A Grateful Heart
Saint Clare School Family News | 12 February 2023
A Grateful Heart by Jazmine Misola, Class of 2024
BEGIN EACH DAY WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you,
praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now.
And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
~From Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Ch. 1:1-5, 9-11
Dear Saint Clare School Families,
If my mother was alive, she would have been 103 today. It seems like forever ago, but I still remember her laugh, the scent of the lotion she used, and her sense of fashion. Sadly, I only got to spend ten years with her, but her memory lives in me. I am sharing this because I want to highlight the impact we, as adults, have on our children. Everything we do and say, who we are as human beings will live in them for years to come. The relationships we build with them and the time we spend with them determines the outcome of their character. It gives meaning to the adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Although things might be starting to look “normal” or back to the way they were, we are all still reeling from a couple of years of broken relationships and isolation due to the pandemic. Things have changed forever for all of us because of the tectonic shifts we have had to endure. It will never be back to the way it was. We are on a new path now.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues to teach his disciples about God’s law, The Law of Love. He reminds us to treat one another with kindness and mercy so that we can continue to heal. I pray that your week is graced with peace, free from fear and animosity, and filled with trust that God’s love will sustain us and that he is with us always.
END OF THE TRIMESTER APPROACHING
The week we return from winter break on February 27 is the last week of the second trimester. Teachers will be wrapping up lessons for this segment of the school year, so you may notice summative assessments and projects to measure students’ mastery of the standards for their grade level. Support your children by providing them with boundaries and guidelines to maintain school-life balance. Encourage them to self-advocate and to seek help from teachers. Build habits at home so that they are sharing positive experiences at school. Instead of asking “How did school go today?”, ask “What was the most exciting/interesting/challenging learning or skill you learned/practiced today?”
As with everything else, your child’s teacher is your partner in their learning. Keeping an open line of communication with them is the key to ensuring your child feels supported and continues on the path to success.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Once again, the Saint Clare School community shows its unity in its diversity. Thank you to Jennipher Pham, Pauline Phan, and all who put the joyful and colorful event together! I hope you enjoy the photos and videos we are sharing with you. I am grateful to a community who embraces the cultural traditions of our families. I feel blessed to be among you! Thank you.
LENT BEGINS ON ASH WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22
Although school will not be in session on Ash Wednesday, you are invited to join the Saint Clare Parish community for Mass and distribution of ashes at 8A, 12:05P, and in the evening at 5 and 6:30.
Lent is a time pause and reconcile our relationship with God and with one another. Here are some resources to help build your faith life:
Lenten Prayer Resources, USCCB
Lent Resources, Ignatian Spirituality
Lenten Activities for Children, Loyola Press
Teaching About and Celebrating Lent with Kids
In addition, your children will be sent home with a Lenten calendar that we urge you to use as a family. Also expect a Lenten prayer reflection booklet to strengthen your prayer practice and the CRS Rice Bowl challenge to help our brothers and sisters all over the world, particularly those still recovering from the devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey.
Tragic events such as these remind me of Matthew’s gospel (MT7:3): that to complain about my own pain and issues seems ridiculous when there are so many others who are suffering tremendous loss. I am grateful for the perspective so that I can move to act to alleviate the suffering of those around me.
In light of this, I am sharing an opportunity to help via Catholic agencies working towards relief in Turkey. Here are some links for you:
US Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund. The agency supports local church partners in Turkey and Syria, including Caritas Turkey and Caritas Syria.
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States Earthquake Aid for Turkey and Syria Fund. They work through local bishops, churches, and missionary congregations to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and justly, based on the needs of individual Churches.
2023-2024 RE-ENROLLMENT AND TUITION AGREEMENT
I am grateful for your patience as we navigate the transition from FACTS to TADS. Thank you for completing Financial Aid applications and for entering the information needed to re-enroll.
For your information, we have had to make a change to the tuition deposit as TADS is unable to use the 10% of tuition we originally intended. Instead, you are now invited to return to your re-enrollment application (sign on to TADS) and proceed to pay your Tuition Deposit of $1,150. Those who have paid the original registration fee before we were able to make the change to a Tuition Deposit will pay the balance through an invoice. Those who have made arrangements with Mrs. Rizzo will pay the arranged amounts.
In order to receive the tuition agreement notification, you have to first complete the re-enrollment process AND pay the Tuition Deposit. Please do so before February 20. Financial aid will be awarded on March 5th, giving Mrs. Rizzo will review them with me after she returns from her vacation the week of February 20.
The tuition agreement will outline your remaining payment schedule with due dates and amounts. Your March tuition payments for the 2022-2023 school year will resume as scheduled.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: update your volunteer hours on ParentSquare by May 1st so that you are not billed for unfulfilled hours. Any evidence of active participation at Sunday Masses and the life of the parish should be emailed to Mrs. Rizzo and Ms. McKinnon.
Thank you for your cooperation during this enrollment season and transition to a new, integrated school information system.
YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS, PLEASE
There are a number of upcoming dates where you will need to make other arrangements for care for your students. Please know that these dates are NOT NEW. They were communicated via the calendar grid since Spring of 2022, and have appeared in every newsletter since.
