Dear Parents,
Happy Catholic Schools Week! This week, we’ve been taking the time to reflect on Catholic education and all the ways that we learn to grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite here at St. Peter’s School. We are thankful that here and at home, both our faith and our minds can grow. In gratitude, I offer this prayer (adapted from www.thereligionteacher.com):
Almighty Father,
You sent forth your Son as a beacon of hope for all people. As Teacher, he has given us the prime example of the importance of education. As disciples, we look to him for inspiration and strength. Thank you for the many sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who have dedicated their lives in service to our Catholic schools. Thank you for the teachers and administrators who sustain our schools today. Thank you for the parents who have given support to the importance of Catholic education in their daily lives. Thank you for the students who work hard to further their education.
Bless St. Peter’s School and the many people who advance our mission. May our building be a home for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others. Fill our minds with knowledge and wisdom. May our understanding of the world help us to grow in appreciation for it. Fill our hearts with gladness. Fill our hands with the tools we need to serve others. May we show them your unceasing love through our actions. AMEN.
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
For the rest of this week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with:
- 1/28 Thankful Thursday – Write “thank you” letters to those who help us at school
- 1/29 Favorite Catholic Schools Friday – Reflect on the importance of Catholic education and design a bumper sticker!
TRIMESTER 2 PROGRESS REPORTS
Today, your child’s teacher will send home progress reports. Students at school will be given paper copies, and parents of distance learners will receive digital progress reports on Class Dojo or email. Please sign and return the paper copies, or reply to your child’s teacher once you have viewed the digital progress report.
Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
COVID-19 UPDATE
On January 24, a notification was sent out notifying parents that all Middle School students will be distance learning through February 5, due to a staffing shortage. Please note that the decision to distance learn for middle schoolers is not a result of COVID-19 exposure at school; there has been no COVID-19 exposure in the middle school grades.
Because we are short-staffed in the middle school, along with a shortage of substitute teachers, we ask that our middle schoolers participate in distance learning through February 5.
On January 25, a notification was sent out regarding a COVID-19 exposure in one of the lower grades. The affected class has been notified and will be in quarantine until safe to return to school. Unaffected classes in the lower grades may still participate at school with in-person learning.
We continue to practice infection mitigation protocols at school, and if your child is not feeling well, please do not send him/her to school unless cleared to do so. Symptoms to watch for include:
· Fever or Chills
· Cough
· Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing
· Loss of taste or smell. Children may complain that food “tastes bad” or “tastes funny”
· Congested or runny nose
· Sore throat
· Headache
· Muscle aches or body aches
· Feeling unusually fatigued or tired
· Diarrhea
· Nausea or vomiting
For anyone traveling outside of the Bay Area, there is a mandatory quarantine of 10 days upon return to the Bay Area. The Travel Advisory and Guidance from SFDPH is available here: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/covid-guidance/COVID-Travel-Advisory.pdf
Remember that our Return to School Infection Mitigation Plan, as well as our Distance Learning Plan, are available on our school website: http://www.stpeterssf.org
If you have any questions, contact the school office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
COVID-19 Vaccine update: A website is now available so you can sign-up to get notifications regarding your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (For Spanish, click on Español in the top right corner.) Visit https://sf.gov/get-notified-when-youre-eligible-covid-19-vaccine and click on “Get Notified” to get started.
BASIC FUND APPLICATIONS
New Applications: Starting January 15, the BASIC Fund new application for the 2021-2022 School Year will be available online on www.basicfund.org. Because this year has been so challenging, BASIC Fund is making a change and allowing applicants to provide their 2019 tax returns, if 2020 returns are not yet prepared. New siblings for current BASIC Fund students must request a link from BASIC Fund to apply for a new student. The deadline is March 31, 2021
Renewal Applications: The BASIC Fund has decided to use the financial documentation that we have on file for the current year, to process the 2021-2022 renewals for our renewing families.
In February, BASIC Fund will email families a renewal application link for each family to update their information, i.e., address, telephone, etc. Families will still be able to update any financial documentation if they would like to be considered for a higher percentage.
Families that exceeded the financial guidelines but met the leeway for the 2020-2021 School Year and were awarded 25%, should submit recent financial information for consideration. The BASIC Fund will determine if you qualify. The deadline is March 31, 2021.
ARCHDIOCESE ELEMENTARY FAMILY GRANT
The application process for the Archdiocese Family Grant for the 2021-2022 school year has now begun. Please go on to mytads.com to begin the application process. If you do not have ready your 2020 income tax or financial information. be sure you submit your 2019 income tax information or 2019 income information (Calworks, social security, food stamps, etc.). You should upload or fax to Tads your 2020 income tax or 2020 financial information before the deadline. Please be sure you have completed the total Tads process by the Archdiocese deadline—April 15, 2021.
GRAY “AZTECS” SWEATS
A new shipment of the gray “AZTECS” sweats have arrived. The hoodies, sweatpants, and t-shirts are available in youth and adult sizes, but quantities are limited. The prices are below:
Hoodies - $30 each
Sweatpants - $25 each
T-shirts - $10 each
At school, gray AZTECS sweats may be worn on Fridays in lieu of the regular school uniform. Parents are welcome to wear the AZTECS sweats, too! If you’d like to purchase any of these items, please call the school office at 415-647-8662 to place an order and make a payment.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES and FORMS
As students return to the school building, they must submit all completed forms to their teacher:
- Emergency Card
- Medical Packet
- Media Release
- Technology Responsible Use Form
- Community Pledge
- Risk Acknowledgement Form
- Live-streaming of Classes Form
For a complete list of school supplies, visit our school website at http://www.stpeterssf.org/parents-students
* Due to COVID-19 precautions, it is important that all students bring in the necessary school supplies, since school supplies are not shared between students at this time.
TECHNOLOGY FEE
As stated on the school supply list, all students (whether in-person or distance learning) must submit a $25 Technology Fee to help cover the costs of online programs and tech devices. Payment may be submitted with cash or check, credit card payment over the phone, or through Venmo -- @SPeters-School. (Please remember to write your child’s name and “Technology Fee” in the comments.)
FREE COVID-19 TESTING
For information about free COVID-19 testing in San Francisco, visit the website (available in both English and Spanish): https://sf.gov/es/find-out-about-your-covid-19-testing-options
The Latino Task Force also has information about free COVID-19 testing, as well as a variety of other helpful resources such as food assistance and employment assistance. Visit their website at https://www.ltfrespuestalatina.com/
REMINDERS:
Jan.25-Feb.5 Distance Learning for all Middle Schoolers
Jan. 27 Progress Reports sent home
Jan. 29 8th grade Graduation Photo Day
Feb. 5 100th Day of School!
