A Grateful Heart
Saint Clare School Family News | 27 November 2022
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,
Happy Advent! This first Sunday of Advent reminds us to focus on the HOPE that Christ brings by coming into this world. Within this week, your children will bring home an Advent calendar so that you may engage in prayer and reflection throughout the Advent season. This week, at school, our faculty and staff will gather daily to pray together throughout the season, so that we may strengthen our faith through prayer and through community.
When you come to Sunday mass, you may also pick up some Advent prayer books at one of the church entrances. If you have made the tradition of lighting the Advent wreath each Sunday of Advent, here is a prayer resource from Dynamic Catholic: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/advent-wreath-prayers.html. As well, Loyola Press has some resources you can use to enrich your faith life at home during the Advent season: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/
On Tuesday, December 13, Msgr. Fran and Fr. Victor will lead the school in a couple of Reconciliation Services: 1-2P for Grades 3-5, 2-3P for Grades 6-8 in the Outdoor Church. Please join us.
Joining together in thanksgiving each Sunday at the celebration of the Eucharist is the most important part of your Baptismal commitment to raise your children in the Catholic faith. We hope you will join our community at Family Mass on Sundays at 10:30A, or at any of the following masses: Saturday Vigil at 5P in English, Sunday at 7:30A, 9A in Portuguese, 10:30A in English, and Noon in Spanish.
HEATING FOR THE ELEMENTARY BUILDING
This past week, you may have seen some construction in the elementary school in preparation for the temporary heating solution I communicated a week or so ago.
In mid-November, the school’s aged boiler finally drew its last steam breath. The school acted quickly to ensure students and teachers do not have to go through the winter without heat. With the help of Diocesan facilities and Thermal Mechanical, we now have a temporary, but robust heating solution that consists of a rental external heating unit powered by a generator. Temporary ducting was put in place to carry heat into the classrooms. Tomorrow, Monday, November 28, we will have heat!
The solution is an expensive one, but it is necessary for the health and safety of our students and teachers. Unfortunately, the cost of the construction and monthly rental fees of this solution will eat into the funds we have set aside to retrofit the aging electrical system of our beautiful building, which has a rich history. Since 2020, we have been preparing to upgrade our heating and ventilation system, funded by private donations, fundraising, and facilities reserves. We need your help!
Any amount donated will make a difference in ensuring we can go forward with our plans to get modern heating and air conditioning to the elementary school before next winter. You may consider donating an amount in the configuration of your child’s graduation year. For example, if your child is the class that will graduate in 2027, you might want to donate $20.27, $202.70, $2,027, $20,270, $202,700, or more! If you have the capacity or the time to assist in writing a grant to help with the emergency cost, I would love to hear from you!
RECEPTION INVITATIONS FOR FIRST TRIMESTER HONORS & YOUNG CHRISTIAN
Welcome back to a full week of academics. Those whose students are being honored as Young Christians (TK-8) and middle school students have earned the distinction of consistent performance for Academic Achievement and Academic Excellence will enjoy a light reception prior to morning assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 29 starting at 7:30A in the Rectory Garden (or under the tent). Siblings and families will receive invitations from teachers to attend. Awards will be announced and families will get an opportunity to take photos. Invitations should have already come from your homeroom teacher. If not, it should arrive by tomorrow.
THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: An Advent Concert (aka Christmas Program)
On Thursday, December 15, students will perform for our community to usher in the Christmas season. The performances will begin at 6P in the church. Church doors open at 5:45P.
Students are asked to come dressed in their HOLIDAY best (fancier Christmas attire; something your child would wear to Christmas mass).
Details:
Drop off students no earlier than 5:30P and no later than 5:45P.
Elementary, TK-5 (750 Washington - park on the street or the lot): parents walk students to each classroom to sign them in with the teacher.
Middle School, 6-8 (park in the lot): parents walk students to each classroom to sign them in with the teacher.
Students will remain with the teacher and will be escorted to the church in time for the class’ performance.
At the end of the program, all students will return to the church for the finale.
