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• FAITH • INTEGRITY • SCHOLARSHIP •
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Inside This Issue of the Spartan Spotlight
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Dear De La Salle Families,
As we enter this month of November and what seems like a too swift stride toward the holidays, I offer my warmest wishes to you and your family on behalf of all of us at De La Salle. In the month of November in our Lasallian Catholic, American, and De La Salle traditions, four pillars come to mind.
Gratitude ~ Action ~ Remembrance ~ Presence
Gratitude We will gather in gratitude with our families later this month, yet every day is the right day to pause individually and to reflect on the immeasurable blessings we each have. In a December 2020 General Audience, Pope Francis said, “Above all, let us not forget to thank: if we are bearers of gratitude, the world itself will become better, even if only a little bit, but that is enough to transmit a bit of hope. The world needs hope. And with gratitude, with this habit of saying thank you, we transmit a bit of hope.”
In that same spirit, thank you to those in our community who have already made a philanthropic gift to De La Salle this school year. Our De La Salle Giving Day was a resounding success thanks to you. One hundred percent of our Board of Trustees, Alumni Board of Directors, and faculty and staff have all contributed to our annual fund efforts--the first time we have had all three do so at the same time. If you haven’t yet made a gift to the school, join all of us and do so now or on the national Giving Tuesday (November 30) to ensure we continue to fulfill our Mission. Your support makes an immediate impact on our students, programs, and staff, and I am grateful for your generosity.
Action What an incredible cereal drive we had this year, yet again surpassing our goal! This spirit of Les Hommes de Foi is what makes us a unique community that makes a difference in the world.
We also know that our service and charity work is tied to our quest for authentically living our call to bring justice to the world. When I shared the unacceptable news about a racist social media post, our consciousness was further awakened that the important initiatives already underway needed even more emphasis. I announced in my October 22nd letter that we would be launching a Task Force on Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. You can find the general makeup and charge of this Task Force, and I invite you to express your interest in this Task Force or our efforts in general by emailing my assistant, Jenny Barger, at bargerj@dlshs.org. Our collective will and actions are needed to make the change we know is possible and needed. - Continue Reading
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Overnight Trip Rapid Antigen Testing Overnight travel for sports, retreats, and other field trips has resumed. To ensure the safety of all, as well as comply with many of the host sites’ COVID-19 policies, every person involved (students, faculty, staff, and chaperones), regardless of vaccination status, must complete a COVID-19 test the day prior to the event. Antigen testing will be provided at De La Salle the day before the departure date. All individuals attending the event must test. If you are unable to attend the testing at school, you can get Antigen testing done at an approved lab or a testing center and provide results prior to leaving. At-home test kits will not be allowed at this time. Parent consent forms will be distributed to all students intending to travel.
Vaccination Status Families are encouraged to share their son's vaccination status with the school, as this will help with tracing and quarantine protocols, should there be a positive test. If the status remains undisclosed, we will assume that the student is not vaccinated. Upload student vaccine status through SchoolAdmin. Click “view checklist” to access where to upload documentation.
Close Contact Procedure Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has implemented new standards for what qualifies as close contact in K-12 educational settings. View our COVID-19 Resources page for details and the steps students will be asked to take if close contact with an individual that tests positive for COVID-19 occurs based on vaccination status.
On-Campus Positive Tests De La Salle is publishing the total number of positive cases for faculty, staff, and students on our COVID-19 Resources page. To see these numbers since the beginning of August, follow this link to review the graph.
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COMPANY - "PUFFS" OPENS TONIGHT
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Show Summary For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs, who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world, Puffs: or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic is the Off-Broadway comedy by Matt Cox that follows a group of well-meaning magical misfits during the times of that certain boy wizard. Discover the hilarious and untold story of the “losers” who embrace being badgers and strive to be “third or nothing!”
Shows Dates
Varsity November 4th at 7 p.m. November 6th at 2 p.m. November 11th at 7 p.m. November 13th at 7 p.m.
