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St. Brendan Weekly Bulletin
December 1, 2021
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Dear St. Brendan Families, |
We are now celebrating the first week of Advent. In our school you will notice this season being celebrated in many different ways. Our beautiful nativity scene is on display right outside the main office and you will notice advent wreaths displayed in our classrooms, on our bulletin boards, and in our office, as well as other symbols of the season making their way into our building to guide us on our journey as we await the coming of Christ. In the classrooms, students will be learning more about the season of advent and they will be preparing for our weekly Advent celebrations.
During this season of Advent, I encourage you as families to set aside a special time each week to gather together in prayer. Use this as a time to slow things down and remind one another about the special gift that was the birth of Jesus. Take the time together to be mindful of the true spirit of the season, and help our little ones and our young adults shift their focus back on the season of Advent during this very important time in our liturgical year. One opportunity that I encourage families to participate in is Father Wichert’s Advent classes on Wednesday evenings. Information on this is in the bulletin below.
Our Christmas Program will be held in-person next Friday, December 10th at 7:00 PM. Please read the section below for details on when to arrive and what to expect.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Diaper Bag Project drive. Your donations mean a lot during this time and this ministry is very thankful for that. A few other service/charity projects that are going right now are the Giving Tree, the coat drive, and the 6th grade St. Vincent de Paul collection. If you have not participated in these we encourage you to do so. Information is in the bulletin below. Thank you for your generosity!
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Blessings,
Catherine Shumate
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Advent began last weekend! There are so many ways to celebrate Advent, but most importantly we want to remember that Advent is a time of preparing ourselves for the celebration, not the celebration itself. Advent Calendars (Chocolate and devotional), Jesse Trees, Nativities and Advent Wreaths are all ways to celebrate advent. The Parish will also have Adult Education nights on Wednesdays during Advent as another way to prepare for Jesus’ Birthday.
November 30th began the St. Andrew Novena. The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is a very old prayer, and an excellent way to spend your Advent this year. Traditionally, it is prayed 15 times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew. Nov. 30th, to Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. However, it can be prayed as a 9-day novena, ending on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8th.
If you can't sit down and pray all 15 at once, chunk it up and pray when you can (Ex. 5 prayers before each meal). You can take a card with you all the time, or put them in all the places you usually go (Ex. the rooms of your house, at work, in that book you're reading, etc.).
Hopefully this novena will help you to prepare for Christmas: committing yourself to prayer, meditating upon the nativity, and asking for the help that you need.
The Prayer Reads:
"Hail, and blessed be the hour and the moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin in a stable, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here)Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen."
Each student at the school will also receive a card of their own, which was sent home yesterday. If you miss a day or start late, don’t worry! Just pick up and start!
Week 1, Hope:
Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.
Week 2, Peace:
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
December 6th is St. Nicholas Day! St. Nick will visit the school to bring each child a little treat, but he will need some parent helpers! Parents interested can contact Eileen Warner at eileenw@school.saintbrendan.org or simply show up to the school office at 10:50 on Monday December 6th. Parents will help placing pre-bagged goodies in students’ shoes. Shh, it’s a “surprise” for the kids! To learn more about St. Nicholas and the celebration, follow this link.
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Nativity Christmas Program |
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We are excited that our live Christmas Program is back this year! We are able to host this special event with some health and safety modifications.
Our Christmas Program will be on Friday, 12/10/21, at 7 PM in the church. The program will be about an hour long. Students need to be in their classrooms at 6:30 PM.
For health and safety reasons, only immediate family members are invited to attend the live performance. We will record the performance and provide the link that you can share with extended family digitally. Immediate family members who are in attendance will be required to wear masks and keep appropriate distance from other households.
Important Information:
- K-8 students need to be dropped off in their classrooms by 6:30 PM. Preschool & Pre-K will be dropped off in the church nursery by 6:30 PM.
- Students K-8 are to participate and stay for the entire program. Performing, listening, and appreciating music are essential elements to their music education.
- Preschool & Pre-K students will perform first and are welcome to leave following their performance. If they have an older sibling, they we join their family in the church, so please hold a seat for your preschool/pre-k student if staying for the entire program.
- K-7 students will not sit in the church for the performance. They will wait in their classrooms until it is their turn to perform, and then return to their classroom after the performance. We will live-stream the performances into the classrooms so the students can see other grades perform.
- Following the program, K-5 students will be picked up by their parent in the classroom. Middle school students will be picked up in the Narthex.
- What to wear – Christmas best! It would be lovely to see the children in the best Christmas attire! Please know that it may get warm in the church, so boys in full suits might be too uncomfortable.
- Christmas best – Christmas colors! Dresses, skirts, slacks, nice shoes. Please no t-shirts, jeans, yoga pants, or dirty shoes.
Also, Extended Care will close at 5 PM the day of the concert to allow parents to dress and feed their children prior to the program.
