Congratulations for completing a full week of school. We continue to refine our processes and build community in our classrooms and in our schools. Our new families have their buddy families to help them navigate their new schools. Classes are zooming on their own to connect. We are praying as a community for those who need our prayers: Marie, Ernie, Baby Gavin and all of our families experiencing loss and struggles. We stand with you for TOGETHER in Faith, Hope and Love, we will get through these challenges!
Each morning, I am encouraged by the 220+ faces who show up with smiles on their faces. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks when our Class of 2021 will be leading our Morning Assembly. They have so much talent and spirit--I am so very proud of them!
Our teachers are working hard at learning new skills from one another and navigating a year that will be like no other. So much uncertainty brings undue anxiety. I am grateful to them for modeling perseverance and courage. It is so difficult to trust that all will be well, especially when we read conflicting information. We depend on each other to remain positive and focused on our mission and purpose: what we do, we do for the kids!
This week, our focus is on administering STAR assessments, one piece of the assessment puzzle that will help us better understand the impact of summer and a trimester of home learning. We want the best and most reliable piece of data to inform and impact student learning. Thank you for your part in this. Please make sure you’ve watched the recording of last Thursday’s “A Cup with the Principal” and viewed the Family Video. We are relying on you to help us with this and we are incredibly grateful for your partnership.
Please continue to communicate directly with your classroom teacher as to your needs. In reading through the survey responses, I am grateful for the encouragement and support and I also acknowledge that the technology part has been slow in coming. Your Clever badges (access to the single sign-on portal where technology apps can be found) and Google Classrooms will resolve the technology issues you may have been experiencing. Encourage your students to ask and name their needs as well. We want to provide structure and consistency, but please remember that we also commit to be flexible as every household situation is unique. Just ask.
We encourage you to connect with one another, whether it’s a social zoom, reading to one another or connecting with a buddy family on Wellness Wednesdays to complete asynchronous activities.
This week, we begin live classes for music and art.
Art will be taught by our volunteer art docent Mrs. Foldenauer (mom of sixth grader Hawk and eighth grader Wolf) in K-Grade 4 on Wednesdays. Mrs. Foldenauer (Xochitl Orona, majored in film production and taught art in a private elementary school).
Art for Grades 5-8 is on Tuesdays will be taught by our volunteer docent Ms. Viva (mom of second grader Holiday). I’ve attached a video of recent work by Ms. Viva. Music will be taught on Tuesdays in Grades K-4 and Thursdays in Grades 5-8.
This year’s music teacher is Ms. Ariel Estebez. Here is Ms. Estebez’s BIO. We are so excited to welcome our talented and creative instructors next week!
Please consult your child’s weekly class schedule for these live sessions.
You will find the recordings of masses (Spanish and English) on Youtube St. Clare Parish Santa Clara Channel.
I hope your week ahead is filled with hope and gratitude, for despite the challenges we face with COVID-19 and not being able to be together in person at school at this time, we have so many blessings and so many people who love and care for us!
Peace.
Mrs. Cecile Mantecon, Principal
