September 27, 2022

Principal's Message

Dear families,

If you saw the Emmy’s a couple of weeks ago you'll know that Sheryl Lee Ralph won Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary - a show I find hilarious. In her acceptance speech, Ralph proclaimed, “This is what believing looks like!” Sheryl has been a wonderful, successful actress for decades, and this was a pinnacle point in her career.

Hearing Sheryl Lee Ralph's authentic gratitude well up in her, I thought, "Yes, that’s what faith looks like". This week brings me the opportunity to join her in her expression of faith and gratitude. I'd like to announce that we found an 8th grade homeroom and middle school English Language Arts teacher! Please help me in welcoming Ms. Jasmine Taylor to our St. Philip Neri Catholic School family.

Ms. Taylor is currently completing her Teaching Credential for Single Subject English and Social Studies as well as her Masters in Education from St. Mary’s College. She has a wealth of experience from Frick Middle School where she supported the Culture Keeper’s program as well as substituted in the classroom for several years. Ms. Taylor has a strong faith and spiritual life and is a seasoned advocate for Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Justice. Ms. Taylor will be on campus this Friday, September 30 to get acquainted with faculty, staff and students, and then she will begin teaching on Monday, October 3.

There is no doubt in my mind that the power of prayer and deep faith in God’s omnipotent ability to provide is responsible for Ms. Taylor coming to SPN. Personally, after taking on the Middle School English Language Arts teaching position, I prayed every day for God’s grace and in gratitude, knowing He would send us the right candidate for our school. “Believe and receive!” Ms. Taylor, similarly, believes that her faith and prayers helped her to find us.

Finally, I want to thank you all for your patience as well as your prayers while we managed things carefully during this time. Our Focus on Faith has special significance for all of us this week: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him,” Hebrews 11:6. Amen!

Warmly,

Ms. Thomas

Mrs. Halkias was honored for her over-40 years of service in the Oakland Diocese!

Last Friday, SPN faculty and staff joined the faculty and staff from all of the Oakland Diocese Elementary schools to attend Cathedral Day in downtown Oakland. It was a glorious day of celebration and fellowship. Part of the day’s program recognized people who have served the Diocese for 10, 20, 30 and over 40 years. Many of our faculty and staff qualified for these decades of service. The culmination was a recognition of the 5 people in the crowd who had served in the Diocese for over 40 years - including our own Mrs. Halkias! We celebrate and honor the dedication and love represented by these more than four decades of service. Thank you and congratulations Mrs. Halkias!

Information and Updates

Noon Dismissal Tomorrow: Wednesday, September 28th is a noon dismissal day. Share & Care is open normal hours.
Jeans Day this Friday!: Help support 8th grade graduation by purchasing a Jeans Day pass for your child to wear jeans this Friday! 8th graders will be selling "passes" for $3 before and after school this week. This is not a free dress pass, but rather a chance for students to wear jeans with their uniform top.
School Conferences October 4th - 7th: Parent/teacher/student conferences are happening next week Tuesday - Friday. If you don't have your appointment(s) set yet, please email your child's teacher.
Noon dismissals next week: Next Tuesday - Friday are all noon dismissals. Share & Care will be open normal hours.
LiveScan Service on SPN Campus: A representative from the Diocese will be on site in O'Brien Hall on Wednesday, October 5th from noon - 6p.m. to provide LiveScan Fingerprinting Services for adult volunteers. If you plan on volunteering and haven't yet done your LiveScan fingerprinting with SPN, this is a great opportunity to do so. Email Mrs. Foster at gfoster@csdo.org to schedule your appointment.
Volunteering at SPN: Interested in volunteering? Need to log your hours? Here's what you'll need for the 2022-23 school year. View the SPN Volunteer Requirements here. After volunteering, log your hours using the Volunteer Hours Log Sheet. Thanks for your time!
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COVID Update: There have been no new COVID cases at SPN since September 20, 2022.