Celebrate with us
Queen of Apostles Community Dinner 2017, Welcomes All!
October 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles Community Dinner 2017, Welcomes All!
September 2017
It was a great turnout with 185 families and plenty of volunteers who made this annual casual meet, greet, & eat, another success!
Many returning families anticipate this annual gathering to catch up with friends from school and also welcome families that are new to the Queen of Apostles School community. As from previous years, it is always a nice, simple buffet set up of delicious food, open seating, and, most importantly, warm smiles all around.
As expected, during large gatherings with food involved, lines do form but, having experienced this personally, our family welcomes this state of (short) wait–a great opportunity to spark conversation with the quiet friendly couple before us, or share the anticipation of having dinner with the rambunctious family behind ours. It’s truly a terrific setting of ease and family for all to have a nice evening together.
Special appreciation to the Zanotto family and other contributors for the delicious spread, to the staff and volunteers for helping with this very special event, and also for Charles Dilisio for capturing moments throughout the night.
As we resume our 2017-2018 school year, we would also like to give a very special thanks to the whole staff and Fr. Thuc for the support and prayers for our community, during our first school mass, a couple of days before the community dinner.
Queen of Apostles Student Council Commissioned
October 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles Student Council Commissioned
September 2017
As the new academic year begins, the Queen of Apostles School student council for year 2017-2018 was ceremoniously commissioned by Principal Marty Chargin at the opening school mass held on September 5, 2017. The student council consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Commissioner of Religion, Spirit & Ecology Representative, and a Sports Representative. They pledged to lead, serve, and represent the student body throughout the academic year.
Additionally, the school wide theme of ‘Practice Kindness’ was announced during this mass. The pastor, Father Thuc asked the students to absorb the parable of the Good Samaritan into their lives and treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. While each class put forth its own views about expressing kindness by sharing, showing support, spreading joy, and putting others before themselves, Father Thuc expressed three things that display kindness encouraging the school community to speak kind words, express kind deeds, and live a kindness-filled life.
Queen of Apostles Students Emulate Inspirational People
June 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles Students Emulate Inspirational People
May 2017
Bill Gates, Roald Dahl, Barack Obama, Harriet Tubman, Frida Kahlo, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sacagawea. These are some of the many famous people who were imitated accurately by the Queen of Apostles’ 5th graders on May 5, 2017, in The Fr. Jim Mifsud Community Center. Parents, grandparents and friends were allowed in and they were able to ask the dressed up students about their chosen person’s life stories. These personalities all have something in common: they are inspiring people in these students’ eyes and have made quite an impression in the fields of science, industry, education, art, literature, freedom, or sports. The folks were asking questions written on small flash cards the students made in class. The project is an assignment in the Queen of Apostles 5th grade class taught by Mrs. Maria James.
Authors’ & Artists’ Faire at Queen of Apostles
June 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Authors’ & Artists’ Faire at Queen of Apostles School
February 2017
“Catholic Schools Week was celebrated at Queen of Apostles School starting January 29, 2017. The highlight was the school’s Authors’ and Artists’ Faire which displayed more than a thousand pieces of the student artwork from this academic year. Various paintings including water colors and pastels, as well as models and sculptures were on display. The various pieces of artwork came from the dedicated effort of each student through the year under the patient guidance of the Queen of Apostles Art teacher, Mrs. Theresa Knight. This wide range of work also included recreations of history lessons while some others depicted interesting aspects of stories read in class. The James and the Giant Peach projects from the fourth-grade students was a real treat for the viewers!
Apart from the work created in the school’s art program, original pieces were also showcased, which included essays, short stories, and poetry. These were all proudly framed, labeled and displayed in the Father Jim Mifsud Community Center over the course of the Catholic Schools Week celebrations for the community to view.
Queen Of Apostles Girls Prepare For A 5K Marathon
February 5, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Queen Of Apostles Girls Prepare For A 5K Marathon
February 2017
Overheard at a practice session from one of the participants of Girls-on-the-Run on the Queen of Apostles School grounds, “Now…I know I can!” This was in response to whether the hesitating student thought she could accomplish the 5K run that is hosted by Girls On The Run, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. The purpose of this run is in fact a means to an end, a much bigger picture that encompasses the molding and nurturing of girls into self-confident, independent and ultimately, healthy individuals.”
Queen of Apostles has been participating in this enriching program in the past and is continuing this tradition this year. This year they have 15 participants from grades 3rd to 5th forming two teams. Coaches consist of both teachers and parents who volunteer their time in helping these girls embrace confidence, and inculcate faith in themselves to achieve whatever their hearts are set on. Says Karolyn Hill, one of the coaches and the fourth grade teacher, “Girls on the Run is a life-changing after school program for girls where they learn life skills such as healthy decision-making, teamwork and confidence while simultaneously training to complete a 5K.” Meeting twice a week, the 20-lesson curriculum combines training for a 3.1 miles running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions.
