Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope you are all rested from the Christmas preparations and New Year's celebrations.
I am pleased to announce that over the break our solar electricity was turned on by PG&E, and the whole campus and Church buildings are running on solar power. This will be a great saving for the Church and also for the school.
Catholic Schools Week:
We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week towards the end of January, and we look forward to seeing everyone visit the school at Open House to view the changes within the school and to see your child's work. This is the time for enrollment for children into Kindergarten and upper grades for next school year. Please assist us in spreading the word about Kindergarten enrollment to people you may know who have Kindergarten age children.
Re-Enrollment
Re-enrollment for all current students will begin in March. I do need to give you a heads up that at the time of re-enrollment you will need to pay the re-enrollment fee at that time. The budget has not been finalized yet, and we are estimating a slight tuition increase for the coming year. Please start to budget for the re-enrollment fee which is normally around the $305 per child figure.
Family Agreement Concerns
There have been some families who are not meeting their family agreement commitments, and this becomes an ethical issue for the school community. If you are unable to fulfill your agreement you should move to the non-participation program without the school administration needing to ask you. There will be a grace period of two weeks for families to do this before you are approached that your agreement will be changing to non-participation. It is understood that families will honor their commitments, but unfortunately this is not always the case. I wonder what type of message is being sent to the children of these families? To all other parents who are honoring their commitments, thank you.
Makers Room Fundraising:
We are in the midst of a fundraiser program for the Makers Room for our children. Our Goal is $10,000.00 to start with. I wish to thank those people who have contributed to the Go Fund Me program. We also have received a substantial donation of $5,500.00 from Pacific Office Automation, along with $750.00 from other donations. Pacific Office Automation is in partnership with us in providing photo copier machines for the school. We would encourage other companies, parents, and friends to support this program. You may use the Go Fund Me option (https://www.gofundme.com/stem-at-all-souls) or send a check to the school for your donation. Any donations over $250 are tax deductible.
STAR Testing
The second round of STAR testing will take place beginning Monday, January 9th. Students from Grades 2 thru 8 will be tested in Math and Reading as they were at the beginning of the year. The test is administered three times a year. The results from the test will assist the teachers on the progress of student achievement and will be able to help the teachers make adjustments to programs if necessary. During this round of testing our first graders will also complete the Early Literacy Test. Please ensure students receive a good nights sleep and a good breakfast and are on time to school.
Grade 8 Graduation Photos:
On Friday, January 20th Grade 8 students will have their graduation photos taken.
Afternoon Student Pick-Up
Unfortunately we continue to get complaints from the clinic on the corner of Spruce and Grand. Parents continue to block their parking lot and their patients are unable to leave the lot. This is a very uncomfortable situation for the school to deal with day to day. Please be ware that the clinic staff have been authorized by the school to call for police enforcement if necessary. Cars that block the driveway will be ticketed by SSFPD.
Spinal Screening Program
The school will be offering scoliosis screening for students in grades 5 through 8 on Monday, January 23rd. We are working in partnership with Stanford Children's Health Services. Parents of students will be receiving a permission slip seeking parent approval for the screening. If there are any issues with a student the nurse will be in contact with the child's family. Please refer to information in this newsletter. Student release forms will be sent home with students tomorrow (Friday).
Bingo
Second Grade Bingo Night will be on Friday, January 20th. We hope to see you there!
God Bless,
Vincent Riener
Principal
