October 3, 2023



Our Commitment to Academic Excellence

Dear St. Philip Neri Families,

Many thanks to our 7th and 8th graders who hosted last Sunday’s Family Mass. It was a particularly beautiful Mass with many of our SPN families from all grades in attendance, and donuts from the Knights of Columbus concluded our gathering. Fr. Steve Kim from SJND provided us with spiritual nourishment and homework! Fr. Steve reminded us to apply a growth mindset in all areas of our life, including in our relationship with God.

Our Catholic schools are dedicated to providing a strong Catholic Identity in word and practice, reflective of Gospel teachings and values in addition to Academic Excellence. These two areas, in addition to Operational Vitality and Governance, are the categories for how our school is evaluated for accreditation every six years. In March of 2022 we earned full accreditation based on our Self Study and a three day visit by educators who affirmed our findings of strengths and areas for improvement.

Similarly the Department of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Oakland has committed to providing each elementary school an Annual Report each June regarding three of these four areas of school life: Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality. In June 2023, our Annual Report confirmed our Highly Effective ratings for Catholic Identity as evidenced by the 2022 WCEA Accreditation Report, as well as our Academic Excellence as evidenced by the most recent STAR Test scores (May 2023) for Reading and Math. Specifically, our STAR Test scores for Reading ranked our school as the 4th highest and for Math we ranked 3rd highest in growth and proficiency among the 38 Diocesan elementary schools. These results are worth celebrating.

Even better, the STAR Math and Reading scores from our August/September Benchmark tests show that we have maintained these rankings after the summer, in other words, our students demonstrated no “summer slide” in their knowledge, skills and application. This is even more impressive. Our teachers strategically requested summer practice work for students in grades 1-8, and for those students who followed these requests the results were better than we expected. Now the challenge is to help our students continue with this trajectory of growth and proficiency in the areas of Math and Reading, the foundations of academic excellence.

Parent- (Students Grades 2-8)-Teacher Conferences begin today and will continue through Friday. These meetings are vital to the partnership between school and home that will set up students for success. Please take advantage of this time to establish communication and rapport with the teachers who will guide your students to reach his/her potential this year. 

Families in Grades Kindergarten through Fifth will be invited to a special town hall meeting in O’Brien Hall with the faculty titled “Setting up Students for Success in School,” on Thursday, October 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to hear collective wisdom from our teachers on best practices as well as for discussion of questions or concerns for our students and families in Grades K-5. Please mark your calendars for this meeting: attendees will earn one parent volunteer hour for your time. A similar parent meeting for middle school will be scheduled for the Winter and will focus on issues/topics that are relevant for sixth through eighth grades.

Thank you for your partnership and your support. Please read through the Newsletter for important information on upcoming school events.

Peace & Blessings,

Ms. Thomas

There has been seven (7) COVID case since September 27, 2023.

Please continue to conduct Daily Health Screenings and inform the school office of any exposure or positive cases.

Families in Grades Kindergarten through Fifth will be invited to a special town hall meeting in O’Brien Hall with the faculty titled “Setting up Students for Success in School,” on Thursday, October 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to hear collective wisdom from our teachers on best practices as well as for discussion of questions or concerns for our students and families in Grades K-5.

October 2023

October 1 - Family Mass hosted by 7th & 8th Grade, 9:00 a.m.

October 3-6 - Noon Dismissal, Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

October 3 - Walk and Ride to School

October 4 - Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Prayer Service Blessing of the Animals, 8:00 a.m.

October 9 - NO SCHOOL: Indigenous Peoples Day

October 10 - PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

October 17 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

October 17 - Free dress for October birthdays

October 20 - Make-up Photo Day

October 23-27 - Caritas - 8th Grade Retreat

October 23 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

October 26 - K-5 Town Hall Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

October 31 - Noon Dismissal, Halloween Parade, 8:15 a.m.

November 2023

November 1 - All School Mass: All Saints Day, 9:30 a.m.

November 2 - Mini Maker's Fair, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

November 5 - Rite of Enrollment - Family Mass Hosted by Grades 5 & 6, 9:00 a.m.

November 7 - PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

November 8 - Information Night for Prospective Families, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

November 9 - End of First Trimester

November 10 - NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day Observed - No Share and Care

November 12 - Scholastic Book Fair First Day

November 14 - Free Dress for Nov Birthdays

November 14 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

November 15 - Noon Dismissal / Professional Development Day

November 16 - Catholic School Principal Appreciation Day

November 17 - Report Card Day

November 20-24 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL - No Share and Care

November 27 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

November 30 - School Spirit Day - Pajama Day

December 2023

December 8 - All School Mass: Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 9:30 a.m.

December 12 - Free Dress for December Birthdays

December 12 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

December 14 - Christmas Concert, 7:00 p.m. Students' Attendance Required

December 20 - Christmas Free Dress

December 20 - Noon Dismissal - No Share and Care

December 21 - January 3 - Christmas Break: NO SCHOOL - No Share and Care

Wednesday, October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Blessing of the Animals at Morning Assembly: 

Parents may bring live pets to be blessed from outside the fence surrounding the playground, or students may bring a stuffed animal or photo of a pet to be blessed during the Prayer Service.

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!

