IN THE NEWS:
Thank You for supporting the children in participating in the lovely birthday surprise for me this week. I was so moved by everyone’s enthusiasm, generosity, and thoughtfulness. As I look at the unbelievable collection of flowers in my office – beautiful on their own and even moreso when arranged together – it is the perfect reminder of how blessed I am to work in a community like ours.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Many thanks to the members of the SFB Parish Spanish Choir who joined us to celebrate the very special feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Thank you also to Mrs. Patriarca and the 7th grade for preparing the liturgy and treating us to a dramatization of the story of Juan Diego and the apparition of Our Lady. This was the first bilingual school Mass in my experience here (including prayers and readings in Spanish), and I was thrilled to hear the students singing “La Guadalupana…La Guadalupana….” throughout the day.
Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools Matching Grant Drive: Incredible news from our grant drive….we’ve reached and exceeded our matching goal!! Thank you to the parent board for contributing $1500 from the walkathon proceeds to our efforts. Those funds, along with the results of our Christmas Card campaign and a $5000 grant from the Gellert Foundation, means that our school will be equipped with $27,000 in grant funds to distribute over the next few years. What an incredible Christmas gift!!
Christmas Choir/Guitar Recital: Our Choir members and guitar students will be performing in a special recital tonight (7pm)in Goode Hall. More to come from them in a few months with our annual Spring concert.
3rd Annual St. Finn Barr Christmas Concert & Auctionis tomorrow! Please refer to website “news” for list of auction items – this years donations include lovely gifts of time with teachers, an Olympic club golf outing, local artwork, a wild duck feast for six, and much much more!
Also note: Ken Chin of TSS Photography will provide professional photography for Saturday. Photos will be available from them (details to come). Additionally, Mr. Joseph Churchillwill be videotaping the show and making copies available for parents. We are in for a real treat!!!
Drama Update: So, far we have nine students enrolled in our new after school Drama Club. They are focusing on script writing and improvisational work. The program is still open for students interested in developing their talent as actors, directors, writers, or set/costume designers!
Friday Drum Workshop: Is your student interested in learning snare drum skills and rudiments? Come join Ms. Katie McHugh from 3-4pm every other Friday (beginning today) in the 5th grade classroom. This enrichment program is open to all grades.
Service Learning Projects: The halls are overflowing with the many generous gifts of toys and warm coats that our families have donated to our holiday service learning projects. Thank you to all families who are supporting one or more of our Christmas Service Learning Projects. Everyone is welcome to support our efforts: the Casa de Las Madres family drive, the SF Firefighters Toy Drive (new & unwrapped please), or the Coat Drive (gently used). We will celebrate our learning and giving on December 20th with a free dress day and a special blessing before 12:30pm dismissal.
Earth Adventures Club: As Gina Bruno moves forward with planning for the start of our Earth Adventures Club in January, we are hoping to recruit three parents to serve as Club coordinators. These parents would be supporting Ms. Bruno in planning and coordinating students, drivers, and permission slips for our EAC hikes. Please notify me as soon as possible if you are interested and available.
SFB Hot Lunch Reminder: Please note that we cannot accept late orders for the SFB Hot Lunch program. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but our current process involves several important steps that cannot accommodate late orders.
Transition to FACTS: This will be our last year using the SMART tuition program. In the new year and during our Spring registration period, more information will be forthcoming about the FACTS program.
Uniform Policy Re: Sweatshirts: Students are not to wear hooded sweatshirts to school, (including St. Finn Barr “hoodies”) on uniform and PE dress days. They may wear coats or jackets over their teal school sweaters or PE Uniforms.
Craiglist Challenge: Our beautiful new science lab tables have left us with a collection of very solid/lower tables that we don’t have a use for. If you are interested in coordinating the sale of the tables online, please notify me. This is a great way to earn hours if you are craiglist/yard sale savvy.
Marketing and Enrollment: Thank you for those of you who have taken the time to write a positive review of St. Finn Barr on one of the several local sites ( The parents who have toured the school have commented that the guidance and feedback from online reviews have lead them to tour. Thank you for contributing to this important aspect of school health and sustainability!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Dec. 14thSt. Finn Barr Choir/Guitar Recital in Goode Hall 7pm
Dec. 15thSt. Finn Barr Christmas Concert & Silent Auction 12pm-4pm
*Showtime at 1pm, reception to follow
Dec. 16thSFB Parish Advent Concert in Church at 6pm
Dec. 20thFree dress for all students who contributed to one of our Holiday Service Learning Projects
12:15pm Christmas Blessing in the school yard.
12:30pm dismissal – Christmas vacation begins
Dec. 23rdAMDCS Matching Grant Drive Ends
Jan. 7thFirst day of school after Christmas vacation.
Jan. 18th8th Grade Confirmation 530pm
Jan. 27thCatholic Schools Week Family Mass & Open House
Jan. 31st2nd Annual St. Finn Barr Peace Parade 1:15pm