Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 13 September 2020
In Solidarity through Mercy and Kindness
Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?
Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?
If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside;
remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.
~ Sirach 27:30-28:7
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Msgr. Fran’s homily from last Friday’s weekly mass reminded us about humility and forgiveness. This Sunday’s readings continue the message that our merciful and loving God reminds us that we, too, must practice compassion and forgive those who have wronged us.
During these trying times, we are called to be patient in our dealings with one another, be gentle with each others’ feelings and forgive one another. Presuming positive intentions is one way we can act with compassion. Most of all, we must learn to forgive ourselves and seek mercy when we neglect to act with grace.
REOPENING PREPARATIONS
Soon, you will see a post asking you to make a choice once we are allowed to reopen. Please read the choices carefully along with the considerations that accompany them. I invite you to join me on Thursday for “A Cup with the Principal” to learn more about the plan so that you can make an informed decision. I am asking you to please complete the registration choice response by Friday, September 18 so that we can plan accordingly.
For those of you choosing to return in person, please consider the following:
You will be bringing back the learning bins and supplies that were sent home.
You will be bringing back any school-issued iPads that were sent home.
Your child will need a refillable water bottle. Water bubblers (spigots) will not be accessible.
Register and prepare to order lunches through the CHOICE LUNCH portal. Be sure to select St. Clare School.
Speak to your child about (and practice) keeping a safe physical distance from the next person.
Help your child practice wearing face coverings for an extended period. (Consider attaching the face covering to a clip lanyard so that it can hang around the neck when removed.)
Help your child practice hand-washing, caring for face coverings and coughing/sneezing into the elbow fold.
Familiarize yourself with the resources on the CDC site that can help educate you and your family on how to keep yourselves and our community safe. Here’s one: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
Familiarize yourself with symptoms particular to COVID-19 that appear in the screening form you will be required to complete prior to arriving at school.
LEARNING CONTINUES
As we begin our fourth full week in distance learning, our teachers continue to refine their practice, engage with their students and communicate regularly with you. I hear joyful noise when I walk down the hallway of the school and I read about the learning that’s happening in the updates your teachers send out. Each morning, I look forward to seeing 230+ faces on Zoom and hearing enthusiastic singing of patriotic songs.
With each new challenge, I am amazed at the grit of our students and teachers. Most of all, I am grateful to you for helping facilitate learning, managing expectations and emotions at home and continuing to connect with the teachers when issues arise. This is tough for all of us. It is very important for you to let your teachers know how to meet your child's needs. Let’s continue to practice patience, presume positive intentions and give each other the opportunity for grace to fill the space.
ENGAGEMENT
I am grateful to the PTG Room Reps for reaching out to their classes to support one another and for an active buddy program for our new families. Our faith families (buddy classes) are planning some time to spend with one another. This year’s families are: Grade 4 & Grade 2; Grade 5 & Kinder; Grade 6 & TK; Grade 7 & Grade 1; and Grade 8 & Grade 3. These connections help us build community and support the development of leadership among our older students.
We hope that when you can, you are able to join our morning assemblies and weekly masses. Please know that Msgr. Fran and Fr. Jonathan would love to see you and your children at daily mass, particularly on Fridays at the Rectory Garden.These are at 8 A.M. Let your teachers know when you plan to do so.
PRAY FOR OUR TEACHERS: Catechetical Sunday, September 20.
Sunday, September 20th is Catechetical Sunday where our teachers will be commissioned as catechists. Please pray for our teachers during this week leading up to the commissioning that they may always be filled with God’s grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As models of faithful discipleship, we lean on them to form our students to be moral and ethical members of the Body of Christ.
GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING
I am grateful to Ms. Cherell and Ms. Valerye for their focus in getting the facilities ready for us to reopen. I give thanks to the teachers who show up each day to provide structure and a safe space for our children to learn. I am thankful to each of you for your support and guidance as we navigate “new” things together.
I feel fortunate to be able to hear your children’s voices and see their faces each morning. It gives me joy to know that they feel a sense of belonging here, in this “virtual” place we call home. It gives me hope so that I may continue to serve with humility and grace.
Here is another reflection from Henri Nouwen, "The Search for Belonging":
When productivity is our main way of overcoming self-doubt, we are extremely vulnerable to rejection and criticism and prone to inner anxiety and depression. Productivity can never give the deep sense of belonging we crave. The more we produce, the more we realize that successes and results cannot give us the experience of “at homeness”. In fact, our productivity reveals to us that we are driven by fear.
May our hearts be filled with peace in the weeks ahead.
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
St Clare Parish Masses
St. Clare Parish, Santa Clara YouTube Channel Video Recording of Masses: watch recordings of Daily Masses and Sunday Masses in English and Spanish
Stay Tuned for ParentSquare Volunteer Opportunities Coming Your Way
In order to volunteer, you must have all volunteer requirements met and submitted to the school office. Please see attached document for a full list of the requirements.
Got Pictures? Keep Them Coming
6th Grade Meets With Their Buddy Class
Back To School Night A Night With Plenty Of Information From Our Amazing Teachers
We Are Getting Ready To See Our Students On Campus
Office Hours
Google Public Calendar
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
Swivl Robot Needed for Classrooms | DONATE TODAY
Home Learning @ St. Clare 2.0 will be launched on August 19, 2020. One of the tools that will help our teachers to deliver quality instruction is a tool called Swivl.
An iPad or mobile device is mounted on the Swivl robot which rotates to follow the teacher across the room/space. Multiple markers record the audio throughout the room while the tethered iPad (or mobile device) records the video. It's easy for teachers to setup, start/stop recording, and upload to the Swivl cloud account.
While we make plans to return in-person when it is safe to do so, we are committed to providing a distance learning option for all families who need it throughout the year. Swivl will allow us to teach in any scenario. The Swivl can be set up in the back of the room to record the teacher instruction and interaction, while engaging those who are learning at home. WATCH this example of a dual learning environment using Swivl.
Currently, each starter kit which includes 5 markers, a wide-angle lens and cloud subscription costs $1,500. Check with your company's matching program to see if you can double the benefit!
To make a donation in any amount, please visit our school store. Share the link with family and friends as a way to donate to fundraisers that we may not be able to have this school year. You may note the name of the student or person you'd like to honor with this donation, including the classroom you'd like to benefit from this donation.
http://stclareschool.3dcartstores.com/Swvl-Robot-Donations_p_82.html
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