March 18, 2025



Principal's Message

Spartan Spectacular!


Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,


It is with great pleasure that I share with you all the grand time we had at The Spartans of the Caribbean Auction on Saturday night. The Fairview Metropolitan provided a stunning backdrop, with its elegant lighting and green landscape, creating a truly magical atmosphere. Spartans know how to celebrate! This WeLoveSPN video perfectly captured the infectious joy and remarkable spirit of our students. It was truly heartwarming. The faculty and staff frequently share stories and anecdotes about how much we love our students, how they make us laugh as well as how sweet and tender they can be, and this video captures their sparkle and spirit that make it so gratifying to work with them.


If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Auction, there are still opportunities to contribute to our Fund a Need (Donate Today button) project for campus security and safety upgrades– a multi-faceted endeavor that will cost approximately $250,000 to complete– or to buy Free Dress Passes (scroll to find the offer, available through March 31)  for your students, and or to try your chances at winning a year’s tuition in the Tuition Raffle (closes May 16). All donations and contributions will help make our campus safer and more secure for our students and staff.


We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership of our Auction Co-Chairs, Monica Burneikis and Zane Howard. Your tireless dedication and exceptional vision made this event a resounding success. We are also immensely thankful for Maile Le Bouef, Heather Gille, Dana Ratto, Sharyn Bires, and Jesse Cooke, whose diligent solicitations were instrumental in securing such wonderful auction items. Chris Shindler, your ingenious orchestration of the popular Putting Contest added a fun and engaging element to the evening. To our invaluable volunteers—Jamie Cheng, Liz Scriven, Desiree Olson, Bridget Redmond, Michelle Hall and Brooke Turner—your willingness to give your time and energy created a seamless and enjoyable experience for all. Mike Lane, your heartfelt and inspiring speech resonated deeply with everyone in the room. And to Tynika and Cyrano Marks, your behind-the-scenes support was essential to the event's smooth execution. We are truly blessed by your dedication.

Peace & Blessings,

Julie Thomas, Principal

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.

Calendar

March 2025

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


April 2025

Apr 2-3 Celebration of the Arts 3:00 p.m. O'Brien Hall

Apr 7 PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

April 8 Free Dress for April B-days

April 11 Mismatch Day (wearing colors and patterns that don't match, mismatched socks, inside out shirts or backwards)

Apr 17 Holy Thursday, Noon dismissal, No Share and Care

Apr 18-27 NO SCHOOL: Easter Break, No Share and Care

Apr 26 First Communion Retreat 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Apr 28 Classes Resume

Apr 28 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

VIRTUE OF THE MONTH, March

Circumspection: An example of Prudence

Looks like: Pray before acting.

Sounds like: “Jesus, please guide me to do what is right.”

Admissions for 25-26

We have begun to prepare for the 2025-26 school year, and that includes applications for Kindergarten through Grade 5 (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!

Online Reviews of SPN

Another effort that we hope all of our families can support is writing testimonials for our online presence and marketing. Positive reviews will help make our school more visible when people search. This should only take a few minutes of your time and could make a significant impact on increasing our enrollment (and keeping costs down as well as future tuition increases). We appreciate your time and your acknowledgments on what is working for you and your students at St. Philip Neri Catholic School. Feel free to copy and paste the same testimonial to all sites. Please include the year your family started St. Philip Neri Catholic School at the end of your testimonial, example (SPN Family since 2020). Thank you again for your support.


1. This is the one we are most interested in populating with our testimonials. Link to our SPN Google Profile, click on Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/sao2ex2

2.https://www.greatschools.org/california/alameda/8253-St.-Philip-Neri-Elementary-School/

3. https://www.niche.com/k12/st-philip-neri-school-alameda-ca/

4. https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-philip-neri-school-alameda

Cota Celebration of the Arts

Calling our SPN community!

We are thrilled to share that nominations are now open for the "Best of" awards for the following magazines.


  • Parents Press East Bay
  • Alameda Magazine
  • Oakland Magazine 


We're hoping to be considered for this prestigious recognition. But we need your help!

We strive to support our students, families, and community in making a positive impact.

If you believe our efforts have made a difference, we would be honored if you would take a moment to nominate Saint Philip Neri for these three nominations in all three categories: 


  • Best Preschool
  • Best Private Elementary School
  • Best Private Middle School


Nominating is easy and will take just a few minutes! Please follow these links, enter each category (Kids or Schools), and locate the categories above. 

https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-ballot/  

https://www.oaklandmagazine.com/best-of-oakland-ballot/ 

https://www.alamedamagazine.com/best-of-alameda-ballot/


Every nomination counts, as only the top nominees in each category move to the final round of voting in April.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our journey. 




St. Philip Neri Catholic School Calendar for 2025-26

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

Family Directory

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

Morning Drop Off/Afternoon Pick Up

We are always looking for ways to improve our safety and efficiency at SPN. For Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up, especially on Fountain Street, we request that motorists pull up to the furthest spot available so other cars can pull in behind safely, avoiding the red zone at the corner. Remember, this is not parking. Especially in the morning, as it gets closer to 8:00 a.m., it’s very helpful if drivers could pull up to the driveway to drop off students. Our Safety Patrol students will guide you to do so. Thank you for your cooperation.

Scrip Requirement Reminder

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. 

Volunteer Hour Requirement Reminder

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.

Financial Aid

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. 

Athletic Department

Now that the fall seasons are done we will need the uniforms turned back in. You can simply send them in with your child and have them give them to me or drop them off in the office. If you have already done so or given them back to your coach THANK YOU!

If a sports jersey is not returned or returned damaged the school will charge you for the jersey.

In the event you would like to purchase the jersey please reach out to me directly so I can get you the cost.

Good luck to our spring athletes and Go Spartans!


Jeff Croft

Lenten Fish Fry Dinners

Alameda County Fair School Ticket Program 



PTG Fundraising

The SPN See's Candy Storefront is open and ready for business!

 

Our general storefront will remain open until the end of the year for you to order delicious candy and help support the PTG at the same time. If you have any questions, please contact spn.ptg@csdo.org

 

General Store Link:

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/saintpns_saint_philip_neri_school60/GinTru3524/candy

Chess at St. Philip Neri

Summer Camps

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


Here is the link to register for the baseball camp. 

Here is the link to register for the basketball camp. 

PTG - Sign Up Form

PT https://bit.ly/3MTGSlg

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

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”.

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