SPN Weekly Newsletter #20

January 25, 2022

“All of you are Christ’s body,

and each one is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12: 27

Principal's Message

Dear families,

St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians that contains the verse above was the second reading on Sunday. As our homilist explained to us, St. Paul loved the Corinthians, mainly because they needed so much guidance on how to be more Christian. Corinth was a port and known for its wanton ways. I love this reading because there are so many relevant comparisons to how the pieces of a whole in combination can make something more than the sum of its parts.

This week on Thursday the faculty, staff and I will host a meeting for the visiting team of the WCEA, Improving Student Learning Accreditation process. Every six years our school engages in a self-study to examine and assess all of the individual parts that make up our school. Beginning in the fall of 2019, the principal, faculty and staff along with the PTG, School Advisory Board, and Athletic Board have been writing and rewriting our report. Due to COVID, Distance Learning and then Hybrid Learning, the accreditation visit was delayed by one year. Our official accreditation visit is happening on March 8, 9, and 10. The visiting team of five educators, including a visiting Superintendent, two local Principals and two local teachers from other schools, will be here to compare our written self-study report with our actual programs and practices. They will interview students, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and the pastor. They will visit classrooms. Finally, ideally, they will affirm what we have identified as the accomplishments and the areas for growth for Saint Philip Neri Catholic School.

The accreditation process is arduous but worthwhile. Self assessment helps to ensure that we set reasonable goals for our school community. As an outcome of this process, we feel grateful for, acknowledge and celebrate the many parts and many people that make up this wonderful school community. On the eve of Catholic Schools Week, it’s a perfect time to do so.

The schedule for Catholic Schools Week that begins on Sunday is provided below. Please note that we made a few adjustments due to safety protocols for all. We celebrate our Catholic school and all of you, its many facets, who together make up a whole community that is greater than the sum of its parts!

Catholic Schools Week Agenda

Warmly,

Julie Thomas

Interim Principal

Updates and Information

COVID update: We had a total of 5 positive cases (3 in the same household) between January 19-25. Thank you for your continued vigilance, as our efforts are clearly making a difference. We ask that you continue to follow the Daily Health Screening DHS and contact the office to report symptoms and/or exposure outside of school.
Progress Reports: Student progress reports will be distributed to families today. Most homeroom teachers will provide a progress report for each student, however, some teachers may notify families only if a student shows a decline in progress or if the teacher has concerns. Please be sure to review your students’ progress report with them, and reach out to teachers if you have questions or concerns.
SLC Spirit day - Whacky Wednesday Tomorrow! Come dressed in your whackiest to show your Spartan Spirit! Free dress rules apply.
Noon Dismissal Tomorrow: Just a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, January 26th, is a noon dismissal for a teacher work day. Share & Care is open.
Donation Drives Continue: Please see information below about three important ways to make a difference in our community. Collection boxes are set up in the school office.

Volunteer Corner:

Thank you, SPN parents and guardians, for how you enrich our community with your volunteer service. Below is some information to aide you in fulfilling your annual family commitment of 20 volunteer hours (25 with sports) per year. Be sure your volunteer paperwork is on file.

Hot lunch duty gets you free lunch voucher along with your volunteer hours: We are still in need of hot lunch servers and each one hour stint gives you a free ChoiceLunch order voucher. M-F 11:20am - 12:30pm. One-time or ongoing slots available. Sign up here (2nd tab). Contact Janelle Sheets for further details/questions: jtpaws@hotmail.com.
Sports Volunteers for Feb. 5th AND Feb. 12th: Help SPN host at the Alameda Point Gym on Feb. 5th or Feb. 12th. Here are the links to sign up: Feb. 5th, and/or Feb. 12th.
Earn volunteer hours through copy paper donations to SPN: Earn one volunteer hour for every $30 of copy paper donated to SPN.
Record your volunteer hours here: SPN Volunteer Hours Form.

Special Sports Message

SPN Families,

Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the remainder of our fall/winter sports season, we remain optimistic for better days ahead and that we will have a spring sports season. Accordingly, we’ve opened up the registration portal for the following sports:

Girls’ Basketball (Grades 3-8)
Sand Volleyball (Co-ed, Grades 5-8)*
Track & Field (Co-ed, grades K-8)

*per CYO rules, if you played volleyball in the fall/winter, you are NOT eligible to play sand volleyball in the spring.

Practice and competition dates will be announced soon. If you are interested in signing your child up for one of the spring sports SPN offers, you may now do so.

Link to register.

COACHES NEEDED! We are looking for coaches for all Spring Sports. Without the dedication and support of parents to help coach, we can’t field teams. Hope you will sign up for this rewarding and exciting opportunity. Please contact co-athletic directors Alex Sadie (asadie731@gmail.com) or Erin Manning (erinkmanning@gmail.com) if you are interested in coaching.

Thank you,

Alex and Erin

Co-Athletic Directors

School Happenings

1st grade studying the phases of the moon.

Hello Kitty Restaurant opens in Preschool

Three great opportunities to give:

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.