Students may be picked up when the concert concludes. Pick up directions will be announced at the conclusion of the evening.
KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE: Use test kits sent at home to test this evening and then again on Tuesday. If your child is sick (fever, severe cough/cold symptoms, headache, diarrhea/vomiting), please keep them home. If your child has the sniffles, we highly recommend sending them to school with a mask.
Parish Pre-Christmas Festivities, Dec. 3, at 6:30P by the grotto
Dec. 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass at 10:45A
Dec. 13, Advent Reconciliation between 1-3 in the Outdoor Church.
SAVE THE DATE: Christmas Program, Dec. 15, 6-7P
Followed by a Christmas reception. Bring unwrapped gifts from The Giving Tree.
UPCOMING EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT:
Join us for Weekly School Mass on Fridays, at 10:45A
PTG Meetings are monthly on the first Thursday of each month. Stay tuned for posts reminding you to RSVP.
Parish Pre-Christmas Festivities, Dec. 3, at 6:30P by the grotto
Dec. 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass at 10:45A
Dec. 13, Advent Reconciliation between 1-3 in the Outdoor Church.
SAVE THE DATE: Christmas Program, Dec. 15, 6-7P
Followed by a Christmas reception. Bring unwrapped gifts from The Giving Tree. See original post.
2nd Annual Golf Tournament: May 1, 2023 | Boulder Ridge Golf Club
Thank you for your continued support of our teachers, our parish, and of one another!
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Bishop Cantú Joins Saint Clare for VIP Day
THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: An Advent Concert (aka Christmas Program)
On Thursday, December 15, students will perform for our community to usher in the Christmas season. The performances will begin at 6P in the church. Church doors open at 5:45P.
Students are asked to come dressed in their HOLIDAY best (fancier Christmas attire; something your child would wear to Christmas mass). Pictured above is the Class of 2023, our current 8th graders, dressed appropriately at the 2019 Christmas Program when they were in 5th grade.
Details:
Drop off students no earlier than 5:30P and no later than 5:45P.
Elementary, TK-5 (750 Washington - park on the street or the lot): parents walk students to each classroom to sign them in with the teacher.
Middle School, 6-8 (park in the lot): parents walk students to each classroom to sign them in with the teacher.
Students will remain with the teacher and will be escorted to the church in time for the class’ performance.
At the end of the program, all students will return to the church for the finale.
Students may be picked up when the concert concludes. Pick up directions will be announced at the conclusion of the evening.
JULIE PALOMINO-FREITAS: A Saint Clare Love Story
Saint Clare has educated thousands of students including the Palomino-Freitas family whose parents met in the 1980s as Saint Clare students. Julie’s parents (Lara-Palomino) also met at Saint Clare in the 1940s, married, and sent all their eight children to Saint Clare School. Julie and her husband toured the school and enjoyed reminiscing about their days in these hallowed halls!
We are so happy to hear back from our alumni. Please continue to have them reach out to Mrs. Rizzo (cherell.rizzo@dsj.org). We like hearing what they have been up to and what they loved about Saint Clare when they were here as students.
Saint Clare Temporary Heating Solution in Place
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree helps families in need who may need help providing their own family gifts during the holiday season. Extend a heart of charity by taking an ornament from the Giving Tree in the church and bringing a wrapped gift with the ornament for those families and placing it under the tree. Gifts will be accepted until December 13th. Gift cards will also be accepted.
Thank you for your generosity!
Ryan Bao
A BIG Thank You To This Year's Jog-a-thon Sponsors
Attendance Impacts Learning
Early Literacy Resources from Harvard Global Family Research Project
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
- Dec. 3, Saint Clare Parish Tree Trimming | SAVE THE DATE
- Dec. 8, ALL-SCHOOL MASS: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 10:45 A.M.
- Dec. 15, CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6 P.M., followed by the Christmas social in the Hall
- Dec. 16, 12:30 Dismissal NO CKZ
- Dec. 19-January 2: Christmas Break
2022-22 School Calendar
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