SPN Weekly Newsletter #18

January 11, 2022

"Keep Calm

and

Carry On"

-- Winston Churchill

Principal's Message

Dear Saint Philip Neri School Families,

The current COVID surge we are experiencing has us all on alert. The adjustment last week to defer the return to school so everyone could secure a negative test proved very helpful and effective. We had only one exposure on campus last Friday, and are offering that class a modified quarantine - those students can attend school as long as they are asymptomatic and test twice during the seven days after exposure. Our commitment to keep school open during this time is paramount, but we will need everyone to continue to be vigilant. Here is a summary of best practices in order to keep school open and safe:

If you haven’t already, please provide a copy of your students’ vaccination card so we have them on file in the Office. It is highly recommended that everyone ages 5 and up get vaccinated and boosted when appropriate.
Thank you all for adhering to our Daily Health Screening DHS, our first line of defense on campus.
Please ensure that masks fit well and stay on, especially over the nose. Surgical masks or KN95 or N95 are recommended. The Alameda County Office of Education notified us that we will be receiving a supply of N95 masks for staff and students. We will notify you as soon as we have the supply and can begin distribution.
We continue with hand hygiene protocols and ventilation efforts in the classrooms, as well as increased social distancing during lunch/snack when students are eating and drinking.

Further, Mr. Carter, our COVID Liaison, is working to arrange testing on site on a weekly basis. Again, we will notify you as soon as we have details regarding this service.

Finally, a note of clarification; teachers will provide asynchronous lessons and assignments for all students who are absent. However the remote support of a brief Zoom check in (up to one hour per week) is reserved only for students who must quarantine due to exposure or who must isolate due to infection.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another.

Warmly,

Julie Thomas

Interim Principal

A big SPARTAN welcome to our new 1st Grade Teacher, Mrs. Julie Apel! You may have caught sight of Mrs. Apel in December, as she stepped in to teach Ms. Turner’s 4th grade class as a long term substitute. Mrs. Apel comes to us after having taught for AUSD for over 30 years, most recently as a second grade teacher. The 1st Grade families had the opportunity to meet

Mrs. Apel last week via Zoom and we all wish her a warm welcome into the SPN Family!

Updates and Information

Need to fulfill volunteer hours? Let us help you:

Volunteer opportunity - We are in need of lunch ladies (and men!). M-F slots available. Sign up here (2nd tab). Be sure your volunteer paperwork is on file.
Volunteer opportunity - Lawrence Hall of Science at SPN: For student appreciation day on February 1st, we plan on bringing Lawrence Hall of Science to SPN! At this science festival students investigate, experiment, and problem solve, as they explore up to twelve tabletop stations featuring mobile exhibits designed by the Hall. The event requires 12 volunteers. See time slots below. We would love for you to volunteer for all three for consistency, however, any time you have available would be appreciated. Please email Alex Wanigatunga, mrsaw@me.com or text her at (415) 305-3391.

9:10 - 10am (Gr. TK-2), 10:30 - 11:20am (Gr. 3-5), 12:40 - 1:30pm (Gr. 6-8)

SPN Coat Drive, Jan. 10-14: The SLC is collecting new and gently used coats for distribution to St. Vincent De Paul. A donation box is set up in the office lobby all this week. Thank you!
SPN Admissions Virtual Info Night Tomorrow: Interested families can attend virtually tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12th, at 7pm. Register online here.
Catholic Schools Week and Open House: There will be a virtual Open House to kick off Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, January 30th. Details soon.
No School, No Share and Care this Friday and Monday: Friday is a staff work day, and Monday is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Enjoy your weekend!

School Happenings

The SPN School Advisory Board's Belonging and Inclusion Committee, in collaboration with the Catholic Identity Committee, is excited to announce a Belonging and Inclusion Book Drive to promote diversity within our library's book collection. It is important for our children to be exposed to different characters and cultures, as well as get access to resources that will help them explore the many dimensions of diversity. It is also important for our children to see themselves in stories, and see characters overcome obstacles and change the world for the better.