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A Sacred Time of Year
Dear SPN Families and Friends,
Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. This morning at assembly we burned the palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday to make the ashes that will be used for Ash Wednesday services tomorrow. Everyone is welcome to our All School Mass at 9:30 a.m., hosted by the 3rd Grade class and featuring our Student Choir. In preparation for Lent, our students’ Lenten Sacrifices that they have promised for Lent have been written on purple strips of paper that will be presented at the Altar as our offering on this sacred day. Classes will support each other on this journey through Lent as we repent for our sins that make us feel far from God and as we sacrifice and focus on Jesus to help us follow His example and devotion to God the Father.
We also celebrated Valentine’s Day today so we could be appropriately reverent for tomorrow’s Mass and the beginning of Lent. (Please remember full uniform for Mass attendance). Our 8th Grade class put on a Valentines Gram fundraiser for their 8th grade graduation activities, and I know they were well supported which added to our Valentine celebrations. On Wednesday, the school will provide all students and staff with a red heart sticker to wear in honor of Valentine’s Day.
The Annual Rice Bowl collection has begun as well. Catholic Relief Services sponsors Operation Rice Bowl for donations that will go to helping the needy in the United States and abroad. Rice Bowls were distributed to students, and we will collect your donations during Holy Week (March 25-27, checks preferred). Catholics focus on three main activities during Lent– Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving– the Rice Bowl gives us an opportunity to be charitable.
Please read through this Newsletter for Auction information in addition to more upcoming events and opportunities.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
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Did you know that California has 25% more pedestrian fatalities than the rest of the country? Traffic safety at morning drop off and afternoon pick up has become very lax recently due to drivers who do the following: jaywalking, not pulling into the curb or parking to drop off/pick up students, pulling into red or curbed areas are all dangerous practices that contribute to a very unsafe traffic situation, and only parents/guardians can do something about it. SPN staff are there to supervise but we should not have to inform any driver of these safe practices. Please be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Thank you! | |
Intent to Return Responses Are Now Overdue! | |
Please click the button below to access our Intent to Return Form. Responses were due on February 12. Please call the school office with any questions. | |
We have had 0 COVID cases since January 12, 2024. | |
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February 2024
Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday Mass 9:30 a.m.
Feb 16 - Noon Dismissal
Feb 19 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day - No Share and Care
Feb 20 - Free Dress for February Birthdays
Feb 24 - Gala Auction
Feb 26 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
March 2024
Mar 1 - End of 2nd Trimester
Mar 3 - Family Mass Hosted by Grades 1 & 2, 9:00 a.m.
Mar 6 - Middle School Info Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom
Mar 8 - Report Card Day
Mar 12- AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 15 - Noon Dismissal
Mar 18 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 19 - Free Dress for March Birthdays
Mar 22 - School Spirit Day - Disney Day
Mar 25 - Stations of the Cross
Mar 26 - Tenebrae, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Mar 27 - Seder Meal, 11:00 a.m., Noon dismissal
Mar 28 NO SCHOOL: Holy Thursday, No Share and Care (Cesar Chavez Day Observed)
Mar 29 - NO SCHOOL: Good Friday, No Share and Care
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Family Appreciation Referral Promotion | |
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This year we have a "Family Appreciation Referral Promotion." Families will receive $1000 off their first month's tuition for 2024-25 when a family they refer to our school enrolls for the 2024-25 school year.
Contact Ms. Trujillo or Ms. Andie in the front office with questions.
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Live Action Preview Coming Soon | |
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Hey there, yeehaw SPN Families! Hold onto your boots 'cause we've got some rootin' tootin' news for ya! It's time to giddy up and get ready for the SPARTAN STAMPEDE, partner! Mark February 24th with the biggest, brightest, and sparkliest star on your calendars 'cause we're takin' over the legendary ELK's LODGE, and it's gonna be a hootin', hollerin', jaw-droppin' good time! Now listen up, folks. We can't wrangle this shindig without a bit of help from our trusty sidekicks. We need some brave souls to strap on their spurs and become volunteers at the SPARTAN STAMPEDE! So, if you're ready to ride into the sunset with a smile on your face and laughter in your belly, don't be shy, partner! Saddle up and sign up, 'cause we need all the cowboys and cowgirls we can get!
