Dear Parents,
This week and next, 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 challenging pandemic 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
DECEMBER SCHOOL CHURCH SERVICES
For the month of December, you are welcome to join our Weekly School Masses, scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 AM for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Monday, December 12 at 8:30 AM for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Tuesday, December 20 at 8:15 AM for an Advent Tuesday Mass
- Wednesday, December 21 for our Christmas Prayer Service
In addition, students in grades 3 through 8 who have already received the Sacrament of Reconciliation will have the opportunity to receive Reconciliation with their class and teachers during this Advent season. We pray that all our school church celebrations this Advent will help prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus!
DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Thank you to all who joined the Dual Language Immersion Program information Zoom meeting last Thursday evening. For those who missed the meeting, a full recording of the Zoom meeting is available at this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/G1oPFwEH07A0zY3kZRhkKCR6Lf--i04Qc9mPxnhhmd7qX2Pp0Yn5Veh3V_mED3iH.D96-vmWHw76YERuP
PASSCODE: *0cQgp9+
The slides of the meeting are available here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1c9D4BqAKTIcaPApnI53OrJpnrAbYd9HDd99fU-1O8CY/edit?usp=sharing
Now, ALL parents are encouraged to complete this SURVEY to gather input about a possible Dual Language Immersion program at St. Peter’s School. Please click on this link for the survey. Your input is needed and greatly appreciated! https://forms.gle/U2SF87zu2SAhUY776
ST. PETER’S SCHOOL VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
This season of ADVENT, we remember God’s loving Mercy and Grace through times of both bounty and scarcity. For those of us who are able to, we want to continue with our beautiful tradition of service with our annual food drive for the SF/Marin Food Bank. Each year students, parents, and staff show astounding generosity by donating thousands of pounds of food to help the most vulnerable among us in the Bay Area.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the SF/Marin Food Bank has halted the collection of food donations. Instead, St. Peter’s School will host a virtual food drive, as we did last year.
We have a goal to raise $1,000 and each homeroom class will make a goal to donate a specific amount. Donations can be made online (please write your child’s name and grade in the comments) or with cash through your child’s homeroom teacher.
Please visit our school’s food drive page here:
https://funddrives.sfmfoodbank.org/1803/general/127694/st.-peters-school-food-drive to make a donation.
For every dollar we give, SF/Marin Food bank is able to provide two meals for our neighbors in need. Please help us put FAITH into ACTION and show that St. Peter’s gives with a spirit of Open Hearts and Open Minds!
TUITION ACCOUNTS
All student tuition accounts must be up to date and paid through December 2022 in order for your child to return to class on Thursday, January 5, 2023. ** If your tuition is not up-to-date before leaving for Christmas vacation, your child will not be able to return to class on Thursday, January 5, 2023. **
Tuition payments must be made by Thursday, December 15, 2022. You may call the office and pay over the phone with your credit/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 for your cooperation!
MORNINGS IN KINDERGARTEN and SHADOW VISITS
Spread the word! Students entering Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year are invited to participate in “Mornings in Kindergarten.” While parents take a tour of the school, the prospective Kindergartener will spend some time in the Kindergarten classroom.
Students entering grades 1-7 for the 2023-2024 school year are invited to participate in “Shadow Visits,” when they spend some time in their grade-level classroom, and take their entrance exam afterwards.
If you or someone you know is interested in scheduling a Morning In Kindergarten or Shadow Visit, contact the school office at 415-647-8662, or email our School Marketing Coordinator, Janelle Godoy at jgodoy@sanpedro.org.
COVID VACCINES
Message from the Latino Task Force and Unidos en Salud at the 24th and Capp Street site:
“We’re here to keep your family and community safe during the holidays. Everyone 5 years and older should get the new Bivalent COVID booster. Everyone 6 months and older should also get a flu shot. Appointments available at https://my.primary.health/a/bridgevaccine?access_code=748F2ABB5AEF6DBC or visit our site at 24th and Capp Street, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. For questions or assistance making an appointment, call 844-965-0987. And keep testing before gathering with friends and family!”
INFECTION MITIGATION PLAN
We continue to endure the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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
NOVEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Homeroom teachers identify and describe Students of the Month at the end of each month. We all 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 November Students of the Month!
Kindergarten - Danichi Hisatake Portillo comes to school excited and ready to learn. Danichi has a love of animals and is always ready to share any fact about animals with the class. He is always one of the first ones to raise his hand and volunteer to share an answer. Danichi is helpful to his classmates, gets along with everyone, and plays well on the yard. His open heart and open mind are exactly what the students of Saint Peter's strive to embody.
1st Grade - Edsel Altamirano-Venegas has the KEYS to grow and accomplish. Edsel follows instructions and is kind to his classmates. He tries his very best with his classwork and follows playground and classroom rules. Congratulations, Edsel!
2nd grade - David Jimenez always has a positive attitude and comes to school with a smile on his face. He works hard in class and is doing especially well in reading. I can always count on David being responsible and willing to help out in class. He embodies all of the St. Peter's KEYS. Great job, David!
3rd grade - Tino Ortega is thoughtful, insightful, and thorough in his work. He has a talent for expressing his ideas clearly. He is also a dependable and reliable student to have in the classroom. He is a good role model to other students and can be a great leader and team player. Thank you for all your great work, Tino!
4th grade - Gabriella Oliva did a great job during the first grading period earning 1st Honors. She is such a supportive friend and a great teammate. Along with achieving in class, she also helped lead the 4th grade volleyball team to the championship game this season. Although her stay at St. Peter's School is coming to an end, she will be dearly missed. We wish all the best for you and your family in Atlanta. Keep up the great work Gabriella! You are a star.
5th grade - Rio Rangel truly embodies the KEYS of St. Peter's–grow, accomplish, love, serve, and unite. She is an excellent student who always comes prepared for class. She is courteous, cooperative, and always willing to help out other students. Brava, Rio!
6th grade - Christian Pineda continues to demonstrate what it means to be a hard worker by going above and beyond expectations to understand something new. Christian is filled with love and joy each and every day he walks into the classroom. His presence in our classroom space is what helps make it complete. We all are so proud of you! Congratulations, Christian! Keep up the hard work.
7th grade - Anthony Maradiaga has grown and accomplished so much this past month. He has demonstrated a growth mindset, initiative, and strong communication by taking responsibility for his academics, seeking help when necessary, and even helping his classmates with work. He takes accountability for his actions and is always respectful and patient towards those around him. Congratulations Ant, you make us so proud!
8th grade - Madonna Becerra has demonstrated what it means to accomplish and serve, by sharing her time, talents and kindness with those around her, as a classmate and friend. Her caring and enthusiastic energy are infectious! She is also constantly embracing new experiences with an open heart and open mind. Madonna has proven she knows how to live out the St. Peter’s KEYS! Keep up the good work!
REMINDERS:
December 5-9 8th Grade Caritas Creek Retreat at CYO Camp
December 8 8:30 AM Feast of the Immaculate Conception School Mass
December 8 5:30 PM Parent First Communion Zoom meeting
December 12 8:30 AM Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe School Mass
December 13 8:30 AM 3rd and 4th Grades Advent Reconciliation
December 14 Minimum Day Dismissal
December 20 8:15 AM School Mass
December 21 9:00 AM Christmas Prayer Service
December 21 Minimum Day Dismissal
December 22-January 4 CHRISTMAS VACATION
January 5 Classes resume, regular schedule