Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 9 August 2020
St. Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us!
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God's compassionate love for others.”
Dear St. Clare School Families,
As you may have seen on Facebook or Instagram, our staff has been busy getting ready for you to pick up materials for distance learning. Although we won’t have students on campus, our teachers are getting their classrooms ready so that they can give you a tour of the learning space even via Zoom. Our planning teams are finalizing details of the schedule as well as the new and improved Home Learning @ St. Clare 2.0. We have a full program which focuses on our core beliefs, As with everything we plan for these days, our patience, flexibility and commitment to open communication is a necessary part of its successful implementation.
On Monday, our staff will gather with the parish community for daily mass at the Rectory Garden for our annual staff retreat. We will spend time, physically distanced, grounding ourselves for the work before us. We will explore this year’s theme, as suggested by the Class of 2021: to live in justice, to stand up for those whose voices have been silenced and to care for those who have been marginalized.
On Tuesday, we will spend the majority of the day, teaching one another and honing our skills in Zoom, Swivl, Google Suite and the technology tools we need to provide a robust and meaningful program for our students. On Wednesday, our teachers will gather (via Zoom) with teachers from diocesan cohort schools to share best practices and learn about supporting one another, their students and their families throughout this COVID-19 school year. Also on Wednesday, you are invited to come to campus to pick up Gently Used Uniforms and picture books. Thursday and Friday, as you have seen and heard are reserved for Materials Pick Up. (More information below.)
Your teachers will reach out to you shortly to introduce themselves as well as give you an orientation to what HL@SC2.0 will look like at home. In the meantime, we ask you to begin to set up learning spaces for your students. Here’s a really useful article regarding creating learning spaces at home.
On Thursday, August 13, I invite you once again to join “A Cup with the Principal” at 5:30 P.M. Mrs. Vallarta and her team will share the Distance Learning plan as we anticipate our opening on August 19. Weekly schedules, engagement opportunities, norms and expectations will be shared. We hope you can make it.
Here are a couple of interesting videos about St. Clare as we celebrate her Feast Day (August 11)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8wfOjf2MK4 from St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Ohio.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vqn1JFGe0M&feature=youtu.be from Franciscan Media.
SUNDAY MASS AT ST. CLARE
Here's the YouTube link to live-stream Sunday vigil mass in English or view the recording.
Here's the link to reserve a spot for your family at our Sunday masses in the Rectory Garden.
May your week be filled with hope and may God's love reign in your hearts.
Peace.
Cecile Mantecon, Principal
Materials Pick Up on Thursday and Friday This Week
Friday: Family Last Name Begins with M-Z
Pick Up Time Starts at 9 A.M. | Ends at 11 A.M.
PLEASE PRACTICE COURTESY AND PATIENCE.
Please have face coverings on as you pull up to park.
CAREFULLY study the diagram below: Materials from each grade will be picked up from different directions. It is possible that you will need to go to all four locations to pick up your children's materials.
- APPROACH THE SCHOOL AT LEAST ONE BLOCK FROM YOUR PICK-UP POINT WITHOUT TURNING.
- PULL UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE AND POP YOUR TRUNK.
- SCHOOL STAFF WILL PUT YOUR BIN IN THE TRUNK AND CLOSE YOUR TRUNK FOR YOU.
- PULL OUT OF THE CURB SAFELY AND DRIVE ONE BLOCK PAST THE SCHOOL BEFORE TURNING TO YOUR DESTINATION.
NOTE:
- FIRST GRADE PICK-UP: PULL UP TO THE FRONT OF WASHINGTON STREET BEFORE SANTA CLARA STREET
- SECOND GRADE PICK-UP: PULL UP BEFORE THE CROSSWALK ON WASHINGTON STREET
- SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE PICK-UP: PULL UP TO THE FRONT OF WASHINGTON STREET BEFORE LEXINGTON STREET
- EIGHTH GRADE PICK-UP: PULL UP TO FRONT OF THE PARKING LOT GATE ON WASHINGTON STREET
ARE YOU READY FOR SCHOOL?
SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES AS WE PREPARE FOR OUR OPENING
August 12 | "Shop" for Gently Used Uniforms in our Elementary Yard. Pick up some gently used books from our library as well!
August 13 | Drive-Thru Materials Pick Up for Home Learning @ St. Clare 2.0 for families with last names A-L, 9 to 11 | Look out for a separate post with instructions.
August 14 | Drive-Thru Materials Pick Up for Home Learning @ St. Clare 2.0 for families with last names M-Z, 9 to 11 | Look out for a separate post with instructions.
Look out for welcome videos from teachers as well as Community Meeting Zooms for orientation.
GET READY FOR OPENING DAY: AUGUST 19
Are uniforms ready? Even while we are in Zoom, we want students to know that school is a place where we formally learn. Wearing the uniform is part of the learning. More details regarding P.E. days and free dress days.
Is the space ready for distance learning? Provide a dedicated space for your student(s) to participate actively and meaningfully. Do you have the following for:
- Synchronous (live) learning: dedicated device and adequate internet access; headphones; a comfortable and quiet place to engage in active learning including space to spread out for P.E., art and music. (More information regarding school-issued iPads later.)
- Asynchronous (offline) learning and practice: dedicated space to complete homework, engage in independent practice, create art/projects, perform simple science experiments.
Are supplies ready? Although we will be sending home a bin with student textbooks, planners from Grades 3-5 and resources along with a supply case with pens, pencils, crayons and the like, you may want to shop for special supplies that your students prefer or need to be prepared for home learning. (Bins with resources and supplies will accompany those students who will return in person when we are allowed.)
In addition to the above, it is important for us to prepare our mindset for the start of this most unusual school year. Having structure at home and starting the year with clear expectations is key. Here are a few resources that might be helpful:
School supplies are in! We are getting ready for the first day of school. Are you?
Swivl Robot Needed for Classrooms | DONATE TODAY
Home Learning @ St. Clare 2.0 will be launched on August 19, 2020. One of the tools that will help our teachers to deliver quality instruction is a tool called Swivl.
An iPad or mobile device is mounted on the Swivl robot which rotates to follow the teacher across the room/space. Multiple markers record the audio throughout the room while the tethered iPad (or mobile device) records the video. It's easy for teachers to setup, start/stop recording, and upload to the Swivl cloud account.
While we make plans to return in-person when it is safe to do so, we are committed to providing a distance learning option for all families who need it throughout the year. Swivl will allow us to teach in any scenario. The Swivl can be set up in the back of the room to record the teacher instruction and interaction, while engaging those who are learning at home. WATCH this example of a dual learning environment using Swivl.
Currently, each starter kit which includes 5 markers, a wide-angle lens and cloud subscription costs $1,500. Check with your company's matching program to see if you can double the benefit!
To make a donation in any amount, please visit our school store. Share the link with family and friends as a way to donate to fundraisers that we may not be able to have this school year. You may note the name of the student or person you'd like to honor with this donation, including the classroom you'd like to benefit from this donation.
http://stclareschool.3dcartstores.com/Swvl-Robot-Donations_p_82.html
A Cup With Principal | Thursday, August 6th
Reopening of Santa Clara County K-12 Schools
Here are some resources for your information:
Sccsafeworkplace.org (see item on reporting COVID cases)
Stronger Together (SCCOE)
FERPA and Coronavirus (Child Privacy Laws)
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