November 19, 2024



Counting Our Blessings

Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to count our blessings. Here at SPN we have so much for which we are grateful. Our Annual Fund campaign ended on Friday with an end result that surpassed our fundraising goal by nearly $10,000 and ultimately had 3 classes earn a pizza lunch and free dress for 100% participation. That’s just the beginning. Try this list:

Top 10 Reasons to be Grateful for St. Philip Neri Catholic School

10. Joy-filled environment inspired by our namesake, St. Philip Neri, Patron Saint of Joy.

9. Robust extracurricular Athletic Program– basketball, volleyball, cross country, track and field– available to students in Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8.

8. Highly effective faculty and staff who hold advanced degrees and have years of experience in the field: low faculty and staff turnover.

7. High percentage (85% or more) of students in Grades 2-8 consistently score in the highest quartile of High Growth and High Proficiency in Reading and Math on standardized tests.

6. Enrichment courses– Spanish and P.E.-- and Electives – Drama, Robotics, Broadcasting, Choir, Makers’ Space, Coding, Jr. High Academic Decathlon, Yearbook and more– for Middle School (Grades 6-8): Enrichment classes for Grades TK-5: Art, Spanish, Music, P.E., Garden Science, and Library.

5. Opportunities for developing student leaders through the Student Leadership Council and Service Learning Projects.

4. Makers’ Space Classroom focusing on S.T.E.A.M. education– Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics– with a designated teacher available to Grades TK-8.

3. Full-time, experienced Instructional Assistants in Grades TK-3: Part-time Instructional Assistant in Grades 4-5, Part-time mental health counselor available to all students and families.

2. Individualized and strategic intervention for developing strong readers with the support of a Reading Specialist and Resource teacher: extension projects and activities designed for students capable of more rigor and challenge.

1. 100% of our graduates are consistently accepted to the Catholic High School of their choice, predominantly St. Joseph Notre Dame High School and Bishop O’Dowd High School.

Now that’s a lot to be thankful for! What are your Top 10 Reasons to be Grateful?

Wishing you all a very blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace & Blessings,

Ms. Thomas

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 18 - Dec 13 Adopt-a-Family

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

Thank you to everyone for supporting our Annual Fund Campaign 2024. We exceeded our fundraising goal and had 3 grade levels reach 100% participation. Well done!

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

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

We collected 204 pairs of socks to donate.

Thank you for supporting our Service Learning Project.

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.

https://bit.ly/3AzWbN7

PT https://bit.ly/3MTGSlg

The SPN PTG is selling delicious See's candies as an on-going fundraiser. To help support the PTG, simply visit one of our two virtual stores, make your purchases, and your orders will be shipped directly to you. It’s that easy! Our main store is open for orders now, and will remain open until the end of the year.

See's Candies Yum-Raising - Saint Philip Neri School - St. Philip Neri PTG

yumraising.com

This year, we will also feature a Winter Store. This storefront will feature some additional items to choose from. Items from this store can be purchased now and will be available to ship from 11/11/2024 to 12/06/2024. Items will be sent directly to the customer. Please use this link for the Winter Store. 

See's Candies Yum-Raising - Saint Philip Neri School - St. Philip Neri PTG Winter

yumraising.com

The PTG thanks you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please reach out to spn.ptg@csdo.org

Saint Philip Neri Athletics and Crab Feed!

Our sports seasons are off and running and with the holidays near what a better time to support our school as well as update your Spartan Spirit Wear! Our online store is open 24/7, gives you the ability to customize logos and names as well as has offers from major brands like Nike, Under Armour, North Face and Lululemon! (part of your order also goes directly back to support our athletics department!)

For 15% off orders of $75 or more use code GIFTS15, sale ends 11/24

Shop your SPARTANS Sideline Store

Also, Feb. 1 is the SPN Crab Feed! Save the date and purchase your tickets now, flier is attached. Link to purchase tickets is below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bm3wSIQqpZR4CG1P3BF91FKKwGz1DLwIyrpbNEhgaT4/edit

!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

Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours

Families can now get volunteer hours for buying items from Grade Level and Department Amazon Wishlists. You will get 1 volunteer hour for every $20 spent. If the class does not have any items available on their list, Amazon gift cards are welcome, too!

Please include a gift receipt so we know who to thank!

Please contact Ms. Trujillo with any questions.

Log your Volunteer hours Here

https://forms.gle/3VhHDCEhxiPa5YXg9

Preschool

TK

Kindergarten 

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Art/Spanish

Library

MakerSpace

Music

Office/Shared Areas

PE

Resource

Share & Care

Garden

Science

Choice Lunch Calendar for Volunteer

Thank you so much to Needlyn D'Mello for creating the calendar this year.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O9RBOBiRFZ-ngev5lHPL0nL718i0_IakbZwIL0t2i4w/edit?usp=sharing

A Christmas Carol

Annual Auction + Gala

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”.