Dear Parents,
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of 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
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences are occurring March 8, 9, and 10. These days are all Minimum Day dismissals in order to accommodate more time for conferences. This is a time for all parents and teachers to discuss student progress.
On Class Dojo Class Story, teachers have shared links to sign up for a time slot for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Zoom. Please sign up for a conference if you have not done so already. If you have any questions, contact your child’s teacher.
SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER
As noted on our school calendar, there is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, March 11. Teachers will be attending an Archdiocesan Professional Development Session.
AZTEC TREK UPDATE
Thank you to all who have already turned in their minimum $100 collection for our mandatory school fundraiser, the Aztec Trek! The final due date for the collection envelope is March 10, and the Aztec Trek Walk-a-thon and games will be held on March 18.
Remember–the more money that you collect, the more prizes you receive and the more points your class will receive towards a class prize! **Scroll to the end of this Que Pasa to see the list of prizes.
Currently, there is a 3-way tie for 1st place in the Aztec Trek!
1st place - 6th grade
2nd place - 3rd grade
3rd place - 5th grade
GO AZTECS!
FREE TAX HELP
Free assistance is available in preparing your Tax returns! Visit uwba.org/taxhelp for trusted and secure tax help. Help and information is also available in Spanish.
INFECTION MITIGATION PLAN
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 at school, we have developed a School Infection Mitigation Plan, which was given to each parent on the first day of school as part of the Parent-Student Handbook. The Infection Mitigation Plan is also available on our school website at http://www.stpeterssf.org/pandemic-reopening-plan
Please remember -- If your child is feeling ill or has been exposed to COVID-19, phone the school office and keep your child at home!
🡪 Symptoms to watch out for include:
Fever -- 100.4°F / 38°C or higher
Cough
Severe headache
Sore throat
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Vomiting
Diarrhea
MESSAGE FROM THE BASIC FUND
New Applications
Starting January 15, The BASIC Fund new application for the 2022-2023 School Year will be available online at www.basicfund.org. Families can submit 2020 tax returns, if 2021 returns are not yet prepared. New siblings for current BASIC Fund students must call The BASIC Fund at (415) 985-5650 to request a link to apply for a new student. The deadline is March 31, 2022.
Renewal Applications
Last week, the BASIC Fund emailed families a renewal application link. Families can submit 2020 tax returns, if 2021 returns are not yet prepared. The deadline is March 31, 2022.
If you have any questions, or if you did NOT receive your renewal link via email, please contact Myrna Soberanis at msoberanis@sanpedro.org. Thank you!
MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE FAMILY GRANT
April 15 is the annual deadline for submitting all information to TADS, the third party needs-evaluation company that the Archdiocese uses to collect the financial data from families. This is consistent with the process we used to award tuition assistance for this year. After the Student Aid Form has been processed by TADS, the Department of Catholic Schools gathers the completed application materials. The Archdiocese of San Francisco is unable to provide financial aid to all students who apply. Applicants are ranked on the basis of financial need. Within the limit of available funds, the Archdiocese of San Francisco will then award financial aid. Late applications will NOT be considered. Students must live in Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo Counties to be considered for the Archdiocesan Scholarship. Please visit the other scholarship programs section for more opportunities. Grant notifications will be sent out to the elementary student’s families in late May/early June. To use the TADS Financial Aid online application go to mytads.com. You will be guided through the application. If you have any questions, you can phone TADS at 800-477-8237.
FEBRUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Homeroom teachers identify Students of the Month at the end of each month. We celebrate these students because they have exemplified living the St. Peter’s KEYS:
Knowledge feeds GROWTH.
Every ACCOMPLISHMENT needs courage.
You are LOVE.
SERVICE UNITES.
Congratulations to our February Students of the Month!
Kindergarten - In the words of St. Teresa of Avila, "It is LOVE ALONE that gives WORTH to ALL things!" And as St. Valentine captures our hearts, so does our BELOVED Bridgette Rivas! She has a LOVE SO BIG and ENDLESS that she shares with everyone! She has an intuitive sense when hugs are needed. Kindergarten is BLESSED by her WARMTH, LOVE, KINDNESS and FUNNY JOKES! And you know when Ms. Myrna "hires" you, she sees your gifts, too! Bridgette, you are a SAINT to all of us!
1st Grade - Gabriel Quiroz Galdamez works hard each day, and loves to help his classmates when they struggle with classwork. He lives out the St.Peter's Key of LOVE by making kind choices. He always shows respect and care for his 1st grade family. I am so proud of you Gabriel, keep up the amazing work!
2nd Grade - Emiliano Jimenez-Borrego cares about others and cares about being a good person and friend. He enjoys making people laugh as well. I am proud of Emi's growth, especially as a reader. He loves reading and is a stronger reader every day. Great job, Emi!
3rd Grade - Alani Alas is a very focused and hardworking student. She is always willing to help out other students when her work is completed. She is well prepared for the day's assignments. She doesn't forget to do her homework and always turns it in on time. Lastly, she studies for any tests that we are having and usually gets an "A" on them. Congratulations, Alani, you're doing a fine job in third grade.
4th Grade - Hilary Benitez has been an amazing student since day one. She is a great example of someone who strives to GROW, ACCOMPLISH, LOVE, SERVE, and UNITE each day. She is an amazing friend to everyone in class, and she works so hard to learn and grow as a student. Keep up the great work, Hillary! You are a star!
5th Grade - Christian Pineda is February's Student of the Month. Even though it is Christian's first year at St.Peter's, he has made new friends, and has quickly learned the rules and responsibilities that are part of being a St.Peter's student. Keep up the growth and good work, Christian!
6th Grade - Danna Sanchez-Arias is such a delight in our classroom. Danna comes to our classroom ready to do her best work every day! She leads by example and shows how we should have an OPEN HEART and OPEN MIND! Danna, you are LOVE and I am so grateful you are a leader in our classroom! Congratulations Danna, I am so proud of you! :)
7th Grade - Julio Bautista is an empathetic and thoughtful young man. He brings his positive attitude and clever wit to school each day where he maintains an open heart and open mind. He demonstrates Jesus' love through forgiveness and care for those around him. He truly is a St. Peter's student who knows how to Love, Grow, and Unite! Way to go, Julio!
8th Grade - While I am one of the new teachers on the block, Brooklyn Willis has played a huge part in helping me adjust to my role as her new teacher by being there to answer any questions and provide valuable and honest feedback. Brooklyn's writing expresses integrity and honesty with perseverance to overcome any obstacles that lie in front of her. I enjoy having Brooklyn in my class and look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in the remaining time we have together at St. Peter’s! Thank you, Brooklyn! Great job!
REMINDERS:
March 2 9:30 AM Ash Wednesday School Mass, LENT begins
March 2 Minimum Day Dismissal
March 8-10 Minimum Days for Parent-Teacher Zoom Conferences
March 8 8:30 AM School Mass
March 10 8:30 AM 7th & 8th Grades Lenten Reconciliation Service in Church
March 11 No School for Students; Archdiocesan Professional Development Day for Teachers
