Number 11

In this Sunday's Gospel, first we read Luke's introduction to his Gospel. He writes to the "most excellent Theophilus," who may have been an actual person, or whose name may simply represent all those who are open to hearing the good news about Jesus Christ (Theophilus means God-lover). Luke writes that eyewitnesses and "ministers of the word" have handed on stories about Jesus, and now he wishes to share them with Theophilus (and with us) in an orderly way. Like all the evangelists, Luke wants to convince his readers about who Jesus really is and what his life, teachings, death, and resurrection really mean. Reading this introduction prepares us for a spiritual journey. As the Sundays of Year C progress, we will embark on this journey with Luke and, of course, with Jesus. Since we have recently read about the birth of Jesus, the ministry of John the Baptist, and the baptism of Jesus, today's Gospel reading immediately skips from Luke's introduction (1:1-4) to his account of the beginning of Jesus' ministry (4:14-21). Jesus enters a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth and reads a passage from the prophet Isaiah. He then interprets the passage, telling the people that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. He will bring good news to the poor. He will proclaim freedom to prisoners. He will give sight to the blind and liberate the oppressed. Jesus is telling everyone what his ministry is all about. He is going to turn the world upside down!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This week we have been celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. He is a very important person in our country's history. He paved the road for civil rights and for equality. Many other people have followed in his footsteps to work for social action and social justice. Let us remember him in our prayers during the week and promote peaceful ways of dealing with conflict.

Catholic Schools Week

We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week beginning on January 31st. The celebration will start with the 9am Mass in the Church followed by recognition of 50 years of service by Mrs. Barri to our school. We also have Open House and the Science Fair happening in the morning. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Mass in honoring Mrs. Barri and at the Open House.

Kindergarten Enrollment

We are currently in the process of enrolling students into the Kindergarten class for 2016-17 school year. If you have a child Kindergarten age (five years old by September 1st) please ensure you complete the online Admissions Form found on the school website (www.ssfallsoulsschool.org).

Kindergarten testing will occur on Saturday, February 6th at 9am. If you have any questions regarding the Kindergarten 2016-2017 school year please call Mrs. Cierra at the school office (650 583 3562).

Re-Enrollment 2016-2017 (All Grades)

The re-enrollment process will begin on March 1st and will be open for two weeks. You will need to re-enroll your child for the next school year and pay the re-enrollment fee of $305.00 per child at this time. Please note that the fee is due at time of re-enrollment.

Tuition Delinquency

We currently have $30,000 outstanding in tuition payments. It is important that parents/guardians see tuition as a priority when budgeting and ensure that their child's tuition is paid, otherwise you will need to withdraw your child from the school. If you have circumstances that are causing you not to fulfill tuition payments you need to contact Mrs. Reidy or myself, but at the present time no-one has come forward.

Thank you for your cooperation with this matter. We do want to pay our staff for the work they do at the school!!!

Congratulations - Right to Life Essay Contest

Congratulations to Kalin Baca ,Gr. 6, and to Rozet Parina, Gr. 7, for receiving Honorable Mention in the Archdiocesan Right to Life Essay Contest. Congratulations to all other students who participated in the essay contest.

God Bless,

Vincent Riener

Principal

Revised Family Agreement

The School Board has been reviewing the Family Agreement and has made recommendations to the Principal which have been approved. The areas that have been revised are in relation the the Parish Festival,the Womens’s Club, and Bingo. The Parish Festival will be reverting back to the format that we have had in the past. Last year was an exempted year. The Parish will be looking for a core group of people to plan and organize the festival, which is now a category A item. Women's Club and Bingo responsibilities have also been updated. Please click the Activity Description link below to view the revised list of activities.

Cafeteria

The school administration and the School Board are concerned with the sign-up for cafeteria workers. The cafeteria is short of workers in the morning for preparing the food as well as in the later part of the morning for serving. It has become apparent the cafeteria program is in trouble. If we do not have sufficient people sign up and fulfill their cafeteria duties we are not sure if we can provide the high quality program that we have provided so for many years. The alternative is to outsource the lunch program to a contractor. If this occurs there could be a considerable increase in cost for the lunch meal. We ask that you to seriously consider signing up for the cafeteria for the new school year.

Maintenance Program

The board has developed a maintenance program for the school which will be monitored by members of the School Board. We are pleased that we are able to assist the school with such a program. Principal Riener is very happy that ownership of the maintenance program will come form the board members.

Fulfilling Family Agreements

The School Board wishes to emphasize to parents that it is their responsibility to fulfill their agreed contracts in all areas, which include tuition payment, fulfilling hours of service, and making payments for the fundraising program. All Souls charges one if the lowest tuition rates in the area, but we do need everyone's support to keep our tuition low but still provide a high quality educational program.

Self control is the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations.

