Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family News | 17 January 2021
A Prayer for Healing
Dearest Jesus, come and sit with us today. Show us the lies that are still embedded in the soul of America’s consciousness. Unmask the untruths we have made our best friends. For they seek our destruction. And we are being destroyed, Lord. Reveal the ways the lies have distorted and destroyed our relationships. They break your shalom … daily.
Jesus, give us courage to embrace the truth about ourselves and you and our world. Truth: We are all made in your image. Truth: You are God; we are not. You are God; money is not. You are God; jails, bombs and bullets are not.
And Jesus, give us faith to believe: Redemption of people, relationships, communities and whole nations is possible! Give us faith enough to renounce the lies and tear down the walls that separate us with our hands, with our feet, and with our votes!
~ From “Thou, Dear God: The prayers of Martin Luther King, Jr.” compiled by Lewis V. Baldwin
Dear St. Clare School Families,
We honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of working for justice, equality and unity without violence on this third Monday in January. As our nation looks to inaugurate our 46th president and the first woman vice president (the daughter immigrants), we are faced with domestic unrest that threatens the peaceful transition of power in the highest office in our land. Our county is in dire need of unity and healing from racial and economic injustice, from the COVID pandemic and from the division that has plagued our land.
Now more than ever, when we feel helpless and paralyzed with fear or worry, it becomes necessary for us to turn to one another for whatever pains one of us, pains us all. In solidarity, we stand together to overcome.
WELCOME BACK: Consult Post on Friday for Protocols to Return
We welcome back for the first time since the beginning of the school year 4 students on campus (2 in 8th grade, 1 in 4th grade and 1 in 2nd grade). At this time, we have approximately 170 students on campus with an option to shift to distance learning as the need arises. Likewise, students in distance learning may opt to return to in-person learning when the option is made available, provided physical distancing requirements are followed.
We continue to maintain the protocols we have established and comply with the travel mandate to quarantine for 10 days if you have traveled more than 150 miles. More importantly, remain in stable cohorts and report any incidents of symptoms for those in your household. We appreciate your cooperation and continued partnership to keep all of us safe.
REGISTERING FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
In the coming weeks, you will receive the Registration Packet for 2021-22. As we have done in the past, we will ask you to respond quickly. Also, as we have done in the past, February FACTS payment is allocated towards 2021-22 registration. Expect an invoice for this payment in early February (except for students in the Class of 2021).
Please be prepared to present proof of your financial support to a Catholic parish to continue to receive your Catholic discount. A donation letter, copies of cancelled checks, a report of online donations are acceptable proof.
I will outline the tuition structure for 2021-22 at Thursday’s “A Cup with the Principal”. Please make every effort to attend via Zoom using the usual St. Clare School meeting ID. A reminder will be sent the day of the meeting.
REMINDER: Complete FACTS Grant & Aid Applications if you anticipate needing tuition assistance (including for CKZ/Extended Care) for 2021-22.
CONTINUED SUPPORT: The Principle of Subsidiarity
We value our teachers and trust them to be competent professionals. As such, any questions or comments that pertain to your child and his or her standing in the classroom should be directed to the child’s teacher. (In middle school, it is best to go directly to the subject area teacher. In cases of co-curriculars, addressing these issues with the homeroom teacher first is best practice.)
It is important for them to know how your students are doing and it is also important for them to hear if there are any adjustments that need to be made to help your child reach success. They are the leaders in the classroom and they can work with you, the student and his or her teachers to support student growth and achievement socially, academically and in his or her faith.
If further insight is needed beyond this realm, you and the teacher can reach out to me or Mrs. Filion to work together for a resolution, always with the student’s welfare in mind.
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Vaccination information
The County will be releasing vaccines for those in the education sector (teachers, school staff). We await further instructions in anticipation of vaccine administration at the end of January and beginning of February. For information on general guidelines, please see below.
Events at the Capitol
The following are resources to help support your students in anticipation of conflict and unrest leading up to and during the Inauguration, and to put in context the events on January 6 in the Capitol:
Statements
Discussion protocols and articles (compiled by BASIC Fund)
COMING SOON: Catholic Schools Week, January 31-February 5
Sunday, January 31: We Celebrate Our Parish
Family Mass at 10:30 A.M.
Virtual Open House at 1 P.M.
Monday, February 1: We Celebrate Our Vocations (Religious, Ordained Ministry, Families)
Tuesday, February 2: We Celebrate Our Community
Day of Giving: The fourth annual Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving will begin Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at noon and continue through noon on Wednesday, February 3.
