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Spartan Students Stand Out
Dear SPN Families and Friends,
It is with great pleasure that I share the following news with all of you. Last week’s Newsletter explained that we will welcome St. Anthony students to become St. Philip Neri Spartans beginning in the Fall of 2024 due to their school closing in June. We welcomed #14 students in grades 1-7 last Wednesday to visit the classes they will join, and not only did they have a very good day with us, our faculty and staff were so delighted to see how truly welcoming and kind our students were to our guests. The inherent goodness and generosity of our students were evident with countless examples of big and small acts of kindness. Many of the visiting students are ready to come to SPN right now because our staff and students made them feel so welcomed and valued. As the faculty and staff reflected on the day during our Faculty Meeting on Wednesday, it produced much pride and gratitude for our wonderful school community.
Another wonderful event of last Wednesday was that our Student Leadership Council Vice President, 8th Grader, Kaleb Condez, was selected as an honoree of the Hope of America award from the Kiwanis Club of Alameda. Each year the Kiwanis Club requests nominations of outstanding 8th graders who demonstrate leadership and character that enhances their school community, so each year we nominate students who reflect that criteria, and each year we have a Hope of America Awardee.
Kaleb deserves this recognition especially due to his commitment to service for our SPN community beginning with Altar Serving, singing in the Student Choir, serving on the Student Leadership Council for both 7th & 8th grades as Religion Commissioner and Vice President, implementing and overseeing our Peer Tutoring Program, enhancing our student birthday celebrations with recognition at Morning Assembly in addition to maintaining high grades in all of his classes. Kaleb is self-less in his generosity volunteering his time, and he is such a consistent and service-oriented leader. Kaleb truly is Hope for America. Congratulations, Kaleb!
It is difficult not to feel extremely grateful for our wonderful school community when you witness the love and care our members show to one another as well as strangers, and when you witness our eldest students as living examples of our SLE’s – Respectful, Responsible, Reverent, Lifelong Learners. Thank you all for contributing to this very special, faith filled learning environment.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
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We have had 0 COVID cases since January 12, 2024. | |
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March 2024
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
April 2024
Apr 1 - 5 - NO SCHOOL - Easter Break, No Share and Care
Apr 8 - Classes Resume
Apr 9 - PTG meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Apr 16 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Apr 15 - 17 - Nature Bridge Overnight Trip for 6th Grade
Apr 20 - Celebration of the Arts, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Apr 22 SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Apr 23 - Free Dress for April Birthdays
Apr 24 - Noon Dismissal / Professional Development Day
Apr 26 - School Spirit Day - Sports Day
Apr 27 - First Communion Retreat, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Apr 30 - 8th Grade Retreat
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Celebration of the Arts & Belonging and Inclusion | |
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Our school spirit store is wide open!
Hello Spartan Sports fans! Spring is in the air and our school spirit store is wide open! Feel free to look at your options of apparel and accessories as all items are customizable! With new additions of brands like Lulu Lemon there is sure to be something you will like and show off your Spartan Spirit!
Click here to order your school spirit wear.
Go Spartans!
Jeff Croft
PE Teacher and Athletic Director
Saint Philip Neri Catholic School
(510) 219-0773
Go Spartans!
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Calling all friends, family, and supporters!
SPN is thrilled to share that nominations are now open for the "Best of Parents Press" "Best of Oakland Magazine" and "Best of Alameda Magazine" awards, and we are hoping to be considered for this prestigious recognition. But we need your help!
We have always strived to make a positive impact in our school community. If you believe that our efforts and contributions have made a difference, we would be deeply honored if you would please take a moment to nominate SPN for the "Best Of" in the three categories (Best Preschool, Best Elementary, Best Middle) in the three magazines.
Your support means the world to us, and together, we can continue to make our school community a wonderful place for our students and families.
Nominating is easy and takes only a few minutes total! Just follow the links below and vote under Private or Faith-Based in Early Education/Preschool/Kids, Elementary and Middle School categories:
https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-ballot/
https://www.alamedamagazine.com/best-of-alameda-ballot/
https://www.oaklandmagazine.com/best-of-oakland-ballot/
Every nomination counts, as only the top nominees in each category move to the final round of voting in April. Please share this with your friends and family as they can vote as well.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for being a part of our journey.
Please contact Ms. Gwire with any questions.
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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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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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Summer Camps and After School Activities | |
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Chess at St. Philip Neri
Dates: Thursdays, April 11 - May 30, 2024
Location: Science Room
Time: 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Grades: 1- 5
Tuition: $128 for the 8-week session
Enroll online at www.berkeleychessschool.org (under after school classes)
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of chess! Chess is fun and can be learned quickly and easily! Studies have found that chess helps improve test results in reading, science, and math, and produces growth in critical cognitive skills. Beyond academia, chess influences social behavior including self esteem, respect for others, patience, and good sportsmanship. And did we mention: it's FUN!
- Chess boards and sets are provided.
- The minimum class size is 10 and the maximum is 20.
- Enrollments are accepted in the order received.
- For siblings, the first child is full price, additional siblings are half price.
- Some reduced fees are available to low-income families upon request.
The Berkeley Chess School is a nonprofit organization offering chess instruction from kindergarten through high school since 1982. Over the years our students have won many state championships and several have gone on to become National Masters, FIDE Masters, International Masters, and International Grandmasters.
Please contact:
Program Coordinator
The Berkeley Chess School
programs@berkeleychessschool.org
Phone: (510) 843-0150 Fax: (510) 843-0140
www.berkeleychessschool.org
Tax ID: 94-3225242
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Google, in collaboration with RECF, PwC US, India Community Center and Team 315 Paradigm is hosting two in-person Girl Powered Robotics Workshops at the ICC (India Community Center) in Milpitas, CA.
The workshops are for girls in Grades 3 to 5 on July 27-28, 2024 and Grades 6 to 12 on August 3-4, 2024. The workshops are geared towards girls and offers the students an opportunity to design and build a robot from scratch and experience first hand the joys of solving real world engineering challenges through friendly competition.
Click on the image below for more information!
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Scrip and Volunteer Hours Must Be Completed by May 1st
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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 May 1st.
Order yours today!
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Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours | |
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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.
Volunteer hours must be completed by May 1st.
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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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