Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 6 December 2020
"Prepare the Way of the Lord"
A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
~Isaiah 40
Dear St. Clare School Families,
As we enter into the second week of Advent, we reflect on the PEACE that Christ’s coming promises. With the news of rising cases and a return to shelter-in-place orders in our area, heightened worries and anxieties permeate our thoughts. Worry for our children, our elderly, our first responders, ourselves. Worry that tighter restrictions will impact our employment, our financial situation and the closure of our schools. Now, more than ever, we need Christ’s peace to reign in our hearts, to summon, once again, the courage to HOPE and the courage to TRUST that all will be well.
Know that you are loved and that you must ask for what you need. Teaching your children ways to cope like breathing, exercise and movement, getting some fresh air, creating art, writing/journaling, especially when worry surrounds them will help them become more resilient. Naming their feelings is the very first step in being able to cope.
REMAINING VIGILANT AND SELFLESS
Thank you to those of you who consider others in your choices during the pandemic: voluntarily keeping students in distance learning when you or they are not feeling well, remaining in safe distance and wearing face coverings in public, maintaining interactions only with people in your households. We are grateful to you for keeping our community safe.
We continue to pray for your safety as we navigate this pandemic together. Please report any symptoms or illnesses to Ms. Cherell immediately, after consulting with your medical practitioner. As she is our COVID Designee, she can help determine the best course of action for the good of the community. We continue to provide distance learning for those who opt to keep their students at home. We understand the importance of being flexible and considerate with one another during this time. Let’s continue to work together by presuming positive intentions and building on the trust we have maintained.
Here is the LINK to the latest press release regarding the stay-at-home order that takes effect Sunday, December 6. Schools that have reopened are to remain open.
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP
Even through these challenging times, we have to remember our purpose and our vision. Please take a moment to read this blog from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) that highlight the Top Ten Benefits of a Catholic School Education that Fr. Ron Nuzzi has identified and articulated:
https://nceatalk.org/2020/01/the-top-ten-benefits-of-a-catholic-school-education/
I believe that it is important for us to affirm our place here at St. Clare and to invite others to join. There are some exciting ideas and initiatives percolating regarding focusing our academic formation on design-thinking and innovation in light of Catholic social teaching.
Standard 7 from the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools states, “An excellent Catholic school has a clearly articulated, rigorous curriculum aligned with relevant standards, 21st century skills, and Gospel values, implemented through effective instruction.” In particular, Standard 7. 3 states, “Curriculum and instruction for 21st century learning provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to become creative, reflective, literate, critical, and moral evaluators, problem solvers, decision makers, and socially responsible global citizens.”
I am grateful to have partners within the parent community, higher educational institutions and private sector partners to help us achieve this benchmark. If you have the expertise and the interest, please reach out to me. We have great and exciting work ahead of us!
VERY IMPORTANT: CHRISTMAS PROGRAM VIDEOS
We need your help! Ms. Ariel sent instructions to your teachers about each student recording songs for the Christmas program. I would love 100% participation from all students to show our unity in our community. I know this is challenging for some students and families, but please make your best effort. We need joy and one another at this time. If you have not received the instructions from your teachers, please let me know, or contact your teachers directly.
WE STILL HAVE SCRIP!
Our inventory is very low and select, but we do have some scrip from vendors mostly in Southern California or other parts of the state. We would love your help in getting our inventory down to $0 before the year is over. We have a good number of Exxon/Mobil gas cards. The spreadsheet below shows the quantity, the unit value and the general location of the vendors. Send them as gifts to family members in the Southern CA area or donate them to Fr. Greg Boyle’s Homeboy Industries or similar organizations that operate in the LA vicinity:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aBR_dVfGK7HWl4p2iRI1OiXGmwDI-9TxwWRJxFC9C6I/edit?usp=sharing
Email Ms. Teresa (teresea.mckinnon@dsj.org) and she can arrange for pick up/payment. Thank you!
THINKING AHEAD FOR A JANUARY RETURN
Many of you who are not yet back in person, have indicated that you would like your student to return in January. The earliest date we are able to add to our existing cohorts is January 19 to allow for new members to quarantine for at least 14 days before joining existing cohorts. You will need to complete training if you have not already done so and you will need to read accompanying protocols for drop off/pick up. I am sending this notice ahead of time so that you can plan for your return with safety in mind, following the County mandates until your child returns. Thank you for your cooperation and please reach out to me if you have any questions.
May this second week of Advent fill you with peace.
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE
When reporting absences or shifts to distance learning from in-person, PLEASE EMAIL attendance@stclareschool.org AND all classroom teachers!
Congratulations, Christmas Card Contest Winners!
Gabrielle G., 7th Grade
Lily G., 6th Grade
Sarah G., 8th Grade
Tristan F., 4th Grade
Thomas H., 6th Grade
Emma L., 4th Grade
Important Dates Reminder
- 12/7-11 STAR Assessment Week
- 12/9 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 12/10 A Cup with the Principal | 6:00 P.M.
- 12/11 Weekly School Mass | Formal Uniform Required | 9:30 A.M.
- 12/13 Christmas and Cocoa | 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
- 12/16 Picture Re-Take Day | 8:30 A.M. - 10:30 P.M. (appointments only stay tuned )
- 12/16 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 12/17 Christmas Program Viewing Party - All School Zoom | 7 P.M.
- 12/18 Weekly School Mass | Formal Uniform Required | 9:30 A.M.
- 12/18 12:30 Dismissal
- 12/21 - 1/1 Christmas Break
Google Public Calendar
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
Voluntary COVID Testing for Children; Flu Shots
Thank you to all the families that attended the Return to School orientation last night. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming days about logistics and more.
Thank you to Jane Wulf (8th grade parent) for sharing the information below. St. Clare is not requiring a negative COVID test to return to in-person learning, but families may want to have their children tested before returning.
Families with children of any age are welcome to schedule a free COVID nasal swab test. Results are sent by text/email within 2-3 days (in the past I have received mine within 24 hrs). I recommend scheduling a test for the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds site:
https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing
Fulgent Booking System 1.0 - Appointment
This testing is for people who live, work, attend school, or assist with care for a resident of Santa Clara County.
scl.fulgentgenetics.com
You will be asked to provide optional insurance information to help offset the costs related to providing the test. The insured(s) is NOT billed. Insurance is NOT required to be tested. The fairgrounds location is a drive-thru site open Tuesdays-Fridays (12p-6:45p) and Saturdays (9a-3p).
In addition, flu shots are offered free of charge across the street (Fairground expo building) on Saturdays.
Free Flu Shots Click On Attached Flyers For More Information
Reopening of Santa Clara County K-12 Schools
Here are some resources for your information:
Sccsafeworkplace.org (see item on reporting COVID cases)
Stronger Together (SCCOE)
FERPA and Coronavirus (Child Privacy Laws)
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: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408 246-6797
Facebook: facebook.com/stclareschoolsantaclara