St. David of Wales Catholic School

GOOD NEWS BEARS

Week of February 3, Vol 2, Issue 24

St. David School Mission Statement

It is the mission of St. David of Wales Catholic School to consistently provide a safe environment for academic and spiritual growth. Rooted in Catholic beliefs and values our school prioritizes academic achievement and builds moral and social responsibility. We cultivate global citizens in a culturally diverse community, while promoting Catholic values and respect for all of God’s creations.

Dear St. David Families, 


We are filled with gratitude and affirmation for the work we do together as a school community as we reflect on this past week's WCEA visit. The Visiting Committee recognized what we already know to be true--St. David of Wales is more than a school; it is a home where faith and knowledge meet. They saw the love and dedication of our teachers, the commitment of our families, and the spirit of our students who embody the values of a Christ-centered education. Their words remind us that our small school on the hill is indeed a beacon of faith and excellence, shining brightly for generations to come.


This message of love and care is especially fitting as we approach Valentine's Day. While this holiday often focuses on cards and chocolates, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of love--the kind of selfless, Christ-like love that is at the heart of our school. The Catholic Social Teaching of Call to Family, Community, and Participation reminds us that we are called to support and care for one another, just as we do each day at St. David. The love we share as a school family strengthens our mission and ensures that every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow in faith and knowledge.


As we prepare for Winter Break, let this be a time to rest, rejuvenate, and cherish time with loved ones. May we return refreshed and ready to continue our journey together, always striving to do our best, be our best, and let God do the rest.


Yours in faith,

Mr. Swanson & Ms. Medrano

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb 10-14

STAR Testing

End of Trimester 2 STAR testing for grades K-8


Feb 12

Financial Aid Night

Come learn about the different scholarships available. Representatives from BASIC Fund will be present to help answer questions.

Attendance required if requesting school tuition assistance.

6:30 PM

Rose Mello Hall


Feb 14

Valentine's Day & Minimum Day

Classroom parties and

12N dismissal- PreK-8th

NO WILLOWS


Feb 17-21

Winter Break

Have a safe and restful Winter Break!


Feb 26

Minimum Day

Teacher Professional Development Day

12N dismissal K-8th


Feb 26-Mar 7

Read-A-Thon Fundraiser

More information to follow!


March 5

Trimester 2 Ends

Report Cards will go home on Friday

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WESTERN CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION VISIT

Final Comments by the Visiting Committee



The Small School on the Hill: Where Faith Meets Knowledge

St. David of Wales Catholic School is more than a place of learning—it is a home where students are loved, nurtured, and guided in faith. As a Christ-centered community, its teachers and administrators lead by example, inspiring students to grow spiritually, academically, and morally. The school’s unwavering commitment to Catholic identity creates a foundation where faith and education go hand in hand.


Strong leadership and dedicated teachers ensure that students receive both academic

excellence and spiritual formation. A passionate, generational School Board works tirelessly to secure the school’s long-term success. Academically, St. David’s prioritizes growth through intentional teaching strategies, data-driven instruction, and innovative blended learning methods that maximize student engagement. The school also thrives because of its devoted families, strong parent involvement, and a leadership team focused on financial stability a community spirit. Looking ahead, St. David’s is committed to deepening faith formation for staff, strengthening governance, and ensuring Catholic education remains accessible for all. With faith as its foundation and excellence as its goal, St. David of Wales continues to be a light for generations to come. “Do your Best, Be your Best, and let God do the rest”.

We thank the Visiting Committee Team!


We thank the 7 team members who spent 3 days at our wonderful school, Where Faith and Knowledge Meet. All 7 team members are educators. Our chair came the Diocese of Stockton, and the rest of the team comprised of 5 principals, administrators, and teachers from the Diocese of Oakland. They witnessed first-hand our amazing community through classroom visits, interviews with our staff members, listened to our School Board and PTG groups. Both Ms. Medrano and Mr. Swanson are so grateful for their time and work in affirming our small and mighty St. David School! Thank you to the community for showcasing what it means to Bear Strong: Together We Achieve!

Congratulations to our students who exemplified the Schoolwide Learning Expectation of being Respectful! - February 5

🌍 Respect and appreciate the variety of cultures, heritages, and uniqueness of people

🌿 Show consideration and admiration for nature and our planet

🕊️ Remain compassionate to others and strive to help them


Thank you for your faith, service, and knowledge to our school:

Maximilian N. - 8th Grade

Jacob G. - 7th Grade

Sidhak B. - 6th Grade

Mia C-W. - 5th Grade

Dakota L. - 4th Grade

Jessica A. - 3rd Grade

Gwen E. - 2nd Grade

Marie H. - 1st Grade

Parker L. - Kindergarten

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NOTES FROM THE OFFICE


📌 Willows Drop-Off and Pickup

Please sign out and pick up your student from Willows in-person. It is important that there is an in-person handoff of supervision responsibility. Students should not be receiving phone calls to leave the school premise. Parents should not be calling staff on their personal cell phones to send students to their cars. Safety is a priority, and we want to keep all our students safe.


