St. David of Wales Catholic School

GOOD NEWS BEARS

Week of December 9, Vol 2, Issue 18

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,

As we enter the second week of Advent, we are reminded of the themes of peace and preparation. This special season provides us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our community and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ the Savior.

This past weekend's Santa Breakfast was a joyful celebration that truly embodied the spirit of the season. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together to share in the festivities, enjoy delicious food, and create cherished memories. The smiles on the children's (and young at heart) faces as they met Santa were priceless! A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, staff, and families who made this event such a success. Your dedication and hard work reflect the strength adn unity of our school community.

We also mark a time of change within our parish as we welcome a new chapter in parochial administration. Change, while challenging, offers us an opportunity to grow and adapt. We are grateful for the continued guidance and support of Fr. Benedict Pradit Wonganant. He will begin his new assignment at St. Anne in Union City on February 1, 2025. Please keep our parish and school community in your prayes during this time of transition.

As we light the second candle of Advent, let us focus on spreading peae within our families and community. Together, may we continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our school.

Yours in faith,

Mr. Swanson & Ms. Medrano

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 10

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Join us at Mass for this holy day of obligation

8:15 AM

December 10

Toys for Tots

St. David will walk to Station 66 to bring toys for Richmond Fire & Police Department's drive

December 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass

Please join the St. David parish in celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe

6:00 PM

December 18

Christmas Concert

Rose Mello Hall

6pm

December 20

Minimum Day

Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful break!

No Willows (PK-8)

12 N

December 24

Christmas Eve Mass

Join us in the Children's Christmas Mass.

5 PM

January 7

Welcome Back!

We hope you had a fantastic Christmas

January 10

Progress Reports

Progress reports for midterm of Trimester 2 go home with students

January 17

Staff Professional Development

Student Holiday

Congratulations to our students who exemplified the Schoolwide Learning Expectation of being Educated!

🧠 Are independent thinkers

📚 Show lifelong curiousity and enthusiasm for learning

🗂️ Have good study habits and organizational skills

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

Emma S. - 8th grade

Alejandro O. - 7th grade

Gabriela L. - 6th grade

Alejandra G-T. - 5th grade

Naomi M. - 4th grade

Amen A. - 3rd grade

Isaac L. - 2nd grade

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Billing Platform Update

We’re transitioning from Curacubby to Brightwheel for tuition and extended care billing, as Curacubby will soon shut down their operations. As of November 20th, Curacubby has stopped taking payments. It is important that you set up your Brightwheel account.

An email has been setup with instructions on setting up your new Brightwheel account (or connecting your student with your existing account) last week. We will send constant reminders through Brightwheel and through email to setup up your account. This new platform offers a more streamlined experience for payment and Willows attendance. Thank you for your cooperation during this transition!

We have started using Brightwheel to take attendance at Willows on November 18th. You will see a separate invoice for Willows for November 1st-15th in your Brightwheel account.

Letters and invoices have gone home with your student on Friday, Nov 22nd. Any payments made (and received) recorded through Curacubby will be on those statements. Please make sure to reach out if there are any questions about your statements.

Here is a video to show you how to sign up with Brightwheel.

A Note from PTG:

Dear St. David School Families,

Thank you to all the volunteers and attendees who made the Santa Breakfast event an excellent one! Santa came to school in style with thanks to the Richmond Fire Department. Thank you to Selene Photobooth for donating your services and time to make sure we have beautiful photos of Santa!

Thank you to all the magical elves who made breakfast happen despite all the hurdles.

With gratitude,

PTG

ptg@stdavidschool.org

Click here for Volunteer Opportunities!

On Tuesday, December 10th, we will walk to the fire station to deliver the donated toys. Please sign and return the permission slip by Monday. We would also appreciate donations of toys.

Volunteers are welcome to join us. All volunteers must have clearance from the office. We will leave the school around 8:30am.

Field Trip Permission Form

Christmas Eve Sign-Up

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS

We warmly invite all families to join us for the joyous 5 pm Christmas Eve Children's Mass at St. David of Wales Catholic School! This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to engage in the heartwarming Gospel re-enactment, helping them to grow spiritually and connect with our vibrant community. We encourage you to complete the participation form below and return it to the office promptly—let's make sure your little stars shine bright this holiday season! After all, the more, the merrier—because nothing says “Joy to the World” like celebrating together!

3-MINUTE RETREAT- Believing is Seeing

This week, we invite you to pause and reflect with Loyola Press’s 3-Minute Retreat, “Believing is Seeing.” In the busyness of life, it's easy to lose sight of God’s presence in our daily moments. This short, guided reflection reminds us to trust in the unseen and to open our hearts to the grace and blessings around us.

Take a few moments today to nourish your spirit and deepen your connection with God. Visit Loyola Press's website to begin your retreat.

Let’s continue to grow together in faith!

3-Minute Retreat

ST. DAVID CATHOLIC SCHOOL

871 Sonoma Street

Richmond, CA 94805

www.stdavidschool.org

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