St. Clare School News
May 6, 2010
Love
“A new commandment I give you; Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34
In This Issue...
Gospel Reflection
Registration for the 2010-2011 School Year
Festival Volunteer Sign-Up Forms
Festival Update
Mexican Breakfast Fundraiser
Second Graders Thoughts and Feelings About Their First Holy Communion…
Science Fair News
Fourth Grade Visits Monterey State Historic Park
Ice Cream Social Fun!
Girl Scout News
Open Enrollment for 2010-2011
Cool Kids Zone! Summer Day Camp
The “Green” Bag
Gospel Reflection
Last weekend, I went on a flashlight hike with a group of 50 children and adults from our school community at Hidden Villa. It was a gorgeous site for a hike. The trail was beautiful. There were amazing wild flowers, petite waterfalls, a flowing creek, lush and green mossy tree trunks, grassy hills, and ferns everywhere. It was mostly shaded with some rays of sun poking through the treetops. The sun then slowly disappeared as we hiked. Then, out came the stars. I was smacked in the face with the majesty and wonder of God. The beauty and power of God's creative hand is evident here every time you open your eyes and your ears.
Our Gospel this week invites us to wrestle with another mystery equally as mesmerizing to the eyes of faith as the beauty of God's creation. At the Last Supper, Jesus says to the Apostles: "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him" (John 14:23). Wow! The same almighty God who created the heavens and the earth, the same Father who gave the rivers, the birds, the trees, the sun, and the stars their place in this universe, also chose to love me personally and make a dwelling place in my heart. The greatness and majesty of God, so obvious in creation, is rivaled by His promise to enter into a personal union with you and me. God is great!
When we, by God's grace, come to understand and accept this truth of our faith, our lives are transformed. We receive a host of gifts from the Father. Among them is the gift of peace. It is no coincidence that Jesus says one verse later in John's Gospel, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you." With God not just by our side, but actually making a home in us, we know deep in our hearts that we are loved, that God is here in our world, that he cares with the tender concern and that we need not fear. God gives a peace that the world does not give. It is a most precious gift.
As I am finishing up this reflection, the sun is hiding. But God is here, so close that it is hard to imagine. His presence gives us the strength to face every storm in my life. His love is amazing and His peace is irreplaceable. "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27).
Written by Ms. Anna Tran, Kindergarten Teacher
Registration for the 2010-2011 School Year
Registration packets for current families for the next School Year are due back on Friday, May 14.
Please remember that your Registration Fee must be included when you return your forms.
Festival Volunteer Sign-Up Forms
The Festival Volunteer Shift Sign-Up Forms were due today.
Work shifts are only two hours long in an effort to make them more convenient. Please respond soon to get your first choice.
Festival Update
We have some fun activities planned for this year’s St Clare Festival:
Saturday, June 5
Food, drinks, games, music, dancers, two bands on stage, Linguica Sandwiches, Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Tamales, Beans, Rice, Salsa and Chips, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Strawberry Shortcake, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Salad, Corn and more.
We’ll have a basketball tournament for children and adults
Sunday, June 6
Our famous Chicken Dinner, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Strawberry Shortcake, music from our local schools, contests, Bingo in the afternoon, contests, cupcake walk, games and fun
Baking Contest
Bake a pie or decorate a cake or cupcake and win a prize. Bring your best baked good on Sunday for the judges and win a cash prize. Judges will taste slices of pie and judge best decorated cupcake or quarter-sheet or half-sheet cake. The contest takes place at 1:00pm and we’ll sell slices for dessert!
Cupcake Walk
We’re bringing back the Cake Walk, with an updated look. We will offer the usual cake walk game but winners will receive a cupcake. We’re looking for donations of cupcakes so if you can help, then we’ll all have more fun!
Contest Central
Practice your hula hoop, yoyo, running, water balloon toss, jump rope and singing skills. We will be hosting these contests all through the Festival for prizes. Anyone, young and old, can compete!
Mexican Breakfast Fundraiser
On Sunday, May 2, a few parents from the St. Clare school community made a Mexican breakfast to raise money. They made chilaquiles, eggs, beans, fruit salad, and sweet Mexican bread. They also had milk, juice, and coffee. Every child that came paid $3 for breakfast, and adults paid $5. It was from 8:30am to 10:00am. All of the funds raised benefitted the St. Clare Scholarship Fund. The food was delicious. If you ask, we’re positive that everyone who went had a wonderful time.
