Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 10 October 2021
Journeying in Hope and Love: Building a Culture of Accompaniment
The Road to Emmaus
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us]
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
~ Luke 24:28-32, 35
Dear St. Clare School Families,
If you haven’t already seen photos or videos of this weekend’s Parade of Champions, please view the link to the news clip and the videos and photos we’ve included below. A special thank you to Mrs. Rizzo, Caroline Zelaya, Mr. Joey, Kevin Farmer and the students and their families (including the 4-legged variety), who watched from the sidelines and walked the parade on Saturday. Wile-y the Wildcat and the Silver Box Choir represented us well. I am so proud of all of you!
As you will learn from the clip, the Parade began to honor the troops returning from WWII. Today, it is a celebration of the unity of the City of Santa Clara. When Mayor Lisa Gillmor and I spoke about her commitment to St. Clare, she spoke of a Santa Clara that had two identities: one that was rooted in the past and the other that is forward facing. It’s an idea that has resonated with me with regards to the vision for our school.
In a recent conversation regarding why families chose St. Clare, comments like “it reminded me/it smells like/it looks like my elementary school/the school that I attended” were brought up. Our building, our “way” is one that evokes nostalgia. The photos of the campus, of the graduates in our hallways are constant reminders that there are many who have come before us with fond memories of their experiences at St. Clare. Each generation stands on the shoulders of those of the last. We proudly carry on the traditions and leave the school better than we found it.
MOVING FORWARD
Realizing that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and acknowledging that we knew as normal will never be, we are still inspired by hope in our trust that we have a community that works together for the greater good.
Friday is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila. She was named a Doctor of the Church, one whose writings are found to be significant in our understanding of our faith. Her definition of contemplative prayer is one that makes the practice accessible to anyone willing to engage in a relationship with God.
One of the prayers attributed to her, “Nada te turbe” (translation: “Let Nothing Disturb You”) is one of my go-tos, particularly when faced with challenges. It is a testament to the gift of Wisdom, as described beautifully in this Sunday’s first reading and also a testament to trust in the Lord.
From the Book of 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.
The prayer in Spanish appears below as an image in her own handwriting.
Here is its English translation:
Let nothing trouble you;
Let nothing affright you;
All things are passing,
God never changes;
Patience obtains everything,
Nothing is wanting to one
who possesses God.
God alone suffices. Amen.
I’ve also included a link to a Taizé using the words of the prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go1-BoDD7CI.
My hope is that we trust that God’s love alone will lead us safely out of the uncertainty we might be feeling. When the rich man asked Jesus what else he needed to be assured of being admitted into God’s kingdom, he left disappointed at Jesus’ response. It was not what he wanted to hear. Jesus asked him to give up something that was valuable to him (his riches in this case). He was unwilling to do this and so he remained unfulfilled and sad.
What is Jesus asking us to give up to find fulfillment and joy? Is it pride? Is it the compulsion that we have to be right? Is it the belief that we have been robbed or wronged?
As parents and role models to our children, what can we teach them to become people of the light: ones who trust that God’s love alone will save us? How do we speak about those not in the same room as us? Have we admitted our mistakes as vocally as we vilify those who have wronged us? Have our children heard us think through why someone may have made the wrong choice and that we forgive them “for they know not what they are doing.”? Jesus said these words and He gave us every example in the gospel of how we must act: with forgiveness and mercy and with understanding.
For when we have love, we are able to be grateful for the riches that God has bestowed upon us and we wouldn’t be able to help ourselves but give it away.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY
Acknowledging that our TK students and some of our kindergarteners (and their parents!) are likely experiencing school in-person for the first time in their lives and realizing that some of our students are still adjusting to in-person learning (following rules and protocols, practicing active listening, interacting in-person and sharing the space for the first time in 15 months), our work continues to be building community.
It is easy to believe that we are not connected when our interactions are limited to message-chains, chats and Zoom, after a year or so of being able to “be” in your child’s classroom. It is important to know that you are part of a vibrant and supportive community. Here are some ways which we accompany each other:
Our volleyball intramurals are nearing the end and our soccer intramurals will begin soon. Valerye Moore has sent you information on how to register your child and send payment for the competition between our students.
A couple of our parents helped out in a modified Saturday work day to trim overgrown trees.
We just concluded a successful Golf Tournament courtesy of our amazing parents and PTG leaders!
Our community turned out to support the Santa Clara Parade of Champions.
Our Student Council led their first all-school in-person rally to celebrate a successful Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Week (photos below).
We continue to participate at mass weekly (Grades 3-8) and receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
We continue to invite you to Sunday Family Mass at 10:30 A.M.
As we move into the fall season, we are missing our traditional fall events: the Jog-a-Thon and Multicultural Evening (Multicultural Dinner). Both events are being planned for the Spring, with hopes that at that time, we will have vaccinations available for our 5-11 year olds.
