"To support one another is a charity that each one is obliged to practice toward his Brothers, if he wishes to preserve union with them and to show by his conduct that he forms one and the same society with them."
St. John Baptist de La Salle.
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From Dr. Heather Alumbaugh, Vice President for Academic Life
6 April 2018 Although the Lenten season has ended, I continue to reflect upon the various ways our community comes together in the spirit of Christian service, an ongoing pillar of all Lasallian communities. On March 28th, faculty and staff began Easter break by volunteering across the Bay Area on various service projects, including Habitat for Humanity, various food pantries, ARF, and Save Mount Diablo. The 2018 Charity Challenge ended in March with students, faculty, and staff raising more than $10,000, and we welcomed home another successful Ven a Ver immersion Campus Ministry trip from San Diego. One of my favorite moments of the Lenten season included the Student Lead Reflections every Friday in our Studies Skills class, which I co-teach with Mrs. Mattos, Ms. Stevenson, and Mr. Bristol. The most recent reflection included one student’s evaluation of his Lenten promise to perform four acts of intentional kindness every day.
March proved to be yet another amazingly fruitful month in the academic life of the school. De La Salle students from our AP Biology program presented cutting-edge research at the Contra Costa Science and Engineering Fair.
Click here to read more about the AP Biology students, as well as updates on the Robotics Club, Visual and Performing Arts, the Learning Center, and upcoming work with Dr. Jackson Katz and his Mentors in Violence Prevention Strategies.
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From Mr. Mark DeMarco, President
Dear Parents,
As I reflected as to what to say in my Easter Letter for this year, I came across the following from a church bulletin. Some you may have seen this, but I do believe it is worth a second reading and reflection.
New life is God’s gift to us at Easter. Bringing new life to others is what God asks for us. We give new life when we carry out our work with care and attention, when we choose what we know is right, even when others seem to be choosing the opposite. We give new life when we treat people with fairness and justice; when we don’t rake up the ashes of failure, but look for the spark of goodness and fan it into a flame; when we listen to the young with openness and respond with a word of encouragement; when we are patient with people who make mistakes.
We give new life when we stretch out the hand of forgiveness and let bygones be bygones; when we reach out in generosity to the poor and the hungry; when we treat the elderly and the handicapped with respect and gentleness; when we say thank you and well done to the people who enrich our lives, and are so often taken for granted.
Easter tells us that the Risen Lord walks with us, guiding and supporting us in times of struggle and darkness. Easter teaches us that in our acceptance of difficulties and pain something of value is born. Easter shows us how God has changed our brokenness and given us new meaning and new life.
May the Risen Lord give each of us the faith and the courage to face life’s difficulties, so that through them we may allow God to change us – to change our pains to joys so that together we may become a string of hope – joys which speak of New Life, Hope, and Resurrection.
I hope that you had a wonderful Easter holiday!
In the Spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Mark DeMarco '78
President
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Office of Admissions
A reminder to DLS Parents of Incoming Freshmen (Class of 2022): All students who are conditionally accepted into the Class of 2022 as part of the Spartan Success Program will be required to attend summer school at DLS. Summer school will be July 9 – July 27. All students who are conditionally accepted are required to attend. Keep this in mind as you plan your summer vacation. Classes will be offered in English, Math, Study Skills, and Lasallian Life. Absence from these classes may jeopardize fall enrollment. If you have any questions about Spartan Success summer school, please contact Mr. Sean Bristol at (925) 288-8104 or bristols@dlshs.org. Also, please don't forget to join us for the Freshman Welcome Night on Tuesday, May 8! We will be mailing you a packet with more information later this month.
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The Learning Center is always looking for adult volunteers to share their academic talents.
Want to know more about the Learning Center? Check out our home page or read about Deb Jansen, our amazing, dedicated volunteer, in the latest issue of our Union magazine. If you're interested in helping, please contact Jon Norfolk by email or phone at (925) 288-8111.
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Business Office
Senior Families: Tuition must be current for your son to be able to take finals, attend graduation, and participate in graduation activities. Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior Families: Tuition must be current for your son to be able to take finals and re-register for the 2018-19 school year. The class registration link will be emailed in May, but it will not be sent to delinquent accounts. Tuition payments: As a reminder, tuition payments are due on the 1st of each month and are considered late after the 10th of that month. If you have questions relating to your tuition obligation, call Ms. Kathy Resch in the Business Office at 925-288-8122 or email her at reschk@dlshs.org.
