The Week Ahead...

Mon. Jan. 30

0-7 Day I 8:15 AM Start

Senior Parent/Guardian Zoom Meeting I 6:00 PM I Join Here

Tues. Jan. 31

A Day (0/1/2/3/7) I 8:15 AM Start

Junior Immersion: Monument Crisis Center I All Day I Important Details Here

Wed. Feb. 01

B Day (Late Start) I 9:30 AM Start

Catholic Schools Week Pancake Breakfast I 8:00 - 9:15 AM

Junior Immersion: Monument Crisis Center I All Day I Important Details Here

Thur. Feb. 02

A Day (0/1/2/3/7) I 8:15 AM Start

Fri. Feb. 03

B Day (X Block) I 8:15 AM Start

CSF Spring Membership Apps Close I Learn More I Apply Here

Sat. Feb. 04

SOS Game: Basketball v. Lincoln I CHS Gym I JV 12:30 PM I Varsity 2:00 PM

Dear Carondelet Community,

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week (CSW) is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Now entering its 49th anniversary year, the celebrations are typically held in K-8 Catholic schools. It is a tradition that Carondelet celebrates to honor our Catholic identity. On Monday, our Spiritual Life Council will open the week with a cheerful welcome at our drop-off location, and we will have a pancake breakfast on Wednesday!

What Is B-Lunch

We are piloting a new schedule that will be part of the regular rotation for next year. It is an extended lunch on B-days (affectionately referred to as Blunch by the student life team). The Blunch block will provide shorter regular community-type timing in our schedules. This gives needed time for shorter activities, such as club meetings, tutoring, check-ins, etc. around the lunchtime break, which allows students to get involved without necessarily having to skip lunch to do so. You will see a couple of B-Lunch schedules pop up in February, so keep an eye out for more details. B-Lunch will not impact drop-off or pick-up times.

Student Interviews

On Saturday, February 4 the campus will be full of activity. This is the date that our applicants for the class of 2027 will be on campus for student interviews. Carondelet is one of a handful of local schools that still meets every student before launching application decisions. It is one of the ways that we can get to know new students and families and make sure they have a strong understanding of our community. It is an important piece to the puzzle for a mission-driven organization like Carondelet and something we look forward to every year.  

Looking a Little Further Out: Accreditation

Carondelet is an accredited organization. We have a dual accreditation of WASC and WCEA. WASC is the general school accreditation and WCEA is the accreditation that focuses specifically on our Catholic identity. These two accreditations run simultaneously and involve having the school do a deep dive into practices in all areas of the organization to identify areas of strength and potential areas of growth. The process requires input from all stakeholders. Currently, we are working with faculty and staff to collect the baseline data for the working document now.  

Students and parents will also be part of the process. We try and first collect global data through surveys. With students, we are able to get close to 100% as we give surveys at school during announcement time. It is harder with busy parents and guardians, but we would love to get feedback from as many families as possible and will attempt to do so via surveys this spring and again in the fall. We know people’s time is valuable. We really appreciate you taking the time to take the surveys as they come out. 

In addition to surveys, we will create a couple working groups of students and parents who will give feedback on the full report and help us collect additional supporting documentation to highlight our school’s accomplishments.

In the fall, once the full report is complete, we will hold an information session and share our results ahead of the visiting committee’s visit. 

We are excited about the process and wanted to make sure that this big project is on people’s radars!

Blessings,

Elizabeth Chaponot, Ph.D.

Vice Principal of Academics and Ed Tech

X Block for Juniors

On Friday, February 3 we have a “spotlight” X Block dedicated to our juniors. At that time, College Counselors will be providing juniors with training on a piece of their college app puzzle. Topics that will be covered include how to write effective activities descriptions for their applications, demonstrating interest to colleges, building their college list, and starting the essay writing process. Attendance will be taken, and all attendees will be entered into a raffle to win Starbucks gift cards!  

