|
Unity Reflects Strength in Numbers
Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,
We have entered the season of giving and giving thanks. While the upcoming holidays bring the joy of gathering with family and friends, it can be a challenging time for many. Charitable organizations compete for our attention and our treasure. Even here at school, we are requesting your support and contributions to various efforts and events to support school programs and service opportunities. It can feel overwhelming and daunting.
However, we must remember the value of uniting with one another for a common goal. This past Sunday’s Gospel message from Mark 12:38-44 reminds us that it is unimportant how much we give but rather it is vital to give what you can when the opportunity presents itself. Jesus said to the disciples: “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
Our Annual Fund Campaign ends Friday, November 15, and we are asking for 100% participation from our school families in supporting this fundraiser. We have $9,500 to raise to reach our goal of $50,000 by Friday, and I believe that if we get 100% participation from all of our families, we can certainly reach our goal. Again, a family member or friend can donate on your behalf, and all of your children will be credited for participation, by using this link: onecau.se/spartanfund. We have a matching Gift offer for today/Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14 ONLY: any donations made today or tomorrow will be matched up to $5,000 total. Please make your donation today. Any amount will be greatly appreciated and will help us reach $50,000. Thank you all for your support.
Our Preschool is asking for our help to support their Service Learning Project in collecting Socks for Veterans. We are collecting new socks for men and women who have served in our military. Nearly 40,000 veterans are homeless in our nation, and the number one requested item at the shelters is socks. New socks will be collected in our Office through Monday, November 18. Again, many thanks for your support.
Then on Monday, November 18 we will begin our Adopt-A-Family Advent Project where we ask for donations for families in need in our local community. This project will run through Friday, December 13, and this year’s program makes it easier than ever to contribute. See details below.
Rather than being overwhelmed by all that is being asked of us at this time of year, remember that if we all contribute a little bit, we can make a big difference.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
| |
Health and Wellness Updates | |
This is a reminder to stay vigilant in keeping sick students home and informing the Office of symptoms so we can guide a safe return to school. We have had 0 cases of COVID since September 4, 2024. | |
|
November 2024
Nov 15 Minion & Friends Day
Nov 15 T1 Report Cards Distributed
Nov 18 - Dec 13 Adopt-a-Family
Nov 18 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Nov 19 Free Dress for November B-days
Nov 20 Noon Dismissal / Professional Development Day
Nov 21 National Catholic School Principal Appreciation Day
Nov 25-29 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL/ No Share and Care
December 2024
Dec 2-6 Book Fair
Dec 6 St. Nicholas' Feast Day
Dec 8 Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m. -12 noon, O'Brien Hall (reserve your tickets today)
Dec 10 Free Dress for December B-days
Dec 19 Christmas Concert, 7:00 p.m. Students' Attendance Required
Dec 20 Noon Dismissal/ Share & Care Closed after school - Christmas Free Dress
Dec 21 - Jan 3 Christmas Break: NO SCHOOL / No Share and Care
| |
Annual Fund Class Competitions, as of Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
| Grade Level | Participation Percentage | | Preschool | 100% | | TK | 38% | | Kindergarten | 45% | | 1st | 71% | | 2nd | 37% | | 3rd | 48% | | 4th | 48% | | 5th | 54% | | 6th | 36% | | 7th | 35% | | 8th | 33% | | |
|
We are looking for 100% participation from our school families in
supporting our Annual Fund Campaign this year. Remember, you can have a friend or family member donate on your family’s behalf using this link onecau.se/spartanfund, and all of your students will be credited in the Class Competition. Here is the ranking as of Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The first TWO classes to reach 100% will get pizza lunch and free dress on November 19: all other classes that reach 100% will get free dress on November 19. Contest ends Friday, November 15 at 3:00 p.m. We have a matching Gift offer for today/Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14 ONLY: any donations made today or tomorrow will be matched up to $5,000 total. Please make your donation today.
| |
|
St. Philip Neri Catholic School
Advent Outreach 2024
Monday, November 18-Friday, December 13, 2024
Adopt-a-Family/Welcome the Stranger and Alameda Warming Shelter
Each Advent St. Philip Neri Catholic School partners with local organizations to support charitable work in our community. This year we will continue to support the Adopt-a-Family program, part of the Alameda Deanery’s Welcome the Stranger, in addition to the Alameda Warming Shelter, located at The Christ Episcopal Church. Eighth Grade students and their families traditionally give to the Adopt-a-Family by purchasing wish list items for a family recently relocated here from a war torn country. Students and families in Preschool through Seventh Grade are asked to contribute to the Wish List for the Alameda Warming Shelter that opens on December 1, 2024: these items will provide clean clothing to #15-20 unhoused guests per week in addition to a warm shower.
Preschool through Grade 7, please select an item to donate from this list (i.e. you will purchase directly and your gift will be sent to Alameda Warming Shelter): https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HP0YVC6GJIFE/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2
Grade 8: Please use this list to purchase items or gift cards for this year’s family (suggestion: have a few students contribute to each item). Please wrap and label the gift accordingly for Guster, Berliane, or Ruth.
