SPN Weekly Newsletter #27

March 17, 2021

Principal's Message

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

It is still so amazing to me that we have all grades back for in-person learning EXACTLY one year to the day that the Shelter in Place Order was put in place. Last March, the school, and in particular the amazing teachers, pivoted to distance learning. We came together as a community and have worked hard to bring ALL our students back to campus for in-person instruction. Our world has changed, and yet many blessings came from our struggles this past year.

SPN Night at the Movies - this Friday night if enough families register by today! Come join other SPN families for a drive-in movie this Friday, March 19th at 7:45pm. Purchase tickets here to view CROODS A NEW AGE (Rated PG). Sadly, we will have to cancel this SPN community event unless enough cars register today. Redeem your online ticket at the Drive-In at Alameda Point Craft Soda Co, 1951 Monarch Street, Hangar 200 Bldg 25, Alameda. Gates open one hour before showing.

Reconciliation: Father Joseph and Father Joel will continue with Reconciliation next week. It is a different experience being outside, masked, and physically distanced in the garden, but it makes this is a very special Reconciliation. All students receive a blessing as well.

2nd Grade Food Bank Drive: Please bring money or food donations to the office between March 15th and March 31st to help support the Alameda Food Bank. Please see this flier for details around food donations. Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!

Report Cards: The report cards will go home this Friday. For grades 2nd-5th, the STAR assessment reports will also be in the report card envelope. Please reach out to your teachers with any questions.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Jessica Murray

School Happenings

Crazy hair day in 5th grade!

Middle schoolers return to campus for classes!

Recess!

Counselor's Corner

FREE WEBINAR on March 23rd @1pm CST: "Helping Students Overcome Anxiety" with Leigh Bagwell (from loveinabigworld.com)

Join Tamara Fyke and Leigh Bagwell as they discuss the topic of anxiety and students experiences dealing with it. Leigh Bagwell released a book revolving around this topic in the fall.

Some of the main points of discussion will be:

1. Reasons students are experiencing greater levels of anxiety.

2. Warning signs to look for.

3. How educators/parents can support these students.

We will also take your questions.

About Leigh Bagwell:

After teaching school counseling graduate students at Middle Tennessee State University, Leigh was inspired to pursue counselor education. Her experience includes more than 20 years working as a school counselor and school counselor supervisor in both suburban and urban school districts. Leigh most recently served as the Director of School Counseling Services at the Tennessee Department of Education where she led transformational work in school counseling throughout the state. In addition to her work in Tennessee, Leigh is a school counseling consultant, sharing her experiences and knowledge with and coaching school counselors and school counseling leaders across the nation.

Parish Happenings

From the Family Mass Team

Beginning March 7, please pick up a Lenten/Holy Week Fun Bag for your children (ages 4-10) or grandchildren made available by the Family Mass team. Each bag includes a "Color your Lenten Journey Map" as well as a Holy Week book for children, scented crayons and a surprise. You'll find the pick up box in the church vestibule at St. Philip Neri, which can be accessed before and after each mass. (Please rest assured, the bags were assembled using COVID-safe protocols). While Family Masses are on hold for the time being, we encourage you to continue participating with your children by using the materials provided to help them on their Lenten journey. We wish you a blessed Lenten season!