Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 14 December 2019
Come! Live in the Light!
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
~ Matthew 5:13-16
Dear St. Clare School Families,
This Sunday, we light the PINK candle on our Advent Wreath. It is the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. We are reminded of the JOY we will at Jesus’ birth and the realization that through his incarnation, we are saved. This profound revelation is so awe-inspiring and induces an almost “giddy” sense of joy that makes us exclaim, “My heart is full!”.
This week’s focus habit is BRING JOY. If we truly practice Silver Box values and the habits we have been learning each week (Gratitude, Welcoming, Kindness, Patience, Humility, Respectfulness), we BRING JOY to every encounter and within every community with whom we engage.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM | Thursday, Dec. 19, 6 P.M.
Ask your children what song their class is singing and help them practice. Many of your teachers have shared a link and lyrics to the song. Please reach out to your homeroom teacher or room rep if you have unanswered questions. As with everything, our community is here to help you have the best experience possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Here are the particulars:
STUDENT DROP OFF
Where: Classrooms
Time: No earlier than 5:30 P.M.; no later than 5:45 P.M.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Where: Church
Doors Open at: 5:45 P.M.
Program Begins at: 6 P.M.
Seating: First come, first served; please, no saving of rows. First two rows in the center seating sections are reserved for faculty and school and parish staff and two family members.
STUDENT PICK UP
Where: St. Clare Hall
When: Immediately after the Christmas Program
Look for: Your child(ren)’s Homeroom Teacher who will be holding the GRADE SIGN
You will be asked to sign your child out
RECEPTION DETAILS
Where: St. Clare Hall
Begins at: 7 P.M.
CHRISTMAS DRESS ALL WEEK
Please read the post that outlines what students may wear to school next week. Please direct questions to homeroom teachers or room reps. As always, the uniform is an appropriate option.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Katy Kerns and Juan Otero are organizing an opportunity for families to get their “Photo with Santa” prior to the Christmas Program. Proceeds will go towards Advent Giving drives (needy parish families, LifeMoves and Sacred Heart Community Center).
ADVENT GIVING
Please support our Advent Giving drives: St. Vincent de Paul canned food drive and the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Giving Tree; and the collection of crew socks for the unhoused. Please bring canned goods and crew songs to school. Gifts for the SVdP Giving Tree can be brought to the church vestibule or the parish office.
CHANGE IN TEACHER IN-SERVICE DAY
As mentioned in my recent post, the January 6 teacher in-service day has been rescheduled to January 21. Because of this, we all return to school on January 6. The students will have a 4-day weekend over Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (January 18-21). Those who need child care for January 21 will be asked to RSVP for child care in January (stay tuned for a separate post). We thank you for your patience with this change.
HOW OUR BRAINS WORK: EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING AND THE PATH FORWARD WITH PARTNERSHIP
I’ve included in this issue, a TEDTalk given by Jessica McCabe on what’s it’s like to live with ADHD. Please take a moment to watch this insightful presentation. It puts things in perspective to gain an understanding of our own experience or empathy for others who might be struggling with inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity. She says that the earlier we learn about our brain and the brain of those with whom we interact (especially our loved ones), the better we will be able to find strategies that will help regulate key brain functions (working memory, executive functioning skills). Another important learning is that the term ADHD can be confusing. The ability to regulate brain functions like inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are what differentiate a brain that presents ADHD from a neurotypical brain. To someone struggling with these functions, it’s like someone else is holding the remote control and switching between channels or being stuck on a channel and not having the capacity to switch to another channel.
Your classroom teachers may have already raised a concern regarding how your child may be presenting these behaviors in class. Take some time over the holidays to observe and begin a dialog with your teacher so that together, we can work on some strategies for home and school. We are the TRIBE Jessica McCabe speaks about. With your partnership, our students will experience the growth and transformation they deserve.
JOY SURROUNDS US
Think of some wonderful examples of JOY in our community and our society. Ms. Cherell, whose welcoming smile and cheerful greeting make us feel like we belong at St. Clare, whether we’ve been around a decade or ten minutes. Photographs of the Pope and the Dalai Lama with the biggest smiles ever, which makes us feel as if we know them intimately like we do our favorite uncles or grandfathers. Our TKers, Kinders and first graders (and other students, too!) whose unencumbered enthusiasm to run and give an unsolicited hug or greeting, remind us that there are no obstacles to experiencing joy. To Jolly Old St. Nicholas and the greeting we often hear, “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” that signals the giving of ourselves to others. To the teachers who welcome their students each day with a special handshake or a greeting at the door, making them known and letting them know that they have a home at St. Clare. Joy surrounds us. All we need to do is receive it.
