Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
11 April 2019 | St. Clare School Family News
Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
We, the St. Clare School Community, joyfully embrace the Gospel mission entrusted by Christ to His Church.
Believing that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God, we cherish and celebrate our diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Dear St. Clare School Families,
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week leading to the Easter Triduum. In the Philippines, it is not unusual for offices and schools (public and private) to be closed during this week. As a child, our family would pile into our ‘63 Impala (more bodies than there were seatbelts) on the Saturday before Palm Sunday and trek through a freeway that was not so free, from Manila all the way to La Union, a province in the northern Ilocos region in the island of Luzon. The drive, which is about 165 miles and would nowadays take only about 4 ½ hours by car, would take us anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of travel time, including pit stops (mostly because of me and car sickness), bad roads and a car prone to tire problems and overheating.
We all suffered through this because we knew what was at the end of this otherwise interminable trip: our very humble hut by the beach. We dubbed our beach “California Beach”, never ever even having an idea where or what California beaches look like! Our hut was just that, a hut made by a local “builder” commissioned by my civil engineer dad. The hut sits on 6-8 bamboo stilts anchored in 6 concrete blocks. It had a thatched roof and bamboo floors. There was no kitchen and I don’t even recall a bathroom, but it likely had one. The rest is fuzzy. What I do remember is the beautiful volcanic black sand, the undertow and the vast ocean.
We would spend endless days with a picnic on the beach eating fresh fruit and treating sunburned skin. On Good Friday, we would go to town to watch the flagellants (usually penitent men--confessed town drunks, gamblers, adulterers) process towards the Crucifixion site where two men (thieves) with hands bound to crosses are raised alongside the designated Christ: one who is actually nailed to the cross. He is taken down just as quickly as he is raised and into the waiting ambulance for treatment. Although a gruesome site for an elementary-aged child, it was the passion, the fervor and the piety of the people that stuck with me.
I also fondly remember “Sabado de Gloria” and the flotilla of faithful in a series of outrigger canoes each carrying a statue of the Black Nazarene or Mary or the Santo Nino, chanting prayers as they rowed along the shore.
Easter was not about the Bunny or the eggs. It was about dressing up and waking up early to go to mass (likely, standing room only) and celebrating the revelation of the day: that Christ is Risen, that we are saved and that love conquered death.
A JOYFUL ADDITION TO THE ST. CLARE FAMILY
Mrs. Turner, TK teacher, is expecting her second child! We congratulate her and her family as sister Grayson welcomes a baby brother or sister. She and I are planning for a smooth transition to allow her to take some time to celebrate this joyful addition.
SAVE THE DATE: May 7 is VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT AT THE STATE OF THE SCHOOL ADDRESS | Dinner begins at 5 P.M.
Please plan to attend this evening so that our faculty and staff can thank you for all your help throughout the year. Your presence in the classroom, at yard duty, Saturday work days, in fundraising and community events are what makes St. Clare such a special place. Be prepared to be feted and served by your favorite teachers! You will learn about the vision for the 2019-20 school year and receive the Run, Hide, Defend Training from our Community Officers from the Santa Clara Police Department.
SAVE THE DATE: Fine Arts Week and Spring Concert at the SPRING OPEN HOUSE | Thursday, May 16 | Gallery and Open House Open at 5:30; Spring Concert Begins at 6:30 P.M. in the Church
This evening will showcase student art from the beginning of the year with Mrs. Talbott followed by choral performances and talented numbers from instrumentalists. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mrs. Dempsey.
SAFETY TRAINING FOR OUR FACULTY AND STAFF
Today our faculty and staff spent the afternoon learning how to use a fire extinguisher from Lei Wang, the Safety Inspector for the Diocese of San Jose. The training was followed by a presentation on the Run, Hide, Defend Drill by Officer Jamie Ellis.
YAY, SCIENCE!
It was amazing to see the critical minds and scientific method at play with the display boards at the Science Fair. Thank you, Ms. McCormick for coordinating this great exhibit and to our science teachers for instilling a love of science and engineering in our students!
For your formation, here is a quick explanation of the Easter Triduum
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/triduum/index.cfm
I hope that the Hosanna at the beginning of Holy Week and the Alleluia at Easter brings with them true awe and wonder at the saving grace afforded us during this time in our Church.
May your Holy Week be filled with God's saving grace,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Holy Week
Holy Week begins this Sunday-Palm Sunday- with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Our Triduum begins on Holy Thursday. Please join us in the celebration of Mass at 7:30 PM in the church. We encourage you and your children to participate in this meaningful celebration. After Mass, there is a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose in the parish hall on Lexington Avenue. We invite your children to participate by lighting the way for the Blessed Sacrament by holding tea lights as the priests and altar servers pass through on their way to the altar of repose.
Good Friday services will be held at 5:30 PM starting with Our Lord’s Passion and followed by Outdoor Stations of the Cross at 7:30 PM.
The Easter Vigil will begin at 8:30 PM on Holy Saturday night. Consider joining our community as we experience the beauty of this night in multiple languages and music.