With Mother Mary as their patron Saint, Queen of Apostles strongly believes in being a self-confident, responsible and healthy individual. These values are nurtured among the girls when they participate in the Girls-on-the-Run program. They are taught to be responsible for their actions, respect their environment, and display a “Never Give Up” attitude. The training and discipline that goes towards this 5k run and the tangible goal attainment of having run that race teaches them to respect themselves, in mind, body, and spirit, and honor the value of teamwork and sportsmanship .
We wish the Queen of Apostles teams the very best as they prepare to not only run the 5K run but prepare to be confident young women who Never Give Up!
Queen of Apostles has been participating in this enriching program in the past and is continuing this tradition this year. This year they have 15 participants from grades 3rd to 5th forming two teams. Coaches consist of both teachers and parents who volunteer their time in helping these girls embrace confidence, and inculcate faith in themselves to achieve whatever their hearts are set on. Says Karolyn Hill, one of the coaches and the fourth grade teacher, “Girls on the Run is a life-changing after school program for girls where they learn life skills such as healthy decision-making, teamwork and confidence while simultaneously training to complete a 5K.” Meeting twice a week, the 20-lesson curriculum combines training for a 3.1 miles running event with lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions.
With Mother Mary as their patron Saint, Queen of Apostles strongly believes in being a self-confident, responsible and healthy individual. These values are nurtured among the girls when they participate in the Girls-on-the-Run program. They are taught to be responsible for their actions, respect their environment, and display a “Never Give Up” attitude. The training and discipline that goes towards this 5k run and the tangible goal attainment of having run that race teaches them to respect themselves, in mind, body, and spirit, and honor the value of teamwork and sportsmanship .
We wish the Queen of Apostles teams the very best as they prepare to not only run the 5K run but prepare to be confident young women who Never Give Up!
Queen of Apostles School 1st Grade Gingerbread Exchange Lesson
February 5, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles School 1st Grade Gingerbread Exchange Lesson
January 2017
Gingerbread men from around the country arrived at Queen of Apostles School throughout the months of December and January. The first graders and their teacher anxiously awaited each one and could not wait to learn about where the gingerbread man had traveled from and the stories of its creators.
Mrs. Anna Rodriguez, the first grade teacher, at Queen of Apostles heard about this gingerbread man exchange online and soon the first graders were busy creating gingerbread men on their own. At the end of the exchange, she learned that nearly 300 schools had participated. Students created everything from scientist gingerbread men, to Sharks hockey gingerbread men, to Princess Leia and Darth Vader gingerbread men, each of these representing something special about the Bay Area. They also wrote accompanying letters to tell first graders across the country, who would be receiving these, what makes the Bay Area unique.
Not only did the students learn the geography of the United States of America, but they also learned how vastly diverse a country, it is. They were surprised to learn about schools with less than ten children per class and about schools where they could see cows from their classroom windows. As each letter was received, the accompanying gingerbread man was attached to the classroom map.
For the first batch of letters, the first graders enjoyed cookies and milk and heard about other first graders, who as one first grader put it, “Are just like us!”
Queen of Apostles School Spanish Language Mass Experience
November 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles School Spanish Language Mass Experience
October 2016
At the end of October, 8th graders were invited to attend the Spanish language mass downtown with their families and their teacher Senora Colpo. Students invited family to attend too, so there were approximately 60 people from our school community attending for the largest turnout ever. One of our 8th graders noted that there were at least one hundred people in the Basilica for mass. She wrote, “I got to experience Mass in a completely different language and cultural setting. The mass at the Basilica was more engaging and interactive, with lively songs that included clapping, a piano, and tambourines.”
Fr. Rojas welcomed everyone warmly and created a spirit of faith and togetherness within the congregation. He had a homily in which he talked about Zacchaeus and said we are all in the right house and that Jesus is in our home. Queen of Apostles students were invited to participate in the mass by taking up the gifts to the altar. And even with the rainy day, students enjoyed churros and bacon wrapped hot dogs outside following the mass.
Fr. Rojas welcomed everyone warmly and created a spirit of faith and togetherness within the congregation. He had a homily in which he talked about Zacchaeus and said we are all in the right house and that Jesus is in our home. Queen of Apostles students were invited to participate in the mass by taking up the gifts to the altar. And even with the rainy day, students enjoyed churros and bacon wrapped hot dogs outside following the mass.
Parents Get Special Welcome at Back to School Night
September 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Parents Get Special Welcome at Back to School Night
Aug 2016
Back to School Night at Queen of Apostles was a great night for parents to meet with their child’s teacher, and get acquainted and reacquainted with other Q of A parents.
