SPN Weekly Newsletter #9

October 19, 2021

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Principal's Message

October 19, 2021

Your Invitation

Invitations are important. I remember once when my eldest sister commented to my mother about an upcoming family gathering, “It should be fun, right, Mom?” And my mother responded, “I don’t know, I haven’t been invited.” I remember thinking to myself, “Well of course you’re invited, Mom, what’s a family gathering without you?!” My mother’s point was that unless she was hosting the gathering, she didn’t just assume she was invited, she appreciated actually being invited. My sister meant no harm and had not intended to disrespect nor exclude my mother, but she simply hadn't thought that my Mom needed an invitation to a family dinner. This exchange between my sister and mother, and the discussion that followed, made an impression on me.

In the hopes of avoiding my sister’s error with all of you, I am inviting you to talk with me. This is an open invitation to all members of the SPN school community to bring me your concerns, questions, suggestions, experiences that you or your child are having, problems you are managing based on school policy, procedures or decision making. Of course, there is a line of communication to facilitate our school and home partnership. First, contact your child’s teacher regarding classroom concerns. Next, if the situation persists, OR if you have a more school-wide concern, please contact me to set up an appointment.

This invitation is for a dialogue with me to share your perspective and to understand mine, or the school’s, based on the governing authority we follow. We may not always agree, but we can certainly practice open, honest dialogue in order to understand one another and then try to identify a good resolution. It’s often the strategy, not the goal, that needs modification. With conversation we can determine some possible strategies that would work for everyone.

In the September 21 Newsletter, I wrote to you about the Community Circle presentation I shared at the Elementary Staff Professional Development Day. Community Circles teach students how to communicate with one another, ultimately with the hope of knowing how to restore peace and understanding between those who may be in conflict. Many of our teachers are practicing Community Circles in class with students, and I use the structure of the Community Circle when I work with students. it is also very effective for adult communication.

In March of this year a book was published, The Call to Unite, by Tim Shriver and Tom Rosshirt. The book’s title explains its purpose and message, a response to the effects of the pandemic on all of us. Tim Shriver is the Chairman of The Special Olympics and founder of UNITE, a mission to fulfill the promise of America through stories, solutions and studies that bring us closer together. Tim explains, “Uniters do not expect uniformity of opinion, but do seek unity in treating others with dignity-- which gives justice a chance to flourish. … We get belonging by giving it.”

I invite you to set up a phone call or meeting with me should you feel the need. I greatly appreciate those of you who have already done so, and I celebrate the positive impact on our community our good discussions provide!

Warmly,

Julie Thomas

Principal

Fall Festivities at SPN - read below!

Halloween Celebration

Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, or the Eve of All Saints’ Day, has become one of the most popular holidays in the U.S. for both children and adults! The modern day celebration of Halloween has come to be associated with dressing up in costumes, from traditional witches and ghosts, to modern movie characters or amusing objects (think Cup o' Noodles!)

SPN will celebrate Halloween on Friday, October 29th this year. Students, faculty and staff can come to school dressed in costume to participate in the Halloween Parade at 8a.m. and then enjoy the Carnival hosted by the Student Leadership Council with the donated candy. There are three important guidelines to remember when planning costumes to wear at school this year:

There may be no signs of blood or gore, including any fake weapons, as part of any costume.
Costume masks may be worn only during the Parade. PPE Masks (for COVID safety) must be worn at all times (i.e. with or without a costume mask).
Please carefully consider any cultural costumes and ensure that depictions of traditional costumes or clothing related to a particular culture or nationality indicate appreciation for that culture and not appropriation, which is offensive. Colorful and intricate costumes that reflect a given culture can be beautiful and very appropriate when the wearer is mindful of being respectful and appreciative of that culture and not mocking or making fun of that culture. Teachers have had age appropriate discussions and mini-lessons about respectful behavior when dressing in costume.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding costume guidelines.

All Saints' Day Celebration

On Monday, November 1st, we will celebrate All Saints Day at Morning Assembly with a special prayer service prepared by the 8th grade class. All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day, the primary reason for Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve), was traditionally a holy day of obligation to remember all saints, known and unknown, who reside in Heaven. It is a wonderful time to honor favorite saints, as well as learn about saints less well known. Learning stories of saints’ lives can inspire and inform us how to be devoted to God and follow Jesus’ teaching.

For The Feast of All Saints’ Day, students are invited to dress up like a saint of their choice for school. Costume guidelines are the same as Halloween and will prohibit blood, gore or weaponry. In addition to costumes, students who dress as a saint will complete a form of information (provided by classroom teachers) on the saint they are modeling so they can share the information with their classmates and school community.

Finally, to round out our celebration of Halloween and All Saints Day, we also have a beautiful Offrenda (Altar) in the front lobby in honor of All Souls Day, November 2. Raven Mihok, our Art Docent Chairperson, has graciously set up a gorgeous Offrenda for us all to enjoy in remembrance of our loved ones who have passed away and now are in Heaven. We invite you to include photos of your deceased loved ones for our Offrenda, and we will say special prayers in honor of those we’ve loved and are no longer with us physically.

As always, we have much to be grateful for and much to celebrate. We look forward to these celebrations in our community!

Updates/Information

Dollars for Jeans Day - October 22nd: Pay $1 to wear jeans with uniform top or $3 for full free dress with jeans. $ is collected in homeroom classes. Proceeds go towards 8th Grade Graduation Activities. Additional donations are welcome!
Weekly Mass attendance for grades 6, 7, and 8 will begin Friday, October 22 at 8:30 a.m. Students will sit on Mary’s side of the church, and parishioners will sit on Joseph’s side of the church. Grades 1-5 will attend Mass weekly at 8:30 a.m. beginning in January, 2022.
Spirit wear now available! Get your Spartan wear at this link before November 1st! Sweatshirts, caps, and more make great Christmas gifts!
Track your Volunteer Hours Here! Use this form every time you volunteer to add your hours to your yearly total. Every SPN family is required to volunteer 20 hours (25 if students participate in a sport) each school year.

School Happenings

Ms. Kimmerling had her baby! Baby boy Leor was born on September 26th, and Mom, Dad, and little one are doing great! :)

3rd grade - inside and outside learning opportunities

TK time at the park, and Mystery Reader Miss Mariem!

Our "Belonging Board" this month: 1st grade!

Kindergarten climbers

Volunteer Opportunity

The Saint Philip Neri Catholic School Annual Fund Needs Volunteers

Our Annual Fund is one of SPN's major fundraising efforts designed to help close the gap between the cost of tuition and what it actually costs to educate a child at SPN. Tuition covers less than 75% of the actual cost of education, with our major fundraisers (i.e. the Annual Fund, SCRIP, the Auction --formerly known as the Crab Feed--, and the Fun Run) covering the remaining 25+%. Our goal for this year's Annual Fund is $50,000, and we have already collected $20,000 from pledges made during registration. THANK YOU! In addition to these pledges, the Parish will support our Annual Fund with a second collection at this weekend's Masses, and the school will send out a mailer.

In order to reach our goal, we need a couple of parent volunteers to help behind the scenes with the Annual Fund Campaign. If you need volunteer hours and can help for the next 4-5 weeks please consider supporting the school with this vital campaign. Please contact Mr. Carter, mcarter@csdo.org, in the office if you can help.

Thank you in advance, and Go Spartans!!

Parish Happenings

Community Happenings

Read here about two upcoming opportunities at Carondolet High School in Concord:

A Carondolet and De La Salle middle school Christmas Chorale performance (open to all interested 6th, 7th, and 8th graders)
An upcoming HSPT test for 8th graders (coed) at Carondolet