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 is 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.

While San Mateo County has been placed on a "Stay at Home Order", there is no changes to in-person learning.

Christmas Dress Code

On Friday students can wear Christmas colors or Christmas outfits. School dismissal is at 11am.

The schedule for dismissal is:

11:00 am - Kindergarten

11:05 am - Grade 1

11:10 am - Grade 2

11:15 am - Grades 3,4,5,6 (Upper yard); Grades 7 and 8 (Miller Ave)

School Resumes

Return to school will be on Monday, January 4th. To be admitted into school that morning, each family is required to complete a declaration form which has been provided by the Archdiocese. Please complete it and give it to the staff member when you arrive at the school. Children at school will receive a hard copy today and I have attached the form to this document. It is also located on the DL hub.

Changes from DL to In Person Learning

If you decided to move from DL to in-person learning, I need to be emailed by December 30th. If you decided to move from in-person to DL then please notify me by December 30th or you can drop out at any time.

COVID - 19 Testing

COVID-19 testing for January 4th will take place from 10am to 5pm. Please sign up by December 28th.

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 information or Mr Liu at preschool@ssfallsoulsschool.org for Preschool information. We are looking forward to enrolling our new families at the school.

Annual Christmas Appeal

We are initiating our first Annual Christmas Appeal 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 to send their children to the school. The cost of Catholic education is becoming prohibitive for many families, and if we are able to 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 happen 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

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

18- 11:00am Dismissal with Staggered Times - No Extended Care After School

21-Jan.1- Christmas Vacation - Christmas Day 12.25

1- New Year's Day 2021

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

5- School Assembly - 2:30pm

18- Martin Luther King Jr.Day - Holiday

19- Archdiocesan Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

19- School Board Mtg. - 6:30pm - Annex Meeting Room

26- School Assembly - 2:30pm

29- Faculty Meeting - 12:20pm Dismissal

Please check with all providers regarding current summer program dates, times,

and other important information.