Much obliged, Monica and Zane
SPARTAN STAMPEDE CHAIRS
Questions? Contact Monica Burneikis.
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Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Lunar Year, Year of the Dragon! | |
Many of our students have been learning about some traditions for the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Kindergarten made a dancing dragon and have listened to several stories; the First Grade watched a video about Lunar New Year and colored Dragon masks; Mrs. Latham, our Librarian, read a story to Second Grade about the Korean celebration of Lunar New Year or Seollal and colored a picture; parent volunteers also came into the Second Grade classroom to share about their family traditions, students created dragon lanterns, and they even brought a dragon! Fourth Grade watched a video about Lunar New Year culture and tradition, made a dragon coloring project, and listened to a few short stories as well as traditional music. Ms. Kristen made dumplings in the Garden with the 3rd and 5th Grades; and middle school students watched an informational video and engaged in some related, interactive activities. | |
Join Our New Board Committee! | |
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Hello SPN Community!
At our January SAB meeting, the Board unanimously approved a new committee, set to start next year: The Climate Consciousness Committee (working title, actual name TBD). The goal of this committee is to continue to develop and foster SPN’s commitment to the environment and social justice, as well as to sustainability. Pope Francis has called on Catholic schools to take a major lead in helping equip our students to prepare for the ever growing climate crisis. He outlined this need in his encyclical, Laudato Si’. The simplest way to distill what the Pope’s message is: Catholic educators need to equip the students with the skills and knowledge to effectively fight the climate change fight.
This spring, we would like to hold two meetings: one virtual and one in person. The goal of these two meetings is to establish a community of parents interested in this aspect of Catholic education, as well as develop a three-year strategic plan towards the committee’s first major goal: to become a Green Ribbon School by Fall of 2027. If you are interested, please fill out this FORM. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you,
SPN SAB
Please contact Carlos Trujillo, Board President with any questions.
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1st Grade Field Trip to the Zoo | |
3rd Grade Filed Trip to The Cathedral of Christ the Light | |
Mask Making for Mardi Gras in 4th Grade | |
Preschool's Mardi Gras Parade | |
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FACE (Family Aid Catholic Education) grant applications are accepted January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024. More information can be found on the Diocese of Oakland's website. Contact Gina Trujillo for the FACE application timeline and questions.
The BASIC Fund is now accepting applications through March 29, 2024.
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In honor of Black History Month (February), St. Benedict Church in Oakland presents Revival Nights featuring Rev. Anthony Bozeman. You can find more details on this event here.
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At St. Philip Neri School, Black History Month is celebrated as an opportunity to focus on the contributions and achievement of Black Americans throughout history. Each grade level will use curriculum to enhance understanding and appreciation of our American Black History. Our students will read literature by black authors about diverse themes and topics ( Bud Not Buddy, The Birminghams Go to Washington, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry), will learn about historical figures and scientists who have contributed to our society and communities (including Gordon Parks, George Washington Carver, Katherine Johnson), and will do research and projects on various Black Americans who we should all know and know about.
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Did you know that you can purchase Scrip online to be picked up in the front office? Enter group ID 510521SPN when you register a new account.
Each family is required to purchase $2,000 in Scrip by March 30th.
Order yours today!
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Dear SPN Community,
We are excited to invite you to join Konstella if you haven't already! It is a web-and-mobile-based app service with various tools that help parent organizations streamline communications, centralize information, and build engaging parent communities. You can create sign ups, share photos, post alerts, and see what's happening in our SPN community with a handy red bubble on your phone. Currently, about half of the parents are on the platform and we would love to get more signed up to really start to use it as a centralized system. Please use THIS LINK to sign up and get an introduction. We will then follow up with an invitation link to join.
Sincerely,
The PTA and SAB
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Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours | |
Don't forget to complete your volunteer hours! 20 hours/family (if participating in sports, 5 additional hours in the sports program) required. $50 per unfulfilled hour will be charged prior to registration for the new school year. | |
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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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