January 7, 2025



A Jubilee Year

Dear St. Philip Neri School Families and Friends,

Welcome back to school! We pray that everyone enjoyed the Christmas holiday and will have a blessed and healthy 2025.

This calendar year brings with it two Jubilees of note. First, on December 24, 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica as a symbolic beginning to this Jubilee Year, signifying the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord. The theme for this Jubilee Year is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis announced, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..." 

Secondly, our St. Philip Neri parish is celebrating its 100th Jubilee Year. The theme for our Jubilee is “Restoring Everything in Christ.” We have a special parish committee working on several different events for this year in order to celebrate our gratitude and appreciation for the first 100 years of this parish and to pray for our parish, now joined with St. Albert the Great, to serve the faithful for another 100 years.

During the first part of this school year, our Catholic Identity Committee on the School Advisory Board developed a brief survey that we hope you will take a few minutes to complete. “Pope Francis calls for the Church to be more synodal—a community that listens to one another and journeys together. In that spirit, we invite you to take a few moments to share your genuine feedback about the liturgies (mass and prayer services) at Saint Philip Neri Catholic School and Parish. This short survey is designed to gather honest and constructive feedback to help us better understand your family’s needs and how we can foster a deeper sense of connection and engagement. All responses are confidential, and we welcome viewpoints from every family, regardless of your religious affiliation. Your insights are invaluable as we strive to create meaningful, welcoming liturgical experiences for all in our parish and school.” On behalf of the Catholic Identity Committee and the Advisory Board, we thank you for your time and input. We will report back to you the findings from the survey. SPN Liturgy Survey

Please read through this Newsletter thoroughly as there is a lot of information that you won’t want to miss.

Peace & Blessings,

Ms. Thomas

This is a reminder to stay vigilant in keeping sick students home and informing the Office of symptoms so we can guide a safe return to school. We have had 0 cases of COVID since September 4, 2024.

January 2025

Jan 13 PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Jan 14 T2 Progress Reports

Jan 17 NO SCHOOL: Elementary Staff Day - No Share and Care

Jan 20 NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No Share and Care

Jan 21 Free Dress for January B-days

Jan 22 Noon Dismissal/ Teacher Professional Development

Jan 23 8th Grade Graduation Picture Day

Jan 24 Spirit Day - Pajama Day

Jan 26 Kick-off Catholic Schools Week with All School Mass, 9:00 a.m.

Jan 26 Open House, immediately following Mass, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Jan 27 Celebrate Community

Jan 27 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Jan 28 Student Appreciation Day

Jan 29 SPN Parent Appreciation

Jan 30 Oratorical Fest

Jan 31 Noon Dismissal, No Share and Care - Teacher Appreciation

February 2025

Feb 1 SPN Crab Feed (Athletic Fundraiser)

Feb 2 Family Mass, 9:00 a.m., Hosted by grades 3rd & 4th

Feb 10 PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Feb 14 St. Valentine's Day, Noon Dismissal

Feb 17 NO SCHOOL: Presidents Day - No Share and Care

Feb 18 Free Dress for February B-days

Feb 24 School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Feb 28 End of 2nd Trimester

Self Control: An example of Temperance.

Looks like: Trying to stay focused on your school work.

Sounds like: “I will try to stay focused on my work.”

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the desires You have given me, because they remind me of the desire in my heart that only You can fill! Help me to control my tongue when I am supposed to be silent; my hands when I am supposed to keep them to myself; my eyes when I am supposed to be focused on a particular person or thing; and my ears to listen to only those things I am supposed to hear. Amen.

We have begun to prepare for the 2025-26 school year, and that includes applications for Preschool through Grade 7 (there are currently no openings for 8th grade for next year). If you or someone you know has a child 3 years or older who is looking for placement, please have them go to our website and register for one of our upcoming events.

• Come Play in TK & K, Wednesday, January 15, 9:00-10:30 a.m. (reserve a spot)
• Open House, Sunday, January 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m. (register for a tour)
• Private tours with the Principal on Wednesdays or by appointment

Volunteer at the Mini Maker Faire on Student Appreciation day!

