The Week Ahead...

Mon. Sept. 05

Labor Day (No School)

Tues. Sept. 06

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

Wed. Sept. 07

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

Fathers Club Meeting l 7:00 PM

Thu. Sept. 08

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

1965 Society Reception l 6:00 PM (Invite Only ~ See below for details on how to become a 1965 Society member)

Fri. Sept. 09

B Day (0/4/5/C/6) l 8:15 Start

Sat. Sept. 10 

Legacy Luncheon l 11:30 AM 

Dear Carondelet Community,

It was so good to see families back on campus at last week’s Back to School Night! It’s a wonderful night to welcome families back to campus and have a chance to meet their student's teachers and get a sense of our Monday schedule where all classes meet.  

This weekend marks the beginning of a busy September. Academics is in full swing. Fall sports are well underway. Student Life activities and events are also in full bloom. The School Calendar on the Carondelet website is a good resource to keep up with all that is occurring on campus. Following the Carondelet Athletics Instagram (@carondeletcougars) is also a great way to keep in touch with Cougar Athletics. I do want to highlight a few things to look forward to this month:

Club Fair

On Wednesday, 9/7 at lunch, we are holding our Carondelet Club Fair in the amp. Students will have a chance to visit and learn about more than 50 clubs on campus and sign up to participate. Lots of clubs and interests from Craft Club to Anime to Honor Societies are available to explore. Clubs are a great way to get involved on campus, and Club Fair is a fun event for all. De La Salle will also be holding their club day at the same time, so students can check out those clubs as well.

Mental Health Awareness Week

This next week the Wellness Counseling Team and Bring Change to Mind Club are providing information and activities focusing on mental health and wellness. These efforts coincide with National Suicide Prevention Week, which is on September 4-10. More information on this week can be found later in this e-Newsletter in the Wellness Counseling section. 

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th and extends through October 15th. To celebrate and educate on these rich cultures, there will be an Art Gallery Walk featuring art with information about the artists, an installation in the Inner Court, and sharing of other highlights about the month in our announcements, social media, and environment.

Frosh Alpha Retreat

After school on Friday, September 16th, freshmen are going to have a lot of fun at Camp Alpha! The Alpha retreat is a cherished, fun retreat for frosh that grounds our new students in our CSJ mission and Catholic faith. Students will enjoy an evening of fun activities, reflection, and prayer. They will then share in a giant sleepover at school. It’s a wonderful beginning to our robust retreat program! More details will be sent to freshman parents soon.

There’s so much more going on this month, and this is just a taste of everything that we have planned!

Blessings,

Jennifer Reinwald

Vice Principal of Student Life and Mission 

Parent Volunteer Clearance

We would love to see you on campus and volunteering for all of our amazing events. Please make sure you have completed all clearance requirements for volunteering and driving. The safety of our students is important. Check out the Parent Volunteer Requirements and contact Candi Mannoni with any questions!

Call for Classic Cars

We are starting a new tradition for our homecoming volleyball game. We are in need of some classic convertible cars for a short homecoming parade! Contact Candi Mannoni if you can help!

Food Donations Needed

The Frosh Alpha Retreat is in need of food donations. Please sign up now! All food donations must be dropped off in the Garaventa Bar area on Thursday by 4:00 PM, Sept. 15 or by Friday, Sept. 16 at 1:00 PM.

Attendance Reminders

To protect our community from colds, flus, and other viruses, we are requesting that all students stay home if they are sick (regardless of a negative COVID test). Students may return to campus once symptoms have improved. 

Spread the Word!

Spots are going fast for our fall admissions events! Student Preview Days for current 8th grade students are the most popular way to see campus. Please share with any 8th grade families you know. We are so excited to welcome prospective students to our campus!

Visit the Events & Visits for more information.

National Suicide Prevention Week

With September 4th-10th being National Suicide Prevention Week, we are taking the important opportunity to shine a light on mental health awareness for our Carondelet community. The health and wellbeing of our students are always at the forefront, and we realize the importance of starting the new school year by opening dialogue and raising awareness around the critical issues of suicide prevention, stress management, positive self care, and mental health support. Our goal is to maintain and grow this community awareness throughout the school year, and to normalize the topic of mental health as it relates to overall wellness.

Each day next week will provide an opportunity to engage our students in this important topic and focus on strategies for keeping themselves safe and healthy, as well as looking out for one another. Daily social media and Schoology posts will highlight mental health awareness. On Thursday during lunch, students will have an opportunity to design a personalized coping tools/safety plan card. Through this activity your daughters will brainstorm ways to stay safe, reduce risk of future harm, and establish strategies, support systems and resources they can access in a time of crisis. This valuable tool teaches students how to practice safety and self care in times of crisis and can be utilized in ANY crisis situation. It’s a preventative strategy all teens can benefit from and we invite you to encourage your daughter to participate in this activity! Students also have the option to make a safety plan template for a friend!

We encourage you to keep the lines of communication open with your daughters around this important and sensitive topic and have included some guidelines for facilitating that conversation here. For an overview of teen warning signs, you can utilize this resource. We also have several additional resources on our Wellness page here.

As wellness counselors we are here to support our students and families. Please reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or would like further information regarding resources and community referrals.

Wellness Counselors,

Stacie Besagno, Sarah Alpert, and Geneva Green

MAP Testing 

MAP Growth tests from NWEA for freshman and sophomores start next week. We test twice a year to help track student learning and growth. If a student needs more than the allotted class time, Katie Almonte our test coordinator, will reach out to that specific student to schedule a time to finish their test.

MAP Testing Schedule

Your student will take their test during their regular school day on their tablet.

