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Unity is Working Together
Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,
Thank you to our 8th Graders, their Room Parents, and PTG for putting on the Ice Cream Social last Friday. The sun came out just in time for us to enjoy ice cream or Italian ice (a very popular option offered by Belonging & Inclusion for an allergy free treat). Fellowship and camaraderie were the focus of Friday evening, and there was also an opportunity to learn about and sign up for volunteer positions with the PTG, School Board, Athletics, Fun Fair, Auction, and Celebration of the Arts. If you didn’t get a chance to check out which positions need to be filled or how you can complete your volunteer hours this year, we will have the information available again this Thursday, August 29, at Back to School Night, as well as here in our Newsletter. Fingerprinting services will be available again on Thursday, from 6:15-7:00 p.m. in O’Brien Hall, thanks to parent volunteer, Juana Barajas.
Our school community depends on all of us doing what we can to support the various events and efforts that we all enjoy and for which we benefit. Recently, the potential sale of the property at 3100 Central Ave. at Fountain Street have caused us to join with our neighbors to oppose a Preschool/Daycare facility of #20 staff and #100 students from getting a permit for that space: our already congested neighborhood parking will be negatively impacted as will the flow of traffic most significantly in a 2-3 block radius from the location. Thank you for supporting our neighbors and our parking safety and accessibility by signing the petition we put out on Monday.
As we work together, we see excellent results. Look at this TOP TEN LIST OF THINGS TO CELEBRATE AT SPN SCHOOL:
10. Our New Seed Lending Library at The Garden compliments of the class of 2028!
9. Preschool has relocated to its new space in what was formerly referred to as the Rectory Basement. More space for more little ones.
8. LED Light Conversion is complete in classrooms and O’Brien Hall (i.e. saving costs on P.G.E. bills, offering better lighting, etc.).
7. O’Brien Hall conversion to accommodate volleyball practices (i.e. saving costs on gym rentals, ease of location, etc.).
6. SPN voted Best of the Bay Private School in San Francisco Magazine (waiting on Alameda Magazine results …).
5. SPN voted Best of in Parents’ Press:
- Winner of Best Faith based Preschool
- Winner of Based Faith based Elementary School
- Top 5 for Best Faith based Middle School
4. Hired a Grant Writer for security/safety ($250,000 potentially), facilities/windows, and tuition assistance ($45,000 potentially).
- The security and safety application is due at the end of September. It includes improved fencing and enclosures of the entire campus; additional lights and cameras outside; a new P.A. system in the big building; upgrades to our alarm system; upgrades to our classroom door locks.
3. New staff: Mina Bravo, Secretary; Leah Hitchings, Grades ⅘ Instructional Assistant; Lydia Cho, Music
2. New School Board Committee, the Green Committee, working towards earning The Green Ribbon recognition of an energy efficient school.
1. Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Currier, recommends that we apply to be a Blue Ribbon School, a national acknowledgement of a high performing school. “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program accepts nominations from both public and non-public schools that meet one of two criteria: Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.” Our STAR test scores in Reading and Math over the past two school years have been in the top 3 of our Diocese and consistently rank in High Proficiency and High Growth. This achievement is due to teachers conducting strategic data analysis and adjustment of instruction to meet the needs of our students.
This list is encouraging and reflects the work of faculty, staff, and parents working together for the benefit of our school community and ultimately our students. Be sure that you are part of what is thriving here at St. Philip Neri Catholic School: start with our partnership at Back to School Night. See you all Thursday.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
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