📌 Uniform Reminders

Please ensure that students are following our school uniform guidelines, including proper shoes, sweaters, and PE attire. With the arrival of rain and cold, please send your student to school with proper attire. If you need uniform assistance, contact the office.


📌 Tuition, Fees, Parent Hours

Please make sure your Brightwheel accounts are up to date. Reminder that all families are required to complete 30 or more Parent Participation Program hours. If you have any questions regarding your balance or your parent hours, feel free to contact the office.


📌 Lunches

Thank you to all families for sending your students with a nutritious lunch or purchasing a lunch through the hot lunch program. This is a reminder that food delivery services are not an available option for students.

We congratulate our St. David Students who spent their Saturday competing at the Kristina Taylor Diocesan Science Fair at St. Joseph Notre Dame! Their hard work, curiousity, and passion for learning truly shined as they represented our school with excellence.


St. David Science Fair Winners:

First Place - Will N. (7th Grade)

Second Place - Marcus J. (8th Grade)

Third Place - Gabby L. (6th Grade)

Runners Up: CJ R. (6th Grade) and Annabella M. (7th Grade)


Diocesan Science Fair Winners from St. David:

Second Place: Will N.

Third Place: Gabby L.

Third Place: CJ R.


Your achievements inspire our school community, and we encourage all students to take on the challenge next year! Competitions like these showcase the incredible academic opportunities at St. David, where faith and knowledge meet. A HUGE thank you to our students, families, and teachers who supported this journey. We can't wait to see even more Bears competing next year! 🐻✨

A Note from PTG:

Dear St. David of Wales Families,


🦀 A Huge Thank You from Crab Feed Committee 🦀


We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Crab Feed a success! Whether you volunteered, donated, or attended, your support means the world to our school community. We had the largest winning pot for the 50/50 Raffle! Thank you for your hard work, generosity, and Bear Strong spirit! 🐻💚🩶


Blessings,

Your PTG Team

ptg@stdavidschool.org

Click here for Volunteer Opportunities!

CYO GIRLS VOLLEYBALL END


Our Bears wrapped up their season with determination, teamwork, and heart! 💚🩶🐻 Despite being a young team, they held their own, winning matches and growing stronger with every game. Their perseverance, sportsmanship, and team spirt were truly inspiring! 🌟


We are so proud of their had work and can't wait to see them continue to grow next season!

Poster and Photograph credit: Joshua Eason Photography

Hot Lunch at St. David - Som-thing Special Catering


Dear Family, Staff, and Students of St. David, 


My name is Som S. Zaragoza, chef and owner of Som-thing Special Catering. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my team: Dana Knight and Stephon Saengsourith. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve meals at St. David. 


Currently, all our meals are prepared fresh daily in the commercial kitchen at Salesian College Preparatory, where we also serve the students and staff. Additionally, I have partnered with Meal Manage, an online meal ordering portal, for easy menu browsing and pre-ordering. 

This is my third year catering at Salesian and my fourth month at St. David, and I am excited to continue growing and serving both our students and the wider community. 


If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with setting up a Meal Manage account, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at hotlunch@stdavidschool.org or text or call me at 510-672-6108. 

Thank you once again, and I wish everyone a blessed and prosperous 2025! 


Warm regards, 

Som S. Zaragoza 

Chef & Owner, Som-thing Special Catering


2025 Lunch Pricing: 

Meals (drinks not included) ……………………. $ 7.00 


Drink options: 

8 oz water………………………………………………. $ 1.25 

Juice box ………………………………………………… $ 1.50 

Milk-Whole ……………………………………………. $ 1.75 

Milk- Chocolate ……………………………………… $ 1.75 


Daily Offerings: 

Fresh baked chocolate chip cookie ………… $ 0.85 

Fresh fruit cup ……………………………………….. $ 4.00 

Yogurt…………………………………………………….. $ 2.50 

Mini Sandwich Box ………………………………… $ 5.00 

(2 turkey & cheddar sandwich on hawaiian roll with goldfish crackers) 

Mini Fruit & Cheese Box ………………………… $ 5.00 

(seasonal fruit, cheese & crackers) 

Mini Hummus Box ………………………………….. $ 5.00 

(hummus, carrots & pita)


Email Hot Lunch Program

3-MINUTE RETREAT- The Rippling Effect


Our actions, no matter how small, create ripples that extend beyond what we can see. This week's 3-Minute Retreat invites us to reflect on how our faith and kindness can impact others in profound ways. Just as Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, our words and deeds can inspire and uplift those around us. Take a moment to pause, pray, and consider how you can create ripples of love and faith in your daily life.

3-Minute Retreat
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ST. DAVID CATHOLIC SCHOOL

871 Sonoma Street

Richmond, CA 94805

www.stdavidschool.org

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