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Junior Varsity November 6th at 7 p.m. November 7th at 2 p.m. November 12th at 4 p.m. November 14th at 6:30 p.m.
| "Free the House Elf "Sock Drive Company is using “Puffs” to raise awareness to those without homes and/or basic needs and is asking for a donation of a pair of NEW socks for the “free the house elf” sock drive. All socks will be given to St. Anthony’s in San Francisco. A donation bin will be in the theatre lobby before and during all shows. Box Office Tickets for all showing of "Puffs" are now available through the De La Salle GoFan Ticket page. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 and students with a valid ID. A limited number of tickets can be purchased at the door. Pre-purchased tickets are preferred, as walk-up tickets for individual shows may not be available upon arrival.
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Tuesday, November 30 is #GivingTuesday, a day recognized by organizations globally to encourage philanthropic giving during the holiday season that De La Salle High School is proud to be part of. This year for #GivingTuesday, De La Salle is focusing efforts to raise awareness and funds for a program near and dear to our hearts - the Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program.
De La Salle’s Mission is to “serve and embrace students with varied academic needs and diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.” For a population of our student body, the economic need is great. Some students don’t have the money to purchase a meal, a BART or bus ticket, clothes for Liturgy, or even a ticket to the dance, let alone pay tuition. Some come from homes torn by drugs or parents facing unemployment, they may be bouncing from one home to the next or have even experienced homelessness. At De La Salle you might think that our families are immune to these challenges, but you would be surprised. To our Bishop Cummins Scholars, these challenges are a reality.
The Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program was created to help students who may face some of these challenges. More than 60 Bishop Cummins Scholars are a part of this program. All come from families whose income falls below the federal poverty level. Our Bishop Cummins Scholars are an integral part of our De La Salle community, participating in co-curricular activities and collectively maintaining a 3.0 GPA – De La Salle would not be De La Salle, nor serving our Mission to educate the poor without these students. These students are the true embodiment of what it means to be a Spartan, proving themselves every day through their dedication, love, and sacrifice in efforts to receive a De La Salle education.
Currently, it costs more than $20,000 per school year to provide the tools and financial resources to a Bishop Cummins Scholar. You can help provide the same educational opportunity to a Bishop Cummins Scholar that all students experience regardless of their financial means. These students know that they are only able to attend De La Salle through the generosity of donors like you.
Our goal on #GivingTuesday is to raise $40,000 to provide financial resources for two Bishop Cummins Scholars this school year. Will you join this effort? Your support in any capacity is greatly appreciated and will help students in the Bishop Cummins Program this school year.
Contact Karla Wiese, Director of Development at (925) 288-8195 or wiesek@dlshs.org for more information about the Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program.
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Upcoming events for the De La Salle Class of 2026 admissions process:
- Applications are available online at dlshs.org/admissions.
- Priority applications must be completed and submitted ONLINE no later than 11:59 p.m., on Friday, December 10, 2021.
- Financial aid applications for the 2022-23 school year will be available on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
For more information on the admissions process for the Class of 2026, visit the De La Salle Admissions web page.
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Each year we have the responsibility to provide you with our annual asbestos statement. This notice is being sent to all parents and guardians of students, as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
We hereby notify you that a six-month periodic inspection was conducted on October 8, 2021, and revealed no new changes. Our next, more comprehensive re-inspection, performed every three years, is due in October 2022.
Please feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions regarding this notification.
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Congratulations to De La Salle coaches John Pelster '87 (cross country), Derricke Brown (soccer), and David Jeans (baseball) who were recognized as the 2020-21 North Coast Section Coach of the Year in their respective sports. All three coaches are now in consideration for State Coach of the Year honors.