Preschool: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3GFXK97RR2QJJ?ref_=wl_share

TK: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CPL6C3Q716P0?ref_=wl_share

K: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EMZE1MUUE18U?ref_=wl_share

1st:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2W4NL5BV5ICE0?ref_=wl_share

2nd: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2OOT2OSMD8L5Y?ref_=wl_share

3rd: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2VSOK4UQICG1L?ref_=wl_share

4th: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/20NDI8IJWTQNL?ref_=wl_share

5th: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3A1ZM0DTX87WE?ref_=wl_share

6th: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/PC6OA3U0VEBE?ref_=wl_share

7th: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SWDRKUJK443L?ref_=wl_share

8th: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2E4GOGII00AVN?ref_=wl_share

Art/Spanish: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3K5MFD1FELR3I?ref_=wl_share

Library: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/M5P2J068D3YL?ref_=wl_share

MakerSpace: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2Q6IEB8RM6X28?ref_=wl_share

Music: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3SU7E40906EA0?ref_=wl_share

Office/Shared: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6S6O0ZUGO3ZQ?ref_=wl_share

PE: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HKM9SRP3CTYR?ref_=wl_share

Resource: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/16L7FD758A1IV?ref_=wl_share

Share & Care: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/35P99S8BHTNBR?ref_=wl_share

Dear Parents,

This is friendly reminder about how we handle food allergies and medications.

Please contact Ms. Andie in the school office with any questions.

Food Allergies

Students with nut or food allergies are seated at the first table in the lunch area, and most of our students who are allergic are self monitoring. Please let us know of any newly discovered food allergies or sensitivities. We are keeping a list based on your responses to enrollment questions, but updates are welcome and necessary.

Medication 

• All medication administration requires authorization from the parent/guardian and licensed physician.
• An authorization form must be filled out and turned in at the time medication is required to be administered to your child.
• The authorization form for each "over-the-counter" and/or prescribed medication must be completed and filed with the school.
• "Over-the-counter" medication only requires a parent/guardian signature.
• For all prescription medications, including aspirin (these will be treated as a prescription drug), both a signature from the parent/guardian and physician are required.
• Parents/guardians must bring the medication(s) to the school office along with the authorization form.
• Each medication must be in its original container, labeled with: the student's name, name of medication, dosage, frequency of administration, and expiration date.
• "Over-the-counter" medications should be in the original packaging with directions for administration. 
• All medication must and will be kept in the school office. Special exceptions will be made for students who have a signed Permission to Carry and Self Medicate form on file. No students will be given medications during school hours unless these procedures have been followed.
• Parents or guardians must assume all responsibility for the supplying of all medications.
• No medications are to be brought to school by students. Any medications must be brought to school only by a parent or guardian, an adult authorized by the parent or guardian, or an authorized employee of a pharmaceutical supplier.
• This medication and all non-prescription medications must be administered, in person, by the parent or guardian and not self-administered by the student. This includes any over-the-counter allergy medication, cough drops and/or syrups, sore throat lozenges, etc.
• No student may carry his/her own medications or self-administer their medications unless directed by their physician (as indicated on the authorization form). This includes asthma inhalers and Epi-pens. 
• Note: If a student must keep his/her medication with them, then a duplicate medication must also be kept in the office in case of emergency. 

Hi Spartan Sports Fans!

Fall is officially here and our first Cross Country meet was held last week. We had a great showing by our runners highlighted by a first and second place finish for our K-2 runners Sirvon Toner and Rory Castelaz!

Our Spirit Wear shop is up and running. Go check out all of the new and returning favorites and get out there and show our Spartan Pride! I mentioned fall, they do have lots of nice Sweaters, Jackets and even blankets to keep you nice and cozy as you cheer on our athletes or even join us at school for an event.

Jeff Croft

Physical Education Teacher

Hello SPN Families!

All the kids did such an amazing job on Friday night at the Joaquin Miller Park race in the rain and mud on an uphill course no less!! Such positive attitudes from all the kids saying bring on the rain we will run, I loved it and you all rose to the challenge!!

Our tiny but mighty Annamarie Patterson started us off in the K-2 grade girls race coming in 13th and a new runner Kalina Praud in 14th.  

In the K-2nd grade boys race Sirvon Toner led the way in 1st, also new runner Viaan Ravichandran in 21st and Nathan Garcia-Li in 23rd.

Now for our veteran runners: In 3-5th grade girls race Claire Fisher came in 13th. In the 3-5th boys race Michael Sean Brunetti came in 2nd, Hudson Patterson in 5th and Zeke Mendes in 23rd and 6-8th grade boys runners were Ronin Sturlini in 14th and Kurt Liu in 23rd. We all watched in amazement at the end as Kurt sprinted past about 10 runners with such determination all the way to the finish to get past as many people as he could.

Your parents and I are all very proud of all of you for not only a great job but also the great determination you all showed in pushing through and finishing no matter the weather conditions or rocky and muddy Terrain. 

Coach Elaine

God Bless to You All

Dear SPN Families:

I’m excited to announce that our school will be hosting our Annual Fall Scholastic Book Fair, which will take place from NOVEMBER 13 through NOVEMBER 17 at O’BRIEN HALL.

For students, it’s one of the most anticipated events of the school year—but we need volunteers to make it happen. We hope that you can offer your time and talents to help students experience Bookjoy firsthand! And every purchase at the Fair directly benefits our school. So, it’s a win-win!

If you’re available to lend a hand at this upcoming event, please visit the sign-up page at: https://bit.ly/3RnJ7ka or scan the QR code below:

Opportunities to assist include:

• Setup/Decorating the Fair
• Helping shoppers at the Fair
• Checkout
• Strike Down/Packing up the Fair



I look forward to hearing from you.

Gratefully,

Benjamin Yee

Lunch Servers Needed

Help serve lunch. Please contact Janelle Sheets with any questions.

Log your volunteers hours HERE! Please contact Ms. Trujillo for help.

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”.