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Celebrating 100 Days of School!
Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,
Yesterday marked the 100th day of school for this academic year. Several classes acknowledged the milestone with activities and projects that demonstrated what 100 looks like. There were a lot of Fruit Loop necklaces (some with patterns), 100th Day headbands and hats and great excitement to reflect on how much has been accomplished during these 100 days.
As we reflect on the past 100 days, it is noteworthy to recognize the growth and development of all of our students, especially in the areas of reading and math, measured by our STAR Testing, class assignments and assessments. As has been our tradition at St. Philip Neri School, our students continue to demonstrate high growth and high proficiency in both of these key subject areas year after year: you have the evidence in Progress Reports, Report Cards, STAR test results, and student performance.
For those students who need interventions and support in order to access information and perform at grade level, we are very fortunate to have a full time Reading Specialist, Mrs. Rosaleen Sturlini, and a part-time Resource Teacher, Ms. Naomi Kimmerling. Together with the classroom teachers and parents, this team of educators brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help students make better academic growth in the areas of reading and occasionally math. Our philosophy at St. Philip Neri School is to provide early intervention, beginning as early as TK, to help students get on the right track that can propel them forward academically. We are very fortunate to have these programs in place at SPN so that we can support all students in achieving their highest academic potential.
We also offer students many opportunities to go beyond the core curriculum and explore their passions and interests through projects and extension activities. We have partnered with NASA to work on the Plant the Moon Challenge with 5th grade; we have an attorney preparing our 8th grade for the next month for their Moot Court simulation when they take the information from a real court case and learn about our justice system by taking on the roles of plaintiff and defendant, jury and witnesses; and our Middle School Science Fair is very impressive with the projects and ideas that are presented. This is in addition to our Student Leadership Council that gives students opportunities to provide leadership and service to the school. These are just a few examples of some extraordinary academic possibilities at SPN.
Please take a moment to complete the Intent to Return Form to help us plan for the 2025-26 school year. We will be testing student applicants this week for next year, and we want to have as accurate an idea about enrollment as possible prior to Registration in March. Thank you for your reply.
Remember to read through this Newsletter as it contains many announcements you don’t want to miss.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
Principal
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Health and Wellness Updates | |
We have a surge of colds and flu going around. Please be vigilant and keep sick students home. There have been 0 COVID cases since September 4, 2024. | |
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February 2025
Feb 10 PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Feb 14 St. Valentine's Day, Free Dress Red, White and Pink Colors, Noon Dismissal
Feb 17 NO SCHOOL: Presidents Day - No Share and Care
Feb 18 Free Dress for February B-days
Feb 19 Vision Screening
Feb 24 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Feb 28 End of 2nd Trimester
March 2025
Mar 2 Family Mass, 9:00 a.m., Hosted by grades 1st & 2nd
Mar 3 T3 Begins
Mar 3 PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 4 Mardi Gras, Burning of the Palms at Morning Assembly
Mar 5 Ash Wednesday, All School Mass, 9:30 a.m.
Mar 6 Special Free Dress Day: Dress Like a Pirate!
Mar 7 T2 Report Cards Distributed
Mar 15 Annual Auction
Mar 18 Free Dress for March B-days
Mar 24 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 26-28 Nature Bridge, 6th Grade
Mar 31 Cesar Chavez Day, NO SCHOOL, No Share and Care
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VIRTUE OF THE MONTH, February | |
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Perseverance: An example of Fortitude
Prayer: Jesus, You carried your cross to Calvary even though You were tired, weak, and hurting. Please give me strength not to give up when life gets hard. Help me keep my eyes on You and Your kingdom, so I can do what is right even when I am tired and afraid. Amen.
