Dear Parents,
This week, we celebrate two feasts of Mary: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It’s very appropriate that we celebrate Mary during the season of Advent as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, because without Mary, and without her faith, strength, and love, we wouldn’t have Jesus. And after all, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Pope Francis wrote an Advent reflection a few years ago that reminds us of how Mary is a role model for us today. Mary is our sign of FAITH and HOPE, especially during these very challenging times. As Pope Francis describes, Mary is a loving mother who inspires us all to put God first in our lives. Here’s a part of what Pope Francis wrote:
“We bet on hope, on the hope of peace, and it will be possible! The journey is never finished. Just as in each of our own lives, there is always a need to restart and to rise again. Mary is a model of this spiritual attitude, to this way of being and of journeying in life. Although she was just a simple girl, she carried in her heart the hope of God. In her womb, the hope of God took flesh, became man, and made history: Jesus Christ. Let us be guided by her, she who is mother, she is a ‘mama’ and knows how to lead us. Let us be guided by her in this time of waiting.”
So let’s remember Mary, during Advent and every day, and how she is a role model for us to have courage, to put God first in our lives, and to have open hearts and open minds. And when we do that, GREAT things can happen!
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
ST. PETER’S VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
Our annual food drive is off to a strong start! Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re not collecting food using the usual collection barrels, but we continue to collect monetary donations in the classrooms and on the donation website-- https://us-p2p.e-activist.com/1803/general/95028/st.-peters-school.
There are many other ways that we are showing love during Advent—like through prayer and other good deeds. Our food drive is just one way of living out our KEYS as we await the birth of Jesus. We are really reaching for that $1,000 school goal! Thank you for your generosity and for being models of LOVE, SERVICE, and UNITY at home and at school!
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK
Whether you’re at home or at school, join us in our Christmas Spirit activities next week!
Monday, Dec. 14 - Green, Red, & Gold Day
Tuesday, Dec. 15 - Christmas Kahoot! Game Day
Wednesday, Dec. 16 - Festive Pajama Day
Thursday, Dec. 17 - Letters to Santa Day
Friday, Dec. 18 - Christmas Movie Day
Please see the Christmas Spirit Week Flyer on Class Dojo for more information!
TUITION POLICY
All student tuition accounts must be up to date and paid through December 2020 in order for your child to return to class on January 4, 2021. If your tuition is not up-to-date before leaving for Christmas vacation, your child will not be able to return to class on Monday, January 4, 2021. Tuition payments must be made by Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
You can call the office and pay over the phone with your credit card/debit card OR by Venmo @SPeters-School
Our school office will be closed during the Christmas Vacation, therefore please plan ahead to make your payment on time.
If you have any questions, please call the Tuition Office at (415) 647-8662 or email Myrna Soberanis at msoberanis@sanpedro.org. Thank you!
COUNTY HEALTH ORDER
In San Francisco County, the Stay Safer at Home Health Order has been updated, making changes for organizations such as businesses and restaurants. Schools that are already open for in-person instruction are allowed to remain open. Therefore, St. Peter’s School will continue to offer in-person instruction in the school building. Families may still choose the distance learning option.
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/parents-students.
For the safety of students, faculty, and staff, there are adjusted protocols and procedures during the school day. For a summary of school day procedures, click on this link: 2020-2021 Back-To-School Procedures
You can also watch a short video to see examples of what the adapted school day will look like:
ENGLISH – https://youtu.be/lewjPbE58JE
SPANISH – https://youtu.be/N7BrbHSax7s
Please continue to practice safety measures such as mask-wearing, proper hand hygiene, and avoidance of large gatherings.
If you have any questions, contact the school office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
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.)
SCHOOL UNIFORMS
If you’d like to purchase any school uniform pieces at Ruth’s Children’s Shoppe, the store is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. There is no need to call ahead for an appointment. If you have any questions, the store phone numbers are 415-468-4399 or 415-238-6356.
Also--don’t forget that uniform shoes are solid black or solid white tennis shoes/sneakers. (No boots.)
SCHOOL LUNCHES
The lunch calendar for December is available on our school website – just scroll down to “School Lunch Calendar” -- http://www.stpeterssf.org/parents-students
Please remember that students bring in their lunch from home or order from school, but no outside lunch deliveries may be dropped off during the school day.
Lunch orders will be taken from the classroom; students should bring in their cash payment. Parents may also order lunches by 8:30 in the morning and pay via Venmo on our LUNCH ACCOUNT -- @StPeters-Lunch -- and write the student’s name and lunch order in the comments section.
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:
Dec. 7-11 Middle School Cohort A in the school building
Dec. 7-11 Middle School Cohort B distance learning
Dec. 12 The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 14-18 Middle School Cohort B in the school building
Dec. 14-18 Middle School Cohort A distance learning
Dec. 14-18 Christmas Spirit Week!
Dec. 18 12:30 Dismissal
Dec. 19-Jan. 3 CHRISTMAS VACATION
Jan. 4 Classes resume, regular schedule