Dear Christ the King Catholic School,

Yesterday morning at prayer and assembly, I was so grateful for the warmer morning weather and for us to be back outside as One Community One Family. In interacting with our students, faculty and staff, and parents that morning…..I utilized the word transformation and posited a question for its definition (as the Lenten journey is an interior and exterior offering toward change and renewal).....One of our second grade and first grade students responded to the question and defined transformation in their words. I think we were all taken by their powerful insights and the on-point definition of such a relevant word to Lent; and apropos this time of our liturgical/calendar year.

Lent is the 40-day journey of our Christian Catholic faith that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. We welcome the renewed Lenten aspects of prayer, fasting, reflection, reading sacred scripture, and changing anew. The ashes in the form of a cross symbolize the dust from which God has made us. As ashes are applied this day to a person’s forehead from our priests, clergy, and ministers, we hear, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” Or alternatively, these words may be spoken, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Such an awesome opportunity for inner dialogue, conversion of the heart, and following more faithfully in Christ’s footsteps. As we experience the transformative grace of Lent may we open our lives to the passion and resurrection of Christ -- especially during Holy Week. With tremendous Easter hope that celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is thus a symbolic reminder that Jesus has overcome death and sin. My prayer and hope for us all are that this Lenten season and Easter be the most faithful, fruitful, and powerful ones of all!

Looking forward to Ash Wednesday next week on March 5th whereby we will prepare as One Community and One Family and honor reverently the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ our savior. Pope Francis expressed in his 2023 Lenten message, “Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain us this Lent in our ascent with Jesus, so that we may experience his divine splendor and thus, confirmed in the faith, persevere in our journey together with him, the glory of his people and light of the nations.”  

We look forward to Friday mass with Father Lee and our seventh graders leading us, and our school’s Decathlon team competing at the Diocesan level this Saturday. In addition, we look forward to Mrs. Sihler, Mrs. Meyer and our third-graders guide us in celebrating Mardi Gras next Tuesday as planned. Such a fun-filled, spiritual, and legacy driven event with festive flair and joy leading our day! The parade will include beads, candy, and student/family-made decorative floats in true Mardi Gras fashion. We thank Mrs. Sihler for her years of leading and inspiring us all with the Mardi traditions.

Just as new life begins and surrounds us in nature, over our 40-day Lenten journey, may we not let go of God’s hand. In turn, realizing the most important relationships of our life, with a loving God and each other, as we await the glorious hope of the Easter resurrection.

Abundant blessings as we enter this special sacred liturgical season. May new life, new hope, and new beginnings surround us as we grow in Christ’s light and continue to change anew,

Mr. Joseph M. Silveira, Ed.D.

Principal

Christ the King Catholic School

Dear Heavenly Father, we look to You for guidance, as we try and find peace within ourselves. Please shine Your light on our community. We are together with our neighbors as we live the life You intend for us. Please hear the intentions in our hearts for our CTK community.

We pray for Elizabeth Holcomb's (5th grade) great uncle, Dennis McCosker who has gone to Heaven. We pray for Pope Francis as he battles illness.

 If you have special intentions please email Mrs. Meran here so we can include them in our next newsletter.

Fortitude



Fortitude in the eyes of a child - the mental and emotional strength to face challenges, pain, or danger with courage.

Wednesday, February 26 - CTK Spirit Wear, Ice Cream Sales Grades 1 - 8, 2:15pm Dismissal

Thursday, February 27 - Kindergarten Acceptance Letters Mailed Out, HL - Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Friday, February 28 - 8:00am Liturgy Grades K - 8, Dress Uniform

Saturday, March 1 - 10:30am & 1:30pm First Eucharist Retreat, Middle School Academic Decathlon

Monday, March 3 - 7:00pm PTG Meeting

Tuesday, March 4 - Wear Purple, Green or Gold for Mardi Gras, 7:00pm Auction Meeting

Wednesday, March 5 - Ash Wednesday, 8:00am Liturgy, Dress Uniform, 12:00pm Dismissal

Thursday, March 6 - HL - Pulled Pork Sliders

Friday, March 7 - 8:00am Liturgy Grades K - 8, Dress Uniform, 8:45 Coffee & Donuts with PTG, 2nd Trimester ends, Kindergarten Acceptance Forms & Fees are due, 6th Grade Field Trip

Students can wear Purple, Green or Gold on March 4th to celebrate Mardi Gras!

