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Faith, Family, Friends, Future
Dear SPN Family and Friends,
Last week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week with gatherings and events that acknowledged Academic Excellence, Community, Family Culture and Teacher and Student Appreciation in addition to our Eucharistic celebration that started the week of festivities. One special event during the week was having our guest speaker, Paul Sanfrancesco, address students in grades 5 through 8, teachers, staff and parents on the topic of Christian Digital Citizenship. If you haven’t heard about the presentation, I will highlight some of the main takeaways.
- The 4 F’s– Faith, Family, Friends, and Future– can assist you in analyzing your and your child’s Christian Digital Citizenship
- Does this app or activity align with our Catholic faith?
- Do my children see evidence of their faith online or are they tempted towards activity that could lead to harm?
- Am I representing my family in a positive way by what I’m doing or posting online?
- Would I want my mother/father/grandparents to know what I just posted?
- Do my parents know I use this app?
- Am I being empathetic towards friends online?
- Group chats
- Exclusionary behavior
- How might this post or online activity affect my future?
- Many colleges and universities as well as private high schools are retracting scholarships and admissions due to students’ online footprints that do not align with the schools’ values.
- Did you know the Pope has an app? Click to Pray – check it out!
- Some apps are “safer” than others: use Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org) to get information regarding online safety and appropriateness for various age levels
- There are many parent controls available to you on some popular apps, but there are other apps that are open to “stranger danger” that you should be aware of.
- Do you know which apps your children use?
- Does your family have a Family Technology Use Plan?
Many thanks to the 30 families who attended the Parent Meeting last Wednesday– and earned volunteer hours– along with our Middle School teachers. I know the presentations were not only thought provoking but also sparked some valuable conversations between parents and students, teachers and students, and parents and teachers.
As we prepare for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent next week, considering our Christian Digital Citizenship may offer some of us an opportunity to improve our online activities and strengthen our faith and relationship with Christ. Lent is a time for reflection on our relationship with Jesus as well as a time of sacrifice or offering to Jesus in gratitude for the sacrifice He made on our behalf. How will you and your family prepare for the greatest celebration in the Church, Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter?
Please note that as a school we will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 13 in order to demonstrate reverence for Ash Wednesday on the 14th – see the note below for more details.
Remember to read through this Newsletter for important information on events and activities that you don’t want to miss.
Peace & Blessings,
Ms. Thomas
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Intent to Return Responses Due by February 12! | |
Please click the button below to access our Intent to Return Form. Responses are due by February 12. Please call the school office with any questions. | |
We have had 0 COVID cases since January 12, 2024. | |
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February 2024
Feb 2 - Noon Dismissal, Teacher Appreciation, No Share and Care
Feb 4 - Family Mass Hosted by Grades 3 & 4, 9:00 a.m.
Feb 6 - PTG Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Feb 9 - Wild, Wild West Themed Free Dress
Feb 13 - Burning of the Palms - Morning Assembly
Feb 13 - St. Valentine's Day Free Dress (red, pink, white)
Feb 13 - AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday, Mass 9:30 a.m.
Feb 16 - Noon Dismissal
Feb 19 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day - No Share and Care
Feb 20 - Free Dress for February Birthdays
Feb 24 - Gala Auction
Feb 26 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
March 2024
Mar 1 - End of 2nd Trimester
Mar 3 - Family Mass Hosted by Grades 1 & 2, 9:00 a.m.
Mar 6 - Middle School Info Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom
Mar 8 - Report Card Day
Mar 12- AB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 15 - Noon Dismissal
Mar 18 - SAB Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Mar 19 - Free Dress for March Birthdays
Mar 22 - School Spirit Day - Disney Day
Mar 25 - Stations of the Cross
Mar 26 - Tenebrae, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Mar 27 - Seder Meal, 11:00 a.m., Noon dismissal
Mar 28 NO SCHOOL: Holy Thursday, No Share and Care (Cesar Chavez Day Observed)
Mar 29 - NO SCHOOL: Good Friday, No Share and Care
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Family Appreciation Referral Promotion | |
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This year we have a "Family Appreciation Referral Promotion." Families will receive $1000 off their first month's tuition for 2024-25 when a family they refer to our school enrolls for the 2024-25 school year.
Contact Ms. Trujillo or Ms. Andie in the front office with questions.
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We will celebrate Valentine's Day on Mardi Gras, Tuesday, February 13 with free dress (red, white, pink) and classroom celebrations.
On Ash Wednesday, February 14, we will wear school uniforms to attend Mass and begin Lent with reverence. We will give all students and staff a heart sticker to wear on February 14.
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The 8th Grade Class is hosting a Valentine’s Grams Fundraiser! Bring cash ($1 each) to purchase a Valentine’s treat for your classmates or teachers! Sales will be from February 7-9, before and after school on the yard.
For any questions, please email Kaleb Condez at [email protected].
Thank you!
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Join Our New Board Committee! | |
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Hello SPN Community!
