Number 9

This third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life, in our world, or the people that we are with. It doesn’t depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph are the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing.

Those who gathered around the new baby were blessed because they believed that you had fulfilled your promises. Mary and Joseph believed and were able to feel the joy of holding baby Jesus in their arms. The shepherds and wise men believed the angles and the signs and experienced the great gladness of worshipping their Messiah.

Those who knew him and recognized him were overjoyed at the coming of Jesus. They saw the prophesies fulfilled and their fear was replaced with happiness as they gazed on the face of the one who would be their Savior. They trusted in your promises and their hearts were filled with gladness as they watched your loving-kindness manifested in the face of a tiny baby in a lowly manger.

Father, you offer that same joy to us now if we know you and recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord. You gave us a reason to celebrate when you gave us the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. You came to dwell among us. You went to Calvary’s cross for us. You overcame death and rose from the dead for us. You forgive our sin and give us eternal life when we believe in you.

Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth.

Friday December 24th: Christmas Vigil Program

5:15 pm Children’s Mass in English

6:30 pm Mass in Spanish

9:00 pm Solemn Mass Bilingual

Saturday December 25th: Christmas Day Masses

08:00 am in English

10:00 am in English

12:00 pm in Spanish

There will be no evening Masses

Dear Parent/Guardians,

I would like to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas. Enjoy the much-deserved vacation. I know this school year has had many changes, and I want to thank you for your help and support. We are blessed to have a strong community. Without our families working in partnership with our dedicated staff, it would not have been a successful year thus far.

With Christmas just around the corner, let us all pray for health and peace in the world and our country.

Christmas Dress Code

On Friday, students can wear Christmas colors or Christmas outfits. School dismissal is at 12:20 pm - No extended care.

School Resumes

Return to school will be on Monday, January 3rd.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing Tuesday, January 4th. I strongly suggest that you have your child tested on this day. Follow the link to sign up with Virus Geeks if you have not signed up already.

Kindergarten and Preschool Enrollments

It is that time of year to complete Kindergarten Enrollments. If you know of anyone with a preschool-age child or a kindergarten age child, please notify them to enroll their child as soon as possible. Kindergarten class tends to fill up quickly. Email Mrs. Cierra at info@ssfallsoulsschool.org. For Preschool enrolment information contact Mr. Liu at preschool@ssfallsoulsschool.org. We are looking forward to enrolling our new families at the school.

Annual Christmas Appeal

We launched our fourth Annual Christmas Appeal last week to raise funds for the All Souls Scholarship Fund. As you know All Souls prepares young children for the future to become responsible citizens and active Christians in our community. Our students live productive lives due to the excellent education they receive from the school.

With that said, we wish to elicit your financial support to assist families that send their children to the school. The cost of Catholic education is becoming prohibitive for many families, and if we can offer some financial support, their children could receive a quality Catholic education.

Please read our Annual Report if you have not read it yet. It will give you a glimpse of all the wonderful things that have happened at the school over the past twelve months.

I hope you will be able to contribute financially (click here) to this appeal. If not, your prayers will be most appreciated.

I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.

God Bless,

Vincent Riener

Principal

To ensure internet and digital safety along with preventing distractions that arise with students having a cellphone in their possession, the School Advisory Board met on Tuesday, December 14th, and agreed on a policy update for electronic equipment. The updated policy will take effect January 2022.

8.9.3 Electronic Equipment

Electronic equipment, including radios, tape players, MP3 players, iPods, Walkman, electronic games, graphic calculators, pagers, laser pointers and other electronic wireless equipment are not allowed on campus. If a student in grades Kindergarten through fourth must bring a cell phone to school, the cell phone must be kept in his/her backpack and remain off while on school grounds and in the buildings. If a student in grades fifth through eighth must bring a cell phone to school, the cell phone will be collected by the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the school day. The cell phone must be turned off and will be kept in a secure and locked box inside the classroom. The homeroom teacher will return the cell phone prior to dismissal at the end of the school day. Emergency messages can be relayed to students via the school office. In the event a student is found with such equipment, the student is to surrender the item/s, parents will be contacted to come to the school office to collect such item/s, and a meeting with the principal or vice principal will take place.

Dear All Souls Families,

You can now pay and add credit to your child/children's cafeteria account through SchoolSpeak. Your payment will be processed through PayPal with a 3% convenience fee for all transactions.

Sign-in to your SchoolSpeak account and select "Lunch Order" in the quick links menu on the left. The "Pay" tab will direct you to your payment options. You may pay the cafeteria balance through your existing PayPal account or as a guest using your credit or debit card. You may also add credit to your child/children's cafeteria account. If you wish, you may still make cash or check payments to the school office.

Please note, for the families that have a credit card on file I will no longer be charging your credit card for lunch payments. You are responsible for paying and adding credit to your cafeteria account.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Regards,

Ms. Escobar

17 12:20 Dismissal - No Extended Care After School

20-31 Christmas Vacation - Christmas Day 12.25

1 New Year's Day 2022

3 School Resumes - Early Dismissal - 2:30pm - Faculty Meeting

4 Virus Geeks Covid Testing

4 School Assembly - 2:30pm

17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Holiday

18 School Board Meeting - 6:30pm

19 8th Grade Graduation & Club Pictures

24 Staff Development Meeting - 12:20pm Dismissal

25 School Assembly - 2:30pm

28 Faculty Meeting - 12:20pm Dismissal
30 Catholic Schools Week Mass - 10:30am - followed by Open House and Science Fair