection box outside of our school and church office. If you have any questions about the program, or need a special pick-up, please contact Cathy or Wes Sienkiewicz at (773) 792-3034.

PRAYER LIST

Please include the following in your prayers this week: the family of Mildred Linke (one of our 1^st grade adopted grandparents) who died this past Monday; Kelly (4^th) Raye’s great-aunt who has been moved to a nursing home/rehab center for therapy; the grandpa of Alex Ortega (8^th) who has cancer; an uncle of Alexander and Lauren Kreher (6^th) who has cancer; our band instructor, Mr. Falcone, who has cancer and is receiving hospice care; Mr. Heinze’s mother-in-law for healing; and Mrs. White’s mother for continued healing. We pray God’s blessings of comfort, healing, and strength for these individuals and their families.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tonight     - Graduation Service – 7:30 P.M.

Sat.  May 31 - Worship Service – 6:00 P.M.

Sun.  June 1 - Worship Services – 8:15 & 10:45 A.M.    Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.

Mon.  June  2 - Yearbook Signing – 2:00 P.M.

Tues.  June 3 - Grades 2 & 4 to The Grove

• Grades 1, 3 & 5 to the Field Museum

Wed.  June 4 - NO SCHOOL – Records Day

Thurs.  June 5 - Classroom Clean-Up

• Awards Assembly – 1:00
• Closing Service – 2:00

Sat.  June 14 - MARKET DAY PICK-UP – 8:30-9:30 A.M.