Community E-News l 11.26.23

Dear Carondelet Community,

The Thanksgiving holiday gives a welcome pause to rest, connect with family and friends, and feel grateful for the blessings in our lives. It is the respite that gives us the reflection and refreshment needed to prepare for the holiday season. When we return from Thanksgiving break, there are three weeks of school before finals week. Students, faculty, and staff will be engaged with end of the semester projects and assessments. Student-athletes and coaches will be busy with the start of the winter season. Our Arts programming will be sharing the fruits of the semester’s work with Company’s presentation of the play The Westing Game (opening night on November 30) and the Carondelet/De La Salle’s Choral and Band Christmas Concert (December 14).

A great way to get in the holiday spirit is to attend one of the Visions of Christmas suite of events, which begin the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. Visions is a cherished community engagement and fundraising event. On Tuesday, November 28 one can enjoy the Sip & Tree Holiday Market. Shop local vendors, sip and snack with friends, and check out our wonderful Vision Trees. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a Vision Tree are available to purchase at this event. Our Traditional Tea is on Thursday, November 30. This event is a Carondelet alumnae and family favorite and sold out quickly this year. We are also hosting an online auction beginning on November 27. Details on all the wonderful offerings including staycations, getaways, exclusive Carondelet swag, and more will be posted soon.

Amidst the busyness of this time, we recognize that the Advent Season is just around the corner. Advent is a time of preparation as we ready our hearts for the birth of Jesus. I hope that this season is one of reflection and connection for each and every one of you.

Jennifer Reinwald

Vice Principal of Student Life and Mission

Online Auction Opens Tomorrow!

10 AM, Mon., Nov. 27 - 10 PM, Sun., Dec. 3

There are items for everyone on your Christmas list including vacations, event tickets, restaurants, home and garden, jewelry, sports memorabilia, and Carondelet exclusive items.

This Year's Fund-A-Need

Through the generosity of our community, Carondelet provides 47% of students with financial aid support. Our priority is to make sure every family, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to quality education and that aspiring young women develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to advance transformative change. Your gift makes a direct impact, enriching students’ learning experiences and inspiring them to make powerful contributions to society.

Hear From Olive R. '25

Listen to Olive R. '25 share her experience and gratitude as a student and filmmaker at Carondelet.

Christmas Tree Drawing

The tradition continues! Buy tickets for the annual tree drawing. Visit our website for more details about the gifts under each tree. Thank you to our amazing sponsor families who make this possible.

NEW! Final Look Friday, Dec. 1 from 8:00 - 10:00 AM at the Garaventa Center

Music, Coffee, Tea, & Treats provided

Phew… After all the Visions festivities and cheer, we know we’ll need a wind-down! Please join us for a last look at our dazzling Trees before drawing ticket sales close and the winners are selected.* We’ll be packing up our suite of events and warmly welcome you to this final small celebration to connect with friends and view our truly fabulous trees. Drawing tickets available for sale and Tuition Assistance donations gratefully accepted.

*Drawing ticket sales close at 12:00 PM on Friday, and our winners will be announced that afternoon via email.

Online Auction

Monday, Nov. 27 - Sunday, Dec. 3

Sip & Tree

Holiday Market

Tuesday, Nov. 28 5:00 - 9:30 PM at $30/person

Tree Drawing

Check out our Trees and buy tickets online

Parent Guild Christmas Meeting

Calling all Parent Guild members. Join us for a Christmas celebration potluck on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Convent Community Room. If you haven’t been to a meeting now is a perfect time. Hope to see you all there.

The Parent Guild Needs Your Help for Finals

Twice a year our amazing Parent Guild treats all of the students during their three days of finals with an array of snacks and beverages. Please consider donating food items or coming to help out. Sign up here!

Follow Our Parent/Guardian Social Media

Instagram: @carondelet_fam l Facebook: @Carondelet Fam

Cafeteria Update

Due to our Visions of Christmas events, the Epicurean Cafe will be CLOSED on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 30. Students should plan to bring their own lunch or bring cash to purchase food at De La Salle. The cafe will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but food service will be out at the back of the Garaventa entrance.