At our January SAB meeting, the Board unanimously approved a new committee, set to start next year: The Climate Consciousness Committee (working title, actual name TBD). The goal of this committee is to continue to develop and foster SPN’s commitment to the environment and social justice, as well as to sustainability. Pope Francis has called on Catholic schools to take a major lead in helping equip our students to prepare for the ever growing climate crisis. He outlined this need in his encyclical, Laudato Si’. The simplest way to distill what the Pope’s message is: Catholic educators need to equip the students with the skills and knowledge to effectively fight the climate change fight.
This spring, we would like to hold two meetings: one virtual and one in person. The goal of these two meetings is to establish a community of parents interested in this aspect of Catholic education, as well as develop a three-year strategic plan towards the committee’s first major goal: to become a Green Ribbon School by Fall of 2027. If you are interested, please fill out this FORM. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you,
SPN SAB
Please contact Carlos Trujillo, Board President with any questions.
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Auction Volunteer Round Up | |
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Hey there, yeehaw SPN Families! Hold onto your boots 'cause we've got some rootin' tootin' news for ya! It's time to giddy up and get ready for the SPARTAN STAMPEDE, partner! Mark February 24th with the biggest, brightest, and sparkliest star on your calendars 'cause we're takin' over the legendary ELK's LODGE, and it's gonna be a hootin', hollerin', jaw-droppin' good time! Now listen up, folks. We can't wrangle this shindig without a bit of help from our trusty sidekicks. We need some brave souls to strap on their spurs and become volunteers at the SPARTAN STAMPEDE! So, if you're ready to ride into the sunset with a smile on your face and laughter in your belly, don't be shy, partner! Saddle up and sign up, 'cause we need all the cowboys and cowgirls we can get! Much obliged, Monica and Zane SPARTAN STAMPEDE CHAIRS
Questions? Contact Monica Burneikis.
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Or scan the QR code below. | |
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Hello Track and Field families!
Our Track season is fast approaching. Please join us in a virtual meeting to kickoff our season off on Monday February 12 at 7pm. Or first practice will be on February 15th, 3:30 pm at College of Alameda.
Please click this URL to start or join. https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83371786123?pwd=Nw7T2gIl9MCpKGoXVCC0ynZYGJ78lZ.1
Or, go to https://us05web.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 833 7178 6123 and password: SPN
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Your coaches,
Needlynn D'Mello & Nick DeGolia
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The 8th grade girls volleyball team “passing the torch” to 7th grade girls volleyball team in a scrimmage event. This has been a tradition for the past 4 years. The 7th graders presented the team and Coach Amy with bouquets of flowers.
Photo credit: Patricia Altamura
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FACE (Family Aid Catholic Education) grant applications are accepted January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024. More information can be found on the Diocese of Oakland's website. Contact Gina Trujillo for the FACE application timeline and questions.
The BASIC Fund is now accepting applications through March 29, 2024.
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In honor of Black History Month (February), St. Benedict Church in Oakland presents Revival Nights featuring Rev. Anthony Bozeman. You can find more details on this event here.
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At St. Philip Neri School, Black History Month is celebrated as an opportunity to focus on the contributions and achievement of Black Americans throughout history. Each grade level will use curriculum to enhance understanding and appreciation of our American Black History. Our students will read literature by black authors about diverse themes and topics ( Bud Not Buddy, The Birminghams Go to Washington, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry), will learn about historical figures and scientists who have contributed to our society and communities (including Gordon Parks, George Washington Carver, Katherine Johnson), and will do research and projects on various Black Americans who we should all know and know about.
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Did you know that you can purchase Scrip online to be picked up in the front office? Enter group ID 510521SPN when you register a new account.
Each family is required to purchase $2,000 in Scrip by March 30th.
Order yours today!
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Dear SPN Community,
We are excited to invite you to join Konstella if you haven't already! It is a web-and-mobile-based app service with various tools that help parent organizations streamline communications, centralize information, and build engaging parent communities. You can create sign ups, share photos, post alerts, and see what's happening in our SPN community with a handy red bubble on your phone. Currently, about half of the parents are on the platform and we would love to get more signed up to really start to use it as a centralized system. Please use THIS LINK to sign up and get an introduction. We will then follow up with an invitation link to join.
Sincerely,
The PTA and SAB
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Earn Volunteer Hours & Link to Log Hours | |
Don't forget to complete your volunteer hours! 20 hours/family (if participating in sports, 5 additional hours in the sports program) required. $50 per unfulfilled hour will be charged prior to registration for the new school year. | |
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Join the Welcome the Strangers Dine & Donate fundraising event sponsored by Tomatina in Alameda on Monday February 12th 2024.
1338 Park Street, Alameda, (510) 521-1000
Tomatina will generously donate 15% of food and beverage sales from lunch, dinner and takeout on the above date to Welcome the Strangers from any customer that presents the flyer below. Copies are available at the school office upon request.
Spread the word! Invite your family and friends to join you.
Please present this flyer to your server with your payment for Welcome the Strangers to receive credit.
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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”.
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