NCAA Information The first NCAA NLI Signing Day is November 10th. Follow the link for more information: DLS National Signing Day
Fall Sports Postseason Championships
Football NCS - Nov. 12-27 CIF NorCal - Dec. 3/4 CIF State - Dec. 10/11
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Water Polo NCS - Nov. 3-13
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Cross Country EBAL Championship - Nov. 6 NCS Championship - Nov. 20 CIF Championship - Nov. 27
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Student-Athlete College Information Night On Monday, October 25 De La Salle held a Student-Athlete College Information Night through Zoom. The panelists for the seminar included athletic directors from the various college divisions. The panel included Erin McDermott (Harvard University-DI), Brian Swanson (Cal Poly Pomona-DII), Miriam Merrill (Pomona Pitzer-DIII), Lance Von Vogt (William Jessup-NAIA), and Junior Domingo (Citrus College-JC).
Athletics Website and App Athletic schedules and general information for all sports are available in the main office, the locker room, and on the De La Salle High School athletic webpage at www.DLSspartans.org. You can also download the DLS Spartans app, through the Apple Store or Google Play, for athletic news, schedules, and rosters.
Follow De La Salle Athletics on Social Media: Twitter: @DLSAthletics Instagram: DLSAthletics
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Tuition payments are due on the 1st of each month and are considered late after the 10th of that month.Please contact Kathy Resch via e-mail at reschk@dlshs.org if you are having difficulties with any of the payment deadlines.
FINANCIAL AID 2022-2023 FACTS applications will be available December 1st through the Financial Assistance webpage on the De La Salle website. The page can be found under Admissions, then Financial Assistance. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Resch at reschk@dlshs.org or Angelica Rodriguez at rodriqueza@dlshs.org. Thank you.
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Thank You to Everyone Who Supported the 21st Annual Cereal DriveThe 21st Annual De La Salle Cereal Drive wrapped up on Friday, October 8. A week later, De La Salle students and parents loaded up 3,316 boxes of cereal to be delivered to the Monument Crisis Center (MCC). In addition to the actual boxes of cereal, De La Salle received $5,830 in donations for the MCC, allowing the organization to purchase additional boxes of cereal for needy families.
The classroom competition was a tremendous success. Congratulations to our Grand Prize and Week 2 Winner: Mr. Thompson’s 6th Period class, as well as Mr. Grantham’s class (Week 3) and Mrs. Ladouceur’s class (Week 1).
A special thank you to the Service Learning Club led by Dr. and Mr. Berkes, Mrs. Acquistapace, Mr. Pacos, all of the classes who helped with the spirit squads in the morning, and those who helped load the cereal!
We wouldn’t have been successful without the help of our parents who assisted in transporting and unloading the cereal at the Monument Crisis Center: Mrs. Valerie Nagel-Monaldo, Mr. Todd Long (and his linen truck!), Ms. Sara Sanders, Ms. Katherine Bergman, Ms. Diane Cordova, Ms. April Chittum, Mr. Alan Beilke, Ms. Emily Porras, Ms. Kathy Cronin, Ms. Amy Kierce-Chamorro, Mr. Adrian Meyer, Mr. Moorin Fillari, Ms. Maria Romo, Ms. Vanessa Kech, Mr. Francisco Zaldua, Ms. Tanya Cruz, Ms. Winn Acle, Ms. Christina Richards, and Ms. Hanna Khoury.
From Monument Crisis Center The 2021 De La Salle Cereal Drive was a success! Thanks to the incredible efforts by the students at De La Salle High School-Concord, CA, a total of 3,316 boxes were collected and delivered to our food pantry, along with cash donations that will fund the purchase of 1,500 additional boxes of cereal. We are honored to be part of this De La Salle tradition - thank you so much!
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The Junior Mass of Unity and Ring Ceremony is Sunday, November 14 at 10 a.m. in the Hofmann Student Center. If you are planning to attend the Junior Class Mass of Unity and Ring Ceremony, please RSVP through the link below. You need not have purchased a ring to attend! Light pastries will be served following the Mass and ring ceremony in the Quad.
Senior Portraits & Senior Yearbook Ads Studio One Photography (Dublin) is our official school photographer. Please call or email Studio One Photography at (925) 361-0430 or www.studio1experience.com to make your son’s appointment for senior portraits as soon as possible.