Join us on Jan 28th 2025 from 9:30am-2:30pm at O’Brien Hall for our exciting Mini Makers Fair! Students will craft Mini Terrariums, LED Art Panels, String Art, Button Crafts, Potpourri Sachets etc. We need enthusiastic volunteers to assist at the crafting stations and help students bring their creations to life. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get involved and share in the fun. We are also looking for help with set up from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Sign up today to make this event a success!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14fFfVvhOjsvwSp22sa-hamgGui_JMDRnpK8vUi6IH8s/edit?usp=sharing

Our Athletic Board invites you to the SPN Crab Feed!  Saturday, February 1st. Tickets must be bought in advance. Lots of tickets sold already, purchase your tickets before they sell out, see link below.

Please contact jcroft@csdo.org with any questions.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bm3wSIQqpZR4CG1P3BF91FKKwGz1DLwIyrpbNEhgaT4/viewform?edit_requested=true

Ahoy, Me Hearties!

The 2025 SPN Auction committee has had all hands on deck making sure everything is shipshape in preparation for the upcoming Spartans of the Caribbean bash on March 15, 2025. One of our first orders of business was to secure a vessel for our evening voyage into the dark sea (i.e., a location for the party), and we are pleased to announce we have succeeded in our task.

Never fear, the SPN Auction Committee has locked down a gorgeous new location. This year’s Spartans of the Caribbean Auction will be held at . . . drumroll please . . . Fairview Events at METROPOLITAN GOLF LINKS. Yo Ho Ho! 

This year’s Spartan of the Caribbean Auction will be more fun than ever before! We will have new and exciting experiences to bid on at our live auction, a bucket raffle during our cocktail hour, photo booth, a DJ to keep us moving and shaking well into the evening, and an OPEN BAR for the entire event, from the cocktail hour to last call! 

Get out your spyglass and be on the lookout for more information on tickets, reserving tables and sponsorships. 

Avast ye! Leave your lads and lassies at home, bring your loot and get your sea legs ready. This ship sails on March 15, 2025, and you do not want to be marooned at home! Are you ready to voyage? We will see you on deck! 

Your Auction Chairs,

Monica and Zane

Please continue to follow parking and traffic rules– NO PARKING IN RED ZONES, NO JAYWALKING, NO DOUBLE-PARKING– during morning drop off and afternoon pick up to maintain safety for our students as well as to not be cited by law enforcement.

PT https://bit.ly/3MTGSlg

The SPN PTG is selling delicious See's candies as an on-going fundraiser. To help support the PTG, simply visit one of our two virtual stores, make your purchases, and your orders will be shipped directly to you. It’s that easy! Our main store is open for orders now, and will remain open until the end of the year.

See's Candies Yum-Raising - Saint Philip Neri School - St. Philip Neri PTG

yumraising.com

The PTG thanks you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please reach out to spn.ptg@csdo.org

Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours

Families can now get volunteer hours for buying items from Grade Level and Department Amazon Wishlists. You will get 1 volunteer hour for every $20 spent. If the class does not have any items available on their list, Amazon gift cards are welcome, too!

Please include a gift receipt so we know who to thank!

Please contact Ms. Trujillo with any questions.

Log your Volunteer hours Here

https://forms.gle/3VhHDCEhxiPa5YXg9

Preschool

TK

Kindergarten 

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Art/Spanish

Library

MakerSpace

Music

Office/Shared Areas

PE

Resource

Share & Care

Garden

Science

Choice Lunch Calendar for Volunteer

Thank you so much to Needlyn D'Mello for creating the calendar this year.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O9RBOBiRFZ-ngev5lHPL0nL718i0_IakbZwIL0t2i4w/edit?usp=sharing

Math Kangaroo Competition 2025

A Better Way to Buy Scrip

Do you want to get a head start on your Scrip purchases for the 2024-2025 school year? We now have an easier way to start earning!  Order your gift cards to be delivered to the school or your home. Raise Right also features an app that allows you to purchase egift cards delivered to your ewallet within seconds. There are hundreds of stores available including gas stations, grocery stores, clothing & shoe stores, hotels and more. Check it out today!

Enter enrollment code 432BQIZ543ML at RaiseRight.com/Enroll 

Saint Philip Neri Social Media

Have you joined SPN on social media? 

We would love to have you as a part of our social media community.

It only takes a few seconds to join.

Check us out on Instagram at “spnalameda”.