Parking Lot Reminders

To help with traffic flow at the exit, we ask that parents and carpools please use the main gate entrance when entering the lot in the mornings and do not park in any numbered parking spaces as these are all accounted for by students, faculty, and staff. 

Attendance Reminders

Thank you to the parents and caregivers who call and email in to notify us of their student’s attendance. This is greatly appreciated!

Students are considered “chronically absent” if they miss 10% of the school days they are enrolled in—even if these days are called in. As a precautionary measure, we notify families once students meet certain thresholds to help ensure that students stay on track to graduate, and that they are receiving the appropriate support here at school. If you have questions about attendance, please reach out to Stephanie Gutierrez, Attendance Coordinator, or Caitlin Main, Dean of Students.

If your student must stay home because they are ill, make sure that they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom. 

COVID Protocol

We want to remind students and families of the safety measures proven to mitigate the spread of colds, flu, and COVID: washing hands, staying home when you’re unwell, and masking indoors. If your student has tested positive for COVID, please reach out to the Attendance Office as soon as possible.

New Academic Calendar Available

The 2023-24 Academic Calendar is now available on our website.

Crab Feed tickets are going FAST! Get yours today!

Our Carondelet Crab Feed is back in person this year, and registration is open! Grab your seats for a night of dancing to a live band, fresh crab and tri-tip, a yummy dessert auction, and so much more. This is a great event to get to know others in the Carondelet community. Mark your calendars for February 25, 2023, 5:30-10:00 PM. Reserve your tickets HERE for this 21+ event (no refunds).

Calling all Volunteers

Our 2023 Carondelet Crab Feed will be here very soon and we need a lot of volunteers! Come help this event be a huge success for our school and our students. Click here to sign up.

Fathers Club Meeting moved to February 8, 2023

The Fathers Club Meeting has been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 PM. Dinner will be served and we will be sharing all the exciting events happening this spring. You must RSVP for this event. All Carondelet dads are welcome.

Follow Our New Parent/Guardian Social Media

Instagram: @carondelet_fam l Facebook: @Carondelet Fam

Alumna makes Carondelet Green!

Chloe DeSmedt '22 has helped Carondelet become Green Business Certified, a project that has been two years in the making. As the former Green Team club president, Chloe worked with the group to create the Carondelet Community Garden, spearhead the installation of solar panels, and electric car charging stations, and educated our community on environmental issues. Check out more of her amazing story here.

Senior Assassin

Each spring, many high school seniors from around the Bay Area participate in a highly involved tag game called “Assassin.” In past years, this game has been played by seniors at Carondelet and De La Salle despite it not being sanctioned, supported, or approved by either school.  

The game involves teams of seniors who are assigned “targets” whom they have to “assassinate” using toy Nerf-type guns that fire foam darts. After several rounds, often taking weeks, the winner is the last person or team standing.

According to past rules that we are familiar with, the game cannot be played on either campus or during school hours. There are other rules regarding times and locations subjects may be fired at, as well as rules concerning the type of toy weapon used. Each year the details of the game can vary, but the intent remains the same. 

We urge our students to consider how their actions and behavior, related to this game, can be interpreted by community members who see students with potentially dangerous weapons, often chasing each other, and surprising their “targets” in public or in their neighborhoods. Non-participants can feel frightened or threatened as only participants are aware that the behavior is part of a game. We do not want the safety of our students, or the safety of those in the greater community, to be affected. We encourage parents to speak with their daughters to ensure that they are not compromising common sense and care for the thrill of the game.

2022 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Carondelet has been awarded with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women's access to Computer Science Principles. Carondelet was one of the 832 schools in the nation recognized by the College Board.

The California Scholarship Federation Spring Membership

The California Scholarship Federation's spring membership drive is here! Use this link to apply for spring membership (using your 1st-semester grades). If you are a frosh you can still apply. Just remember that you will be an associate member only, until spring of your sophomore year.

The CSF spring membership drive will end at 3 PM, this Friday, Feb. 3.

