Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 7 February 2021
Our Obligation to Share in the Gospel
Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.
~ 1 Corinthians
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Kudos to our Student Council, PTG & Room Reps, our Enrollment & Marketing Committee, Ms. Cherell, Ms. Teresea, Mrs. Filion and Mr. Goetz for the success of Open House, Catholic Schools Week and High School Admissions season.
This coming week is a week full of preparation for many different types of celebrations and significant moments in our lives as citizens of the world, loving and caring humans and more importantly, children of God willing to empty ourselves to become whole again.
As we will be away from school for a week from February 15-19 to celebrate Presidents’ holiday on Monday and break for four days, we will miss gathering for Ash Wednesday on February 17, Valentines Day on February 14 and the beginning of the Lunar New Year on February 12.
LUNAR NEW YEAR: Virtual events to “connect” with the community have been planned for you by PTG to celebrate the start of The Year of the Ox. (Please consult the POST from Katy Kerns and PTG.) Thank you to Jen Pham and to all of you for rising to the occasion once again! PTG is looking for someone interested in chairing and working on the LNY committee to plan next year’s celebrations. Please contact Margarita Guizar and PTG leadership to let them know of your interest: ptgstclare@gmail.com.
VALENTINES DAY: Please stay tuned for any announcements regarding Valentines Day celebrations from your homeroom teachers.
ASH WEDNESDAY: Please note the times for Ash Wednesday Masses. REGISTER to attend in English at 8A, 9:30A and 5P; Bilingual at 12:10P; Spanish at 7P
PREPARING FOR LENT
Here are a couple of Lenten reflection articles and videos from Loyola Press that might help you guide your children through our forty days of renewal to pray, fast and give alms.
- Catholic Lenten Practices
- The Power of Pause from Terry Hershey
- Almsgiving and Joy from Fr. James Martin, SJ
- Fasting and Abstinence During Lent from Fr. Richard Leonard, SJ
In addition, there are “little black books” of Lenten prayer and reflections (6 minutes a day), similar to the ones that were sent home during Advent available to you at the parish. Pick one up at mass or call the parish office to get a copy.
This week, your students will bring home CRS Rice Bowls as one way to give alms. CRS works to help alleviate poverty and hunger throughout the world and in our local communities. To learn more about Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, visit: https://www.crsricebowl.org/
END OF THE TRIMESTER
We are nearing the end of the second trimester on February 26. When we return from our break, we have one last week to finish strong. You will likely see assessments between now and then to measure the students’ progress towards mastery of standards. This will give teachers an opportunity to provide additional support to help students realize success.
Please continue the practice to read for at least 30 minutes a day. Remember that evidence shows that reading with an adult (reading quietly together in the same room, reading to younger children and reading aloud to one another) significantly improves academic achievement. Building vocabulary is key to future successes. Select books that are accessible but will challenge your student. Reading informational texts (news articles, articles in your child’s reading level and interest) will help students build contextual knowledge. Here are a few sites to access resources:
Newsela, Reading A-Z, RAZKids are also available with access to Clever or a free subscription.. This site provides other options to access free online reading apps. More importantly, your child’s teacher is your best resource for the best way to help your child succeed.
REGISTERING FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR: PAST DUE Please consult the POST sent last week for information regarding registering. I am grateful to those who have responded promptly--this helps us plan ahead for programs and staffing for next school year.
As always, please feel free to contact me (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org) if you have any questions.
LAST CHANCE TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING: Deadline coming soon!
Please consult the POST with details.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout the many opportunities for shifting and pivoting this year. I appreciate your trust as you continue to communicate with your teachers, the school office and with me regarding how you are maintaining your Silver Box Pledge. Your efforts, the efforts of your teachers and school staff have paid off! For over four months, we have been able to provide in-person learning for the well-being of our students and engage our distance learners, as well as maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees and volunteers.
Together, we were able to navigate through uncertainty and persevere through moments of doubt. As this Sunday’s readings remind us, HOPE is what will pull us through. As we look to the season of Lent, may our forty days remind us that Easter is coming and the Resurrection of Christ will save us.
In solidarity,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Thank You, 4th Grade, For Hosting This Month's Faculty Luncheon to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Celebrating 100 Days Of School
Catholic Schools Week Fun
Calling All Videographers
For more information please email or call me at Cherell.rizzo@dsj.org or (408) 246-6797
Important Dates Reminder
- REGISTRATION & TUITION AGREEMENTS ARE PAST DUE
- 2/8-12 Lunar New Year Celebrations
- 2/10 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 2/12 Weekly School Mass | 9:30 A.M.
- 2/15 Presidents Day | No School
- 2/17 Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins
- 2/15 - 2/19 Winter Break | No School
- 2/26 End of the Second Trimester
Google Public Calendar
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
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