On Holy Thursday morning, the students will participate in a Seder prayer in their classrooms. After recess, the Eighth Graders will lead us in praying the Stations of the Cross. You are welcome to join us at the church for the stations from 10:45 – 11:45 AM.
Chrism Mass was held this past week: The Importance of the Holy Oils Explained
Oil of the Sick
This Oil of the Sick has been blessed by our Bishop
for the healing of body, mind, and soul.
May the sick, who are anointed with it,
experience the compassion of Christ and his saving love.
Oil of Catechumens
This Oil of Catechumens has been blessed by our Bishop
for the anointing of those preparing for Baptism.
Through this anointing they are strengthened by Christ
to resist the power of Satan and reject evil in all its forms,
as they prepare for the saving waters of Baptism.
Holy Chrism
This holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and perfume,
has been consecrated by our Bishop and the Priests of our Diocese.
It will be used to anoint infants after Baptism,
those who are to be confirmed,
Bishops and Priests at their Ordination,
and altars and churches at the time of their dedication.
Science Fair 2019
Track and Field Meet
E-waste Fundraiser
Saturday, April 13, 2019 between 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Spread the word!! Parents, teachers, staff, do you have e-waste just collecting dust, taking up space in your garage or backyard?
Saturday, April 13 is the time to get rid of your e-waste, and support St. Clare School. Load those items in your car or truck and swing by St. Clare School between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Follow the cones to e-waste dump day!
Please see the list below of the items you may drop off. Thank you for supporting St. Clare School in cleaning up the environment with this quick and easy fundraiser!
E-waste List
- CRT’s: TV’s. Rear Projector TV, Computer Monitors, Equipment w/ monitor
- LCD’s: Plasma TV, LCD Monitor’s, Laptops, including iPad, Kindle, Notebook
- Computers, Servers, Switches, Network Equipment
- Components: Memory, IC Chips, CPO, Printed Circuit Boards
- Hard Drives (we dismantle and shred all hard drives)
- Modems, Routers
- Telecom, Household Phones, Cellphones
- Printers, Fax, Scanner
- CD Players, DVD Players, DVR Player,
- Audio & Video Equipment, Karaoke. Stereo Equipment
- Camera’s, Projectors, Security Cameras
- Gaming: Nintendo, Xbox, Play Stations, including Games
- iPads, Notebooks, Tablets, Kindles
- Medical Equipment, Carts, Test Equipment, Lab Equipment
- Server Racks, Metal Carts
- Wire and Cables (all types) Surge Projectors, Adapters
- Batteries: UPS, Backup Batteries, Power Supplies and Car Batteries, Laptop
- Exercise Equipment
- Metals: Aluminum, Copper, Scrap Metal, Stainless Steel, File Cabinets
- Appliances: Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, Oven, Water Heater, Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Satellite Dishes
- Cardboard
- We do not take Lightbulbs (ask for information)
- We do not take Household Batteries A,B,C,D (ask for information)
Talent Show Applications Due Monday, April 15th Application and Instructional Letter Attached.
Updated Scrip Form
Jamba Juice Is Back
HSPT Prep Course June 17-28th | Flyer Attached Below
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 4/13 eWaste Fundraiser and Saturday Work Day
- 4/17 Cup w/ The Principal
- 4/19 - 4/26 Easter Break | No School
- 4/30 Lexi Baldwin: Principal for a Day; Student Council Rally
- 5/1 May Crowning, 8:15 A.M. on Lexington Street, at the Grotto
- 5/3 Mass Led in Ministry by 5th Grade | 9 A.M.
- 5/6 -10 Teacher Appreciation Week, Spirit Week, Student Council Campaigns
- 5/7 State of the School, Volunteer Appreciation, SCPD Run, Hide, Fight Presentation | 5 P.M.
- 5/9 New Family Orientation | 6:30 P.M.
- 5/10 Talent Show | 6:30 P.M.
- 5/10 Prayer Service Led by 1st Grade | 9 A.M.
- 5/ 13-16 Fine Arts Week
- 5/16 Art Show | 5:30 P.M., Spring Concert | 6:30 P.M.
St. Clare School
FACEBOOK | @stclareschoolsantaclara
Go find us on Facebook! Make sure you LIKE the page and share the link with others.
Please share the ALUMNI GOOGLE FORM link https://goo.gl/forms/pEtJxf8h5OBlnMF93
with all the alumni you know so that we can continue to tell the story of St. Clare!
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: drexel.dsj.org/stclareschool
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408-246-6797
"A Mighty Girl" Resources
For two great guides for girls on building healthy friendships, we highly recommend "Friends: Making Them & Keeping Them" for ages 7 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/friends-making-them-keeping-them) and "A Smart Girl's Guide: Friendship Troubles" for ages 9 to 12 (https://www.amightygirl.com/a-smart-girl-friendship)
There's also an excellent guide for teen girls, 13 and up, "The Teen Girl's Survival Guide" at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-teen-girl-s-survival-guide