August 22, 2023



Believe and Receive

 "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will

find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks

finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Greetings SPN Families,

What a wonderful start to the 2023-24 school year! It was heartwarming to see our community gathered together yesterday morning to begin another school year. We offer a special welcome to our #30 new families and their students. Many thanks to our PTG for hosting the Welcome Reception in the garden last Thursday as well as coffee and donuts on Monday.

As I have mentioned in prior letters, our theme for this year is Believe, and one of our call and response phrases for this year is Believe /and Receive. The Scripture says, “Ask and it will be given to you,” and so we affirm our faith and our belief in God’s goodness. One of my favorite spiritual books is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and in this book, scripture passages are reinterpreted and restated as if Jesus is speaking directly to us. In one of the interpretations, Jesus reminds us, “My Kingdom is not about earning and deserving, it’s about believing and receiving.” Believe /and Receive.

We’re adding a second call and response to enhance this year’s theme: God is Good/ All the Time,  All the Time/God is Good. These reminders will help us all to keep our focus on God’s unconditional love for us, and when we maintain that focus, we tend to manage our daily lives with more grace.

Members of the School Advisory Board gathered Sunday for a retreat to begin the year. We discussed our beliefs about SPN and what we hope for this year. Many of our individual responses resonated with the group. Collectively we believe in the Resurrection and that we can always do and be better; we believe in the goodness of others, that we are better together, and that we have a strong and vibrant community. The School Advisory Board will be working to finalize our Strategic Plan and in so doing will ensure that we will continue to thrive.

Cheers to the 2023-24 school year! Thank you for staying informed by reading this Newsletter including the Calendar and other notices of information and events. 

Peace & Blessings,

Ms. Thomas

August 2023

August 23 - 2:10 p.m. Dismissal/Lunch Service Starts

August 24-25 - 3:10 p.m. Dismissal

August 21-31 - TK/K 8:30 a.m. - Noon; 1st grade 8:00 a.m. - Noon

August 25 - Ice Cream Social, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

August 29 - Free Dress for July/Aug Birthdays

August 31 - Back to School Night, 6:00-7:30 p.m, 8th Grade Families: 6:00-8:00 p.m.,

General session in O'Brian Hall

September 2023

September 1 - Noon Dismissal

September 4 - NO SCHOOL: Labor Day, No Share and Care

September 5 - First full day for TK/K and 1st Grade

September 5 - PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

September 12 - Picture Day

September 12 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

September 15 - NO SCHOOL: Eucharistic Revival, No Student Day, No Share and Care

September 19 - Free dress for September Birthdays

September 23 - Fun Fair

September 25 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

September 27 - Noon Dismissal: Professional Development Day

Teachers have been highlighting student expectations with their students this week. Please review the contents of the 2023-24 Parent Student Handbook to support the procedures and policies regarding Uniforms, etc. for this school year.

We have had 3 cases reported since August 16. Please continue to conduct Daily Health Screenings and inform the Office of any exposure or positive cases.

Heavenly Father,

Bless these backpacks and the students who use them. When they carry their backpacks may they be reminded of the love and guidance that surrounds them each day.  Always keep them safe and in your loving care throughout the school year.   May they gain the tools to grow in knowledge, love and faith.  Allow them to be the best students they can be.  Give them confidence when they are anxious, comfort them when they are afraid and encouragement when they are tired.

We also ask your blessing for the teachers, administrators and staff members.  Guide them to do everything with faithfulness in you.

 We ask this in Your Holy Name,

 Amen 

Hello SPN Families!

As the new school year begins we welcome another year of Athletics at Saint Philip Neri. We are excited to continue to build on our successes from last year and create more fun and engaging memories for our athletes. Our registration/sign up is now open on our school website (also linked below) for you to sign up for all fall sports programs (Cross Country, Girls Volleyball and Boys Basketball). Cross Country sign ups will close sooner than Volleyball and Basketball due to an earlier start date.  

We are always looking for volunteers in many positions: coaches, board members, etc. so please consider helping out our students! 

Registration link - https://saintphilipnericyo.sportngin.com/register/form/791506715

As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Jeff Croft - Athletic Director

jcroft@csdo.org

Band Class Registration is open for Fall 2023

Grades 4-8 (private Piano Zoom Lessons grades 3-8)

The M.U.S.E. Instrumental Programs is currently open for registration for new and returning students for the fall start up. Most classes start the first week of September (see website for the starting date, day, and times). The program is offered to grades 4-8 and meets once a week after school. Students can choose from the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion (Xylophone and Snare drum). This is a great opportunity for students to learn an instrument in a group setting with their friends and classmates. M.U.S.E. organizes fun performance opportunities throughout the year including marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco and an end of the year performance at Great America Amusement Park. 

Band Classes and private Piano Zoom Lessons do fill up fast so to reserve a spot for your child, register as soon as you can at www.museband.com. If you have questions, please feel free to contact M.U.S.E. at info@museband.com or call 800-233-6873

Registration, Cost, and Class Schedules: https://museband.com/sign-up-for-muse/

How to Choose a Band Instrument:  https://museband.com/how-to-choose-an-instrument/

With Shutterfly no longer available for parent/family classroom communication, and with interest in expanding online communication for the broader parent community, the PTG and Administration are reviewing a few possible venues. Stay tuned for more information.

Signing up for the Fall, 13-week session, with Berkeley Chess Club. Click on the button below for more information and to sign up.

Ms. Smeal would like to share the following announcement from the City of Alameda with families who ride their bicycles to school from Bay Farm Island.

Bay Farm Island Bike/Walk Path to Close

Two segments of the waterfront trail (aka Shoreline Park) leading up to the Bay Farm Island bike bridge will close back-to-back from August 15-September 8 while the City widens and repaves the trail, eliminating hazardous conditions and creating a smooth walking and riding surface. 

Many young people use these trails as they travel to and from school. Marked detours are in place: 

• Phase 1 “U” Detour: Sheffield to Puddingstone to Robert Davey Jr. to Packet Landing OR Island Dr/Veterans Ct
• Phase 2 “U” Detour: Sheffield to Puddingstone to Robert Davey Jr. to Island Dr/Veterans Ct

Please use extra caution in the area. During both phases, avoid using the sidewalk on the north side of Robert Davey Jr., from Puddingstone to Packet Landing, since the EBMUD project at the Packet Landing corner has closed this crosswalk. We are working hard to finish the work quickly and will open the improved trail sooner if possible. Check out the bikeway facilities for planning your alternate route at bikewalkalameda.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AlamedaBikeMap-2.pdf.

After this project is complete, we’ll be repairing other trail segments on Bay Farm! In the meantime, please report service requests to seeclickfix.com/us-ca-alameda/report. See City alerts and advisories at www.alamedaca.gov/alerts.

Attention Families with Children Ages 5-17!

You are invited to join Scouts BSA Troop 78 and Pack 78 for a Day in Service at St. Philip Neri School. The event will be on Saturday, August 26th from 9am to 3pm. (No need to attend for the entire time.)

We will be repainting the benches on the school playground and could use your help. This is also a great opportunity to learn about what Scouting at SPN has to offer for your child.

Please sign up for a slot at this Sign Up Link or use the QR Code below so we can be prepared with plenty of snacks and water. We look forward to seeing you there.  

If you have any questions or need help signing up, please send an email to twilhelm@gmail.com

Scan this code to sign up!

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We would love to have you as a part of our social media community.

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Check us out on Instagram at “spnalameda”.