Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 12 October 2020
A Prayer for Peace Within
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So many hands and helpful hearts made this past week possible. The students who returned in person were cooperative and the students who remained at home were patient. Everyone worked together to make this very different and challenging way to “do” school as “normal” as possible. We will work through kinks and make every effort to continue building our community in two places. It will require patience, perseverance, humility and love. Together, we can do this!
Today, our teachers are gathering with fellow teachers from our diocesan cohort of schools to learn from one other. Our teachers will have so much to share with their peers. We are one of the first schools out of the gate who have students on campus. We are so proud of what they have accomplished. The smiles and the sounds of joy that permeate our campus (both from those in-person and those connected via Zoom) is worth it! All their efforts are a testament that when we come together and we believe in one another, great things can happen.
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING DAYS THIS WEEK
Asynchronous Learning continues for Grade 7 on Tuesday as they begin in-person learning. Wednesdays will continue to be asynchronous learning days, starting with a live All-School Silver Box Assembly, followed by a morning meeting with the class where they will break open the Word with their homeroom teacher.
ZOOM NORMS AND PROTOCOLS
Kindly remind students of Zoom norms now that we are working concurrently in person and at home. Ask your homeroom teacher for a list of these. Thank you for your help and support.
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT CONFERENCES | 19-22 October | 23 October - Local School Holiday
Conferences begin on Monday, October 19. These conferences are a way for us to dialog regarding your child’s successes and areas where he or she may need our support. As we have been in close contact since the beginning of the school year, we will focus our 15 minutes with one another on the following:
Your child’s faith development at school and at home.
Your child’s social-emotional well-being.
Your child’s academic development.
Today by 5 P.M., please be on the lookout for posts from each of your child’s teachers inviting you to sign up for a conference. Each of you must first schedule an appointment with your homeroom teacher. If your child has multiple teachers, you may sign up for one other appointment with a teacher who is not your child’s homeroom teacher.
Please note that dismissal all week will be 12:30 P.M. and Wednesday will remain an “off-campus” learning day for all students. (Those signed up for CKZ may be on site from 8 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.) We will attempt pick up from 12:30-12:45 P.M. in designated spots.
Conferences will begin no earlier than 1:30 P.M. to allow for students to return home and join the conference via Zoom. Teachers will provide at least one evening this week for those who need evening appointments.
Friday, October 23rd has been designated a local holiday. Instead, school will be in session on November 11.
LIFETOUCH PHOTO DAY
The due date has passed yet not everyone has signed up. If you haven’t selected a date to sign up to have your child’s yearbook photo taken, please do so now. PHOTO DAY SIGN UP.
You will need to park in the church lot and wait in your car. (Remain in your car with windows up.)
All passengers must wear a face covering.
Display your name placard where we can see it.
When it is your turn, you will be asked to disembark from the car and accompany your child to the North Hall entrance (you will be directed).
Only one parent may accompany the child to have the photo taken.
The child must be groomed (it will be up to you to make sure your child’s hair, outfit, etc. are ready for the photo).
Once your photo has been taken, you may proceed directly to your car and exit the lot.
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE
The Santa Clara Health Department has developed resources for parents to help clarify guidelines surrounding contact tracing, reporting and Halloween. Please stay informed and committed to our Silverbox Pledge. We appreciate the efforts you are making at home--we notice when you’ve had these conversations with your students. Our teachers, especially appreciate knowing that you care about their health and safety, too.
Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos Celebration Guidance
Parent Guides (PDFs Attached)
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Students returning in person must continue to:
have appropriate uniforms (formal uniform on non P.E. days, P.E./Jog-a-Thon/Spirit shirts on P.E. days with appropriate P.E. uniform bottoms)
have neatly groomed hair
bring filled, reusable water bottles
have face coverings that fit snugly and conform with uniform appropriateness (no offensive designs or political statements)
bring all school issued supplies, devices, textbooks in the supply bins sent home earlier in the school year
bring snack and lunch until Choicelunch begins its service on October 19
leave bulky backpacks at home as there is limited space in the classroom
label all personal items (water bottles, backpacks, lunch boxes, articles of clothing, reusable cloth face coverings
NOTE: Students in grades 5-8 may bring their own folding lawn/beach chairs for use in outdoor learning spaces. Likewise, teachers of students in grades 1-4 may ask them to bring sit-upons, towels or blankets.
CKZ after school: Any students not picked up by the end of the drop off period will be signed in to CKZ.