Parents/Visitors On Campus

For safety and security reasons, Carondelet is closed to visitors during the school day. As a parent, if you need to be on-site, for any reason, we ask that you check in at the Main Office.

Yearbook Senior Ad Orders - Due Dec. 1

All seniors need to be photographed and have chosen their senior portrait for the yearbook by December 1. Also, Senior Family Ads (Dedications) can now be created for the yearbook. The deadline to complete this is also December 1 - details on our website. If you have any questions contact our Yearbook Advisor, Faith Ripoli.

It's time for the spring musical auditions!

Anything Goes is a musical farce that centers around a hilarious shipboard romp wrapped in one of Cole Porter's most magical scores. It's delightful, delicious, and de-lovely. We are looking for a large diverse cast of singers, dancers, and actors to make this voyage of mistaken identity a true comedic romance for all. There is no experience required to audition. Choreography will be taught to all levels. We are hosting a Q&A on Dec 8 @ 3:15 PM in the DLS Theatre. More information can be found on our Schoology group page: access code: GT7W-7VQH-PGSTW

Auditions (Vocal)

Dec. 12

Auditions (Choreo)

Dec. 13

Auditions (Acting)

Dec. 14

Must attend all three - Ms Barnidge is excited to meet you!

Shalom, the Junior Retreat, is Coming Soon!

All four junior retreats will be held during February and March. Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace and wholeness. This special retreat is all about finding peace in the midst of the busy and stressful life of a junior. If your student has not yet requested a Shalom date, please do so now. Spots are limited and the retreats fill every year! Request a Shalom Date Here.

• Seniors interested in leading Shalom can Apply Here. Applications are due on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 3:00 PM.

Donate to Carondelet’s Advent Service Project, “Crayons @ Carondelet”

We are seeking donations of crayons in any condition (preferably used or broken) to benefit The Crayon Initiative, an organization that melts down and remanufactures crayons for children in hospitals. Our drive begins Nov. 27 and ends on Dec. 18. Contact Vanessa Miranda with any questions!

Ven a Ver Borderlands - Application NOW AVAILABLE!!

The application for our spring immersion trip, Ven a Ver Borderlands (juniors and seniors) is now available. Learn more about this immersion trip and apply here. Questions? Contact Vanessa Miranda, in Campus Ministry.

Dear Carondelet Students and Families,

We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your academic pursuits. As we approach the final stretch of the semester, we understand that the pressure of exams and assignments can be overwhelming. We hope students will take the break to both recharge and potentially get caught up in areas they may have fallen behind.

To ensure that each of you feels supported and empowered to excel, we want to invite you to our PowerStart program. PowerStart is your dedicated time to receive personalized assistance with organization, preparation for final exams, and overall executive function support. Whether you are looking to fine-tune your study strategies, seek guidance on exam preparation, or simply need a quiet space to concentrate, PowerStart is here for you. You can also use this time to meet with group project members or practice a final presentation with an academic counselor.

Find us in the library on,

Monday to Friday: 7:30 - 8:15 AM

Late Start Day: 8:30 - 9:30 AM

PowerStart is available through December 21

PowerLab

And as a reminder, PowerLab is available after school Monday through Thursday in the library. Students can also visit teachers during their office hours Tuesday through Thursday after school.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a session, please contact Suzette Gum, Academic Coach, via email.

 @CarondeletCougars on Instagram l Follow @Go_Carondelet on X

@CougarAthletics on Facebook l Subscribe to the Athletics Calendar

April Spring Break Trip to Yosemite

The Carondelet Science Department is sponsoring a four-day adventure to Yosemite National Park over Spring Break (April 3-6) including a Valley floor tram tour, bike riding excursion, breakfast at the Awahnee Hotel, hiking the Mist Trail and/or Vernal Falls, shopping in the Village, and other fun activities.