Wednesday, February 3: We Celebrate Our Students
Thursday, February 4: We Celebrate Our Nation
Friday, February 5: We Celebrate Our Faculty and Staff
Ideas and coordination of events are welcome! Please contact Mrs. Mantecon (cecile.mantecon@dsj.or.g).
SUPPORTING STUDENTS AT HOME
Continue to read at least 30 minutes a day with your child. Research shows academic success is directly correlated to reading with an adult (adult reading to a younger student; student reading to an adult; adult reading in the same room as the student). Reading daily builds intellectual stamina and vocabulary, necessary building blocks to access rigorous content, critical thinking and reasoning.
Mastery of math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) are necessary to perform more advanced math skills.
Here are some resources to partner with your students towards achievement and success for your students:
https://www.renaissance.com/services/parent-resources/
https://www.renaissance.com/focus-skills/
In addition, if your child is learning at home, we ask that you continue to check in on them during the school day. Please make sure that they are logged on when they are scheduled to do so: to be on time for classes and to remain engaged. Teachers have been giving students independent practice time during the class period. Some students may be choosing to engage in something other than school work (chatting with friends or playing online games, appearing as if they are completing school work) during this time and may end up having to complete class work as homework because of this choice. Occasionally checking in on them will help them stay focused.
Also, please remember that we still have some slots for consultation with a Bill Wilson counselor. If you would like to refer your child, kindly let your classroom teacher know. If your child self-refers or if the teacher refers your child, the teacher will let you know to expect a call from one of our counselors.
GRATITUDE TO OUR ENROLLMENT & MARKETING TEAM
Many hours are being spent to share the story of St. Clare to prospective families. We are so grateful for the enrollment campaign launched in social media outlets these past few weeks and for the preparations being made for the Virtual Open House. Please continue to share your story and tag St. Clare School. You have made the commitment to be here for a reason. You are part of who we are as a school. Share your good news to continue the amazing school programs and community involvement you have enjoyed.
Thank you, Cyndi Banaag, Melissa Reynoso, Vianey Nava, Chiqui Tañedo, Pedro Espinoza, Ms. Cherell, Izabela Godzina for all your hard work! We are grateful for your talent and dedication.
Most of all, to all of you: your faith and your trust sustain the work we do together. Thank you for your continued support of our school, our teachers and our students. We are a community because of you!
Peace and all good things,
Mrs. Mantecon, Principal
Kindergarten Shares Their Dream, As They Learn About Martin Luther King Jr's Dream.
Middle School Enjoys The Beautiful Weather This Past Week!
Calling All Videographers
For more information please email or call me at Cherell.rizzo@dsj.org or (408) 246-6797
Important Dates Reminder
- 1/18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No School
- 1/20 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 1/21 Cup With The Principal |6:00 P.M.
- 1/22 Weekly School Mass | 9:30 A.M.
- 1/27 Math Club Tutoring Event K-8th | Zoom ID 896-048-8987 | 5:00 P.M.
- 1/29 Weekly School Mass | 9:30 A.M.
- 2/2 PTG Meeting | 6:30 P.M.
Google Public Calendar
PUBLIC URL TO ACCESS FROM A WEB BROWSER
PUBLIC ADDRESS IN iCAL TO ACCESS FROM OTHER APPS
Voluntary COVID Testing for Children; Flu Shots
Thank you to all the families that attended the Return to School orientation last night. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming days about logistics and more.
Thank you to Jane Wulf (8th grade parent) for sharing the information below. St. Clare is not requiring a negative COVID test to return to in-person learning, but families may want to have their children tested before returning.
Families with children of any age are welcome to schedule a free COVID nasal swab test. Results are sent by text/email within 2-3 days (in the past I have received mine within 24 hrs). I recommend scheduling a test for the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds site:
https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing
Fulgent Booking System 1.0 - Appointment
This testing is for people who live, work, attend school, or assist with care for a resident of Santa Clara County.
scl.fulgentgenetics.com
You will be asked to provide optional insurance information to help offset the costs related to providing the test. The insured(s) is NOT billed. Insurance is NOT required to be tested. The fairgrounds location is a drive-thru site open Tuesdays-Fridays (12p-6:45p) and Saturdays (9a-3p).
In addition, flu shots are offered free of charge across the street (Fairground expo building) on Saturdays.
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