- Father, “Guster:”
- Rain slicker (size M)
- Rain boots (Men’s size 9 ½)
- Work Tools
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers (2 different types)
- Wrenches (2 different types)
- Mother, “Berliane:”
- Rain slicker (size XL)
- Rain boots (Women’s size 8 ½)
- Kohl’s Gift card
- Daughter, “Ruth,” nearly 3 years of age:
- Rain slicker (size 3)
- Rain boots (Child’s size 7)
- No toys except LeapFrog learning devices (she has the dictionary already): Target Gift Card
| |
|
Preschool Service Learning Project
Veterans Sock Drive
The preschoolers are collecting NEW socks for men and women who have served
in our military. We will be collecting socks, November 8th through November
18th. “On any given night, there are roughly 40,000 Veterans experiencing
homelessness in our nation,” (Veterans Health Administration). Socks are the
number one most requested item at homeless shelters. There is a box in the school
lobby to place your donations.
The donations will be delivered to the Palo Alto/Menlo Park VA for distribution to
veterans in need. Thank you for your generosity!
| |
🎄 All Aboard the Polar Express! 🎄 | |
|
Join us for a Magical Polar Express Christmas Party!
Date: Sunday, December 8th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: O’Brien Hall
Dress Code: Cozy Pajamas, Festive Attire, or dress as your Favorite Holiday Character
Step aboard the Polar Express for an unforgettable Christmas adventure filled with joy, fun, and holiday treats! Here’s what’s in store:
🚂 Activities for All Ages 🚂
-
Golden Ticket Entry: Receive your "Golden Ticket" at the door to start your journey!
-
Hot Chocolate Station: Sip on delicious hot cocoa with all the fixings – marshmallows, whipped cream and more!
-
Polar Express Photo Booth with Santa: Capture the holiday magic with friends and family in our Polar Express-themed photo station with Santa!
-
Elf Crafts Corner: Create your own Christmas ornaments, and design keepsake holiday cards!
-
"Believe" Bell Hunt: Join in a scavenger hunt around the hall to find the magical bells hidden by Santa’s elves. You may collect up to two bells. Keep an eye out for special colored bells and trade them in for a prize.
-
Professional Family portrait sessions: Capture the magic of the season! A professional photographer will be available in the rectory basement, to take photos from 10 AM to 4PM. For just $50, get a beautiful, keepsake portrait to remember this festive occasion. Perfect for holiday cards or family memories! Please sign up here: http://www.giovanahurst.mypixieset.com
🎬 Special Polar Express Movie Screening 🎬
-
Get cozy and watch "The Polar Express" on the big screen! Bring a cozy blanket or pillow and enjoy this beloved holiday movie.
-
Storytime with the Elves: Santa’s elves will read a special excerpt from The Polar Express !
🍪 Christmas Buffet & Treats 🍪
Enjoy a wide variety of tasty holiday treats and brunch options!
✨ RSVP Today and Get Ready to "Believe"! ✨
Everyone is welcome. Don’t miss out on this magical night and get tickets here https://bit.ly/3yZXbJI
| |
4th Grade Service Learning | |
Brightwheel to Replace Curacubby on December 1 | |
|
We are excited to announce that starting December 1, we will begin using Brightwheel to check your children in and out of our Share & Care program. This quick and easy system uses a QR code and your cell phone to accurately track your child's attendance. Please click here if you would like to watch a demonstration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3yD7FXguIs
Brightwheel will also be used for tuition billing and payments. It gives you the ability to set up autopay, designate payers, make partial and prepayments and more.
You should have received an email or text message inviting you to sign up for Brightwheel. Please download the Brightwheel app today.
Please contact Gina Trujillo with any questions.
| |
Please continue to follow parking and traffic rules– NO PARKING IN RED ZONES, NO JAYWALKING, NO DOUBLE-PARKING– during morning drop off and afternoon pick up to maintain safety for our students as well as to not be cited by law enforcement. | |
Scholastic Book Fair 2024 Volunteer Sign Up Genius
| |
!Saint Philip Neri Golf Club! | |
|
Calling all golfers! We are looking to start a golf club for the students here at Saint Philip Neri. We are still in the beginning phase but want to get the ball rolling ASAP. Please if you are interested fill out the questionnaire to help us gather the info needed to get going.
Golf Form
As always, any questions please reach out, thank you and Go Spartans!
Jeff Croft
jcroft@csdo.org
| |
Saint Philip Neri Crab Feed! | |
Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours | |
Choice Lunch Calendar for Volunteer | |
Math Kangaroo Competition 2025 | |
A Better Way to Buy Scrip | |
|
Do you want to get a head start on your Scrip purchases for the 2024-2025 school year? We now have an easier way to start earning! Order your gift cards to be delivered to the school or your home. Raise Right also features an app that allows you to purchase egift cards delivered to your ewallet within seconds. There are hundreds of stores available including gas stations, grocery stores, clothing & shoe stores, hotels and more. Check it out today!
Enter enrollment code 432BQIZ543ML at RaiseRight.com/Enroll
| |
Saint Philip Neri Social Media | |
|
Have you joined SPN on social media?
We would love to have you as a part of our social media community.
It only takes a few seconds to join.
Check us out on Instagram at “spnalameda”.
| | | | |