Please refer to our student handbook with any questions regarding free dress guidelines.

The 2025-2026 school year will be here before we know it. Please click here to see tuition rates. We look forward to continuing to learn and grow together!

Christ the King Tuition Assistance Program

Diocesan and School financial aid programs may be available for families who qualify. While the primary responsibility for financing a student's Catholic education rests with the student's family, Christ the King Catholic School will make every effort to see that no child is denied access to a Catholic education based solely on lack of funds to pay tuition.

There are three types of Tuition Assistance available to Christ the King families: BASIC, FACE, and the CTK Children’s Fund. 

• BASIC (Bay Area Scholastic Inner City) is an outside source available to all new students in Grades K-8 whose families qualify for the free/reduced hot lunch program and/or meet the income criteria set by Basic Fund. The Basic Fund application income criteria guidelines are strictly adhered to. Applications are available online only at How to apply for BASIC and must be filed by March 31, 2025.

• Diocese of Oakland FACE (Family Aid for Catholic Education) Grant is a Diocesan sponsored tuition assistance program available to all qualifying families requesting financial aid. A FACTS application is required (see below) and is due no later than March 31, 2025.  The FACE Financial Aid Timeline for 2025-2026 school year can be found here.  FACE qualifications are here.

• The CTK Children’s Fund is tuition assistance sponsored by Christ the King Catholic School and is primarily available to students currently attending Christ the King. A FACTS application is required (see below) is due no later than March 31, 2025.

FACTS application instructions: FACTS applications are available online only here:

FACTS Application. Applicants must check the box for FACE under “Other Organizations”. Applications must include a copy of the family's most recent federal income tax return in order to verify the family's financial status and are due no later than March 31, 2025. Application instructions can be viewed here: Application Instructions. For more information please read the FACTS flyer here.

To equitably distribute the available CTK Children’s Funds, it is important that the Principal and Pastor have adequate information. Therefore, the school requires documentation of family financial resources in order to make determinations on applications for these funds. In addition to a family's financial resources, the Principal and Pastor will consider any other relevant family circumstances in making determinations on applications.

The amount of assistance awarded will vary from family to family and will depend upon the family's financial status, the family's particular circumstances and the amount of money the school has available for tuition assistance in a given year. Christ the King School will not discriminate in the administration of its Tuition Assistance Program on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or age in violation of existing state or federal laws or regulations.

All information regarding applications for Tuition Assistance will be held in strictest confidence by the Principal and Pastor. Parents are also expected to keep confidential the amount of any Tuition Assistance award that is given. Families will be notified of the determination made by the Principal on their request for a tuition grant, including the amount of any award for the upcoming school year by May 30, 2025.

Registration coming soon!

CTK / St. Stephen Vacation Bible Camp

June 23 - 27, 2025

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

We welcome Campers grades 1 - 6 (incoming)

Volunteer Student Counselors grades 7-12 (incoming)

Volunteer Adult Counselors 18+

CTK Parent Adult Counselors who volunteer all week will fulfill their Personal Hours for the 2025/2026 school year. All Adult Counselors must have current volunteer requirements on file.  

Student and Adult Counselors register under "Volunteer" when the registration link is published.

Save the date for CTK's Annual Social Media Safety Night.

We invite all parents

of our 5th - 8th graders

to come to this informational evening.

March 27th

CTK Church

More information to come

The school calendar has now been updated with important dates for the 2025-2026 school year! 

Please note that parents (and students for grades 4-8) are required to attend conferences with their students' homeroom teachers in person, on campus on either 10/9/25 or 10/10/25. 

Teachers dedicate these two days to meet with parents and they work very hard to provide useful insights about students' progress, so we kindly ask that all families schedule weekend travel plans to begin after their conferences. Thank you so much for your support!

Attention parents of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders:

We are excited to announce that once again students in 5th grade and Middle School will prepare and present speeches for our 13th Annual Speech Competition! Students will receive instructions during class, and will have time during class as well as at home to prepare and practice.  Speeches will be presented live in front of individual classes, and judges will select three finalists from each grade, who will then present at the Speech Showcase in early April. This year’s topic is: 

The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is so important for us to show gratitude for all of God’s creation and for the gifts He has given us.

Write and present a speech that reflects on the theme of gratitude. One or more of the questions below can be used for inspiration (but are not required, as long as the speech relates to gratitude).