It is our responsibility as parents and educators to teach our children self control so they can develop into healthy, responsible members of society. We must teach them how to control their hands, feet, words, actions and thoughts.

As we begin the new year, many of us have set goals and made resolutions, and it is the perfect time for all of us to practice self control.

The first week of February, Feb. 1st-5th, is Catholic Schools Week. We celebrate our Catholic School with Spirit Week.

Monday is School Spirit Day! Come dressed in your formal uniform to show how proud you are of being an All Souls student.

Tuesday is Pajama Day! Wear your comfy, cozy PJ's. Be sure to wear shoes you can run in (no slippers).

Wednesday is Decades Day! Dress like you are living in the 60's, 70's, 80's or whatever decade you choose!

Thursday is Mix and Match Day! Wear clothes and shoes that don't match, and have fun making silly combinations.

Friday is a Student Holiday!

Please be sure to refer to the handbook for appropriate free dress attire for all spirit days.

“It’s Showtime” folks! Talent Show 2016 sign-ups will be starting soon. We are looking for singers, dancers, actors, and musicians ready to share their talents through music, dance, and drama. Music, songs, and dramatic readings are to be chosen from a current or past Broadway show or movie. From current Disney stage productions and classic movies, to Broadway standards by Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, classic movie musicals, and modern movie soundtracks there is a huge list of wonderful movies and shows from which to choose. Start thinking ahead. More information regarding sign-ups and try-outs will be coming soon!

21 - First Communion Parent Meeting - 7pm

29 - Staff Development Mtg. - 12:20pm Dismissal

29 - School Board Raffle ends

31 - Feb. 6 - Catholic Schools Week

31 - Catholic Schools Week Celebration - 9am Mass

Mrs. Barri's 50th Anniversary Reception & Open House/Science Fair following Mass

1 - Faculty Meeting - 12:20 Dismissal - Athl. Board Hot Dog Sale

1 - Principal's Awards Ceremony - 9am

4 - 8th Grade Dance

5 - Archdiocesan Curriculum Conference - Student Holiday

6 - New Student Testing - 9am

6 - Athletic Board Crab Feed

7 - School Family Mass - 9am

10- Ash Wednesday - 9am Mass (Full School Uniform)

10 - Athletic Board Meeting - 6:30pm

12 - Semester Holiday - 15 - Presidents' Day Holiday

17 - School Board Mtg. - 6:30pm - Parish Office

18 - First Communion Parent Meeting - 7pm

21 - Rite of Enrollment for Confirmation - 9am

22 - Archdiocesan Staff Dev. Mtg. - 12:20 Dismissal - Athl. Board Hot Dog Sale

24 - Spring Picture Day

26-27-28 - L.A. Religion Congress

WE CANNOT AWARD ANY FUNDRAISER PRIZES at this point, since all monies still have not been turned in. Please turn any outstanding monies into the school office by next Friday, January 29th.

Thank you!

MRS. REIDY

The annual school raffle has started! Per your school agreement, each family is required to sell $50.00 worth of raffle tickets. We are asking you to sell twelve tickets, but if you’d like to sell more please don’t hesitate to ask the office for more tickets.

Your child(ren) will receive a free dress pass for every five tickets sold. For example, if a family sells fifteen tickets, your child will receive three free dress passes. If you have more than one child at the school, each child will receive dress passes. All free dress passes will be distributed by mid-February.

The raffle starts today and ends on January 29, 2016. All money and tickets stubs are to be turned into the school office by that date. Free dress passes will be given out to those students that return their tickets and money by the deadline.

The drawing will be held on February 1, 2016 at the Principal’s Awards Ceremony!

Thank you for your support and good luck!

Chess Wizards classes for the winter session have been cancelled due to lack of sign-ups. A third session is planned for the spring, and you will receive information regarding enrollment closer to that time.

On Friday, January 29th 7:45am -7:55am, please help support our preschool. For only $2.00 you can get a cup of nice hot chocolate and a donut of your choice!!!

Thank you!

Preschool

As the new year starts, and you are looking for a perfect birthday or special occasion gift, don't forget your shopping options that will benefit All Souls Catholic School!

Our Scrip programs offers a wide variety of gift cards from local stores and restaurants. You can also shop online at the eScrip Online Mall, which has many of your favorite online shopping sites. Information about the Scrip program, a Scrip order form, and directions to the eScrip Online Mall can be found on the school website.

Amazon shoppers please remember to use the handy Amazon link at the bottom of our web page. This link will take you directly to your personal Amazon page, shop as you normally would, and the school will earn a percentage of your purchase. There is no cost to you!

Email: info@ssfallsoulsschool.org
Website: www.ssfallsoulsschool.org
Location: 479 Miller Ave, South San Francisco, CA, United States
Phone: (650) 583 3562