Shortened Pick Up Times Starting Tuesday
Based on our observations, we are shortening the drop off period for the following grades:
Grade 5: 7:50-8:00, previously 7:55-8:05
Grade 6: 8:05-8:15, previously 8:05-8:20
Grade 7: 8:05-8:15, previously 8:05-8:20
Grade 8: 8:05-8:15, previously 8:05-8:20
PARENTSQUARE SELF-SCREENING FORMS
Please be extremely attentive when completing the screening form as you will not be able to change your answers. If you ANSWER any of the questions with a “YES”, meaning the student has symptoms, we will not be able to admit your child.
LUNCH MAY NOT BE DROPPED OFF AT SCHOOL
We are aware that it can be a challenge to get lunch ready for your students each morning. However, we would like to minimize the risk to our staff and students with packages coming from outside sources. For this, we ask that you make every effort to send lunches with students when they are dropped off. Choice Lunch will be available starting October 19. We rely on your help to keep everyone safe.
PTG EVENTS
Friday, October 30 will be a 12:30 day in order for us to join in a community car parade at 2:30. Students come to school in uniform. (Those staying in CKZ must be able to change to their costumes for the parade.)
All families are invited to decorate their cars, dress in Halloween costumes for a car parade much like our end of the year car parade. Our PTG Halloween committee will communicate the route and the “loot” distribution.
Those who live in the neighborhood are welcome to stand 6 ft. distanced on the sidewalk. Bring noise-makers and play Halloween music in your cars. We want to be able to celebrate safely with you!
Also stay tuned for Red Ribbon Week festivities. RRW starts October 26.
“A CUP WITH THE PRINCIPAL” will return this Thursday, October 15 at 6 P.M.
BILL WILSON CENTER
If you or your child would like to avail of services offered by the Bill Wilson Center, please send me an email (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org). Our counselors are ready. Ms. Jasmine and Ms. Aastha are available for onsite and telehealth sessions.
In addition, we are offering a Parent Session on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to learn more about how we can help our students be more resilient. The session will start at 6 P.M. in the All-School meeting room. Save the date and we will send a reminder.
As always, I am grateful for your support and partnership.
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Danke Schöen 8th Grade! We Felt The Love
5th Grade Leads Morning Assembly
Welcome Back 4th and 5th Grade
Welcome Back 6th Grade
Welcome Back 8th Grade
Keep those pics coming!
Picture Day Wednesday October 21st
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21 is St. Clare School's Picture Day. It is during Parent-Student-Teacher Conference Week. If you child is not in CKZ on this day, PLEASE SIGN UP for a TIME SLOT for each child.
If your child is not at CKZ, you will need to bring your child to school on this day.
- Please park in the Parish lot and proceed to the North Hall entrance.
- Staff or volunteers will direct you to a line where you must stay at least 6 ft. physically distanced from the next family waiting in line.
- ONLY ONE FAMILY MEMBER MAY ACCOMPANY THE STUDENT(S).
- Everyone must wear a face covering and hand sanitize.
- Wait for the photographer to let you know when to remove face covering.
- Please leave the area as soon as your session has ended. You may not congregate in the parking lot as we could be fined for gathering as a large group.
You will be responsible for making sure your child is in St. Clare School FORMAL UNIFORM:
- BOTTOMS: uniform pants for boys and girls; uniform skirts or jumper for girls (TK-3)
- TOPS: uniform polo shirt or blouse; tucked in
- PREFERRED: KNIT: Navy V-Neck vest, Navy logo pullover sweater or Navy cardigan
:: ALTERNATIVE IF KNIT IS A HARDSHIP
:: Navy pullover sweatshirt (TK-5)
:: Grey Hoodie (6-8)
You will be responsible for grooming your child. The photographer or volunteers will not approach your child to fix their hair or clothing.
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
Important Dates Reminder
- 10/12 Teacher In-Service Day | No School
- 10/15 A Cup With The Principal | 6:00 P.M.
- 10/16 Weekly School Mass | Formal Uniform Required | 9:30 A.M.
- 10/19-22 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences | 12:30 dismissal all week
- 10/21 School Picture Day
- 10/23 Local School Holiday, No School for All
Google Public Calendar
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
M.U.S.E. is now offering Guitar/Ukulele grades 3-8 and piano grades 2-8 in both online class and privately
For more information go to their website at www.museband.com or email info@museband.com. Spaces are limited register now. Flyers are attached.
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