Community E-News l 11.19.23

Dear Carondelet Community,

The Thanksgiving holiday gives a welcome pause to rest, connect with family and friends, and feel grateful for the blessings in our lives. It is the respite that gives us the reflection and refreshment needed to prepare for the holiday season. When we return from Thanksgiving break, there are three weeks of school before finals week. Students, faculty, and staff will be engaged with end of the semester projects and assessments. Student-athletes and coaches will be busy with the start of the winter season. Our Arts programming will be sharing the fruits of the semester’s work with Company’s presentation of the play The Westing Game (opening night on November 30) and the Carondelet/De La Salle’s Choral and Band Christmas Concert (December 14).

A great way to get in the holiday spirit is to attend one of the Visions of Christmas suite of events, which begin the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. Visions is a cherished community engagement and fundraising event. On Tuesday, November 28 one can enjoy the Sip & Tree Holiday Market. Shop local vendors, sip and snack with friends, and check out our wonderful Vision Trees. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a Vision Tree are available to purchase at this event. Our Traditional Tea is on Thursday, November 30. This event is a Carondelet alumnae and family favorite and sold out quickly this year. We are also hosting an online auction beginning on November 27. Details on all the wonderful offerings including staycations, getaways, exclusive Carondelet swag, and more will be posted soon.

Amidst the busyness of this time, we recognize that the Advent Season is just around the corner. Advent is a time of preparation as we ready our hearts for the birth of Jesus. I hope that this season is one of reflection and connection for each and every one of you.

Jennifer Reinwald

Vice Principal of Student Life and Mission

Online Auction Opening Soon 10 AM, Mon., Nov. 27 - 10 PM, Sun., Dec. 3

There are items for everyone on your Christmas list including vacations, event tickets, restaurants, home and garden, jewelry, sports memorabilia (even a signed Tom Brady football 👀), and so much more! Don't miss this opportunity to bid on Carondelet exclusives: Graduation VIP Experience, VIP Table for 10 for the 2024 Crab Feed, and Parking for the 2024-25 school year!

Christmas Tree Drawing

The tradition continues! Buy tickets for the annual tree drawing. Visit our website for more details and the gifts under each tree. Thank you to our amazing sponsor families who make this possible.

• The Gift of Tuition Tree - Get roughly 1/2 off tuition ($10,000) for the 24-25 school year and stock up on tons of Carondelet swag.
• Savoring Sonoma - Experience the town of Sonoma and all it has to offer through culinary delights and unique experiences.
• Tinsel and Tech - All your tech needs will be met with the latest and greatest electronics for your home, your student, and yourself!
• Viva Las Vegas - Visit Las Vegas and indulge in great food, amazing accommodations, and even a Raiders game at Allegiant Stadium!

NEW! Final Look Friday, Dec. 1 from 8:00 - 10:00 AM at the Garaventa

Music, Coffee, Tea, & Treats provided

Phew... After all the Visions festivities and cheer, we know we'll need a wind-down! Please join us for a last look at our dazzling Trees before drawing ticket sales close and the winners are selected.* We'll be packing up our suite of events and warmly welcome you to this final small celebration to connect with friends and view our truly fabulous trees. Drawing tickets are available for sale and Tuition Assistance donations are gratefully accepted.

*Drawing ticket sales close at 12:00 PM and our winners will be announced that afternoon via email.

Tree Drawing

Check out our Trees and buy tickets online

Sip & Tree

Holiday Market

Tuesday, Nov. 28 5:00 - 9:00 PM at $30/person

Online Auction

Monday, Nov. 27 - Sunday, Dec. 3

The Parent Guild Needs Your Help

Twice a year our amazing Parent Guild treats all of the students during their three days of finals with an array of snacks and beverages. Please consider donating food items or coming to help out. Sign up here!

Follow Our Parent/Guardian Social Media

Instagram: @carondelet_fam l Facebook: @Carondelet Fam

Cafeteria Update

Due to our Visions of Christmas events, the Epicurean Cafe will be CLOSED on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 30. Students should plan to bring their own lunch or bring cash to purchase food at De La Salle. The cafe will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but food service will be out at the back of the Garaventa entrance.

Parents/Visitors On Campus

For safety and security reasons, Carondelet is closed to visitors during the school day. As a parent, if you need to be on-site, for any reason, we ask that you check in at the Main Office.

Yearbook Senior Ad Orders - Due Dec. 1

All seniors need to be photographed and have chosen their senior portrait for the yearbook by December 1. Also, Senior Family Ads (Dedications) can now be created for the yearbook. The deadline to complete this is also December 1 - details on our website. If you have any questions contact our Yearbook Advisor, Faith Ripoli.

Donate to Carondelet’s Advent Service Project, “Crayons @ Carondelet”

We are seeking donations of crayons in any condition (preferably used or broken) to benefit The Crayon Initiative, an organization that melts down and remanufactures crayons for children in hospitals. Our drive begins Nov 27 and ends on December 18. Contact Vanessa Miranda with any questions!

Ven a Ver Borderlands - Application NOW AVAILABLE!!

The application for our spring immersion trip, Ven a Ver Borderlands (juniors and seniors) is now available. Learn more about this immersion trip and apply here. Questions? Contact Vanessa Miranda, in Campus Ministry.

Dear Carondelet Students and Families,

We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your academic pursuits. As we approach the final stretch of the semester, we understand that the pressure of exams and assignments can be overwhelming. We hope students will take the break to both recharge and potentially get caught up in areas they may have fallen behind.

