Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 27 September 2020
The Calming of a Storm at Sea
On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”* The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
~ Mark 4:35-41
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Many thanks to all of you for your encouraging messages and for your support by donating funds to purchase tools for our teachers. It is heart-warming to see the positive cooperation among our parents and faculty and staff to ensure a safe and smooth transition to concurrent learning. Special mention to our Health and Safety Taskforce, especially Katy Kerns and Brent and Luisa Rapport; to Marah Gebala, Cristina Cunanan and Heather Narciso; to Ms. Valerye and Ms. Cherell who have been working extra hard to ready the site; to Mrs. Filion and Ms. Teresa for supporting our teachers and our families; to our teachers who are excited to welcome students back on campus.
We acknowledge that there will be iterations to the plan, but we are relying on our faith, our commitment to our mission and our trust that we will all do our part to make this happen for our students. Although the focus might be on returning to in-person learning, please know that we have our home learners in mind as well so that learning continues for them through the transition.
What is most important in these next couple of weeks is to stay connected with one another and to surface any questions that might arise. We have lots of moving parts, so there will no doubt be many. We are ready to work through them together.
It won’t be a walk in the park, but we are hopeful and prepared to pivot and tweak. With grace and with patience, we will get through this!
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING DAYS THIS WEEK: Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30
To prepare to reopen safely and to allow for training of teachers and staff, please plan accordingly as we are adding one additional day of asynchronous learning this week only. Wednesdays are typically asynchronous learning days. This week, we are adding Tuesday as an asynchronous learning day. P.E., music and art will continue to be synchronous. All other subjects including Spanish will be asynchronous in order for us to walk through what our reality will look like starting October 1st. We are very grateful to you for your patience and your partnership.
PREPARING FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING
In addition to what has been communicated in the past, please make sure that students returning in person:
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 boxes 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.
DROP OFF/PICK UP TIMES
A separate post will be sent detailing the Drop Off/Pick Up protocols that will include a video of what it might look like, along with a diagram. Please understand that these times may need to be adjusted depending on how well everyone follows the directions with regards to drop off and pick up times. We need your help to make sure we do not have overcrowding or unsafe driving in the streets surrounding the school. Please stay tuned. For your advanced planning. Thank you for your patience.
EXTENDED CARE/CKZ-CTZ
CKZ/CTZ is St. Clare School's Extended Care Program (After School Care also known as Cool Kids Zone/Cool 'Tweens Zone).
Extended Care is a service offered to school families who desire care outside of the normal school hours (classroom) for a nominal fee. CKZ/CTZ is only offered when school is in session.CKZ/CTZ is not available during In-Service Days or School Holidays, Christmas Break or Easter Break. Fees are charged only when services are utilized.
You must sign up if your child will be utilizing this service and payment will be charged via FACTS in advance of service. There is NO Drop-In Care as we have strict cohort requirements due to the pandemic.
STARTING OCTOBER 13, Extended Care is available after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from dismissal to 5:30 P.M. and on Wednesday from 8 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. There is no after-school care on Wednesdays.
The monthly rate, regardless of pick-up time or Wednesday care needs is as follows:
- Grades TK-8: $260 first child; $135 add'l children.
- Late pick up charge: $15 for each 15 minute increment.
CKZ/CTZ sign up will be posted separately.
IN ANTICIPATION OF IN-PERSON OPENING: October 1-9
To assist in a smooth transition to concurrent in-person and at-home learning, we are asking for your grace during our rollout period.
As announced, we will open up in-person learning with the following timeline:
Thursday, October 1: TK and K
Monday, October 5: TK-2
Tuesday, October 6: TK-4
Wednesday, October 7: asynchronous only; no students on campus
Thursday, October 8: TK-6
Friday, October 9: TK-8
Please anticipate that there will be temporary changes during October 1-9 to facilitate the transition that might impact the following:
MORNING ASSEMBLY will be at 10:30 A.M. for those who are able to attend.
All classes for those learning at home will be asynchronous until Morning Assembly.
P.E., art and music synchronous schedule will remain the same for at-home learners.
SANTA CLARA PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
Once again, St. Clare School will be actively participating in the City of Santa Clara’s Parade of Champions. This year’s theme honors America’s Heroes: Our Front Line Workers, including our teachers. Our dedicated Enrollment and Marketing Committee decorated our lawn this weekend. Stay tuned to learn about how you can vote to make our lawn display “The People’s Choice”! To learn more visit: https://www.scparadeofchampions.org/
HALLOWEEN PARADE
Margarita Guizar reports that Zaira Martinez (Brandon and Stephen Robles’ mom) has agreed to chair our Halloween festivities again this year. Although it won’t look the same as years’ past, we are looking forward to seeing many of our ghouls and goblins, superheroes and clever disguises grace Washington Street in decorated cars or physically distanced on the sidewalk on Friday, October 31.
SAVE THE DATE: Picture Day is Coming!
Stay tuned for the post that will ask you to sign up for your time slot for picture day on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
COMING SOON: PTG Wish List to Support Teachers and Classrooms
I am overwhelmed with the response to the request for donations towards the purchase of Swivl robots. We should be expecting the first five we ordered from early donations. Another five will be placed shortly so that each of our classrooms will have them.
There will be other opportunities to donate towards classroom needs, thanks to the PTG. Stay tuned!
As always, you have been tremendous in your support of our programs. Please continue to dialog with teachers and please remind them, too, with a personal message that you are grateful for their efforts. It goes a long way to help ease the challenges they face daily teaching in these most unusual school year!
Please join us for Morning Assembly daily, A Cup with the Principal on Thursday evening at 6 P.M. and Weekly Mass on Fridays.
May God's grace and his blessings of peace be with you always.
With gratitude and thanksgiving,
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
Parade of Champions: Make us the People's Choice!
Kindergarten Rocks Out During Social Zoom!
Mr. Goetz Missing His Classroom Somewhere Under that Tent!
The School Is Ready For The Return Of Some Familiar Faces. We Cant Wait!
6th and 7th Grade Confidently Lead Morning Assembly.
Important Dates Reminder
- 9/29, 9/30 - Asynchronous Learning Days
- 10/1-9 Morning Assembly at 10:30 A.M. for those who are able to attend
- 10/1 We reopen in person!
- 10/1 A Cup With Principal | 6:00 P.M.
- 10/2 Weekly School Mass | Formal Uniform Required | 9:30 A.M.
- 10/6 PTG Meeting | 6:30 P.M.
- 10/9 Weekly School Mass | Formal Uniform Required | 9:30 A.M.
- 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.
- 10/21 School Picture Day More Information To Come
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