Dear Parents,
February is already upon us! Since Valentine’s Day is in February, I often associate the month of February with one of our school’s core values—LOVE. February is also the month of the Holy Family, a family that we could look towards as an example of unconditional love. Below is a prayer the we can offer together, to remind us of our love for our family, and to remind us that we are a school family working together to help our children open their hearts and minds. As stated in our school philosophy: We are a family--somos una familia--with parents, students and educators working together.
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. AMEN.
--Mrs. Sandra Jimenez
100th DAY OF SCHOOL
This Friday, we celebrate our 100th day of school! At school or on Zoom, students are invited to dress like they are 100 years old—to show that we are 100 days smarter and older!
STAR TESTING
Window #3 for the required Archdiocese STAR Testing has begun this week, and will continue through February 19. Distance Learners -- Please follow your teacher’s directions to complete your remote testing session. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher. Thank you for your cooperation!
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
St. Peter’s School is hosting a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 10 at 3:00 and on Thursday, February 18 at 3:00. If you know of any prospective families who are interested in attending St. Peter’s School for this year or the upcoming school year, please encourage them to call the school office to receive the link to the virtual open house. Spread the word! Your support is appreciated!
COVID-19 UPDATE
On January 24, a notification was sent out notifying parents that all Middle School students will be distance learning through February 5, due to a staffing shortage. Please note that the decision to distance learn for middle schoolers is not a result of COVID-19 exposure at school; there has been no COVID-19 exposure in the middle school grades.
Because we are short-staffed in the middle school, along with a shortage of substitute teachers, we ask that our middle schoolers participate in distance learning through February 5.
We continue to practice infection mitigation protocols at school, and if your child is not feeling well, please do not send him/her to school unless cleared to do so. Symptoms to watch for include:
· Fever or Chills
· Cough
· Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing
· Loss of taste or smell. Children may complain that food “tastes bad” or “tastes funny”
· Congested or runny nose
· Sore throat
· Headache
· Muscle aches or body aches
· Feeling unusually fatigued or tired
· Diarrhea
· Nausea or vomiting
For anyone traveling outside of the Bay Area, there is a mandatory quarantine of 10 days upon return to the Bay Area. The Travel Advisory and Guidance from SFDPH is available here: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/covid-guidance/COVID-Travel-Advisory.pdf
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
If you have any questions, contact the school office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
COVID-19 Vaccine update: A website is now available so you can sign-up to get notifications regarding your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (For Spanish, click on Español in the top right corner.) Visit https://sf.gov/get-notified-when-youre-eligible-covid-19-vaccine and click on “Get Notified” to get started.
BASIC FUND APPLICATIONS
New Applications: Starting January 15, the BASIC Fund new application for the 2021-2022 School Year will be available online on www.basicfund.org. Because this year has been so challenging, BASIC Fund is making a change and allowing applicants to provide their 2019 tax returns, if 2020 returns are not yet prepared. New siblings for current BASIC Fund students must request a link from BASIC Fund to apply for a new student. The deadline is March 31, 2021
Renewal Applications: The BASIC Fund has decided to use the financial documentation that we have on file for the current year, to process the 2021-2022 renewals for our renewing families. In February, BASIC Fund will email families a renewal application link for each family to update their information, i.e., address, telephone, etc. Families will still be able to update any financial documentation if they would like to be considered for a higher percentage. Families that exceeded the financial guidelines but met the leeway for the 2020-2021 School Year and were awarded 25%, should submit recent financial information for consideration. The BASIC Fund will determine if you qualify. The deadline is March 31, 2021.
ARCHDIOCESE ELEMENTARY FAMILY GRANT
The application process for the Archdiocese Family Grant for the 2021-2022 school year has now begun. Please go on to mytads.com to begin the application process. If you do not have ready your 2020 income tax or financial information. be sure you submit your 2019 income tax information or 2019 income information (Calworks, social security, food stamps, etc.). You should upload or fax to Tads your 2020 income tax or 2020 financial information before the deadline. Please be sure you have completed the total Tads process by the Archdiocese deadline—April 15, 2021.
GRAY “AZTECS” SWEATS
Our gray “AZTECS” hoodies, sweatpants, and t-shirts are available in youth and adult sizes, but quantities are limited. The prices are below:
Hoodies - $30 each
Sweatpants - $25 each
T-shirts - $10 each
At school, gray AZTECS sweats may be worn on Fridays in lieu of the regular school uniform. Parents are welcome to wear the AZTECS sweats, too! If you’d like to purchase any of these items, please call the school office at 415-647-8662 to place an order and make a payment.
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.)
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:
Jan.25-Feb.5 Distance Learning for all Middle Schoolers
Feb. 5 100th Day of School!
Feb.8-11 Middle School Cohort B – In-Person Week
Feb.8-11 Middle School Cohort A – Distance Learning Week
Feb.12 NO SCHOOL, Presidents’ Day Holiday
Feb.15 NO SCHOOL, Presidents’ Day Holiday