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Campus Ministry
"The religious challenge is to find God's image in someone who is not in our image, in someone whose color is different, whose culture is different, who speaks a different language, tells a different story, and worships God in a different way." ~ Alan Jones
Busy March in Campus Ministry! Eight Seniors went to the US/Mexico border on Ven a Ver as part of our Immersion Program--putting into action the Lasallian heritage of service and concern for the poor. Kairos 114 was the last retreat of 2017-18, and over 230 Seniors attended throughout the year. On March 4, Seniors and Mothers came together to worship and share a meal. We celebrated Reconciliation with 14 priests from local parishes on the 8th, and on the 27th, we gathered as a community to reflect on our Lenten journey and the call to put our faith in action, a theme which continues in April. By mid-April, all the Sophomores will have gone to SF’s Tenderloin to meet and serve people who live on the margins and struggle with the basic needs of shelter, food and clothing. Students will participate in a food packing day on April 25th in partnership with Generation Alive (recipient of Charity Challenge donations) and Founder’s Day Mass will take place on April 26th. And don’t forget, the June 17-22, 2018 Lasallian Youth Assembly will be at the University of Portland. Students from the Western States will open their eyes and hearts to the dire issue of human trafficking.
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College Counseling
EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES: COLLEGE PREVIEW NIGHT FOR JUNIORS AND THEIR PARENTS: Wednesday, April 18th, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at DLS Hofmann Center EAST BAY COLLEGE FAIR: Saturday, May 5th, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s College. www.stmarys-ca.edu/ebcc. Workshops begin at 12:15 p.m.
REMAINING SAT & ACT DATES:
SAT (register at www.sat.org): May 5 (Deadline to register April 6)
June 2 (Deadline to register May 3)
ACT (register at www.actstudent.org):June 9 (Deadline to register May 4)
Spring is a busy time for college preparation, exploration, and planning. Please check out the important College Center news and information for more information on:
For Seniors:
DVC Enrollment
UC Writing Placement Exam
Making your college decision
Financial Aid offers
For Juniors:
College Preview Night
Summer Programs
SAT/ACT Recommendations
Narrowing Down College Options
East Bay College Connection- College Fair
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Nomination Deadline is May 1
The Jefferson Awards Students in Action Club wants to recognize students, faculty, staff, or parents who are involved in significant community service activities. The Jefferson Award for Community Service student recipients receive an official certificate, are listed in the graduation program, and are given special pins to wear at graduation. Adult recipients will receive the certificate and a pin, as well. All Jefferson Award recipients are eligible to be recognized at a Giants home plate ceremony, featured on KPIX Channel 5, and honored through other regional or national Jefferson Awards platforms. If you know of someone who does great service/volunteer work in the community, please fill out this form. Deadline is May 1, and the winners will be announced at the Academic Awards Night on May 22.
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Announcing the 2018 DLS Parent Survey!
We welcome this opportunity to ask you for feedback about your family’s experiences in the De La Salle community—within and beyond the classroom. You can expect questions about the school’s communication with you, school culture, the counseling and student support services, and your son’s experiences with co-curricular activities. The survey should take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Please note that this survey is anonymous, and your responses cannot and will not affect your son’s grades or financial aid award. We deeply appreciate your feedback and the time you take to communicate with us through this important survey.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Berkes, Director of Faculty Development and WCEA School Coordinator ( berkese@dlshs.org or 925-288-8149).
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Parent Association Meeting Monday, April 9 with guest speaker Mr. Michael Otterstedt, Director of Student Support Services
"Communication Challenges in Transitioning to College"
Our next Parent Association (PA) meeting will be April 9 in the DLS Library starting at 7:00 pm. Mr. Otterstedt will be speaking about "Communication Challenges in Transitioning to College." This is a great opportunity to get help parents get tips on communicating with their sons before they leave for college. Mr. Otterstedt will be talking about stress and anxiety related to deadlines and workloads to challenges before college, including looking at their decision making skills (executive functions) where they have the body of an adult with the frontal lobes of an 18 year old!
It is never too early to have the conversations with our sons -- whether they are seniors getting ready to fly or freshmen waiting for graduation day. It's good to know what's to come so that we can communicate in an open, real, supportive, and consistent manner.
PLUS: Also, we are looking at our PA roster for next year. If you are interested in being a part of this incredible group of volunteers and leaders, please email Cathy Avila, DLS Parent Association President. Missed a meeting and want to catch up? Visit our home page for minutes from last month's meeting, a list of current Parent Association Board Members, and more.
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Student and Parent Surveys coming this Month for Challenge Success (Stanford's School of Education)
We have partnered with the Challenge Success project in the School of Education at Stanford University for the last four years.
This April we will participate in two different Challenge Success surveys.
