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Gospel Challenges
“For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.” Luke 6:38
Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,
The past two Sundays have featured Luke’s Gospels that truly challenge us to focus on spiritual rewards and not physical rewards. Last Sunday we heard the Beatitudes from The Sermon on the Mount that bless our human experiences of poverty, hunger, and ridicule, both physically and spiritually, and this past Sunday we heard Jesus remind us that we are called to love our enemies and to treat others the way we want to be treated. These Gospel messages challenge us to see things from God’s perspective and to understand that our heavenly rewards are so much more valuable than our earthly desires and feelings.
This month’s Virtue of Perseverance can help us all with these and other challenges we face in our daily lives. Our students have embraced this virtue in the classroom with academic challenges, on the playground with social challenges, and even at home with other life challenges (i.e. siblings, patience, boundaries). As we begin to prepare for Ash Wednesday and Lent, we can consider how well we are meeting these Gospel challenges in our relationships with others and how we can improve.
This is the last week of Trimester 2, and report cards will be distributed next Friday, March 7. We will continue to support our students to persevere through Trimester 3 so they finish this academic year strong, both academically and socially, feeling confident, successful and prepared for the next academic year.
Please read through this Newsletter for important information you don’t want to miss. Remember that Family Mass is this Sunday, March 2 at 9:00 a.m., hosted by our First and Second Grade classes and will feature our Student Choir. You are also welcome to join us for our Ash Wednesday All School Mass hosted by our Third Grade class at 9:30 a.m.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
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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 28 Fall and Spring Photos (student athletes come to school in their sports uniforms)
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 18 Middle School Information Night 6:30-7:15 p.m.
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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Rationale and Information Regarding Tuition for 2025-26 | |
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Each year in January, the Finance Committee proposes the tuition scale and fees based on the salary increases and other projected increases in expenses for the following school year provided by the Department of Catholic Schools. Tuition barely covers the cost of salaries and related benefits, about 80% of the total budget; everything else from utility bills, to textbooks, technology, capital improvements and repairs as well as tuition assistance makes up the additional 20% of the budget that we cover with fees and fundraising.
Going on three years, the Diocese has committed to bringing our salary scales up to par with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of San Jose. The salary scale for 2025-26 helps us retain our quality teachers. We are fortunate that our teaching staff has a minimum of five years experience and more likely over 10 and up to 30 years experience teaching, and for many of them that experience has been predominantly at St. Philip Neri. Additionally, many of our teachers hold Masters Degrees in Education or in the specific subject they teach. This strong retention of experienced teachers is a testament to this community’s commitment to academic excellence but also a tremendous asset for our school in general.
As we prepare for registration for the 2025-26 school year, please understand that the administration with the Finance Committee and the Advisory Board consider the tuition scale and fees with you, our consumer, and your students’ best interest in mind. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the tuition or fees, please contact Ms. Thomas to set up an appointment to meet. Here is a link to Tuition Rates and Registration Fees, 2025-26: registration will open March 17, 2025 (we will send you a link) and the deadline for registration is April 10, 2025.
Here is additional information from the Superintendent of Diocesan schools, Dr. Andrew Currier. Letter from Superintendent Currier
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VIRTUE OF THE MONTH, February | |
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Perseverance: An example of Fortitude
Looks like: Calmly doing something again after making a mistake.
Sounds like: “I will try it again. I won’t give up.”
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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. | |
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SPN AND EARN $500 TOWARDS TUITION | |
Our graduates and current families are our best marketing tool. In appreciation for you referring families to apply to SPN, we will award you $500 to put towards your tuition balance for each family accepted. Please be sure the applying family names you on their application as how they heard about SPN. This offer is valid for the 2025-26 school year. We currently have a handful of openings in Preschool, and Kindergarten through 5th grades. Thank you for your support! | |
St. Philip Neri Catholic School Calendar for 2025-26 | |
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Making summer plans? When is the first day of school? When will graduation 2026 be held? Check out our calendar for 2025 26.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/195yvzmRnBxYtWMVWN8BvfBRW7Fp1mEvLLegkLG2Ow6Q/edit?usp=sharing
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Here is the link to the Family Directory for our school community by classroom/grade level. Please remember that this information is confidential and should be used
for school business and according to the expectations set out in the Parent Student Handbook for appropriate communications. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19evijNFWcC-n1SpVMK6IFefVmgjdPbFo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107239202667285086906&rtpof=true&sd=true
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Early bird ticket pricing ends on Friday, February 28! After that, the price goes up. Get your tickets HERE today.
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Scrip Requirement Reminder | |
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We want to remind you that all families are required to purchase $2,000 in scrip every school year. Scrip (gift cards) can be purchased online at RaiseRight enrollment code 432BQIZ543ML
Check out their user-friendly app!
Families that do not purchase the required Scrip will be assessed a $200 fee on their May tuition statement.
Please reach out to Gina Trujillo with any questions.
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Volunteer Hour Requirement Reminder | |
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Families must volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per school year. If your child participates in Athletics, 5 additional hours within Athletics is needed. Please log your hours here.
Families will be charged $100 per uncompleted hour on their May tuition statement.
Please reach out to Gina Trujillo with any questions.
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FACE is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year now through March 31st. Submit your application here. 2023 income and tax information is required.
You must complete a FACE application to be considered for financial aid through the school.
Please reach out to Gina Trujillo with any questions.
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Hello Spartan Sports Fans!
This Friday 2/28 will be our sports pictures day for the yearbook. All of our teams will have time in the hall to have their pictures taken. Your students can wear their sports uniforms to school that day. If your child participates in multiple sports please send them with all uniforms they wear. Smile bright and show off our Spartan Pride! As always, any questions please let me know.
Mr. Croft
Go Spartans!
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Top 10 Ways to Encourage Your Child to be a Good Reader
By Rosaleen Sturlini, Reading Specialist
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Expand vocabulary. Have conversations with your child to expose children to new words and build background knowledge.
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Listen to audio versions of books. You can enjoy stories together with the novelty of hearing a new voice.
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Discuss what you read. In fiction books talk about the characters and make them come to life. In nonfiction books marvel about what you learn.
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Ask questions when you read. What do you think will happen next? Why did the character do that? How would that make you feel?
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Encourage rereading. An excellent strategy to use to develop comprehension skills.
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Read aloud to your child. Make the story come to life by using an expressive voice.
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Read together everyday. Set aside time when everyone reads….after dinner, before bedtime, whatever works for you.
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Keep books handy. They should be in the car, in a bag to pull out while you wait in restaurants or for an appointment or keep ebooks on your phone.
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Provide encouragement to your reader. Praise your new readers for a job well done as well as seasoned readers for their perseverance.
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Let children make choices. Allow children to pick out what is of interest to them.
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Dear parents,
Brains & Motion, one of our community’s top enrichment providers, is offering exciting and educational STEM, art, and sports camps for grades K-8 at Saint Philip Neri School this summer. We’d love for your kids to join us!
Attached you’ll find a digital flyer with more information including session dates, course offerings, and more. To register, please follow this LINK. You’ll find numerous options to fit every child’s interests.
If you have any questions, please email Brains & Motion Education directly at contact@brains-and-motion.com.
Sincerely,
Julie Thomas
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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 | |
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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