Dear Parents,
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning Lent. This is a special liturgical season when we take time to pray, reflect, repent, and renew so that we can grow closer to God as we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Each week I’d like to offer a reflection (from Daily Reflections for Lent: Not By Bread Alone) as we journey through Lent with each other and with our children:
“Ash Wednesday is marked with a somber sign of our faith. The cross on our forehead is meant to leave a lasting imprint deep within, like a spiritual tattoo that will linger long after we complete the 40-day course. The sacrifices and prayers of the season help us clear a path, but we can’t stop there, not if we want to experience real transformation. God wants nothing less than our hearts broken open so that he might find a resting place within and make us whole. Yes, the exterior practices are important, but what matters most is what happens unseen within our hearts and souls.”
Heavenly Father, guide us in the right ways as we begin our Lenten journey. Give us the courage to allow ourselves to be transformed by your love. Help us to use our Lenten sacrifices to dig deeper into our spiritual center and carve out a space for you alone. AMEN.
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
WEEKLY SCHOOL MASS
Today, we began the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday school mass. All school community members participated virtually.
Moving forward, we will celebrate weekly Mass as a school on Tuesday mornings. Beginning on Tuesday, February 23, we will be returning to our weekly school Mass schedule. Students will participate in the 8:30 AM Mass at St. Peter’s Church. Each week, ONE class will have the opportunity to attend Mass in the Church, while all the other classes and our distance learners participate virtually, through the livestream. Families at home are all welcome to attend these weekly virtual school Mass celebrations. To join any school Mass, click on this link on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF6mjdkFRHn0Ip0yuxdIOWw
We look forward to continuing this tradition of celebrating our faith as a school family!
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
St. Peter’s School is hosting a 2nd Virtual Open House tomorrow--Thursday, February 18 at 5:00. If you know of any prospective families who are interested in attending St. Peter’s School for this year or the upcoming school year, please encourage them to call the school office to receive the link to the virtual open house. Spread the word! Your support is appreciated!
STAR TESTING
Window #3 for the required Archdiocese STAR Testing will conclude this week. Distance Learners -- Please follow your teacher’s directions to complete your remote testing session. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher. Thank you for your cooperation!
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY #2
Picture day for Middle School Cohort B, 4th graders, and all Distance Learning students is coming up on Wednesday, February 24.
For school pictures, students must be in COMPLETE UNIFORM--including their green school sweatshirt, white polo, and navy pants or uniform skirt.
Please arrive during your child’s designated time slot, according to last name. You may check-in at the front office on Florida Street. Only students will be allowed on campus for photos. Parents will be required to wait outside or in their car, and once your child’s photo is taken, he/she will be supervised to return to you.
· Last Name A - B → 9:45 - 10:15
· Last Name C - D → 10:15 - 10:45
· Last Name E - G → 11:00 - 11:30
· Last Name H - M → 11:30 - 12:00
· Last Name N - R → 1:00 - 1:30
· Last Name S - V → 1:30 - 2:00
* ATTENTION All 3rd grade Distance Learners: You may take your school photo after your First Reconciliation service, which begins at 10:00.
To order your child’s school photos, go to my.lifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID EVTPP37CX.
For a video of Lifetouch Photo’s COVID-19 protocols, visit https://lifetouch.com/newpicturedayexperience/
If you have any questions, please call the school office at 415-647-8662.
COVID-19 REMINDERS
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
Our gray “AZTECS” 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.
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.)
REMINDERS:
Feb.16-19 Middle School Cohort A – In-Person Week
Feb.16-19 Middle School Cohort B – Distance Learning
Feb.18 5:00 PM, VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE for prospective families
Feb.22 Minimum Day Dismissal
Feb.22-26 Middle School Cohort B – In-Person Week
Feb.22-26 Middle School Cohort A – Distance Learning Week
Feb.24 Picture Day #2
Feb.24 10:00 AM First Reconciliation for 3rd grade
Mar. 3 10:00 AM First Reconciliation for 2nd grade
