Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family Newsletter | 11 October 2018
My Favorite Scripture Passage from Wisdom
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
~Wisdom 7:7-11
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Every time I read the passage above, I am filled with hope. It reminds me to put things in perspective and affirms that the work being done is part of God's plan. May wisdom be your guide and may each day bring you the perspective you need to live out your faith!
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT CONFERENCES
Conferences are next week. Superintendent Jenn Beltramo shared these norms with principals and in turn, we as a staff have used them with intention to frame our conversations. I'd like you to consider them as you meet with your student's teacher(s):
Be present
Presume positive intentions
Frame challenges as opportunities
Focus on issues not individuals
Foster collective responsibility
Be mindful of time and voice
Seek first to understand
Participate and support one another to do so
We are all working towards the same end goal: to form the hearts and minds of our amazing students!
DREXEL UPDATES
Our teachers spent this afternoon collaborating with other Drexel teachers via Zoom. In grade level small groups, they shared best practices, challenges and successes and consulted with one another on how to best serve our student population.
The key focus this year is to collectively improve our instructional capacity. How well do we know our learners and the most effective way to facilitate growth in the way they learn, interact with what and with whom they learn and connect and apply these towards college and career readiness.
Data has shown that student success is largely tied to effective core instruction. Learning from one another through peer observations and walkthroughs is one of the ways we can move to improve our own skills. Learning is ongoing, even for us!
JOG-A-THON: Still Amazed!
Tomorrow (Friday) is the last day to donate to this worthwhile cause. We are already looking for ways to improve campus communications and update our technology with the proceeds of this tremendous effort. By end of business day tomorrow, we will know the actual outcome. On Wednesday, Oct. 17 at morning assembly, Eddie Anderson will announce the top fundraisers and give away the prizes he promised them!
Another heartfelt THANK YOU to the following: The incomparable Robin Reynolds and her team of exuberant and dedicated volunteers:
JAT Committee:
Cyndi Banaag
Shirley Mata
Conrad Tinio
Theresa Marcelo-Tinio
Celina Ryan
Eddie Anderson
Corey Anderson
Other Support:
Brent Rapport - EMS
Luisa Rapport - EMS
Charissa Ikan-Reyes - Brochure
Warni Chee - Banners/Lapcards
Erik Chee - Banner/Lapcards
Josh Frazzitta - Operations
FACILITIES UPDATES
Our window installation will begin again in the weeks ahead, starting with the Administration side of the building. The installation will happen during school hours (8 A.M. to 4 P.M.), so please expect to see scaffolding and work crew on Washington Street. Please bear with us as we work around our "construction site" in the next couple of weeks.
Classrooms and CKZ work and installation will be completed on the weekends or after school hours.
REMEMBER that tomorrow, at 4 P.M. we will not have access to the Middle School/Rectory Parking Lot (please see my POST from Wednesday night) due to the lot being used for valet parking for an SCU alumni event. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. All cars must be moved out of the lot by 3:45 P.M. Use street parking or the lot behind the Hall.
PARISH NEWS
Please remember that the School and the Parish share in one mission. We look to all St. Clare School parents, especially those who are registered as parishioners, to enrich the life of the parish by participating actively in worship, service and communion. Sign up to serve in ministry: music, liturgy, faith formation, social justice, vocations, hospitality, sacramental preparation and others. Be active stewards of the programs by offering your time, talent and treasure. Look for information on how you can do be in communion with the life of our Parish in upcoming newsletters or call 408-248-7786.
MATH CLUB PARENT MEETING
We hope you can join us for the first Math Club Parent Meeting on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 P.M. in Room 6. For information, please see the flyer included in this newsletter.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
This year, Halloween falls on a Wednesday. TK-8 students will begin festivities after lunch with a costume parade on Washington Street beginning at 1:30 P.M. The party starts for TK-5 in the elementary play yard and for 6-8 in the hall immediately after the parade. Students change into appropriate costumes at lunch (modest, age-appropriate costumes that are non-violent, bloody or scary to 4 year olds are acceptable; school-appropriate (athletic shoes) footwear is expected; no accessories that are considered "weapons" or may be used as weapons may be brought to school). If you are not sure if your costume or accessory is appropriate, it's probably not.
OPEN HOUSE, NOV. 8
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 4-6 P.M. to celebrate the awesome community that is St. Clare! Please share your love for St. Clare School with families that have school-age children who are not attending our school! Invite them to attend this event to learn about our robust program and meet our incredible faculty and staff. It is evident that our best PR tool are our parents and students! They come here because you are here.
SUPPORT SCRIP!
We have Amazon GCs, a wide-variety of restaurant, retail, and travel inventory. It requires a little bit of planning and being intentional about supporting the school, but it benefits school programs. Drop by the office to pick some up or call to see if we have what you need in stock. The holidays are upon us: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why not shop SCRIP?
CALLING ALL ST. CLARE ALUMNI
We are 162 years strong! Let's keep this pride going by connecting our alumni back to our school. We have a rich history of preparing responsible, dedicated Catholic leaders in the Bay Area and around the country. If you are one, or you know of one, please let the school office know. We are compiling a list so that we can continue to tell the story of St. Clare. Look for a future post with a link to a quick Google form to share alumni information.