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The “Christmas Gift Store” will be on Wednesday, December 8th.
Students do their very own Christmas Shopping!
This year marks the 8th year of the Christmas Student Store. Students are always excited to purchase GIFTS for family and friends. In the spirit of celebrating Advent, proceeds are donated to The Giving Tree, Parent Club, and a local charity. Last year we raised over $1400 in donations for families in need - let's see what we can do this year!
How to Shop at Christmas Store - Action Requested!
- All students must have their cashless payment permission form completed by Dec 6: https://bit.ly/christmas-cash-21
- Students shop by class in the gym during their assigned time during the school day
- There is a 4 GIFT LIMIT PER STUDENT. This ensures enough inventory for all.
- Students may only purchase gifts for friends and family - not themselves.
- Student helpers and volunteers wrap gifts and your payment is charged to your FACTS account.
- Gifts are sent home with your student!
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Santa Hat & Spirit Wear Day |
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On the day of the Christmas Student Store (December 8th), students are welcome and encouraged to wear a Santa/Christmas hat or headband. Students will remove hats for Mass. They can also wear their Spirit Wear that day! |
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Limited Wreaths & Ornaments for Sale - Don't Miss Out! |
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This year the Parent Club purchased a limited number of wreaths and ornament to sell at the Craft Fair. We have some that we are offering to the school community to purchase. The 24 inch wreaths are $33, the glitter church ornaments are $15, and the Santa and Snowflakes ornaments are $10.
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School Photo Re-Take Ordering |
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For students who were photographed on the photo re-take/make-up day yesterday, you can preorder a photo package through Yuen Lui. These orders ship to the school and get distributed at school within three weeks. Please order ASAP to avoid a delay. Digital orders will be emailed.
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St. Brendan Catholic School still has some job openings. We are looking for passionate, caring individuals who want to be part of our faith-filled school community. If you or someone you know would be a good fit, we are accepting applications.
- Preschool Instructional Aide - 3 days/week
- School Custodian
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2 Early Dismissal Days this Month |
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- Friday, December 10th is the end of our first trimester and it will be a 12:45 PM dismissal. Extended care will close early at 5:00 PM that day to allow students time to eat dinner and change before the Christmas concert.
- Friday, December 17th, is our last day of school for 2021! That day will be a 12:45 PM dismissal for all grades. There will not be afternoon extended care available. Please plan ahead for this early dismissal.
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Report Cards and Outstanding Fees |
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The first trimester report cards will be sent home on Friday, December 17th.
Please check the status of your school accounts. Report cards will be held at the end of the trimester if a family's account has any outstanding tuition, fees, or lunch balance. Now is a good time to check to make sure your accounts do not have an outstanding balance.
Please contact the main office if you have any questions about your accounts.
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Happy Birthday to:
12/1 Evie Griffin Kindergarten
12/2 Anela Engle 3rd Grade
12/2 Maxine France 5th Grade
12/2 Charlotte Mayans Preschool
12/8 Maria Badri 3rd Grade
12/8 Michael Mencke 4th Grade
More birthdays will be announced in the next Weekly Bulletin
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Hello from the St. Brendan School Lunch Program!
The lunch menu is located on the school website and will be updated monthly. You can reference it here: Lunch menu.
Lunch this Week:
Thursday 12/2: Uncle Peteza's Pizza
Friday: 12/3: Mac N Cheese
Monday: 12/6: Melted Cheese and Ham Croissant
Tuesday: 12/7: Cheeseburgers w/fries
Wednesday: 12/8: Baked Potato Soup w/Roll
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Who do I contact for questions?
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Annual 6th Grade Drive for St. Vincent de Paul |
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The annual St. Vincent de Paul Food Collection is upon us. The collection will take place from November 29th through December 10th. We hope each family will donate $8 or more to make this a huge success for families in need this year; our school goal is $1,000. Please remember that we can only accept financial donations for this collection; no food, please. The hope is to collect money for 15 deserving families in need.
We hope that you can be generous in donating money to this important collection this year. Please contact 6th grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Langston, with any questions (timl@school.saintbrendan.org). Thank you for your generosity and support!
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Giving Tree in the Church Narthex |
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Can you help bring joy, make spirits bright, and fulfill a holiday wish?
Each year we count on our parish and school community to ensure that our neighbors can celebrate the joy of the holiday season and share gifts with each other. And you are always there! Whether it’s purchasing a gift for a child, a parent or a helping an organization, your generosity brings so much joy and hope!
Please consider stopping by the church Narthex and picking up a giving tree tag. There are plenty of tags to choose from. All items are due by 10 am on December 12th.
**We also need volunteers to help sort and deliver the giving tree items. If interested, please meet in the Narthex on Sunday, December 12 at after the 10am mass. We will be sorting items by family or organization and then delivering them. Any questions, please call or text me. Thank you!!