May your week be filled with moments of joy!
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon
Third Sunday of Advent | December 15, 2019
Matthew 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
This Gospel reading speaks to me through what Jesus said to the crowds "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
Most of the time, we tend to uplift ourselves by telling people how great we are – our accomplishments, our education, our family background, our interesting hobbies, important people we know, where we have traveled, our material possessions, where our kids go to school, and many more topics that we think are relevant or important to the people listening to us. On our resumes, staff bios, LinkedIn profiles, Facebook status, etc., we announce to the world who we are. Does that necessarily reflect what we actually do? Are we kind to the person we work with? Do we go out of our way to help someone who needed help in the grocery aisle? Are we a loving parent, spouse, partner, sibling, daughter, son? Do we try to cheer up someone who is having an awful day? Are we paying it forward?
John the Baptist wanted to know directly from Jesus if he was the one who was to come. He was expecting a straight answer. However, Jesus responded in a different way. Jesus wanted the people to focus not on what Jesus would sayhe is but on what he has done.
In my view, as we lead our daily lives, we should pay more attention to our actions and not on what we “declare” who we are. Instead of proclaiming that we are generous, we should demonstrate generosity by giving our time and sharing what we have to those who need it.
Instead of declaring that we are hard-workers, we should show it by actually doing the work without cutting corners or taking shortcuts. Show up!
Instead of saying that we care, we should look people in the eye and genuinely listen to what they have to say. Show them that the important story that they are sharing with you is important to you too.
Instead of claiming that you are smart (or smarter than most), do the smart thing by making wise and sound decisions that would benefit not only you, but also the others around you.
There is a saying that “actions speak louder than words.” I believe this to be true as Jesus reminds us of this valuable thought through this Sunday’s gospel.
***CKZ CLOSES AT 1 P.M. on Friday, December 20***
Please pick up students promptly before 1 P.M. to give our CKZ staffers time to travel to our Christmas celebration. Thank you for your kind consideration.
Fair Trade Sale - Sunday, Dec. 15th - St. Clare Church
The Parish will once again host their annual Fair Trade Sale this Sunday, December 15, 2019 in the morning before/after masses. Gifts, chocolates, coffee, and other items from all over the world. For more information about buying fair trade and CRS visit this website: https://ethicaltrade.crs.org
You can also order directly here: https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/guide/
"Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade is a celebration of the dignity of work. It’s a community of fair trade believers dedicated to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable by choosing to consume differently. Together, we’re creating a better world through education, advocacy and conscientious purchasing."
Thank you for your ethical shopping during this season of light, love, joy, and giving.
Thank You to the 6th Grade for Hosting the Faculty Luncheon Thursday, December 5th
Santa is Coming to St. Clare - December 19th
Act Now! Limited spots available | Just $10! (or more if you are so inclined)
100% of funds raised will serve the homeless in our area.
(Details below.)
Our very own Juan Otero (7th grade Dad) is very generously providing his professional photography services to offer you a high-quality photograph with Santa. Your digital photo will be made available for download within 24 hours.
More information in original post click the link below.
Kindergarten goes on a field trip meets Santa and even gets on stage!
SAVE THE DATE! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! SCS GOLF TOURNAMENT!
The Holidays Are Coming Stop By The Office And Pick Up Scrip!
Mad Science is offering another eight week session
Mad Science is offering another eight week session beginning January 9, 2020 (see attached flyer).
Click on the link below to register your child now.
https://thebayarea.madscience.org/parents-register-a.aspx?action=search&org=30178#ctn-activitylist
UPCOMING EVENTS and THE SCHOOL CALENDAR
The 2019-2020 St. Clare School is now available for public consumption. You will find the calendar in a number of places. They all sync to the Google Public Calendar for our school, so you can trust that these calendars are current.
To find the calendar in our school website, go to https://www.stclare.school/ and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Calendar" icon (third from the left) or visit https://www.stclare.school/calendar.
To find the calendar in ParentSquare, go to your HOME page and look for "EVENTS" and click on "view all".
To subscribe and add the St. Clare School Public Calendar to your calendar app, use this link:
- 12/12 Free Dress for those with Passes | Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe
- 12/13 Mass 9 A.M. honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe | Sr. Bette and Sr. Ann Marie renew vows
- 12/16-18 Christmas Themed Tops with Uniform Bottoms (P.E. Bottoms on MW)
- 12/19 Free Dress for those with Passes
- 12/20 Christmas Themed Free Dress for All
- 1/6 St. Clare School Classes Resume
St. Clare School
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: https://www.stclare.school
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408 246-6797