Yearbook Senior Ads Late Senior Ads for the Yearbook are due November 30. Check out the Senior Ads webpage for specifications, sizes, and prices.
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We are saddened to announce that due to ongoing COVID-19 health and safety concerns for our host and the agencies that we work with in San Diego and Imperial Counties, Ven a Ver San Diego Immersion, scheduled for March 7-12, 2022, has been canceled.
The month of November is packed with Campus Ministry programs.
- We celebrated All Saints Day on Monday, November 1.
- On November 3rd, we shared MMM Wednesday around the cross with Music, Ministry, and Munchies.
- In the first two weeks of November, all the juniors will participate in a Junior Retreat. The retreat will culminate with a Junior Class Mass of Unity and Ring Ceremony on Sunday, November 14 at 10 a.m. in the Hofmann Center, to be followed by a continental breakfast.
- We will celebrate Thanksgiving with a prayer service on Tuesday, November 16.
- On the 30th of November and 1st of December, the sophomores will participate in a Sophomore Immersion Program (SIP), walking in the shoes of and serving those who are facing economic hardship.
- And then going into December, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8th.
Seniors, if you have not yet done so, there are still 3 spots available on Kairos 137 (January 14-16, 2022) and one spot for Kairos 139 (March 30-April 1, 2022). Click on the Kairos header below to register.
Kairos 137 January 14-16 (Weekend), 2022 At Vallombrosa Retreat Center, Menlo Park (best for football, water polo, and cross country)
Kairos 139 March 30-April 1, 2022 At Bishop's Ranch Retreat Center, Healdsburg (best for football, water polo, and cross country)
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Spread the word! Experience what is special about our sister school—Carondelet High School—by attending their Open House on Sunday, November 14 from 12-2 p.m. Meet their inspired teachers, talk with students, and visit classrooms—including the Jean Hofmann Center for Innovation!
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Throughout the school year, Co-Directors of College Counseling, Esther Lopez-Arias and Lisa Sciacca, will provide an overview of all the steps that need to be taken this fall for successful selection, application, and acceptance to colleges and universities. Please don’t miss it! Email questions to Esther Lopez-Arias at lopeze@dlshs.org (for students whose last names begin with A-K) or Lisa Sciacca at sciaccal@dlshs.org (for students whose last names begin with L-Z).
Application Deadlines: October 29 - Final deadline to request teacher and counselor letters of recommendation November 1 and November 15 - Many Early Action, Early Decision, and Priority deadlines November 30 - Final deadline for submission of UC and CSU applications December through February - Regular deadlines vary by college. We encourage seniors to complete all applications by Christmas Break.
Congratulations to many of our seniors who have already submitted early applications!
Financial Aid: FAFSA - Required by all colleges from students seeking financial aid. CSS Profile - An additional Financial Aid Form required by 400 colleges. *Check each college’s financial aid webpage to find deadlines which vary from November through March.
In addition to the dates listed above, more information about the following topics is available on the school website.
College News for Seniors
- Letter of Recommendation Requests
- Transcript Requests
- School Materials
- SAT/ACT Score Reports
- Applications
- Housing
- Financial Aid Information
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College News for Juniors
- Academic Advice
- SAT/ACT Testing
- SAT/ACT Traditional Testing Advice
- College Planning Night
- Midwest College Tours
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CRAB FEED - SAVE THE DATE
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The 2022 De La Salle Crab Feed will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 6 p.m.
More information on ticket sales and the location of the Crab Feed will be forthcoming so stay tuned!
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Drop Off and Pick Up Neighborhood Reminder
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De La Salle High School parents, let's continue to exemplify good neighbor relations during drop off and pick up. We want to remind parents not to park and wait in the neighborhood when picking up their students. No parking signs (before 3 p.m.) are posted throughout the neighborhood. Avoid a ticket and pick up your student in our designated parking area at the school or at the Oak Grove or Countrywood Shopping Centers.
