Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family Newsletter | 13 December 2018
He will sing joyfully because of you
"...he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you..."
~ Zephaniah 3
Dear St. Clare School Families,
I have a fond memory of my aunt who, after hearing me lector at my Baccalaureate Mass, got out of her pew to pinch both my cheeks with her little hands. Here I was, 22 years old, wearing my gown and academic regalia and getting pinched on the cheek by my aunt! In retrospect, I imagine she must have been so proud of her niece that this was her way of showing her joy, letting me know how much I was loved. Full of joy, full of hope, full of the promise of love, Zephaniah reminds us that we have the savior in our midst. He is here...he is to come. Gaudete! Rejoice!
IN GRATITUDE FOR THEIR SERVICE
At last Friday's mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, our school community witnessed Sr. Ann Marie and Sr. Bette renew their vows. We are so very grateful that they said "yes" and that they continue to share their commitment to serve here at St. Clare!
MORE EVIDENCE OF SERVICE IN OUR MIDST
I am in awe of the wonderful parents who show up day after day to volunteer as yard duty supervisors, to serve in a leadership capacity, to minister in the parish and to do whatever it takes to build up this community, on their lunch hour, after work, whenever and where ever they are needed. Outstanding examples of these men and women are ever present.
I want to especially thank Ruby Escalada, mom of Nate and Nick who has been selling poinsettias since November, co-moderates Student Council, coordinated and decorated the Winter dance this past Friday, came back to clean up, only to be back again on Sunday to sell more poinsettias. She is the epitome of service in our midst: quiet, humble, always with a smile and a "yes".
TEAMWORK MEANS FILTERED WATER
This weekend, parents Joe Baldwin and Tola Dalton, members of the School Advisory Council Buildings and Grounds committee were joined by alumni parent Matt Dutra and volunteer parish facilities expert Larry Heller, installed a new water bottle refilling station/drinking fountain in the Hall. Thank you for your support of our fundraisers which allowed us this opportunity to provide life-giving water to our sports teams and Hall visitors. Thank you to our amazing buildings and grounds team. We are 162-years strong because of you!
READY THE WAY OF THE LORD
Join us for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday, Dec. 14 from 9-10:30 A.M. Students in grades 3-8 and faculty and staff will partake of the Sacrament to ready the way of the Lord!
CHRISTMAS-THEMED TOPS WITH UNIFORM BOTTOMS | Dec. 17-20
Christmas comes early: students may wear appropriate Christmas-themed tops with uniform bottoms all next week during the school day. Ho! Ho! Ho!
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY
Lots of Christmas carols can be heard in the hallways these days as Mrs. Dempsey and Ms. Kim prepare our students to treat you to an evening that will warm your hearts. Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 19 starting at 6 P.M. in the church for the St. Clare School Christmas Program.
Church doors open at 5:30 P.M. Students must be dropped off in the classroom no earlier than 5:30 and no later than 5:45 P.M. The Program will run about an hour. At the end of the Program, please collect your children in Church before proceeding to the Reception in the Hall hosted by the 2nd Grade class. Please bring a brand new toy to donate to the Toys for Tots drive. See the Reception Flyer for additional information. Enjoy some Christmas cheer and share the warmth of the season with St. Clare families. Merry Christmas!
LATE START ON DECEMBER 20 | 12:30 DISMISSAL | CKZ CLOSES AT 1 P.M.
Enjoy a late start on Thursday, December 20. School begins at 9 A.M. CKZ will be open starting at 7 A.M.
We are grateful for your patience in allowing us to close the school and CKZ at 1 P.M. on December 20 in order that we may celebrate together as a faculty, teaching and CKZ staff. Please pick up your child(ren) promptly at dismissal. Thank you!
VIRTUS CURRICULUM BEGINS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 7
Please review the attached document regarding the VIRTUS lessons that students in K-8 will engage in beginning January 7. This curriculum is part of the Diocese of San Jose's commitment to provide a safe environment for all. For more on the Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, please visit: https://www.dsj.org/ministries/protecting-gods-children/
PARENT DIRECTORY COMING SOON!
Many parents requested that we publish a directory in order to continue to build community at St. Clare School. Thanks to Yesenia Cabrera Hall, a directory that contains class rosters as well as an alphabetical list of families with parent/guardian email addresses and phone numbers will be shared electronically before we leave for Christmas break. Please email Miss Teresea (tmckinnon@dsj.org) by Friday, Dec. 14 if you DO NOT want your email or phone number published in this directory.
More importantly, may this Gaudete weekend bring you glad tidings and fill your lives with joy! May you always remember that God sings joyfully because of you. (I do, too!)
Gratefully,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecón, Principal
Gospel Reflection | Gaudete Sunday
During this season of preparation, the Church takes a ‘break’ during the third Sunday and tells us it's to time to rejoice! This gift of the Holy Spirit is rooted in the abundant love that we feel when in full communion with God through Jesus Christ his Son. John the Baptist knew this all too well, and was not shy in delivering this message.
The Gospel tells us that crowds asked how they could prepare for the coming of Christ. John gave them very practical answers such as sharing their food and clothing. He went on to tell the most reviled tax collectors to not cheat people, again very practical advice. John is telling us how to live, that when we show mercy, we are opening a channel of God’s love. This open channel of love brings joy to us as we bring God’s love to others.
It is easy to get overwhelmed, as many say, “what can I do, there is so much pain and suffering in the world?” Evil can be conquered with mercy, if we let Jesus work through us. One small act of kindness can change a life. As Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
Saturday Work Day – We Need You!
Join us this Saturday, December 15th for the last work day of 2018. Wear your grubby clothes, bring gloves and lots of energy. We will pick up from the punch list that was cancelled last month. Some of those items include: (sort, purge and organize basement and learning center, sanitize desks, chairs and door handles, etc.).
If you would like be a part of the fun follow the link, https://bttr.im/v2wv7, to Serving St. Clare and sign up.
Toys For Tots
Photos for St. Clare Yearbook
We're currently looking for photos to be added to the yearbook. All grades are needed. Photos from school events, functions, school sports games, field trips, classroom activities, volunteer events, etc. All photos are welcome (i.e. silly or action shots) Please submit the photos via email or a usb drive to the School Office or Becky Allison (rb_allison@yahoo.com). Highest picture format/resolution is best.
This year, we will also be accepting photos taken by students. Photos submitted should only be of fellow St. Clare students. Please note, no malicious photos or photos in poor taste will be accepted.
For privacy purposes, none of the photos will appear on any social media platform. This is strictly for the yearbook.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Becky Allison at rb_allison@yahoo.com
Life-Giving Water
Witness!
Challenge as Opportunity
Fifth Graders: Presented and Blessed
School Choir Christmas Tea Catala Club
Brain Twisting Treats
St. Clare School Snow Ball: Loads of Fun at the Winter Dance
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 12/15 Saturday Work Day | 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.
- 12/17-20 Christmas-themed tops with uniform bottoms during the school day
- 12/19 Christmas Program | 6-7 P.M. with reception immediately following
- 12/20 Late start 9 A.M. | CKZ opens at 7 A.M. | 12:30 dismissal CKZ closes at 1 P.M. to allow CKZ staff to attend a Christmas celebration with the rest of the school and parish staff
- 12/21-1/6 Christmas holidays
- 1/7 School resumes
St. Clare School
FACEBOOK | @stclareschoolsantaclara
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Please share the ALUMNI GOOGLE FORM link https://goo.gl/forms/pEtJxf8h5OBlnMF93
with all the alumni you know so that we can continue to tell the story of St. Clare!
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: drexel.dsj.org/stclareschool
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408-246-6797