This trip is open to all Carondelet students! For more information please view the attached informational flier. Please email TJ Manning with any questions.

Weekly Updates can be found on the website:

• All Students
• Midwest College Showcase is offering a virtual college fair series on November 29 and 30. Learn more about applying to and attending a liberal arts college. Some of the colleges included are: Lawrence University, Grinnell College, Macalester College and Oberlin College. Information.
• The Perry Outreach Program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, CA for high school women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments. Information and Application.
• Seniors
• Sallie Mae is hosting a webinar in Spanish on filling out the FAFSA on November 29. Register.
• The Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship application for college-bound minority seniors is now open (Information). Staff will also host a Q&A session on Thursday, November 28 to answer any questions about the application process. Zoom Link.
• Juniors
• College Workshop December 1 during X Block 1:50 - 2:50 PM. An admissions officer from the University of San Diego will explain how colleges review applications and what they look for. College Counselors will introduce important first steps in the college search and application process. Attendance is mandatory.
• Register today! By popular demand, the College Kickstart series is expanding this year to include a one-day winter session on Saturday, January 27 focused on launching the college search, building your college list, and preparing for applications. Registration is now open.
• Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors
• Are you starting to look for summer opportunities? Check out this helpful resource.  Summer Enrichment Programs.
• Freshmen and Sophomores
• The College Money Method workshop ‘Navigating the New System of College Pricing and Financial Aid’ is now on the Carondelet resource page. Password: chscmm. The workshop provided an overview of the ways colleges provide financial assistance and how to understand which colleges are most generous with grants and scholarships. The Carondelet resource page also includes numerous resources to accompany the workshop, including calculators to determine need-based aid eligibility and a list of colleges with data on how they award financial aid and merit scholarships. 

Carondelet shares these opportunities for informational purposes only. We do not affiliate with or endorse any particular organizations.



Learn More about all college-related events here.

Throughout the month of November the Wellness Team is offering programming for students focused on the theme of Gratitude. The positive power of gratitude and the benefits of a regular gratitude practice on physical and emotional well-being are strongly supported by research. 

As we enter the busy holiday season, we believe that incorporating a regular practice of gratitude can be an invaluable tool for our students and community to navigate these potentially stressful times. We encourage students and families to engage in conversations about gratitude at home and choose one of the many practices available. For example, one suggestion for family dinner time is to allow an opportunity for each person to share something they are grateful for and why. This simple and fun practice encourages family members to be on the lookout for positive experiences of gratitude throughout their day and to reap the benefits. Encourage family members to find a practice that particularly resonates with them—it’s definitely a “choose your own adventure” opportunity.

Please refer to our Cannon Events Calendar for the various programming opportunities offered this month. If you are interested in more information about the topic of Gratitude and its effects on well-being, we have shared additional resources below. 

Please reach out to any of our Wellness Counselors if you have questions, or concerns, or are in need of support for your student.

Your Wellness Team

Heart Sponsors

Countrywood Shopping Center

Mary Beth Kulawiec Dittrich '79 and Thomas Dittrich

Faith Sponsors

A Sweet Affair Bakery

Lehmer’s Buick GMC Concord

Christine Sabatte Logan ’73 and Rich Logan P’12

Courage Sponsors

Balestrieri Family Farm

Anabelle and Rudy Galera P’20, ‘24, ‘26

Julie Gonzalez '99

Aimee Pourroy-Martin and James Martin P’26 

Excellence Sponsors

Michelle and Rob Craw P'25

UBEO Business Services

CSJ Sponsors

BACA Wines

Tracy and Brad Bowles P'22 '26, Bowles and Verna LLP

Choicelunch

Image Orthodontics & Kali Smiles Kids

SC Builders 

Stephanie Seeno-Miles ’80 and Clyde Miles P’14

Wasser Wealth Management 

Spirit Sponsors

Bay Alarm

Stephanie Canessa State Farm Agency

Chimirri’s Salon

Greenlight Simulation-Driver Training for Teens

Karen and Zachary Gustafson P'26

Lenox Homes