Sally Skinner (mother of Austin, 5th grade)
(425) 830-7500
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Christmas Store Volunteers Needed - Dec. 7-8
Come volunteer for one of the most fun and heart-warming events of the year! Christmas Store is looking for a few good elves to setup, stock product, bag gifts and do some light math. Coffee provided!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f4cadab2da57-christmas2
Student Store Committee Chair Needed
This involves buying all the fun toys that will be sold at each store, meeting with the student volunteers 1x month to assign jobs, keeping track of profits, organizing the charitable donations, and of course managing the student store one Friday a month. This is a great way to fulfill all volunteer hours in a fun and meaningful way. You will fast become one of the favorite parents that enters the school building.
If you are interested in the position, please email: loughlint@hotmail.com.
St. Nicholas Day Helpers - Dec. 6
St. Nick will visit the school on Monday, Dec. 6th, to bring each child a little treat, but he will need some parent helpers! Parents interested can contact Eileen Warner at eileenw@school.saintbrendan.org or simply show up to the school office at 10:50 on Monday December 6th. Parents will help placing pre-bagged goodies in students’ shoes. Shh, it’s a “surprise” for the kids!
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AmazonSmile for the Holidays |
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Procurement, Procurement, Procurement, and more Procurement
We hope you are all looking forward to our Annual School Auction this year April 30, 2022
- Family Procurement Deadline is in February
EVERY Family (K-8th) is required to make a $175 donation in goods or services to the Annual School Auction.*
This donation can be a tangible, physical item that has been purchased. It can be gift certificates for items or services, or it can be a service that you, the family, provide. You are not limited to $175! Many families choose to donate either a single item or multiple items totaling well over $175, but $175 is the minimum. We also ask you to refrain from donating any clothing unless it is sports memorabilia or previously approved by an Auction Chair.
*Families who selected to Buy Out of the Parent Club fundraising do not need to procure an item for the auction.
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Need a Christmas Gift Idea?
We still have a limited selection of custom St. Brendan Glassybabies. These one-of-a-kind votives are green with a St. Brendan cross etched at the top. They are available for sale in the school office for $75 ($25 of which comes directly back to support our school!). Pick one up while supplies last!
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Financial Aid - Fulcrum Foundation |
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Financial aid applications are now being accepted through FACTS Management for the 2022-2023 school year.
Fulcrum Foundation Tuition Assistance Grants
- Available to parish and non-parish families
- Open for entering K-8th grade families
- Income/needs based grants
St. Brendan School Financial Aid Awards/ Fr. Mike Schmitt Grants
- Available to parish and partner-parish families
- Open to entering preschool -8th grade families
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To be considered for St. Brendan School aid, families must also apply for the Fulcrum Foundation grant through FACTS.
- Income/needs based grants
Documents Required
- W-2s from 2020
- Documentation for child support, DSHS, rental receipts, other miscellaneous income
- Any other pertinent documents
Deadline
- Application deadline is January 7, 2022
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All documents must be submitted online by the deadline. If you need assistance scanning and uploading, please contact Christen Lambert in the school office.
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Open House - Spread the Word! |
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Adult Advent Education with Fr. Wichert:
We prepare for Advent with a special class on the liturgical and scriptural aspects of the Advent Season. Please join us on Wednesday nights 6:30 - 8:00 PM.
• Wednesday, December 1 at 6:30 pm in the Narthex (English)
• Thursday, December 2 at 6:30 pm in the Narthex (Spanish)
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St. Brendan Giving Tree (grab a tag from the Giving Tree)
Thru December 12th
Consider buying a Scrip Gift Card from St. Brendan for the Giving Tree!
Winter Coat, Blankets, Socks, and Underwear Drive
November 11 - December 10th
6th Grade St. Vincent de Paul Drive (monetary donations)
November 29th - December 10th
First Thursday - Free Dress
TOMORROW, Thursday, December 2nd
Christmas Store & Spirit Wear/Santa Hat Day
Wednesday, December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
Wednesday, December 8th
All-School Mass at 9:00 AM
Fr. Wichert's Birthday
Sunday, December 12th
Mass Uniform Weekend
December 11th-12th
1st Trimester Report Cards Sent Home
Friday, December 17th
December 17th - Early Dismissal
12:45 PM Dismissal & NO EXTENDED CARE
Christmas Break
December 18 - January 3
Merry Christmas!
December 25th
School Resumes
January 4
Asynchronous Learning Day for K-8
January 4
Financial Aid Applications Due
Friday, January 7
Please note the following calendar changes:
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Monday, January 3rd: No School
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Friday, January 14th: Noon Dismissal
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Friday, March 4th: Noon Dismissal (previously 12:45 dismissal)
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Monday, April 25th: No School
After School Clubs
Chess Club - Mondays
Lego Challenge Team - Thursdays
Lego Club - Fridays
Speech Club - Fridays
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