We thank the PTG Hospitality Committee for our October birthday lunch celebration. We were feted with yummy Panera sandwiches and salads, fruit, brownies and cookies. You all know the way to a teacher's heart... we are grate-FULL!
We hope you can join us tomorrow for a Prayer Service centering around Vocations led by the talented 8th grade class. Mr. Tom Bommarito from the Serra Club of Santa Clara will be joining us to speak with our middle schoolers about the importance of vocations and supporting those in religious vocations.
With gratitude and thanksgiving for your support and for entrusting us with the care of your children,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecón, Principal
STUDENT DROP-OFF / PICK-UP PROCEDURES
REMINDER to review the student drop-off and pick-up procedures for the elementary school. Please see the excerpt below taken from page … of the Parent/Student Handbook.
Morning Drop-Off/Pick-Up Routines
You may not double park or pick up students in the street. All students must use crosswalks. Drivers will be cited by the Santa Clara Police Department if you leave your vehicle unattended. If you stop at the curb, your child must go directly to or from the schoolyard and you must move on as soon as your child is safely secured in the car.
YOU MAY NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED WHILE PARKED ON THE SANTA CLARA STREET GATE SIDE! Students are to exit to the curb and walk to the gate on their own. If you wish to walk your children to the gate, you must park in the school lot OR across the street and use the cross walk to walk your children to the gate. Leaving your car unattended backs up traffic and causes safety hazards for our pedestrians. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
DINNER NIGHT OUT!
Consider going out for pizza during teacher conference week and Pizza My Heart will give back 30% to St. Clare School!
Pizza My Heart
700 Bellomy St, Santa Clara
Wednesday, October 17
4 pm - 9 pm only (not available during lunch)
DELIVERY, DINE IN OR TAKE OUT INCLUDED!
*No need to bring flier, just mention St. Clare School
**SCRIP CARDS AVAILABLE IN OFFICE FOR PURCHASE***
Calling all International Chefs!
Calling all International Chefs!
The 5th annual Multicultural Dinner is coming to St. Clare on Friday November 16th! Last year's event was at capacity and our planning team is working on new ideas. If you would like to serve this event by cooking your favorite cultural dish to share on this evening, please reserve a spot by emailing Sigrid Jacobsen, sigridmike@hotmail.com. Families are asked to provide 100 (small) servings of their dish and receive service hours for all time spent shopping, preparing, cooking, and serving. This is a wonderful way to get service hours from your home, doing what you love. More details to follow!
Need Service Hours?
No Choir Practice Tuesday, October 16th
Hicklebee's Author Series – The Echo Room author Parker Peevyhouse Visit for Grades 6 - 8, October 16
Author Parker Peevyhouse will be giving a presentation and discussing her new book to students in grades 6 – 8 on Tuesday October 16.
The Echo Room is a smart, claustrophobic, speculative young adult thriller with an immersive psychological mystery. New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne Ryan, described The Echo Room as “The Maze Runner meets Memento in this clever, engrossing sci-fi mystery!” It has also been described as having a plot full of twists and blinding turns.
Families without students in grades 6 – 8, can also purchase a copy of the book and have it personalized if they wish. Attached is an order form. Hardcover books are $18 each. Please make checks payable to Hicklebee's Bookstore and submit both payment and order form to the office by October 12. Autographed books make a wonderful gift for a family member or friend. There is no obligation to purchase.
Gospel Reflection | Mark 10:17-30
As Jesus was setting out on his journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus Answered him, Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and mother.”
He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these i have observed from my youth.”
Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in line thing. Go sell that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come follow me.”
At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it its to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Peter began saying to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you. There is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”
This inspirational truism has been reworked and reiterated by many writers, leaders, and public figures. The message is truly universal and therefore transcends borders, cultures, and religion.
“Success is not about how much money you make, but about the difference you make in people’s lives. ”
— Michelle Obama
“True wealth is not measured in money or status or power. It is measured in the legacy we leave behind for those we love and those we inspire.”
— Cesar Chavez
“Success is not rightly measured by the worldly standards of wealth, prestige, and power. None of these bestow happiness unless they are rightly used. To use them rightly, one must possess wisdom and love for God and man.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda (Hindu guru)
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”
— Albert Einstein
“Money is measured in numbers, and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.” — Buddhist saying
Mr. Payne
Santa Clara Fire Engine Visit St. Clare
Bellarmine Volunteers
We had some familiar faces stop by this week to serve as volunteers from Bellarmine. Seven of St. Clare's 2018 graduates lent a helping hand in the classrooms and paid a visit to some of their former teachers. We extend our gratitude for all of their help this week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 10/5 Local Holiday No School CKZ/CTZ
- 10/15-10/19 Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Week
- 10/20 Saturday Work Day | 9 A.M.
- 10/31 Halloween Party
- 11/8 Open House | 4-6 P.M.
- 11/12 Veterans Day No School CKZ/CTZ
- 11/16 Multi Cultural Dinner
SERVING ST. CLARE LINK
St. Clare School
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: drexel.dsj.org/stclareschool
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408-246-6797