• What of God’s creation are you most grateful for and why?
• What makes you happy, and how does God help you see that?
• Where do you see light and joy in your life? (Not just what brings you joy, but where you see it in other things or people.)
• How do you show gratitude towards people, objects, or experiences in life?
• What gifts has God given you that you are grateful for, and how do you hope to use these gifts in the future?

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s homeroom or ELA teacher, or Speech Competition coordinators Katie Thornbury at kthornbury@ctkschool.org or Heidi Nuti at hnuti@ctkschool.org.

Want to help out with Choice Lunch? It's a fun way to get your volunteer hours. Shifts are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Click here to sign up!

Volleyball Season is HERE! 

CYO Girl’s Volleyball Registration (6th-8th Grade): LAST CALL!!!

The season will run from March through May. This is a great opportunity to play a sport with your classmates. If interested, complete the three registration forms listed below along with a $40 check made out to CTK. If your daughter is new to volleyball this year or needs a new jersey please add $25 to your check and write your jersey size on the top of the registration form. 

Please return the registration forms and payment labeled volleyball to the office by Wednesday, February 26th.

5th Grade Girls Volleyball Clinic: 

Open to CTK school girls in 5th grade. Come join us for a 6-week volleyball fundamentals clinic. You will work hard, learn new skills and have fun doing it! If interested, complete the two registration forms listed below along with a $40 check made out to CTK. The weekly clinics will be held on Fridays starting March 14th through April 18th from 3:15 to 4:30

Please return the registration forms and payment labeled volleyball to the office no later than Friday, March 7th.

Parental Permission and Medical form

Code of Conduct

Concussion Information

If you have any questions, please contact Amerita Santos -ameritaiyoki@gmail.com

Note from Josten's



Due to an increase from Josten's credit card provider that processes the online payments, they unfortunately, will be increasing the fee the parents will be charged to purchase a book online to $1.99 per transaction. This fee will go into effect immediately.

AUCTION TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS THURSDAY

Be on the lookout for an email link at 5:00PM on February 27, 2025

Can't wait to celebrate with you at CTK Auction 2025!

Follow us on Instagram: @ctk_auction_2025

Limited-Time CTK & Auction Gear – Order by March 9!

Get ready to show your CTK spirit! 

For a limited time, you can purchase exclusive Auction-branded and CTK-branded gear, available in both youth and adult sizes. 

Stock up on spirit wear while supporting our school—proceeds directly benefit CTK!

SHOP OPEN NOW!

gryco-ctk2025.itemorder.com

Don’t miss this chance to grab your gear before it’s gone!

Reminder, Milk & Ice Cream tickets will be available for purchase online through Raise Right ONLY. Parents will be able to purchase tickets online in quantities of 20 or single tickets.

How will this work?

Milk & Ice Cream tickets can be purchased through the RaiseRight website. If you have not signed up for a RaiseRight account, our school Enrollment Code is: L54D412C9999. Tickets can be purchased in groups of 20 or single tickets. Once purchased online, they will be delivered in the same process as other Scrip orders and can be picked up at the Front Office or delivered in the Tuesday Envelope after signing the Scrip Waiver here.

What is the deadline to order?

Orders are fulfilled on Monday mornings by 8:00am. Similar to the Scrip program, once orders are fulfilled they will be delivered through the Tuesday Family Envelope.

What if I miss the order deadline?

We want to encourage all parents to place Milk & Ice Cream orders on time. Every possible opportunity to send reminders will be taken as we all become oriented with this new process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Demi Marquez directly dmarquez@ctkschool.org.

Please complete the form here if you are requesting reimbursement for school activities (for example, PTG events). After requests are reviewed and approved, your reimbursement will be ready within 7-10 business days. 

We've added a new LOCAL vendor to RaiseRight, King Pizza & Gyro! They are located on the corner of Gregory Rd. and Pleasant Hill Rd. across from 7-Eleven, perfect walking distance from the school. Gift certificates can be purchased in the amount of $20 through RaiseRight and you will receive 15% rebate towards your $250 School Fund Assessment goal for the 24-25 school year. Visit www.RaiseRight.com now to purchase your gift certificates!

Click here for a copy of our Scrip delivery calendar

Our school submits orders by 8:00am on Monday mornings and the cards are delivered the following week. If you would like your Scrip order delivered in your Tuesday Family Envelope, please click on the link here to sign the Scrip Waiver form. 