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We have begun to prepare for the 2025-26 school year, and that includes applications for Preschool through Grade 7 (there are currently no openings for 8th grade for next year). If you or someone you know has a child 3 years or older who is looking for placement, please have them go to our website and apply for the 2025-26 school year. | |
February is Black History Month | |
Our teachers have prepared the following focus for their Black History Month curriculum this year. | |
Transitional Kindergarten | |  |
Will be introduced to #20 black heroes in American History. Student choice to focus a project on one of those heroes. | | |
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Creating a Journal about the following people from our History: Bill Robinson, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Marion Anderson, George Crum, Lonnie Johnson, George Washington Carver, and Mae Jemison | | |
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The Author of the Month is Ezra Jack Keats- one of the first authors to write about people in urban areas and about African American characters. A daily focus on one influential African American historical figure to highlight their work and/or the civil rights movement –Frederic Douglass, Mae C. Jemison, Rosa Parks, Bessie Colman, Harriet Tubman, Daniel Hale Williams, Jackie Robinson, Debbie Allen and more. They will pick a person they liked or related to at the end of the month and do a short report. | | |
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Read-aloud and writing about influential Black Americans; tie into social studies unit about our nation’s history and how we are striving to be a more perfect union every day; discuss the importance of individuals leading positive change and that it happens by getting support and that it takes time; people and events to be highlighted will include: Gordon Parks (photographer), George Washington Carver (scientist), and Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician), the Sit-In protest, and the March on Washington; music reflection will include Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by countless artists and often referred to as the “Black National Anthem” | |
More information on Grades Three through Five next week. | |
PTG Meeting Next Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30 p.m. in the Library | |
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ALL ARE WELCOME. If you want to know what’s going on with school and PTG, have a voice, meet other parents, come to a meeting.
Here is the link to the Agenda PTG Meeting, 2/10/25
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On Friday, January 24, we held our annual Science Fair. I’m proud of all participants, but the following projects were found to be especially noteworthy by our judges.
Science Fair Winners
6th Grade
1-Victor Kemp
2-Kiara Chinnavaso
3-Noah Lopez
4-Isabella Deng
5-Maxx Johnston
6-Adelyn Xu
7th Grade
1-Scarlett Anderson*
2-Clara Castelaz*
3-Katelyn Alani Condez*
4-Aria Glodoveza, Amelia Holmes
5-Joseph Devlin, Constantine D'Mello
6- Emily Tran, Anais Tse
8th Grade
1-Erik Leno*
2-Jonas Habelitz-Yucel*
3-Kieren Sutherland*, Sebastian Valenzuela*
4-Lawrence Evans
5-Liam Ogdie
6-Ixtlali Mendoza-Gama, Joy Xie
*Advancing to Diocesan Science Fair on Saturday, February 8 at SJND.
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1st grade did 100 things with their 4th grade buddies. Skip 100 times, blink 100 times, bounce a ball 100 times.Jump, spin, hoola hoop, shake hands, hop etc
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Ahoy, Me Hearties!
The 2025 SPN Auction committee has had all hands on deck making sure everything is shipshape in preparation for the upcoming Spartans of the Caribbean bash on March 15, 2025. One of our first orders of business was to secure a vessel for our evening voyage into the dark sea (i.e., a location for the party), and we are pleased to announce we have succeeded in our task.
Never fear, the SPN Auction Committee has locked down a gorgeous new location. This year’s Spartans of the Caribbean Auction will be held at . . . drumroll please . . . Fairview Events at METROPOLITAN GOLF LINKS. Yo Ho Ho!
This year’s Spartan of the Caribbean Auction will be more fun than ever before! We will have new and exciting experiences to bid on at our live auction, a bucket raffle during our cocktail hour, photo booth, a DJ to keep us moving and shaking well into the evening, and an OPEN BAR for the entire event, from the cocktail hour to last call!
Get out your spyglass and be on the lookout for more information on tickets, reserving tables and sponsorships.
Avast ye! Leave your lads and lassies at home, bring your loot and get your sea legs ready. This ship sails on March 15, 2025, and you do not want to be marooned at home! Are you ready to voyage? We will see you on deck!
Your Auction Chairs,
Monica and Zane
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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. | |
Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours | |
Choice Lunch Calendar for Volunteer | |
A Better Way to Buy Scrip | |
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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
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Saint Philip Neri Social Media | |
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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”.
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