August 29, 2023



“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith,” Matthew 21:22.

Many thanks to the Class of 2024 for assisting with all things at the Ice Cream Social on Friday, and to the representatives of the PTG, School Board, Athletic Board, Fun Fair, Auction, and Boy Scouts for advertising volunteer opportunities for families to get involved at SPN. It was a beautiful way to end the first week of the school year.

A big Spartan Shout Out to some extraordinary volunteers, the Boy Scouts of Troop 78, and friends, who sanded and repainted our outside benches over the weekend. Some of our seventh grade scouts deserve special recognition and gratitude for their leadership: Mateo Laniecki, Jonas Habelitz-Yucel, Erik Leno, Andrew Thyen, and Lawrence Evans. THANK YOU, SCOUTS!

My gratitude extends to all our families who have cooperated with our COVID protocols with the first couple of positive cases of the year. Our COVID Response is outlined below, and the CDPH will be forthcoming with more information for keeping students safe at school. Our protocols have definitely eased in masking requirements and the length of time individuals might have to miss school/work. We will continue to keep you updated.

This Thursday evening is Back to School Night at SPN. This is a mandatory event for all adults at SPN, this is a non-student meeting. The schedule is as follows:

• 6:00-6:15 p.m. 1st Session in TK-5 classrooms
• 6:20-6:35 p.m. 2nd Session in TK-5 classrooms (for those with more than 1 student in TK-5)
• 6:40-7:00 p.m. General Session in O’Brien Hall (everyone gathers together)
• 7:05-7:25 p.m., Middle School in O’Brien Hall (6th-8th grade/Middle School presentations)
• 7:25-7:45 p.m., 8th grade only in O’Brien Hall

If for any reason a parent/guardian cannot attend, please inform the classroom teacher so s/he can forward you information from the presentation that you will need throughout the year. Thank you in advance for your presence.

My prayer for this school year is that each and every one of us will be blessed with good health, continue to be grateful for the many blessings we enjoy daily, and to be faithful that together we will all have a joyful year of learning and growing closer to Christ and closer to one another.

Peace & Blessings,

Ms. Thomas

Our current SPN protocol is to continue to notify close contacts exposed to a positive COVID case on campus, recommend but not mandate masking (parents’ decision) for 5 days after exposure while monitoring symptoms and testing if symptoms develop; test on Day 5 after exposure. 

• For positive COVID cases, isolate for 5 days, re-test on day 5, if negative, return to school/work; however, if positive and symptoms have improved or decreased and there has been no fever for 24 hours, the student/staff member may return to school/work masked for an additional 5 days. 
• If a positive test results on Day 5 and the person is not feeling well, still shows symptoms or has fever, s/he should isolate until they test negative OR until they have isolated for 10 days: at that point, the student/staff member may return to school/work.

Please notify Ms. Andie (apeto@csdo.org) and Ms. Thomas (juthomas@csdo.org) to report positive COVID cases, submit photos of test results, or have any questions about our protocols.

There has been one COVID case since 8/23/23.

Please continue to conduct Daily Health Screenings and inform the school office of any exposure or positive cases.

August 2023

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

August 30 - 2:10 p.m. dismissal

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

Please note that there are some changes to our Share and Care policies:

• Contracts are billed over a 10 month period, September-June, and include usage for August.
• The deadline for making changes to a contract is the last day of the first trimester. After this time, an established contract can only be canceled and changed to “drop-in.”
• Late Pickups Policy After 6:00 p.m. a fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to families until 6:15 p.m. Beginning at 6:16 p.m. the fee will be increased to $5 per minute per student. At this time authorized individuals listed on the family registration form will be contacted to pick up students. If no names are listed or they cannot be reached, contacts listed on the Student Emergency Information forms will be contacted. After 6:45 p.m., if students are still not picked up, the Alameda Police Department will be notified and the pick up location will be moved to the police station. Families with consistent tardiness will no longer be allowed to use Share and Care services.

Please check out all the changes on our website.

Dear SPN Families:

The 2023-2024 school year has begun! Welcome to our new families and welcome back to our returning families. I am excited to return and reconnect with previous students and families, meet our new families, catch up with colleagues, and get back to work. 

For those who do not know me, I’m Nicole Gwire Garbayo (kids call me “Ms. Gwire”), and I am entering my eighth year as the School Mental Health Counselor.  My focus is to support students (and families) with issues related to mental and social/emotional health. A few examples of such issues are anxiety, stress, and social challenges. I love my job, love the students and enjoy my relationships with the families, faculty and staff.  Please feel free to reach out with any questions or just to introduce yourself.  