To ensure that each of you feels supported and empowered to excel, we want to invite you to our PowerStart program. PowerStart is your dedicated time to receive personalized assistance with organization, preparation for final exams, and overall executive function support. Whether you are looking to fine-tune your study strategies, seek guidance on exam preparation, or simply need a quiet space to concentrate, PowerStart is here for you. You can also use this time to meet with group project members or practice a final presentation with an academic counselor.

Find us in the library on,

Monday to Friday: 7:30 - 8:15 AM

Late Start Day: 8:30 - 9:30 AM

PowerStart is available through December 21

PowerLab

And as a reminder, PowerLab is available after school Monday through Thursday in the library. Students can also visit teachers during their office hours Tuesday through Thursday after school.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a session, please contact Suzette Gum, Academic Coach, via email.

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Student Device Policy

We have noticed that more and more freshmen and sophomore students are coming to school with multiple devices. This is a gentle reminder that freshmen and sophomores are equipped with a school-issued iPad and NO other device is authorized (with the exception of AP Computer Science students who are allowed to bring a computer to that specific class). The iPads are school-managed devices and contain apps that are chosen for a reason. In addition, the school's choice of iPad for our program is specifically because it's not a laptop. We use the tool for its ability to provide students with the kinetic advantages of handwriting, the portability of readers, and the availability of content-creation applications. Freshmen and sophomores who bring a laptop will be asked to put it away and required to use their iPads.

April Spring Break Trip to Yosemite

The Carondelet Science Department is sponsoring a four-day adventure to Yosemite National Park over Spring Break (April 3-6) including a Valley floor tram tour, bike riding excursion, breakfast at the Awahnee Hotel, hiking the Mist Trail and/or Vernal Falls, shopping in the Village, and other fun activities.

This trip is open to all Carondelet students! For more information please view the attached informational flier. Please email TJ Manning with any questions.

Weekly Updates can be found on the the website:

• All Students
• Polygence research mentorship and support for high school students is offering a winter Jumpstart 20% discount for students who register by December 31. Information.
• Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and foster real-world business skills? Junior Achievement (JA) invites you to be a part of the JA Company Program^®, an enriching initiative that empowers students to identify community needs, develop innovative solutions, and launch their own startup with the guidance of a dedicated community mentor. For more information contact: Todd Halvorson. Student Application.
• The Perry Outreach Program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, CA for high school women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments. Information and Application.
• Seniors
• The Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship application for college-bound minority seniors is now open (Information). Staff will also host a Q&A session on Thursday, November 28 to answer any questions about the application process. Zoom Link.
• Juniors
• College Workshop December 1 during X Block 1:50 - 2:50 PM. An admissions officer from the University of San Diego will explain how colleges review applications and what they look for. College Counselors will introduce important first steps in the college search and application process. Attendance is mandatory.
• Save the Date! By popular demand, the College Kickstart series is expanding this year to include a one-day winter session on Saturday, January 27 focused on launching the college search, building your college list, and preparing for applications. Registration is now open.
• Freshmen and Sophomores
• The College Money Method workshop ‘Navigating the New System of College Pricing and Financial Aid’ is now on the Carondelet resource page. Password: chscmm. The workshop provided an overview of the ways colleges provide financial assistance and how to understand which colleges are most generous with grants and scholarships. The Carondelet resource page also includes numerous resources to accompany the workshop, including calculators to determine need-based aid eligibility and a list of colleges with data on how they award financial aid and merit scholarships. 

Carondelet shares these opportunities for informational purposes only. We do not affiliate with or endorse any particular organizations.



Learn More about all college-related events here.

Throughout the month of November the Wellness Team is offering programming for students focused on the theme of Gratitude. The positive power of gratitude and the benefits of a regular gratitude practice on physical and emotional well-being are strongly supported by research. 

As we enter the busy holiday season, we believe that incorporating a regular practice of gratitude can be an invaluable tool for our students and community to navigate these potentially stressful times. We encourage students and families to engage in conversations about gratitude at home and choose one of the many practices available. For example, one suggestion for family dinner time is to allow an opportunity for each person to share something they are grateful for and why. This simple and fun practice encourages family members to be on the lookout for positive experiences of gratitude throughout their day and to reap the benefits. Encourage family members to find a practice that particularly resonates with them—it’s definitely a “choose your own adventure” opportunity.

Please refer to our Cannon Events Calendar for the various programming opportunities offered this month. If you are interested in more information about the topic of Gratitude and its effects on well-being, we have shared additional resources below. 

Please reach out to any of our Wellness Counselors if you have questions, or concerns, or are in need of support for your student.

Your Wellness Team

Heart Sponsors

Countrywood Shopping Center

Mary Beth Kulawiec Dittrich '79 and Thomas Dittrich

Faith Sponsors

A Sweet Affair Bakery

Lehmer’s Buick GMC Concord

Christine Sabatte Logan ’73 and Rich Logan P’12

Courage Sponsors

Balestrieri Family Farm

Anabelle and Rudy Galera P’20, ‘24, ‘26

Julie Gonzalez '99

Aimee Pourroy-Martin and James Martin P’26 

Excellence Sponsors

Michelle and Rob Craw P'25

UBEO Business Services

CSJ Sponsors

BACA Wines

Tracy and Brad Bowles P'22 '26, Bowles and Verna LLP

Choicelunch

Image Orthodontics & Kali Smiles Kids

SC Builders 

Stephanie Seeno-Miles ’80 and Clyde Miles P’14

Wasser Wealth Management 

Spirit Sponsors

Bay Alarm

Stephanie Canessa State Farm Agency

Chimirri’s Salon

Greenlight Simulation-Driver Training for Teens

Karen and Zachary Gustafson P'26

Lenox Homes