No applications will be accepted after this time, so don't miss out! If you would like to learn more about California Scholarship Federation and its membership, please visit the Carondelet Club Mini-Site. Apply using this form.

2023-24 Tuition Assistance Applications Open Now

Carondelet tuition assistance applications are open in FACTS for the 23-24 school year. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 13, and meeting this deadline is critical to receiving timely aid awards. You must apply each year you require aid. There is one application for both Carondelet and De La Salle students. Please see our website for additional tuition assistance information or contact Terri Meehan with any questions. Here is a link to the FACTS website to start the process. You may also use this application to apply for FACE through the Oakland Diocese if you received an award from them in the past.

Register for Camp Carondelet

Spend your summer at Carondelet! Register now for our coed day camp for 3rd-8th graders. SPACES are almost full so do not delay your registration! Offering a mix of enrichment learning and outdoor play, there are fun activities for all children to enjoy.

Enroll by Feb 1 to save up to $100!

Register for Summer Clinics

Start your registration today for our girls' summer sports clinics. Sports include Basketball, Volleyball, and Strength Training. All Clinics are led by our regular season coaches and focused on offering tailored and insightful skillset training to help all athletes and those who aspire to be one develop their craft and feel confident on the court/field. 

For any questions about summer programming at Carondelet,

please contact Kimber Powers.

Junior Prom and Senior Ball Dress Code

Junior Prom and Senior Ball are exciting events for our students this spring. Both events are formal and students are expected to dress up for the occasion. Per our Student Handbook, as with any school event, attire must be appropriate for school. We encourage students to have conversations with their families about what appropriate means to them and to connect with the Deans or Maggie Lettire '13 if they have any questions about a specific dress or item of clothing.

Submit to the 2023 Winton Arts Film Festival

The 2023 Winton Arts Film Festival is happening on March 10! Submissions due February 20 and we want YOUR films! This includes sports highlight videos, dramas, comedy, and horror! Carondelet, De La Salle, and now East Bay middle school students can submit their films, and everyone is welcome to attend this fun-filled FilmFest.

Contact Chris Walsh with any questions.

And check out our social media @winton_filmfest for more info.

New Dress Code Approved Shirts

Check out our school store for new designs for the new year!

Escrip

Escrip rebates to Carondelet a portion of purchases you make at hundreds of participating stores and online vendors. Your card information is kept secure and confidential. Carondelet’s Group Identification Number is 5825088. Register with Escrip and select Carondelet High School as the recipient of your Escrip support.

Title Sponsor

Little Brook LLC

Heart Sponsors

Countrywood Shopping Center

Mary Beth Kulawiec Dittrich '79 and Thomas Dittrich

With Love, Crystal Design Co.

Faith Sponsors

Paul and Betty Baldacci Family Foundation

Christine Sabatte Logan ’73 and Rich Logan P’12

Courage Sponsors

Ana and Stuart Darby P ‘23

Hamill Family Charitable Fund

Lehmer’s Buick GMC Concord

Royce and Baxter 

Excellence Sponsors

Anonymous

BACA Wines

Balestrieri Family Farm

Diablo Magazine

Anabelle and Rudy Galera P’20, ‘24, ‘26

Aimee Pourroy-Martin and James Martin P’26 

CSJ Sponsors

Kitte and Tom Bobich P’09 ’13

Tracy and Brad Bowles P'22 '26

Bowles and Verna LLP

Choice Lunch

Michelle and Rob Craw P’25

Mission Valley Development

Debbie and Steve O’Neal P’25

ParkSmart, Inc.

Matt Rinn State Farm Agency

SC Builders 

Stephanie Seeno-Miles ’80 and Clyde Miles P’14

Wasser Wealth Management

Spirit Sponsors

Bay Alarm

Stephanie Canessa State Farm Agency

Chimirri’s Salon

Destination Wealth Management

Kinetic Real Estate and Property Management

Lenox Homes

Raga Yoga

Angela and Ed Rhee P’24

Sallie Severns State Farm

Amy and Peter Wright P’26