Principal Marty Chargin kicked off the evening with brief updates about key improvements in the school’s curriculum and facilities. He then introduced all of the staff, including those parents may not interact with daily such as the science, music, art, math, and Spanish teachers. The parent leaders of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) were also introduced by PAC President Christy Choate. Her sincere request that parents reach out to the PAC with their ideas and suggestions was no doubt furthered by the opportunity to put faces with the various chair positions the PAC includes.
The most exciting part of the night was spending time with the teachers in the classrooms. The teachers used the opportunity to explain processes such as homework, field trips, and volunteer opportunities. Weekly schedules were reviewed, as were the expectations about using the school’s iPads for classwork. The calm, adult only environment was also the ideal opportunity for parents to ask the teacher any questions about the upcoming school year.
By the end of the evening, relationships had been built, everyone’s questions were answered, and the school’s community of parents, teachers, and staff were united in creating a great 2016-2017 year for all.
Queen of Apostles School Alum Earns Eagle Scout Honors
September 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles School Alum Earns Eagle Scout Honors
Aug 2016
Being a Boy Scout is a fun and educational part of many boys’ lives in elementary and middle schools. This involves several milestones that denote progression and dot the journey of a boy from being a Cub Scout to being an Eagle Scout. They utilize this time to attempt their hand at various new things and gain knowledge in different skills along the way. One such milestone was a community project accomplished by Roshan Dominic, alum of Queen of Apostles Catholic School, current Archbishop Mitty High School student, and member of Troop 476 in Cupertino, CA.
For this project Roshan chose to build two raised garden beds for a homeless shelter called Casa de Clara Catholic Worker. Casa de Clara is an organization on a mission to help less fortunate families, women, and children in the local San Jose community. These garden beds were built along the walls in the backyard of the shelter, which allowed further space to grow a variety of vegetables and flowers. These provide the shelter with a reliable and fresh source of vegetables thereby, off-setting costs of going to a traditional grocery store, as the center only relies on donations and support from charitable donors.
Says a proud Roshan, “In this project, I was not handed money by the beneficiary. Instead, I had to raise money through people in my community. My close family and friends helped make this possible, and I am very grateful to them. They helped me make a difference in an organization whose workers gave up their traditional lives to live in a Christ-like manner and work to help the less fortunate every day. The project took months of planning, getting approvals, and purchasing materials. By doing this for them, I feel very happy and blessed to have been part of their mission through the project. Overall, this Eagle Project was a unique experience of learning, leading, and serving others. In the end, the officials at the shelter were pleased with the project. I was very happy as well, because the project came out better than I expected. Doing this has made me realize that more can be done in my community, and I hope to continue to serve others in my life.”
A commendable effort by Roshan Dominic is a testament to how much can be achieved through the Scouts program in schools. It instills the beauty and satisfaction of being able to give back to our communities in whatever ways we can. But what is more important is that this sets the path for future leaders and doers of tomorrow by allowing them to mark their journeys with a sense of meaningful achievements along the way.
Queen of Apostles’ 7th and 8th Graders Visit Washington DC
June 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Queen of Apostles’ 7th and 8th Graders Visit Washington DC
June 2016
With a myriad of authentic historical sites, accessible museums, and magnificent architecture, Washington D.C. is a well-known spot for school and leisure trips alike. In fact, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the architect and engineer who laid out the design for the city, named the streets in alphabetical and numerical order so it would be easy for people to find their way around. This internationally renowned district, full of people from all over world, is an area of distinctive flavor and constant buzzing energy. The seventh and eighth graders from Queen of Apostles school had the privilege of touring here with parents and teachers, seeing things only mentioned in textbooks and pictures face-to-face.
The city’s many attractions that were visited – including but definitely not limited to the U.S. Capitol Building, the Holocaust Museum, and Arlington National Cemetery – were fascinating. Aside from the inspiring and influential effect of seeing these historical places in person, they provided a hands-on experience which a textbook simply can’t provide. However, not only did this trip appeal to the subject of history, but also categories such as religion and the arts.
Visiting the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and attending a performance at the Kennedy Center provided a well-rounded aspect to the take away value this memorable experience provided. Personally, as an eighth grader seeing the nation’s capital for the first time, this trip taught me a larger lesson. It taught me that no matter who you are, what you look like, or where you came from, you can make a difference.
Hearing stories of men and women sacrificing so much for their country and learning about how patriots, the unlikely victors during the Revolutionary War, stood by their beliefs when the odds were stacked against them filled me with an overwhelming feeling to have influence on my future. An orphan from the Caribbean wrote our financial system. The son of a reverend from a middle class black family showed America how to love one another regardless of race. Even our nation’s motto, “E pluribus unum” (Out of many, one) tells us we can take a stand. It tells us to be a part of that many. To be a part of that huge, collective force affecting the country, yet stand out as one. This special visit was not only a chance to see the country as it was and is, but also the opportunity to show us how it will be, and what we can do to impact that.
Written by a Class of 2016 alumna
