Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 31 January 2021
Journeying Together in Hope
Ever-living and faithful God,
we give you thanks for walking with us,
your people of the Diocese of San José.
Pour forth your Spirit on this local Church,
that our works of Aith and labors of Love
may lead others to Jesus, your Son,
and that our endurance in Joy and Hope
may lift up those weary from uncertainty.
Accompanied by Saint Joseph and Saint Clare,
may we continue "Journeying Together in Hope,"
and day by day be drawn closer to your Son,
our Light, our Hope, and our Salvation,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
This Jubilee prayer and theme are based on Deut. 8:2; 1Thess 1:2-3; Bishop DuMaine's motto "Gaudium et Spes," and lyrics of the Diocese 25th Anniversary song, "Sumus Ecclesia."
Dear St. Clare School Families,
Yesterday, Bishop Cantú presided over the opening mass of the celebration of the Diocese of San Jose’s 40th Anniversary. The theme for the celebration is Journeying Together in Hope. As the third Bishop since its inception, Bishop Cantú leads the youngest diocese in California: one whose population is culturally rich and diverse. I found the homily humbling and exciting, as pastors’ names from 1981 were juxtaposed against pastors’ names from 2021 (from Derry to Ovando, and so on and so forth), hearing mostly European last names to a variety of last names with Vietnamese, Latino, Chinese, African, Korean, Italian and Filipino roots joined together with the Irish, Italian, and English last names. This diversity is what makes our diocese, although geographically compact, such a wonderful example of unity and solidarity. It is with great hope that we journey together to strengthen our ministry, starting here at St. Clare. If you’d like to learn more about our diocese’s early years, there’s no one better to tell its story than Msgr. Fran. Be sure to ask him what it was like in 1981.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK & VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
It’s not too late to invite families to learn more about our school. Please invite prospective families to join us by completing the registration information here: https://www.stclare.school/openhouse or have them call Ms. Cherell at 408-246-6797 or email admissions@stclareschool.org.
There are still some seats left for masses tomorrow. We hope you can join us in person as we kick off Catholic Schools Week Mass at 10:30 A.M. (English Family Mass) and 12 Noon (Spanish Mass). We hope to see you there!
To learn more about our Catholic Schools Week events and student theme wear for the week, please read the CSW2021 post in ParentSquare. Of course, the uniform is always a worthwhile alternative to the suggested themes.
I am grateful that you chose St. Clare School for your child(ren). Your sacrifice, partnership and your support for St. Clare are a source of tremendous pride for me as a principal. Thank you!
Thank you, too, to the Student Council, to all the faculty and staff and parent volunteers who have worked tirelessly these past month to prepare for Catholic Schools Week and the Virtual Open House. The call to act with a sense of urgency to share our “best kept secret” with the world has not gone unnoticed. If you haven’t been following our social media posts, I hope that you will and that you will continue to share our story with others. A strong enrollment signifies a vibrant community working together to continue 165 years of tradition.
REGISTERING FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR: DUE Monday, February 1
Please consult the POST sent last week for information regarding registering. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated as we plan for 2021-22.
Thank you to the 81 families who have responded. Please feel free to contact me (cecile.mantecon@dsj.org) if you have any questions.
ATTENDANCE AND COMMITMENT TO IN-PERSON LEARNING
In consideration for the stability of the in-person classroom environment and as a courtesy to our teachers, we ask that you keep your commitment to attend in-person learning as it has been established. For grades TK-5 and grade 7 students are expected to be at school four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). For grades 6 and 8, students are to follow the designated attendance days to accommodate students (as communicated by Mr. Ishii and Mr. Goetz).
It is critically important for us to report the number of students attending in person. Because seat to seat distance for TK-5 has to be maintained at 4 feet, our seats for in-person learning are limited. Grades 1 and 2 are nearing capacity. Anyone who has been attending in person must make a commitment to do so. If your family is able to remain in distance learning, we ask that you consider doing so for the remainder of the year, unless distancing requirements are lifted. As we have since we reopened in person, we will give priority for in-person learning to children of essential workers.