First, your son is being invited to participate in the Survey of Adolescent School Experience in his Religious Studies class. Then, as a parent or guardian, you will be invited to participate in the Challenge Success Parent Survey. Both surveys are taken online and measure student and parent perspectives on homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, physical health, stress, family expectations, academic integrity, and teacher support. The survey results are anonymous; students and parents are not asked to provide their names and can opt out of answering any or all questions by completing a form
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Receive tax benefits in 2018 with your gift to the Annual Fund
Have you been sitting with your tax specialist wishing you made a charitable gift to De La Salle in 2017? While you won’t receive a tax benefit on your 2017 taxes, you can make your gift and receive valuable tax benefits for the 2018 tax year. Consult your tax specialist about the recent tax reform and learn how your gift to the Annual Fund can reduce your income taxes, while also benefitting your son’s educational experience at De La Salle.
Contact Karla Wiese, Director of Development, at (925) 288-8195 or wiesek@dlshs.org with any questions about our Annual Fund efforts.
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Alumni Relations
We hope to see you at one or more of these exciting events!
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DLS Spartans Website now Live!
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Come join the summer fun! DLS Summer Camps are now open for registration
De La Salle High School hosts athletic camps to provide a fun, skill-building week for kids. Appealing to local youth with a variety of athletic interests, De La Salle will offer sessions for Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Volleyball, Baseball, Water Polo, Soccer, Swimming, and Strength & Conditioning. The mission of the De La Salle High School athletic camps is to offer children of all ages (male and female) the opportunity to participate and experience an enjoyable camp while at the same time providing assistance to the Bishop John S. Cummins program.
Visit our webpage for more information and to register today!
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BookstoreMonday 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Days and Hours reflect the Student Schedule Book Return: As the school year comes to an end, it is time for our students to be accountable for their textbooks. All textbooks must be returned immediately after finals!
Seniors: All Seniors must return or pay for lost/damaged books by Thurs, May 24th to receive graduation tickets. Diplomas and/or transcripts may be held if book accounts are outstanding.
Underclassmen: All 9th-11th graders must return or pay for lost/damaged books by Friday, June 1. No return books will be accepted after that time. You own them and will be billed accordingly.
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DLS is excited to present our Spring 2018 Musical:
Little Shop of Horrors!
Little Shop of Horrors is a dark comedy. The action opens in Mushnik's Flower Shop, a failing store on Skid Row. The few plants in stock are, like their surroundings, rundown and fading. There, we meet Mr. Mushnik and his two employees, Audrey and the nerdish Seymour Krelborn, who secretly has a crush on his beautiful-but-much-abused co-worker. Seymour brings a strange plant to the flower shop, and business begins to bloom. Seymour's sudden success comes with a price. The plant, which he names Audrey II after his co-woker, demands to be fed human blood. Ultimately, however, Seymour’s natural goodness begins to make him think about his lifestyle and what he must do to maintain it.
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2018 Spring Winton Arts Festival
The annual Winton Arts Festival starts this month!
Friday, April 20
Choir Concert & Dance Showcase at 7 p.m. in the Carondelet Gym
Wednesday, April 25
Beat Cafe during lunch in the Carondelet Inner Court
Thursday, April 26 - Saturday, May 5
Little Shop of Horrors in the Brother Celestine Cormier, FSC Theater ( https://www.dlshs.org/arts/company)
Sunday, April 27
Art Show opening at 6 p.m. in DLS OC (view the art before and after Little Shop of Horrors)
Sunday, April 27 - Friday, May 4
Art Show open during school hours in the DLS O.C.
Friday, May 11
Concert & Jazz Band Concert at 7 p.m. in DLS Theater
Come see all that the De La Salle and Carondelet Visual and Performing Arts departments have to offer. Thanks for supporting all of our student artists!
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Upcoming April Calendar Dates|
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Classes Resume
Parent Association Meeting - 7pm in DLS Library
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Modified Schedule (0-X-6-2-4-7)
Josten's Ring Order (Class of 2020)
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First Ever DLS Spartan Car Show - 12:30 p.m. in DLS Main Parking Lot
Dads and Grads Casino Night - 4:00 p.m. in Hofmann
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DLS/CHS College Preview Night for Juniors & Junior Parents - 6:00 p.m. in Hofmann
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Winton Arts Festival Begins
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Senior Ball - 7:30 p.m. at SF City View
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DLS Founder's Week - April 25 - Modified Schedule (0-X-1-2-3-7)
- April 26 - Special Schedule (0-5-Liturgy-4-6) - Liturgy Attire
- April 26 - Field Day (bring change of clothes)
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| Did you know?
"I commend first of all my soul to God, and next to all the Brothers of the Society of the Christian Schools with whom he has united me." ~ from The Testament and Last Recommendation of John Baptist de La Salle
On Good Friday April 7, 1719, John Baptist de La Salle died. Next year, which will be the 300th anniversary of his entry to eternal life, will be dedicated throughout the worldwide Lasallian community as the year of Lasallian Vocations: "De La Salle: One Heart, One Commitment, One Life." We will let you know of the events and ways you can support this important vocation in the upcoming months.
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