And Away We Go!
All Things St. Clare: The Faculty and Staff Edition
Dear Companions on the Journey,
About 8 or so years ago, then superintendent Kathy Almazol (former St. Clare principal and grandma to Olivia Shepherd), thought it would be a good idea to gather all the Catholic teachers and administrators in the Diocese of San Jose. At that time, we had around 32 schools (my memory is fuzzy). I remember making that early drive from Gilroy to be at the Mission by 7:45 A.M. The church filled up slowly and before too long, it was packed with more than 600 educators. The energy was palpable. Friends who hadn't seen each other hugged. Familiar faces from articulation meetings and professional development days filed in. No one knew what to expect, but everyone felt this was a long time coming.
On Monday, August 13, we will gather once more, this time, with a new superintendent: Jenn Beltramo, mom of Savannah (if you were here for the summer program, you know Savannah and likely met mom and dad John). Having spent two days this week with Jenn, the Department of Catholic School team and the principals in the Diocese of San Jose, I have to say: be ready to be inspired. I am excited to work alongside her and her team because I know that she understands the importance of the journey we have to undertake in community. I hope that you, too, are looking forward to this day so that it can affirm for you the choice you made to join this amazing community of St. Clare!
Congratulations to Anthony Bigler, Christopher Goetz and Paulina Grzegorek for completing the New Teachers Ethics Camp at Santa Clara University. Next week, they will attend the Drexel Professional Learning Basics Camp (formerly ABL). Let's keep them in our prayers as they navigate the beginning of their journey in the Diocese of San Jose. We're here for you!
Congratulations to Valerye and her crew for an amazing CKZ Summer Program! The kids were happy and they provided a much needed service to our parents: it's a daunting task. This Friday, August 3 was their last day.
We also welcome Irene Kim, our new Spanish teacher! She is a recent graduate of Santa Clara University and you may recognize her from her ministry at the parish as cantor and music minister. We are also pleased to announce that Dahlia Onsurez and Angela Zaretzka will be joining us as paraeducators in grades 1 and 2, respectively. They will continue their roles in our extended care program. In addition, Jordan Turner will return as TK teacher for the morning program and Taylor Payton has agreed to take on the TK instructor for the afternoon program.
You will have access to your classrooms starting Monday, August 6. This, of course, comes with a caveat that the elementary building is still undergoing some sprucing up. Two weeks ago, Genesis completed the interior cleaning in the Middle School. The carpets were deep cleaned, the linoleum was polished, a thorough dusting and cleaning of all surfaces, windows and window coverings were completed. This week, the elementary school will be deep cleaned (carpets, floors and surfaces).
However, you will notice that Shea (subcontractor: Wooden Windows) will be in and out of classrooms to replace windows. So far, the following have been replaced: all entry doors, boys and girls restrooms, and the learning center. The 4th grade classroom is almost finished. The following windows will be replaced in this order: TK, K, 5, 1, Resource Room, 3, 2, CKZ, Faculty Lounge and Admin Offices. With the age of the windows and the care that has to be taken to install them, the process has been slow and we are anticipating that they will be working on the windows even after school has begun. (The painting contractor will follow as the windows are completed, cleaning the windows and reinstalling the blinds.) I will keep you posted as the work progresses throughout the elementary building. Thank you for your patience. The gas line in the Middle School area on Lexington Street is also under repair, so do not be alarmed if you see workers in the area.
Analiza Filion has been busy reviewing class schedules to make sure we are meeting the diocesan requirements for curriculum area minutes, taking into consideration time for music, art, Spanish, health and P.E. We will share the preliminary schedule soon using the St. Clare School Faculty Drive (Google Drive). You will find the link to this drive below.
Cherell, Teresea, Sister and parent volunteers have been and will continue to be busy getting classroom supplies ordered and ready for you. This Saturday and next Saturday, parent volunteers will be wiping down desks and getting the site spruced up for our opening day. If you have anything to add to the punch list, please see Cherell.
If you haven't already done so, please make sure you have tested your access to planbook.com (which should have come in the mail around July 5th) and to the Google Apps for Education (your @drexelschools.org email address with a preliminary password drexel2015). If you need help with these, please come see me.
Throughout this week, be on the lookout for "garage sale items." Any items you no longer need that might be useful to your peers can be placed just right outside your door with a sign that it is available for the taking. As you get your spaces organized, please make sure that you are recycling, repurposing, donating and dumping your own items as our janitors and office staff will be focused on other tasks. Thank you for taking this into consideration.
As you anticipate the many tasks before you this week before we open our doors to our students, remember the last line in the gospel reading from Matthew, Chapter 17 for August 11, the Memorial to St. Clare: "Nothing will be impossible for you."
May the work of your week be guided by the light of the Holy Spirit.
I am grateful to be walking with you.
Cecile