Fall Membership Drive

The California Scholarship Federation's fall membership drive is here! Use this link to apply for fall membership. If you are a frosh with CJSF membership from your last school, there are directions on the form for you too! The CSF fall membership drive will end at 3PM, Friday, September 16th. 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. Contact Merrilee Silveira if you have any questions ([email protected])

Winter and Spring Sports Registration

Athletics Registration is open for winter and spring sports! Some of these sports will be starting open field/court sessions (check Schoology for this information), and student-athletes must be medically cleared for the sport prior to attending open field/court sessions.

Fall Sports

If your daughter is on roster for one of our fall sports, check out the Athletics webpage for information on ordering team photos. Use the opt in code for your daughter’s sport to order individual and team photos through HomeTeam Sports Photography.

De La Salle Games 

Carondelet students get into games for free with their student IDs. Check out their Football Schedule for their next home game.

Upcoming Games

Tuesday, Sept. 6:

• Golf, Varsity vs Granada 
• Tennis, Varsity vs Amador Valley
• Volleyball, Varsity vs Archie Williams

Wednesday, Sept. 7:

• Tennis, Varsity vs Las Lomas

Thursday, Sept. 8:

• Tennis, Varsity vs San Ramon Valley
• Golf, Varsity @ Foothill/Pleasanton
• Water Polo, Varsity vs Monte Vista (Danville)
• Volleyball, Varsity @ California/San Ramon

Saturday, Sept. 10:

• Cross Country, Varsity Ed Sias Invitational

 @CarondeletCougars on Instagram l Follow @Go_Carondelet on Twitter l @CougarAthletics on Facebook l Subscribe to the Athletics Calendar

Carondelet Cheer and Dance showed their football spirit at the joint Carondelet and De La Salle rally on Thursday!

Coffee with your Dear Neighbor

Parents, we are coming to your community for morning coffee! Come drink coffee and eat pastries with other Carondelet families that live in your neighborhood! All parents are welcome. Our first morning coffee will be on Friday, Sept. 23 at Orinda Community Center Park from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Legacy Lunch RSVPs 

Thank you for passing down your love of Carondelet to the next generation of young women. Celebrate heart, faith, courage, and excellence at the annual Legacy Lunch on Saturday, September 10. Legacy students are invited with their Carondelet Alumnae family members to this annual lunch on campus. RSVP today!

Fathers Club Meeting

The first meeting is September 7 at 7:00 PM in the Jean Hofmann Center for Innovation. Dinner will be served. All Carondelet dads are welcome, RSVP now.

Follow Our New Parent/Guardian Social Media

Instagram: @carondelet_fam l Facebook: @Carondelet Fam

Tree Sponsors Needed 

Ever wonder how the magical trees appear each year at Visions of Christmas? They come from generous sponsors in our community! Each tree is a visual feast adorned with amazing gifts ranging from technology to trips, wine to wellness, and even tuition! The tradition of the tree drawing is in its 33rd year and we would be honored to have you participate this season. Think about joining forces with friends to create a tree theme...

If you would like to be a part of this magic and sponsor a tree as a business, individual, or part of a group please contact Audrey Richardson for more information.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Starting at 7:45 - 11:0 AM in the Library. Please take advantage of the Late Start and arrive early.

Photo Packages 

Only students who missed ID photos in August will be excused from class for photos. Order your photos today! Our Picture Day ID is: VT2332CR (more information). 

Senior Portrait Retakes 

If your senior misses any of these retake dates they will automatically be rescheduled on September 26, 27, and 28 between 3:30 - 6:00 PM on campus. An email with their appointment slot will be sent to them.

All seniors must be photographed before October 1.

Contact Michelle Koski with any questions.

Junior and Senior Retreats

Registration for all retreats is available now and spots are filling quickly. Dates and details for each retreat can be found on the website. Registration links for junior and senior retreats are below:

Junior Shalom - Deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Senior Kairos Journey - Kairos 93 and 95 still have spots open, but are filling quickly! Registration will close when we are at capacity.

Yosemite Park Glamping Adventure

The Science department is pleased to share an invitation for all Carondelet students on a first-come-first-serve basis. The trip experience is a four day, three night glamping trip to Yosemite. There is a capacity of 25 students so reserve your spot now.

Registration details will be in next week's e-Newsletter.

Spain and France 2023

Vamos to Spain and France for un voyage of a lifetime during spring break 2023! We'll visit celebrated landmarks, taste scrumptious food, and experience life à l'européenne. De La Salle students who take Spanish or French are also invited to participate.

For more information about this trip, please reach out to Nadine Amarelo.

London 2023

Join us for 10 fun-filled days in June that include:

• a backstage tour of a theatre
• Greenwich Royal Observatory
• a workshop on the science of roller coasters
• and so much more!



For more information about this trip, please reach out to Lesley Schooler.

Uniform Code

Please work with your students to ensure that skirt/short length expectations are followed. The handbook requires hems to be no shorter than three inches above the knee. For those who need a longer skirt, the Deans' Office are offering skirt trade-ins.

Students with multiple skirt/short length violations will lose their skirt/short privileges.

Generous donors who make annual gifts of $1,965 or more in an academic year are invited to a reception with our Interim President and recognized in Many the Gifts as members of the 1965 Society, commemorating the year of Carondelet's founding.

We invite those who aren't already members to join today by making a gift of $1,965 or more. In honor of your generosity, you'll immediately receive an invitation to our Cocktail Reception on September 8.

Your philanthropy makes an immediate and lasting impact on our students, faculty, staff, and families in the community. Tuition covers approximately 90% of our annual budget, and we rely on our community's generosity to bridge this gap by making an annual gift of $1,965.

Please reach out to the Carondelet Fund Director Lynne Sabbagha Kenny '86 P'24 to review your giving history or learn more about this donor society.

Thank you to our current and future members!