School News - August 18, 2020
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WELCOME TO THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR!
Dear St. John the Baptist Families,
 
This week, we welcome you to the start of our new school year with a renewed commitment to our ministry as Catholic educators, and a focus on being adaptable during these most unique times. Having you all return virtually safely, gives us tremendous inspiration as we have missed you all immensely. We pray that you and your loved ones are well and that your summer was filled with peace, renewal, and happiness.
 
This year's theme, "Grounded in Grace" is most appropriate as we lean toward God for strength, understanding, endurance and toward one another.  Above all, please remember that on any given day during this pandemic, we simply ask you to: 


-Count Your Blessings-
-Practice Kindness-
-Let Go of What You Can't Control-
-Be Productive, Yet Calm-
-Just Breathe...
 
May these encouraging words resonate in our hearts and actions, as we go forward in the new school year as a community, knowing that God goes before us always.

Enjoy every minute of the Back to School Night presentations with your teachers this evening -they are so excited to meet you!

With Peace & Wellness Wishes,
Dina Trombettas
Principal

DID YOU KNOW?  That school begins virtually online THIS THURSDAY AT 8:00am and you will receive login/instructions and links AFTER Your VIRTUAL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT MEETINGS TONIGHT??

VIRTUAL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT is TONIGHT! AUGUST 18TH 6:30PM


All Teachers will record their Back to School Night Presentations and post on School Speak shortly thereafter their meetings.

TK - MS. ANGELICA
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 363 539 0210
Passcode: TK123

KINDERGARTEN - MRS. T
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: john123

GRADE 1 - MRS. CORDOBA
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 7508 2405
Passcode: stjohn

GRADE 2 - MRS. OKADA 
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 9VYynY

GRADE 3 - MS. KELLER
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 858 6426 2527
Passcode: BGXH80

GRADE 4 - MRS. BARBER 
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 8PJkqF

GRADE 5 - MS. OKADA
Join Zoom Meeting
https://csdo.zoom.us/j/86254224061?pwd=aFd5c1M2NlpTU2VMMzNFb082Vi9DUT09
Meeting ID: 862 5422 4061
Passcode: Peamonster

GRADE 6 - MRS. BAINS
6:30 - 7:00 - 8th Grade Families
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 814 5632 8226
Passcode: 2LS6f3

7:00-7:30 - 7th Grade Families
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 5MCsE3

7:30-8:00 - 6th Grade Families
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 5411 7735
Passcode: 2qJkEu

GRADE 7 - MR. BAUER
6:30 - 7:00 - 6th Grade Families
Meeting ID:  363 535 3996
Password: 1

7:00 - 7:30 - 8th Grade Families
Meeting ID:  363 535 3996
Password: 1

7:30 - 8:00 - 7th Grade Families
Meeting ID:  363 535 3996
Password: 1

GRADE 8 - MRS. UMPIERRE
6:30 - 7:00 - 7th Grade Families
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 7041 2766
Passcode: 9Ant3q

7:00 - 7:30 - 6th Grade Families
7:30 - 8:00 - 8th Grade Families
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 819 2806 3212
Passcode: 595621
STUDENT MATERIAL PICK-UP DAY AUGUST 19TH
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 - 7:30AM - 3:30PM
  • PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY - NO STUDENTS
  • MASKS MUST BE WORN AND SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICED
    • PLEASE CHECK-IN VIA THE GYM FIRST TO SUBMIT ALL OF YOUR SIGNED PAPERWORK (MAILED LAST WEEK)
    • YOU WILL BE GIVEN A TICKET TO THEN PROCEED TO OUTSIDE ENTRANCES OF CLASSROOMS TO PICK-UP MATERIALS.
  • PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAG(S) 
  • TECHNOLOGY/DEVICE CHECK-OUT:  Families who need to borrow a device from the school, may check one out by signing a device check out form in the Library/Media Center.
CHROMEBOOK DELIVERY DELAY &
FAMILIES NEEDING TO BORROW A DEVICE
Due to COVID-19, our Chromebook delivery for incoming 6th graders and new 6-8 grade students have unfortunately been delayed.  We will be loaning out our school iPads and Chromebooks to start the year, based on need, until we get our Chromebooks delivered and set up. If you are in immediate need of an ipad or Chromebook for the start of school, please complete the form below.  THANK YOU!

Parents, you are REQUIRED to complete a separate survey for EACH of your students that will need to borrow an iPad/Chromebook.


PLEASE DO:
  • Sign-Up to start earning your PPP hours by helping with facilities maintenance - NO ONE has checked in with Mrs. Clabby to help:(
  • Make sure your paperwork is filled out AND your registration is PAID IN FULL before Material Pick-Up Day tomorrow. 
  • Ask your child's teacher(s) how you can best support the virtual classroom learning environment this year - teacher's haven't stopped working/preparing ALL SUMMER!
POTENTIAL PRESCHOOL OPENING SEPTEMBER 14 FOR STUDENTS 
UNDER 6 YEARS OLD!
We have been given permission from Contra Costa County and the Diocese of Oakland to OPEN our Preschool Childcare Center for children under 6 years of age!  We have strict health and safety guidelines that will be in place for a potential SEPTEMBER 14TH opening, but we need to hear from you if you are interested in sending your child under 6 years of age?

INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
As shared with our community,  following you will find the DRAFT Distance Learning Plan for the beginning of our school year on August 20th.  Please do not hesitate to reach our to any of our teachers should you have questions about their schedules and please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Trombettas should you have questions that remain unanswered after you review our draft.

TK - Angelica Gutierrez:  ang@csdo.org
Kindergerten:  Rodena Tan-Torres:  rtantorres@csdo.org
1st Grade:  Maria Cordoba:  mcordoba@csdo.org
2nd Grade:  Suzanne Okada:  sokada@csdo.org
3rd Grade:  Caroline Keller:  ckeller@csdo.org
4th Grade:  Regina Barber:  rbarber@csdo.org
5th Grade:  Lisa Okada:  lokada@csdo.org
6th Grade:  Harprit Bains:  hbains@csdo.org*
7th Grade:  Tom Bauer:  tbauer@csdo.org*
8th Grade:  Katie Umpierre:  kumpierre@csdo.org*
PE:  Mike Leite:  mleite@csdo.org
Mrs. Trombettas:  dtrombettas@csdo.org

*Middle School Electives:  
Given we must focus on core curriculum and the social/emotional/physical wellness of the students, it is important (from survey evidence) that the students be given dedicated PE time with Coach Mike online.  In addition, given a VERY likely hybrid schedule when/if we do return physically to school, a co-curricular would also be challenging to incorporate into a schedule.  If we meet a time this year when we are all back FULL time, we then can look at reinstating the elective for the middle school.  

We sincerely thank our Site Safety Committee and our faculty for their coordination and input with regard to this foundational planning as we work to open our school year with every success in mind. 
 
FALL FUNDRAISER - DRIVE THROUGH DINNER -
CHECK IN NOW TO VOLUNTEER & EARN YOUR PPP HOURS!
Thank you to all of those parents/guardians whoattended our Virtual PTG/School Meeting last Wednesday.  We are now forming a committee to plan our
DRIVE THRU DINING FUNDRAISER
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26!

Please email Merci Richardson at:  mercirich@gmail.com to start volunteering!
WE NEED YOUR HELP - START EARNING YOUR PPP HOURS!
We need your HELP to maintain our school building and grounds?  Want to START EARNING YOUR 2020-2021 PPP HOURS? Here's where we need help:
  • Landscaping:  weed control/removal
  • Back Parking Lot trash cleanup/maintenance
  • Carpet storage
Please contact Mrs. Clabby in the main office at:  510-234-2244 or via email at:  nclabby@csdo.org if you can lend a helping hand!
CYO FALL SPORTS UPDATE!
Dear CYO Families,

Due to the current, continuing pandemic, all CYO activities in the Diocese of Oakland will be suspended until at least January 1, 2021. This action is based on the uncertainties of the progress of the pandemic, the challenges in keeping our young people, volunteers and families safe in sports, and in accrodance with guidelines from the State of California along with directives from the Alameda and Contra Costa Health Departments.  This suspension is taken after consultation with the presidents of the CYO leagues in the diocese.

The suspension includes CYO Cross Country, CYO Basketball and Girls' CYO Volleyball practices, games and activities scheduled to begin this fall. The presidents of each of the CYO leagues will meet in late October to assess the situation at that time and to make recommendations about the feasibility of playing modified schedules for these sports.  There will also be consideration regarding the spring CYO sports.

CYO will continue to be a vital ministry in our Church for our young people. We will resume play with our leagues when possible and through  the dedication of our many players, coaches, athletic directors, coordinators and volunteers. While we wait, we will all continue to pray for those affected by the pandemic, that our churches and schools will open soon and that our children will stay healthy and safe.

Bill Ford
CYO Director
Diocese of Oakland

OUR GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN FOR 2020-2021 - LET'S KEEP IT GOING!

THINGS YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION WITH!  HEALTH SCREENINGS
Important to begin scheduling with your doctor NOW

  - ALL 7th & 8th Grade students need proof of a Tdap booster. Please provide this by August 20th as our health record keeper will be here to review the health files.
 - ALL New Students in Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten need a complete health history and physical examination which must be completed within 6 months of the start of school. 

 - ALL New Students in Grades 2-8 must have a health evaluation within the last 2 years. (unless transferring from another Diocese of OaklandCatholic school)

SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS FOR 2020-2021
School Supply Lists for the 2020-2021 ARE NOW POSTED in your child's School Speak classroom AND below.  Given the uncertain nature of what our school learning platform might be for the beginning of the year, we recommend that you wait to purchase school supplies until just before school begins.


CALENDAR FOR 2020-2021

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES 
2020-2021

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR:  Thursday, August 20 - 8:00AM - 12:00PM 

THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO SCHOOL Preschool - Grade 8:
November 23-27, 2020
 
CHRISTMAS BREAK - NO SCHOOL Preschool - Grade 8:
December 21, 2020 - January 3, 2021

EASTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL Preschool - Grade 8:
April 1, 2021 - APRIL 11, 2021


The main office will be open from 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday - Friday beginning August 20th!
St. John the Baptist School | 510-234.2244 | Email | Website
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