Phoenix Flyer
December 2016
How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus?
In the 16th Century in northern Europe, after the reformation, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became unpopular. But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the UK, particularly in England, he became 'Father Christmas' or 'Old Man Christmas', an old character from stories plays during the middle ages in the UK and parts of northern Europe. In France, he was then known as 'Père Nöel' in Germany, the 'Christ Kind'. In the early United States his name was 'Kris Kringle'. Later, Dutch settlers in the U.S. took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became 'Sinterklaas' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'! Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas' Day on 6th December. In Holland and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out on the 5th December (St. Nicholas Eve) to be filled with presents They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets. St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories.
El Dia de Reyes ~ Three King's Day
January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Mexico in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.
In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the prestige that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name of the Epiphany which dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.
San Antonio High School Yearbook!
If you would like to advertise in the yearbook or make a donation and further support our fabulous yearbook students, please email Tiana Griffin at tcgriffin@petk12.org.
What Does Christmas Mean to the SAHS Family?
Many of our students and staff were asked what Christmas means to them, and here is just a sampling of what they had to say:
Yatza Antunez: Gifts, Santa Claus, and elves.
Barb Bollock: Family, holidays, and time for everyone to get together.
Pamela Ramos: Family time, lights, decorations, and Christmas movies.
Mrs. McGarry: Family and time to be grateful for everything we have, counting our blessings. As a mom, seeings Christmas through my children's eyes a whole lot of fun.
Maria Contreras: Making double-time at work.
Mr. Carroll: I get to eat excessively, watch my kids fall of their bicycles, that's a blast. Lots of family time, and too much driving.
Noe Hernandez: Presents and spending time with family.
Ms. Jackson: Getting together with family and having good food and wine.
Kyler Adams: Fireplaces, warmth, cookies and a lot of food!
Mr. Carhart: Christmas is all about family, food, and giving.
Brianna Sinha: Hot Chocolate, presents, lights, colors everywhere, eating a lot, gaining twenty pounds, and time for family to be together.
Student of the Grading Period ~ Guadalupe Zaragoza
My favorite subject is math.
What is your biggest motivation when it comes to school?
Ms. Cecchini is my motivation to come to school because she is a good teacher. She's also pretty and treats her students well.
Do you want to go to college?
I want to go to college because I either want to study to be a nurse or a psychologist.
Do you like being here at San Antonio?
Yes! I like being here at San Antonio because its easier than other schools and its smaller.
Check out the NEW Petaluma City Schools Website!
Petaluma City Schools has launched a new website. The new website is part of a district-wide initiative to improve communication with community members and to do a better job of informing the public about PCS’s many strengths and achievements, the most important of which is, of course, our amazing students. Check it out and let us know what you think! Here’s the link:
Recipe: Ponche
Serves: 16
Serving Size: 1 cup16 cups water, divided
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
8 ounces tamarind pods, (about 12), shelled
1 orange, quartered
12 ounces piloncillo, (panela), coarsely chopped (2 1/4 cups)
3 pieces fresh sugar cane, (6-inch long), peeled and quartered
30 tejocotes, (fresh or jarred)
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 1/2 cups prunes
1/2 cup raisins
Poetry Corner
Jelly Fish
Visibly Invisible
A clear Diaphanous
Opening and closing
Opening and closing
Drawing near
Reach
Drawing near
Disappear
Drawing near
Reach
Suddenly the blue
Turns cloudy
Open and close
Open and close
It floats away
….
From you.
--Maria Contreras
Favorite Christmas Movie?
Mentor Day and Holiday Fun
On Monday, December 19, the students of San Antonio had their last Mentor day of 2016.
The first part of the day, we met with our mentor teachers to work on assignments and get all caught up. Later, we had a presentation from Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) who shared with us heart-touching information about homeless youth in Sonoma County and the great work SAY is doing to make sure every child and young adult has a roof over his or her head and a chance to succeed.
After lunch, we had a variety of fun activities to choose from such as playing pool in our new teen center, learning to play the Ukulele with Ms. McGarry, participating in a basketball tournament organized by Ms. Griffin, making Christmas cards in Ms. Garcia’s room, and playing board games and such in Ms. Cecchini's room.
Great fun was had by all!