Below is a link to a great article that I refer to at the beginning of every school year.  This will be a repeat for some families, but a good one no matter what. "Restraint Collapse!” This phrase is used to describe those meltdowns some of our children have after a day of school. When I read this I didn't even know "it" had a name, but definitely knew it was a thing! As children grow older they become more resilient in their emotions, but as they're trying to figure out their way, emotions are strong and confusing. Crises can even occur with adults. Do you ever walk in the door grumpy, tense, and maybe even bark at your family? Well, you're experiencing "Restraint Collapse."  Please read on, it's a great article, and I hope it may be a good addition to your parent toolbox.  

http://bit.ly/3L1rgLR

Here's to a great year!

Thank you,

Nicole Gwire Garbayo

ngwire@csdo.org

Hello!  



School has gotten off to a great start and Athletics will be kicking off here very soon! Just wanted to get the Registration link out for all families interested in joining SPN Athletics. For the Fall we offer Cross Country (all grades), Boys Basketball (grades 3-8) and Girls Volleyball (grades 4-8). We are still looking for a couple more coaches so anyone interested please contact me ASAP (This is a great way to complete all volunteer hours!)

Registration will close on Wednesday September 6th, so please sign up now!

https://saintphilipnericyo.sportngin.com/register/form/791506715

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

Jeff Croft

Athletic Director

jcroft@csdo.org

Hello SPN Families!!

I have had several parents tell me that they want to do cross country but it is hard with all the other practices from other sports. Running is in most of these other sports so as long as you can make one practice a week that is fine. After hearing this most parents and kids feel comfortable signing up for cross country. We have always been flexible with other practices, games and meets and that will not change! Cross Country is also a great way for your kids to learn to listen to the inner voice God has put in all of them to help push them to the finish line.

Parents, if you are still in need of a running uniform please send me a message on Sports Engine so we can make sure if we don't have them we can order uniforms in time for the first meet. The meets are listed below.

Thursday, September 21st    Crown Beach

Friday, September 29th      Joaquin Miller

Wednesday, October 4th     Shadow Cliffs

Friday, October 13th         Joaquin Miller

Friday, October 20th         Crown Beach

Parents if you are wanting to coach the workshops are fast approaching. All Virtus and finger printing must be completed after September 1st, 2020.

Returning Coaches your meeting is Wednesday, August 30th (tomorrow) via zoom.  You need to register at www.oaklandcyo.org  

New Coaches it is in person, live meeting on Tuesday, September 5th at 6:30pm -9pm at the St. Leo the Great School Auditorium, 4238 Howe St. Oakland. Cost is $5 per coach.

I also wanted to thank all the families who are helping and volunteering at practices. All your efforts are very much appreciated. Many hands make light work and I am very grateful for all the hands and hearts that go into this Cross Country Team.

Coach Elaine Mendes

May God Bless You In All That You Do

Our Student Leadership Council would like to acknowledge the following birthdays.

Over the summer (6/14-8/20), happy birthday to:

• TK: Evie Castelaz, Rosie McCaffrey, Jonah Romero
• K: William Foster, Luna Vela, Jacob Iglesia, Eriel Davis, Alessandro Roloson
• 1st: Rory Castelaz, Sirvon Toner
• 2nd: Samantha Rodriguez, Issachar Vela, Elizabeth Uzoka, Annamarie Patterson, Bennett Lane, Maverick Shindler, Kailyn Gudgeirsson, Bennett Schmieder, Viaan Ravichandran
• 3rd: Naomi Watters, Claire Fisher, Edith Kennedy, Colton Dignon, Angelo Losk
• 4th: Joshua Yee, Miles Thyen, Riley Greenspan, Hudson Patterson, Juan Carlos Trujillo, Liam Weesner, Esther Uzoka
• 5th: Jacob Ross, Victor Kemp
• 6th: Katelyn Condez, Clara Castelaz, William Dignon, Constantine D'Mello, Aria Glodoveza, Jadyn Marks, Jestyn Marks, Grace Gille
• 7th: Erik Leno, Delilah Costy, Sloane Watters, Sebastian Valenzuela
• 8th: Damian Gonzalez, Mia Bagdasaryants, Conrad Spaudie, Leo Burns, Kayla Luong, Drake Pedersen, Wendy Lee

We hope you all had an amazing birthday!

Saint Philip Neri is excited to announce we have once again won "Best Of" for Alameda, Oakland and Parent's Press Magazines. We are proud of our students, faculty and staff and community which have made us one of the Best schools in the Bay Area. Below are the categories we won in. Thank you to all who support SPN.

Alameda Magazine:

Top 5 Best Preschools: 

Winner Best Private Elementary Schools 

Winner Best Private Middle Schools

Oakland Magazine:

Top 5 Best Preschools

Parent's Press:

Winner Best Faith Based Preschool

Winner Best Faith Elementary School

Top 5 Best Faith Based Middle School

Help serve lunch. Please contact Janelle Sheets with any questions.

If you like working with photos on your computer at home, please contact Ms. Andie.

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/

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

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”.