Alternate Dress Code (page 26)

An Alternate Dress Code means "Free of Uniform," not the freedom to dress any way a student desires. This code is established so the dress will match the high academic standards and the image of our school. It is to be adhered to BY ALL GRADES, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH when alternate dress days are designated. Clothes must be clean, free of holes, no tears, and in good taste. Oversize or undersize clothing is not allowed, this includes length. Bicycle shorts and boxer shorts cannot extend below the hem of other articles of clothes. Shorts and skirts should be walking length, between the top of the knee and no higher than 2 inches above the knee, no cut-offs or short shorts. Hats, halters, tank tops, and shirts with spaghetti straps or that do not cover the midriff are not allowed. Shoes must have a closed heel and toe; no sandals, or plastic shoes are allowed. Socks or tights are to be worn at all times. The school reserves the right to send anyone home who comes inappropriately dressed.

Alternate dress is allowed on the days listed below. School uniforms are to be worn if a student is not participating.

1. A student's birthday (or day designated for the student who has a weekend or summertime birthday.)
2. Picture Day
3. Last day of school.
4. Last day of school before Christmas break, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day
5. Special occasions per administration.

The St Philip School Christmas Worship Service this year is on Tuesday, December 20. If your family will be unable to attend, please let Mrs. Homan ghoman@stphiliptehapsotle.org know by email as soon as possible that your child(ren) will not be singing that evening. Singers are asked to wear "Sunday best." Please no hats or headpieces (normal headbands for keeping hair back from the face are fine).

8th Grade Washington DC Trip Fundraiser!

Save the Date - January 13, 2017

Holy Angel Hall

Now selling THURSDAY morning AND afternoon the day before Spirit Shirt Days each month!

Upcoming Falcon Wear Sale Day:

Before school, December 15th from 7:30-8:15am, at the school picnic tables

After school, December 15th from 2:30-3:15pm, in our Falcon Spirit Shop, at the Ministry Center (in the small north church parking lot)

* Special stocking stuffer deals for DEC! *

You can always use the website order form anytime under the Publications drop-down menu (in Forms and Documents) and drop it off with your payment to the school office front desk. We will deliver the order to your youngest child's classroom for them to take home. Email Cherlene Jehue-Stones at cjehue30@yahoo.com or Colleen Gates at colleenandsteve@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

The SPAS students and volunteer parents continue to make a difference with their Christian Community Service!

The 8 th grade, led by Julie Schneiders, hosted the annual Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon after 12:05 mass on November 17 th . They were excellent hosts as they set up, decorated, served food and drinks, entertained with songs and comedy, and cleaned up.   Our 2 nd graders sang a "thank you" song at the end of mass as well as created the seniors' centerpieces and placemats in Art with Mrs. Renn.  After the luncheon, Mrs. Slater called Bingo for the seniors.

Also in November, Cindy Ferrer, our 6 th grade Christian Community Service Coordinator, organized 6A's visit to Regency at Fair Oaks Senior Living Center to bring their creative storybooks to share and spend some time getting to know one another.  Thank you to Ms. O'Toole for adding the story writing unit and binding their books for them.  This new service activity was a hit with both seniors and students!  6B will be sharing their stories with seniors in a couple of months.

Our first graders along with their CCS Coordinator, Estela Garcia, continue to make Meals on Wheels recipients' holiday cards to accompany meal deliveries and bring them smiles!

Did you notice the eye-catching advertising posters made by 7 th graders to promote their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in conjunction with St. Vincent de Paul?  Led by CCS Coordinator, Michele Ciampa, the students promoted the drive at assembly and in the individual classrooms as well.  They decorated the distribution boxes and did the transporting of the collected food from classrooms to the storage closet to the parish center. Our teachers generously donated the turkeys for the meals.  Almost half of the class came to pack up and distribute the Thanksgiving boxes to over 60 recipients during Thanksgiving break.  Thank you to all the families who donated food!

Our all school candy drive led by 2 nd grade CCS Coordinator, Denise Medina, was a gigantic success!  Second grade students and parents bagged up 300 candy bags with the children's handwritten holiday greeting tags attached for families who are receiving Christmas food assistance.   There was even candy left over for Assisting Children Ministry to use in piñatas.

Last week, the sixth grade students packed up 120 sack lunches including handwritten inspirational notes for distribution to the hungry through Union Station Homeless Services. Thank you, coordinator Cindy Ferrer and all the generous parents who sent in all the supplies and volunteered their time to make this happen!    

Looking ahead, the annual Kindergarten visits to the Del Mar Retirement home to sing, do a craft and share holiday goodies are December 15 and 16.  Thank you to Kindergarten CCS Coordinator, Jessica James, for planning and leading these events.

Over break, we ask that when you are cleaning out for the new year, you set aside gently used toys for the 4 th grade's St Vincent de Paul Toy Drive in mid January.   The church is also collecting new and gently used toys right now - for St Vincent de Paul to help bring Christmas to the less fortunate.

The St. Philip the Apostle School Christian Community Service group would like to thank everyone for doing their part in helping us make a positive difference in peoples' lives.  We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

A deep well of quiet is rare, but can be found. It requires a retreat from all the clanging demands that surround you. It allows God's voice to enter. It is refreshment for the soul.  Come to a place of quiet and refreshment: come to the mountain at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre. With the women of St. Philip Parish, experience the voice of God's love, February 3-5, 2017. Please contact Marlene Biseda ( mbiseda@earthlink.net or 626-298-3893 ) or Cathleen Hainley (626-355-7188 ) to reserve your spot. www.passionist.org/materdolorosa

Questions? Feel free to contact school parents;

Sheryl Valdez ( Savaldez@sbcglobal.net and 626-792-0220 ),