Written by Maya S. and Regina S.. Fourth Graders
Second Graders Thoughts and Feelings About Their First Holy Communion…
Ben O: When I had my First holy Eucharist I felt the Holy Spirit inside of me. I had a feeling like no other.
Svea N: My First Holy Communion was very exciting because that day Jesus came into my heart. I know that Jesus loves me and I will receive it more than once.
Sarah C: I felt so excited when I walked in the church. So I went to my seat and I saw some of my friends in beautiful dresses and suits. I felt blessed when I received the bread and wine.
Nathan D: My First Holy Communion was special because I received the body and blood of Christ. It was also special because Jesus was coming into my heart. I felt much more nicer and happy. I never felt so happy and I liked Jesus and God much more than I used to.
Science Fair News
As some of you may know, two weeks ago was our school science fair. There were projects from students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. There was a large variety of interesting projects. For example, Angelica B., in seventh grade, experimented on acid levels in water. Stephanie K., also seventh grade, tested which liquid froze the fastest.
To complete the science fair, we used the steps of the scientific method: asking a question, research, designing an experiment, analyzing the results and conclusion. Also, the students in grades six through eight delivered an oral presentation describing what they did in their project. These students were also graded on their creative boards, organized journal, and oral presentation. Kindergarten through fifth grade completed their projects for the fun and knowledge of the experience; it was completely voluntary. Some projects took as long as three months to experiment, where others may have taken up to a week. All in all, the science fair was a successful and educational event.
Written by Angelica B., Caitlin B., and Stephanie K.
Fourth Grade Visits Monterey State Historic Park
We recently went to Monterey for a history fieldtrip. There were a lot of historical buildings and houses that we saw, including the first brick house. In order to get to these historical places, we had to follow a special trail. The trail led to Colton Hall, where we took a tour. We learned that the first state constitution was written there. We also learned that the first school was built there. Then, after we ate lunch, we went to the beach. When we were at the beach some fourth graders caught a crab and five fish. We found rocks that had streaks on them. We saw seals at the beach and they got really close to us. There was glass on the beach (probably from some glass bottles). We picked up some trash. We had a lot of fun and saw many interesting things.
Written by Charlene M. and Karisma O., Fourth Grade
Ice Cream Social Fun!
I wish to thank everyone who stepped up the plate to make our recent ice cream social another wonderful success! I thank the very generous, gracious volunteer parents, dedicated clean up crew, staff and faculty. Without you, we are not a real community!
This event is not the day we count our calories, but, rather, we count our blessings for these are the days we cherish the most, the simple joys of childhood, the lasting memories our children leave us. As our daughter graduates from St.Clare School after nine years, we are so thankful for these fond memories.
Last, but not least, I must thank our mentor, Sheila Dowd: without your gentle arm twisting, the band wagon would be empty.
May God Bless You, St. Clare Community!
Maria Aguilera-Silva
Girl Scout News
On Monday, May 3rd, Girl Scout Troop 60104 delivered Survival Sacks to Sacred Heart Community Center. Each sack consisted of essentials that we sometimes take for granted, such as a toothbrush, comb, socks, soap, razors, deodorant and other items. Sacred Heart Community Center hands out up to 60 of these backpacks twice a month to those in need. The Daisy/Brownie Troop used funds earned from selling Girl Scout cookies to purchase the items for the bags. They had a blast filling each bag with the items we purchased and as each girl handed over her sack she knew she had just helped someone in need. I am very proud of GS Troop 60104 for working towards their cookie goals so they could put these bags together and help others in our community.
Teresa Yasuda, Leader, Troop 60104
Open Enrollment for 2010-2011
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010-2011 school year. If you have, or know of, a child that will be school age next year, stop by and pick up an application packet or go to our website to print an application.
Cool Kids Zone! Summer Day Camp
June 14 – August 7, 2010
Brochure & Registration forms available online
Please see the Downloads page on our web site.
The “Green” Bag
The “green” bag project continues. Order your bags now and help make a difference in the life of God’s creation. Make a commitment to never use plastic or paper ever again. Buy these sturdy, re-usable, lightweight and washable Green Bags. They have a stabilized base and two comfortable handles. Storing them is easy because they lay flat!
Our Student Council is selling the Green Bags, two for $5.00. Once you have purchased your bags, they will be delivered straight to your student’s classroom the Thursday following your order. All proceeds will cover the cost of classroom recycling containers.
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