As always, if your student will not be attending school in person or in distance learning, please send an email to your child’s teacher(s) AND to attendance@stclareschool.org before 7 A.M. so that teachers can plan accordingly.
If a child has been absent from school (in person) without notice being sent to the teacher(s) AND the office before the absence begins, the child may not return to school unless the parent sends a copy of the following to the cherell.rizzo@dsj.org:
A negative COVID test result, or
A note from the doctor explicitly stating ALL of the following:
Acknowledgement that an exam/evaluation was given either by virtual or live appointment.
COVID test is unnecessary, and
If no COVID test was performed, an alternate explanation of the child’s symptoms.
DISTANCE LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS
For those who have chosen distance learning, attendance and punctuality is even more important. Please remind your child to be on time for classes, to remain in Zoom until dismissed by the teacher and to comply when asked by the teacher to engage, turn on videos, mute audio or respond to a poll or prompt.
Kindly check in with your child to make sure they are logged on to the scheduled class. A child who does not log on to a scheduled class, comes to class later than 5 minutes or leaves class earlier than the end of class is considered absent from school. If you anticipate your child not being in attendance, being late or having to leave early, you must communicate this with the teacher before the school day.
We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that students maintain the level of commitment to school whether at home or in person.
DROPPING OFF LATE/LEAVING EARLY
Kindly follow the protocols when dropping students off late or when returning from an appointment and when students are picked up for an appointment or to leave early.
DROPPING OFF (late or after an appointment)
One adult must accompany the child to the main entrance of the school.
Complete the Sign in/Sign Out sheet for Late/Post Appointment Drop Off.
For those dropping off late, you must complete your Screening Form and be prepared to show the green check mark on ParentSquare before you come to the door.
Ring the bell so that the office staff can let your child in. They will be escorted to their classroom by office staff.
PICKING UP (early or to leave for an appointment)
One adult must come to the main entrance of the school.
Complete the Sign in/Sign Out sheet for Appointment/Early Pick Up.
Please inform the teacher AND the School Office (408-246-6797) that your child will be picked up early or for an appointment ahead of time! That way, we can alert the teacher to get your child ready.
Upon arriving at school, kindly ring the bell and office staff will escort your child from the classroom to you. While waiting, please remain at the bottom of the stairs until your child is ready to avoid crowding the landing of the main entrance.
As always, if you have any questions, we are happy to assist you. We appreciate your understanding of the importance of these protocols to maintain the safety and health of our students and staff.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT THIS WEEK
Please consult ParentSquare posts from Room Reps, yearbook volunteers and office staff regarding Catholic Schools Week and other exciting goings-on. (There are calls for donation and good “deeds” for Fr. Jonathan, Msgr. Fran, and others.)
We hope to see you at the following (consult ParentSquare posts and reminders):
Monday: 9 A.M. Mass with Bishop Cantú
Tuesday: Day of Giving (through Wednesday)
Wednesday: Wellness Wednesday Assembly at 8 A.M.
Thursday: A Cup With the Principal at 6 P.M.
Friday: 9:30 A.M. Mass with Msgr. Fran | Rally at 2 P.M.
We wish you a joyful Catholic Schools Week and a blessed Sunday!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
The Class of 2021 Pose for Graduation Photos
This past Wednesday was a special day for our 8th graders and their families as they donned caps and gowns with the help of family members. These moments were captured to commemorate the exciting times ahead as they prepare for their last few months as Wildcats!
Calling All Videographers
For more information please email or call me at Cherell.rizzo@dsj.org or (408) 246-6797
Important Dates Reminder
- 2/1 - 2/5 Catholic Schools Week | See Post
- 2/2 PTG Meeting | 6:30 P.M.
- 2/3 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 2/4 Cup With The Principal | 6:00 P.M.
- 2/5 Weekly School Mass | 9:30 A.M.
- 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
- 2/15 - 2/19 Winter Break | No School
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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