Dear Parents,
This week, our Parent-Teacher Conferences continue as we aim to strengthen the home-school partnership. As parents, we strive to be role models of open hearts and open minds for our children; and during Lent we can reflect and recommit to this task. At school, we encourage each other to develop a growth mindset and live our St. Peter’s School KEYS so that we can open our hearts and minds. Lent pushes us to dig out of our souls all the things that have clogged our hearts, the little sins that we clench in our fists, keeping us from opening our hands, hearts, and minds freely. God is offering to not only lift the burden from our shoulders, but also to help in rebalancing our load in the future. Tossing those small bad habits, pushing aside bitterness and resentment so that we might love God with our whole heart, and with all our strength. Now and beyond Lent, we should make time to turn to God in prayer and for strength.
What is weighing you down? How might you prayerfully sort through what takes up room in your heart and mind? What habits and grudges can be cleared out, left behind?
God, take away what clutters our hearts, feed us with your Word, so that we might have the strength and freedom to love you with all our hearts, all our souls, all our being.
(Adapted from Daily Reflections for Lent: Not By Bread Alone)
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Tomorrow is another Minimum Day Dismissal for Parent-Teacher Zoom Conferences. Thank you to all parents who have already met with teachers. These conferences are important as we support student growth and learning. If you still have not signed up for a conference time, please contact your child's teacher.
Also–remember to sign and return your child’s report card, which was sent home yesterday.
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! TOMORROW-March 10–is the final due date for the collection envelope. The Aztec Trek Walk-a-thon and games will be held on March 18.
Remember–the more money that you collect by March 10, 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.
Here are the current Aztec Trek standings for TOTAL MONEY COLLECTED:
1st place - 3rd Grade
2nd place - Kindergarten
3rd place - 2nd grade
GO AZTECS!
MASKING IN SCHOOLS
As stated in a letter from Superintendent Pamela Lyons, masking will become optional in Archdiocesan schools beginning on Monday, March 14.
An excerpt from Ms. Lyons’ letter: “As we prepare for mask-optional environments, we remain focused on mission, learning, and serving. I encourage our families to begin conversations at home concerning mask-wearing. Whether or not a student wears a mask is a family decision, and in the classroom, we want all students to feel comfortable at school regardless of their choice. I also ask you to understand that our schools cannot be responsible for policing mask-wearing during school time. If a student is not wearing a mask, we will assume that it is with parental permission.”
For the entire letter from the Superintendent, refer to the March 3 Class Dojo post and/or SchoolSpeak email. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
We continue to ask that students remain at home if they are not feeling well, and that parents contact the school office regarding any absences. Thank you for your cooperation!
SCHOOL MASS
During Lent, students in grades 2 through 8 will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in church with their class. We will also continue with our weekly school Masses on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 AM. At this time, we will now be attending Mass as a whole school instead of half-school groups, as COVID mandates in church have been lifted. Parents are now welcome to join us at these school Masses, finding places to sit in the pews behind the students’ seating area. The livestream of the Mass will no longer be offered.
If there are any further changes in our school Mass procedures, those will be communicated on Class Dojo.
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.
RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2022-2023
The re-registration forms and 2022-2023 tuition rates (printed on green paper) for the next school year were sent home at the end of February. The completed re-registration forms are due by March 31, 2022. These forms help us to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.
The $500 registration fee is due on April 13, 2022, and will help to secure your child’s spot in their class for 2022-2023.
To reference the letter with the tuition rates and re-registration form, see the Class Dojo post from February 24, or call the school office to have another letter and form sent home.
MESSAGE FROM THE BASIC FUND
New Applications
The BASIC Fund new application for the 2022-2023 School Year are 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
The BASIC Fund has 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.
REMINDERS:
March 8-10 Minimum Days for Parent-Teacher Zoom Conferences
March 10 8:30 AM 7th & 8th Grades Reconciliation Service in Church
March 11 No School for Students; Archdiocesan Professional Development Day for Teachers
March 15 8:30 AM School Mass
March 16 Minimum Day Dismissal
March 17 8:30 AM 5th & 6th Grades Lenten Reconciliation Service in Church
March 21-25 7th Graders at Caritas Creek Camp Retreat
March 24 8:30 AM 3rd & 4th Grades Lenten Reconciliation Service in Church