DATES TO NOTE
Feb. 20-24 NO SCHOOL/NO CKZ Winter Break
March 10 - NO SCHOOL/NO CKZ
March 15 - FULL DAY, DISMISSAL AT 3P due to WCEA Visit
This is a Wednesday, which is usually a minimum day.
We are switching the minimum day to Friday so that the Visiting Committee has time to visit classrooms to gather evidence for their Report of Findings to affirm our school program.
March 17 - MINIMUM DAY, DISMISSAL AT 12:30P due to WCEA Visit
This is a Friday, when we usually dismiss at 3P.
We are dismissing at 12:30P so that the Visiting Committee can present the highlights of the Report of Finding with the Faculty, Staff, and Administration by 2P. After which, our hard working crew will gather to celebrate as a community focused on continuous improvement for the benefit of our students.
March 30: NO SCHOOL/NO CKZ - School Holiday to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day
Continue to read ParentSquare posts from various entities regarding upcoming events.
Thank you for your continued support.
UPCOMING EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT:
Join us for our Weekly School Masses on Fridays at 10:45 A.M.
PTG Meetings are on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30P. RSVP to the original post on ParentSquare.
ANNUAL GIVING/ANNUAL FUND. Here are the ways you can support Saint Clare: https://www.stclare.school/supportus
March 15-17, 2023: WCEA Visit. REMEMBER: minimum day switched from Wednesday to Friday!
May 1, 2023: 2nd Annual Golf Tournament | Boulder Ridge Golf Club | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION FOR STUDENTS!
As always, if you feel there is something missing, please reach out to me (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org) or to the office staff (stclare-info@dsj.org).
I wish you Christ’s peace.
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Lunar New Year Celebration
FEATURING: OUR THIRD GRADE HAPPENINGS
Take a look at third grade’s California Drought project. Students identify what a drought is and compare and contrast different counties in California that are impacted by drought using math vocabulary. In their groups they plan, discuss, and write about the variety of ways to conserve water in drought prone California.
Third grade learns the importance of conserving water to curb the adverse environmental and social effects and impact of droughts, especially in California. Although categorized as science, this is an interdisciplinary lesson (project) that incorporates mathematical thinking and ELA content to analyze and explain how drought impacts California, and as a result, figuring out the most efficient ways to conserve water in the state.
Way to go third grade!
Need Uniforms?
We are also accepting gently used uniforms. When donating, please note, we do not accept ripped, torn, heavily stained, or faded clothing; accepting clothing you would give to your loved ones. Please bring CLEAN gently used uniforms to the office.
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
Scroll down for the calendar grid and the links to the public calendar
- March 3: End of the Trimester
- March 9: Sock Hop TK-6 | 6:00p-8:00P
- March 10: Faculty In-Service | NO SCHOOL, NO CKZ
- March 15-17: WCEA Visit
- March 15: FULL DAY | 3P Dismissal
- March 17: MINIMUM DAY | 12:30P Dismissal
- March 20-March 24: Scholastic Book Fair
- March 22: Ice Cream Social | 3:00P-5:30P
2022-23 School Calendar
A BIG Thank You to this Year's Jog-a-thon Sponsors
Attendance Impacts Learning
Early Literacy Resources from Harvard Global Family Research Project
Below, you will find the Calendar Grid for the school year. It is a snapshot so you can plan for child care and work around the calendar to plan trips, vacations, and appointments.
Please remember that this GRID is a STATIC version of the calendar. For a more accurate and up-to-date version, please see the options below.
Other options to view the calendar include a Google calendar synched to ParentSquare, or subscribing to the St. Clare School Public Calendar below:
Google Public Calendar
You are invited to subscribe to the St. Clare School *PUBLIC* Google Calendar which is also synched to ParentSquare.
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
OUR MISSION
We, the Saint Clare School Community,
joyfully embody the Gospel mission entrusted by Christ to His Church.
Made in the image and likeness of God,
our community values our diversity,
embracing all backgrounds and cultures.
With a rigorous curriculum and student-centered instruction,
we, together with parents as primary educators of their children,
form learners with strong academic and spiritual foundations
to become moral and ethical servant leaders.
SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS (SLEs) | Graduation Outcomes
A ST. CLARE SCHOOL GRADUATE practices
Habits of the Mind
Through Inquiry and Curiosity
Through Resilience and Resourcefulness
Through Creativity and Innovation
Habits of the Heart
Through Kindness and Respect
Through Empathy and Compassion
Through Gratitude and Humility
Habits of the Spirit
Through Stewardship and Servant Leadership
Through Accompaniment and Inclusivity
Through the example and teachings of Christ Jesus
School Leadership
Finance Committee Chairperson: Lea Lind
PTG President: Katy Kerns
If you are interested in a leadership role, please reach out to Mrs. Mantecon (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org).
SAC Meetings are held once a month via Zoom and open only to SAC members and invited guests.
PTG Meetings are held once a month via Zoom and open to all
Finance Committee meetings are held quarterly, with occasional special meeting times surrounding finance deadlines, and are open only to Finance Committee members and invited guests.
Parent Resource Library
Our Beloved St. Clare
Photo by Ed Carlo Garcia www.edcarlogarcia.com
St. Clare School
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: https://www.stclare.school
Location: 750 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408 246-6797
Facebook: facebook.com/stclareschoolsantaclara