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On October 24th, De La Salle High School inducted the 13th class into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 2021 De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class includes: Mark Halvorson (wrestling coach), Noah Merl ‘01 (soccer), Travis Pfeifer ‘97 (football), Jason Price ‘06 (track & field), Kevin Simon ‘01 (football), Dan Vinson ‘04 (lacrosse), Brandon Zoetewey ‘05 (wrestling), and the 1994 Football Team.
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The Parent Association is a group of current De La Salle parents who work on behalf of students, faculty, and staff to support events and volunteer needs.
There will not be Parent Association meetings in November or December. Please join us for our next Parent Association meeting on January 10, 2022. The pre-meeting social will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Library courtyard and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Library. All De La Salle parents are welcome to attend these meetings!
Happenings: We appreciate all of the volunteers that stepped up to help deliver over 3,300 boxes of cereal to the Monument Crisis Center thanks to a very successful Cereal Drive. Thank you to our Community Outreach Coordinators, Katherine Gandy, Shannon Nornhold, and Mary Peeff, for providing refreshments and support for the One Night Only event held on October 21 to showcase the arts and theater offered at De La Salle for potential new students and their parents. A big thank you to our Special Events Coordinator, Noel Hughes, who organized and hosted a lunch on October 25 for the amazing faculty and staff at De La Salle. We also want to thank our Hospitality Committee, Carla Franco, Donna Griffith and Ronda Peklar DeMay, for providing refreshments and a welcoming atmosphere at the Open House on October 31 for potential new students and their families.
Current Open Parent Association Board Positions: Currently, there are no open positions on the Parent Association Board. However, we have many parents in positions that will be open at the end of this school year because their sons are graduating. If you are interested in being on the Parent Association Board for the 2022-23 school year, please contact Valerie Nagel-Monaldo, President of the Parent Association, at valerie.nagel.a@gmail.com or Laura Flannigan, Vice President of the Parent Association, at flannygirl1@gmail.com.
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SERVICE LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION
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Service Learning Club Recognized by Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
On Tuesday, November 2, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing De La Salle High School for their continued efforts in community outreach during the 2020-21 school year, and their national recognition by Multiplying Good last month.
In the midst of the pandemic, this past school year, the De La Salle students contributed more than 49,000 hours of community service while raising over $34,000 to support charities here at home and throughout the world.
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SOCCER ALUMNI GAME - NOVEMBER 24TH
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Wednesday, November 24 we will have our annual Alumni Soccer Game and Reception at 11 a.m. at Owen Owens Field. A reception for family and friends will follow off-campus at Rocco’s Pizzeria. All are welcome to join, please register through the Soccer Registration Link.
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Do your Spartan shopping with us!
The Spartan Store is your official source for all things De La Salle. Visit us on campus or browse our catalog and order online at www.DLSBookstore.org. We have De La Salle apparel and accessories for all sizes and ages in a variety of colors and styles. You can have your purchases shipped anywhere in the world or available for pickup at our on-campus location.
Bookstore Hours Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Merchandise: Christmas is just around the corner and we have stocking stuffers and gifts just for you! Items sell out quickly at this time of year so stop by soon and check out what is flying off the shelves: Men’s Nike windbreakers, women’s vests, pajama pants, scarves, beanies, ornaments, blankets, and much more!
Online Shopping: We update our website regularly with all of the new Spartan swag, so check back often.
Black Friday Sale November 26th - December 3rd 10% Off Online Only Purchases
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UNION MAGAZINE AVAILABLE NOW
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The 2021 De La Salle High School fall Union magazine has been delivered and is now available electronically on the De La Salle website.
Featured stories include a commencement review for the Class of 2021, a Q&A with new President David Holquin, a look into Brother Carter’s upcoming Lasallian journey, the 2020-21 Lasallian Educator of the Year, and the return of community events to campus. The issue also includes alumni updates, the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021, a 2020-21 athletic review, and the Honor Roll of Donors.
The Union will continue to provide you with a glimpse into the daily life here on campus and our Mission of producing Men of Faith, Integrity, and Scholarship. Copies of the magazine can also be picked up in the Main Office.
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