In the meantime, we want to continue to strengthen our community in other ways that will keep us safe. (Our school, since we have returned to in-person learning in October of 2020, has not had a campus exposure that resulted in a positive case of COVID-19. That is a testament to your commitment to the community’s safety.)
Also in the works is the opportunity to opt-in at no cost to you, for onsite COVID-19 testing for students through COVID Testing Today. In addition to routine testing, they will be available to us in the event that we have a campus positive case and students will need to modify quarantine. More on this after we are trained this week.
Here are some ideas being considered:
Inviting families to join us to attend in-person morning assembly: masked and distanced.
Organizing a Halloween parade on Friday, October 29.
Inviting prospective families to “Trick or Treat” through the school in lieu of an open house.
A Cup with the Principal for each grade level in addition to the monthly whole school sessions.
Parent education sessions on different topics of interest.
We welcome ideas and suggestions and your reactions to the ideas above.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENCOUNTER:
- PTG Meeting on Tuesday, October 12 at 6:30 P.M.
- Head our St. Clare School Marketing Committee--contact Mrs. Mantecon (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org)
- Head our Alumni Committee--contact Mrs. Cherell Rizzo (cherell.rizzo@dsj.org)
- Actively participate in our HVAC committee--contact Michael Adams (mjadams99nd@sbcglobal.net)
ANOTHER LOOK AT SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS (SLES):
Can you picture your child in this image of the Grad@Grad at St. Clare School?
FORMED IN FAITH
reasons with intellect (thinks critically)
seeks personal growth (desires continuous improvement)
LIVES A LIFE IN COMMUNION
Acts with compassion and empathy (walks in the footsteps of another)
inclusion and intentional encounters (welcomes all, accompanies all)
ACTS WITH JUSTICE
as stewards of the earth (works towards a sustainable future)
entrusted to us by God (acts as advocates for the needs of those who do not have the resources or the voice to have a seat at the table, or to ask for basic human needs)
With your partnership and participation, with your trust and your care for all members of our community, we can take back what we may have lost during the pandemic, by accompanying one another, recognizing that some take slower steps/smaller steps than others and that small incremental changes will lead to greater gains.
With gratitude and thanksgiving for your partnership and accompaniment,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Celebrating a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference Week
St. Clare Had A Special Visitor During Morning Assembly
St. Clare School Represents 165 Years of Tradition in Santa Clara
Aboard the classic Ford is the Farmer family driving our mascot, “Wile-y the Wildcat”.
We continue St. Clare School traditions from years ago, including the school’s participation in The Parade of Champions. On October 9, St. Clare students, parents and teachers joined the parade once again.
Students came to represent the school to honor frontline workers, especially our teachers who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic. Watch the clip KPIX news clip HERE: https://youtu.be/ThTZO_V233g
St. Clare School is proud to be part of the Santa Clara Tradition since 1856.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HVAC COMMITTEE
Until last year, most of us took clean air for granted. Then came Covid, a deepening drought worsening allergies, and a wildfire season lasting months. For over a century at St. Clare School, our classrooms were cooled by the South Bay breeze, but we learned this is no longer reliable. Last fall we scored some of the worst air quality in the world after the lightning storm caused hundreds of wildfires, so windows had to stay closed. Our central boiler which provides heat in the winter is also no longer reliable.
Our school is working to upgrade the heating system and add air-conditioning to maintain a steady climate and a clean learning environment inside the classroom. Beyond good health, several academic studies have found a link between clean air and academic performance. In the Covid era, we know that continually cleaning air and maximizing airflow is the most important way to reduce viral transmission, even more important than surface disinfection.
Please support our efforts to improve our school air quality for students and staff. In coming months there will be several opportunities to be a part of this effort, which will require considerable financial resources. We ask you to remember our students and staff in your prayers, participate to the best of your ability, and consider a sustaining gift that will pay dividends to our community for years to come. Thank you for your generosity.
If you can help spearhead this effort, contact Michael Adams who is coordinating the multifaceted efforts to bring HVAC upgrades to St. Clare.
Reporting Attendance
Attendance Email: stclare-attendance@dsj.org
Attendance line: 408-246-6797 x 106
DISTANCE LEARNING IS A RESPONSE TO A CRISIS.
If your child is absent due to an illness or due to family vacation, Zoom accommodations will NOT be made. Treat this as if there is no option for distance learning. You may make up work missed when you return.
Distance Learning may be offered if a student has to quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure (household contact or positive case).
Picture Retake Day Wednesday, October 27th
2021-22 School Calendar
Below, you will find the Calendar Grid for the school year. Some find this difficult to navigate, so I’ve created the Calendar Highlights document which I hope will make it a bit easier for you to consume.
Some changes since the end of the school year: we added September 20th as a NO SCHOOL DAY and our School Year will end a day earlier. The original calendar had us attending 183 days of school, knowing that we had three days over the required 180 days. We are keeping the 181 days in the event we have to close for an emergency due to poor air quality.
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 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