St. David of Wales Catholic School

GOOD NEWS BEARS

Week of September 30, Vol 2, Issue 8

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 step into October, let us take a moment to reflect on the many blessings that this season brings. October is a time of change and growth—both in nature and in our own lives. The crisp air and changing leaves remind us of the beauty in transformation, a theme we also embrace as a school community.

Reflection on God’s Abundant Love

This week, we encourage you to take just three minutes to pause and reflect on God’s unconditional and abundant love through a retreat offered by Loyola Press. In the midst of our busy schedules, it’s important to remember that we are constantly surrounded by God’s love, which sustains us and guides us every day. Take time for this [3-Minute Retreat], and let it be a reminder of the deep care and love we share within our school community.

Introducing Our Referral Program

We are excited to announce the launch of our Referral Program! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share the gift of our school with others while receiving a special reward. For every family you refer that enrolls and stays through the school year, you will receive $500 tuition discount. It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us grow our St. David family. If you know of a family seeking a strong Catholic education, please encourage them to visit us or contact the school office for more information.

October is a month of reflection, gratitude, and community. We will be celebrating the Blessing of the Pets this month, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, and we will also be holding Parent-Teacher Conferences to partner together for your child's continued success. Please mark your calendars for these important events, and stay tuned for more updates.

Let’s embrace this beautiful month with open hearts, grateful for the many opportunities to grow together as a school community. As always, thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our St. David of Wales family.

Yours in faith,

Mr. Swanson & Ms. Medrano

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 30

NED SHOW

NED's Resiliency Ride Show

1:15 PM

October 1

School Board Meeting

Meeting for our school board members

October 2

PTG Meeting

PTG Meeting on Zoom. Link to follow

7 PM

October 2-4

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Teachers will be sending out information for parent-teacher conferences.

12n dismissal

October 4

Blessing of the Animals

Our 7th grade class will lead us at the 8:15am Mass

8:15am

October 7-11

8th Grade at Caritas

Our 8th graders will be at Caritas for their weeklong retreat.

October 14

Columbus Day Observed

School Holiday

October 23

Minimum Day Dismissal

Staff will be completing Professional Development

12 N dismissal

A Note from PTG:

Dear St. David School Families,

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our recent Block Party! Whether you helped set up, donated items, volunteered your time, or simply joined us for the festivities, your support made the event truly special.

Thank you for being a part of our St. David of Wales family and for continuing to build such a vibrant and supportive environment for our school. Together, we achieve great things!

With gratitude,

PTG

NED SHOW

NED's Resiliency Ride, is a character education program that centers around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best. During the assembly, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor and yo-yo tricks.

The NED Show will happen at Rose Mello Hall at 1:15pm. Yo-yo sales will happen until October 7, 2024.

www.theNEDshow.com/ned_program.html

If purchasing a yo-yo, students will need to bring their payment and order form in an envelope, labeled with their name, to the office. These purchases may happen at recess or lunch only. Students should not take class time to purchase yo-yos.

FAMILY LETTER

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Please make sure that you have submitted your Disaster Forms and updated health records to the office as soon as possible. Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 7th Grades please turn in your updated physical and vaccination records.

Please message Ms. Turner at office@stdavidschool.org if you have any questions.

DIAPER DRIVE

St. David Leadership team will be hosting a Diaper Drive as our trimester one service project. All donations will benefit the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, as well as local women’s shelters.

Your support will help provide essential resources to families in need.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

This is a reminder that our Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place from 12 PM to 6 PM on October 2-4, 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to engage with our dedicated teachers, who are eager to partner with you in supporting your child's growth and success.

Be on the lookout for sign-up sheets that will be sent out shortly, as we encourage you to schedule a time to discuss your child’s progress. During these conferences, we will share STAR data scores and progress reports, highlighting our commitment to academic excellence and the strides your child is making.

MCHS OPEN HOUSE

You're Invited!

Prospective families are warmly invited to Moreau Catholic's Open House on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Come explore our vibrant community, meet dedicated faculty, staff, coaches, and discover the outstanding academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities that await your student. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions, tour our campus, and see firsthand what makes Moreau Catholic the best choice for your child's future.

We look forward to welcoming you!

RSVP Today!

EARN A FREE DRESS PASS

Simply write a Yelp or Google review for St. David School and/or St. David Preschool and earn a free dress pass. Write a review, post it, and email a screenshot to principal@stdavidschool.org. Thank you for supporting St. David and spreading the good word!

For Preschool families - you may earn 1 Parent Participation Program hour!

NEW LUNCH PROVIDER

This is a reminder that we are switching lunch service from Ordo to Meal Manage. Each family should have received an email from Meal Manage with a personalized link to sign-up for service. This switch happened based on the feedback provided from students, families, and staff. Starting October 1st, we will be using the new lunch service.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

In the Catholic tradition, the Blessing of the Animals is a cherished celebration that honors the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This special blessing reminds us of the love and care we owe to all of God’s creations.

Students are invited to bring a picture of their pets to be blessed by Fr. Ben. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the bond between us and our animal companions.

NEW REFERRAL PROGRAM!

Refer a new family to St. David School and if they register and enroll their student(s) you will earn a $500 tuition credit. There is no limit to how many families you can refer each year, so please share our website link with everyone you know. In order to receive the tuition discount, the new family must list you as the referral when completing the registration packet. Only one referral per new family will be accepted.

3-MINUTE RETREAT

Take a moment today to pause and reflect on the abundance of love that surrounds us. In the midst of our busy lives, it's easy to forget how deeply and unconditionally we are loved by God. We invite you to spend three minutes with this simple, peaceful retreat from Loyola Press, reminding us of the infinite love that sustains us. Click [here] to begin your retreat and carry the message of God's abundant love with you throughout your day.

3-Minute Retreat

ST. DAVID CATHOLIC SCHOOL

871 Sonoma Street

Richmond, CA 94805

www.stdavidschool.org

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