Thank you to everyone that has signed up to help our teachers and school! Your time and commitments help us to have the best school year possible. 

When you are finished with your volunteer service, remember to fill out the google form that records your Family Service Hours. You can find the form here. This form can be completed after each volunteer opportunity or your earliest convenience so that your hours are recorded and not forgotten! 

As a reminder, each family is responsible for 17 volunteer hours during the school year in the following categories: 

Fundraising - 5 hours

Festival - 4 hours

Personal Choice - 8 hours 

All hours must be logged and recorded by May 31, 2025. If you have any questions regarding totals or accumulations please reach out to Kim Anderson at kanderson@ctkschool.org

De La Salle Camps are back and better than ever for the summer of 2025! De La Salle Camps offers a wide range of athletic camps from Football Camp to Wrestling Camp to All Sports Camp. We also will offer a variety of enrichment camps from our CSI Science Camp, to Woodshop Camp, to Band Camp. Our camps are offered to grades K-12 (depending on the camp) and are open to boys and girls. REGISTER BEFORE MARCH 1 FOR A 10 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON ALL CAMPS! Visit our website at https://www.dlshs.org/athletics/camps-clinics/summer-camps for more information and to sign up!

Help Write the Ray! 

Calling all writers and photographers! Please help us tell the story of Christ the King Catholic School by submitting your ideas for articles and photos for the June 2025 issue of the CTK Ray! 

The Ray is an annual publication designed for Christ the King families, friends, alumni, prospective students, parishioners, and neighbors. The CTK Ray features a collection of news articles, stories, and reflections by students, teachers, and parents, as well as a message from the Principal, an update on CTK alumni, and information about upcoming events.

Please share your photos of students at school events (in class, on campus, field trips, Festival, WAJAT, etc.) here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/Gx9rGrRSOItxvLfGDLmT  

A Dropbox account or log-in is NOT needed. You simply click the link and upload your photos. Please name the files or let us know the name of the student featured. 

Please share your story ideas or sign up to write an article by contacting Jennifer Ortega. All articles will be due no later than April 11. 

Thanks for your help in showcasing our amazing community! 

Young Children - please join CLOW the following upcoming Sundays Spring 2025:



March 2

April 6

April 27

May 18

At the 9:00 a.m. mass, children will have the opportunity to join a special Children's Liturgy. They will listen to the readings of the day in an interactive, child-friendly way so they can better understand God's Word and strengthen their faith.

CLOW details

Time: Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Mass

Ages: 4 years old - 4th Grade

No registration necessary. Children will be called forward at the start of mass, and will return to the church to present the Gifts and sit near the Altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They will return to their families during Peace be with You.  CLOW is optional, children may participate if they'd like, or remain with their families throughout mass in the church. Questions? Please contact Heidi Nuti.

CONSIDERING BECOMING CATHOLIC? INVESTIGATE RCIA



Have you considered becoming Catholic but are not sure how to proceed? Possibly married to a Catholic or have children in Christ the King School – and interested in sharing their faith? Or possibly just looking to clarify your own faith journey?

Investigate our RCIA program, which facilitates your consideration of baptism or conversion. Learn more by emailing Tom Bobich at RCIA@CTKPH.org.

CTK Parish Newsletter: Please click here for the February 19th Parish Newsletter

CHILDREN'S STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Are you a 2nd through 8th grader who is looking for a way to grow in your faith this Lenten season? 

Participate in the parish Stations of the Cross!

When: Friday, March 28, 2025

Time: 5:30pm

Where: Christ the King Church

Who: 2nd - 8th grade boys and girls

How: reading or singing

Please contact Lynn Guidi at: lynnoguidi@gmail.com

to sign up and for more information. Deadline to sign up is Monday, March 17th.

February Partner's in Faith: Click Here

Parent Student Handbook: Click Here

School Supply List Grades K-8: Click Here

Club Registration Form: Click Here

Walk to School Form: Click Here

Student Medication Form: Click Here

Hot Lunch Orders: Click Here

Off Site Events: Click Here

Virtus Safe Environment Training: Click Here to access the online training site and Click Here for instructions.

Diocese of Oakland Volunteer Application form: Click Here

TB Assessment Form: Click Here

CTK Parish Prayer Line: Please email prayer requests to Rosa Grand via prayerline@ctkph.org.