Joyfully Embracing Our Mission

All too often, Lord, we turn away from the world's many problems,

which seem too big, too complex, or too far away.

Forgive us our indifference.

It is easier, Lord, to see only what is around us:

our lives, our homes, our challenges.

Forgive us our isolation.

Help us to see with your eyes:

eyes which notice one another

and help us understand.

Help us to dream your dream:

of communities that reach out and dialogue

and where diverse people creatively cooperate.

Help us to be people of solidarity and action,

so moved by prayer, encounter, and understanding

that peace can become a reality.

Amen.

Prayer from USCCB

As we continue to struggle to make sense of our current reality, especially as it pertains to the inequity and injustice that has persisted in our society for far too long, we can't help but look inwardly to find a way to reconcile our own actions and inaction. With so many things still unknown, I pray that with eyes wide open, we find perspective and that with trust in God's plan, we find hope.

SUMMER BRIDGE PLANS

This week, your teachers sent you your student’s individualized Summer Bridge Plan. Please consult the email from Mrs. Filion, our Vice Principal for Academic Excellence, regarding the rationale and expectations for summer bridge work. Please especially pay attention to the three learning goals teachers have identified for your student. This is key to transitioning successfully to the next grade level.

A great big thank you to Mrs. Filion and especially to the teachers for their care in preparing the plan for the students.

FAREWELL, FR. TAD, AND THANK YOU!

This week, we say goodbye to Fr. Tad as he moves to St. Anthony’s and we welcome Msgr. Fran Cilia as pastor of St. Clare beginning July 1st.

Summer@CKZ still has some open spots. Please contact Ms. Valerye to register.

EXTEND AN INVITATION TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

More importantly, invite friends to explore joining our St. Clare School community. We are still accepting applications for 2020-21. Please reach out to Ms. Cherell if you know of anyone you’d like her to contact.

PREPARING FOR FALL 2020

About 70 devices joined in dialog regarding reopening for Fall 2020 at the June 18 session of “A Cup with the Principal”. Parents were able to connect in small groups to surface questions and discuss options available to us with guidance from the local health department and the Diocese of San Jose. Parents expressed the desire for students, especially those in the younger grades to be able to socially connect with teachers and one another in-person, with the understanding that health and safety protocols will need to be in place.

With a vaccine still a ways away, the possibilities exist for three realities of what school might look like at any given point in time throughout the 2020-2021 school year. The three ways for which we need to plan are:

• in-person learning with increased health and safety protocols

• hybrid learning where we have days of in-person learning, and

• the possibility of a shelter-at-home directive where we will be asked to learn at home.

Additional opportunities to dialog among teachers, staff, families, especially health professionals and logistics experts, will follow shortly. This past week, teachers met to think-through scheduling, social distancing in the classroom and on the playground and the various models of learning.

Our hope is to open in August with students attending in-person classes, with particular focus on getting our TK-2 students on campus for most of the week. If we end up with hybrid classes in the other grades, we will plan for a way for students whose families can’t care for them at home to be on campus.

In addition, principals continue to share best practices in approaching the design, processes and protocols presented by the challenges before us. More importantly, please know that consideration for the well-being of our students and faculty and staff are at the forefront of our discussions. We know that this is challenging for all of us. We understand the importance of maintaining balance and really seeking what matters most in the formation of our students.

Admittedly, there are still many details to be worked out while we await guidelines from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the Diocese of San Jose. In the meantime, we are exploring learning options, ordering supplies and PPEs, preparing to support screening, disinfecting and social distancing protocols and engaging in dialog with one another as we navigate uncharted waters.

We are fortunate to have many experts in our community including health professionals and educators who offer us a wealth of insight and expertise. I am grateful to them for their willingness to think-through these challenges. I am likewise grateful to you for your patience and support.

Please join us on Thursday, July 2 at 5:30 P.M. for another “Cup with the Principal” to continue the dialog. This week, we will focus our conversation on the value of a St. Clare education and the gifts of belonging to this St. Clare School community.

CONTINUE TO PRACTICE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS AT HOME

As we prepare to return back to school, now is a good time to practice being mindful of health and safety protocols which we practiced while we were at school during the flu season:

• Check for temperatures regularly and watch for a change in energy level.

• Wash hands often, with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Cough into your sleeve or a cloth tissue.

• Disinfect surfaces regularly.

• Refrain from touching your face (especially mouth, eyes, nose).

In addition, practice these specific self-checks at home to evaluate possible COVID-19 exposure:

• Check for symptoms: cough, muscle aches, diarrhea, shortness of breath, headaches, unexplained loss of taste or smell.

• Maintain at least 6 feet from others not from your household.

• Refrain from touching surfaces or from unnecessary physical contact.

• Wear face coverings (current public health guidelines; exceptions for those with respiratory issues where wearing a face covering makes it difficult to breathe).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENCOUNTER

• Join us for Mass each Sunday via Facebook live or register to attend in-person by calling the parish office

• Continue to connect with families from your classes

As always, please reach out to me if you have any concerns or questions. Please email me at cecile.mantecon@dsj.org.

For any other questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact the school office office@stclareschool.org or 408-246-6797. Ms. Cherell and Ms. Teresea are happy to answer your call and direct you to the appropriate person. Summer Office Hours: 8 A.M. to 3 P.M.

I ask for your prayers as we spend these next few weeks planning for a meaningful school year as we continue to build our caring and loving community focused on the formation of our precious children.

May peace reign in your house today and always,

Cecile Mantecon, Principal

https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/3573302

Would you like to brush up on your Math skills for next year? Do you love Math? Do you just want something to do while being at home? Join the Math Club tutoring hours. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested, please click the following link to register.

Math Club Tutee Sign Up Form

St. Clare • 2020-21 Uniform Menu is Attached

Join Fr. Tad and the St. Clare Parish Community

for Sunday Mass at 9 A.M.

Use this URL to take you to the page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/233637747732346/

Remember that Children's Liturgy of the Word each Sunday at 10 A.M. If you want your child to participate, please respond to the survey in the original post from the Parish Team.

Covid kits for the Unhoused: https://lavamaex.org/blog/lavamae-distributes-1000-covid-19-hygiene-kits-to-our-unhoused-neighbors

Farm worker food collection: https://facebook.com/events/s/farmworker-relief-donation-dro/241707893765837/?ti=icl

Virtual town hall with Emma - moms demand action. End gun violence : https://momsdemandaction.org/hundreds-of-moms-demand-action-students-demand-action-volunteers-call-for-gun-safety-at-virtual-advocacy-day/

Camp Captivate, provides half day camps with digital interaction , live instruction science labs, fine arts and other enrichment classes through Zoom. Click link for more information

Register https://campcaptivate.com/registration/

Photo by Ed Carlo Garcia www.edcarlogarcia.com

The school calendar is attached to the ParentSquare post.

2020-2021 School Year First Day of School: August 19, 2020 Last Day of School: June 11, 2021

Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: https://www.stclare.school
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408 246-6797
Facebook: facebook.com/stclareschoolsantaclara