“Saints aren’t made when things are easy.”
Fr. Mike Schmitz
March 23, 2020
Dear Parents,
Thank you, parents, for your cooperation and support during this most difficult and anxiety producing time. All the faculty, sisters and staff’s greatest concern is the safety of all our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your loved ones each day. Thank you for the sweet and funny pictures and emails of your children and their activities. I know I speak for the teachers, when I say they are the highlight of our day.
Principals of the Archdiocese of Newark met in a Zoom conference where a decision was reached to keep schools closed until April 20th, which would be the end of Easter Break. Students and teachers will continue daily work until Wednesday, April 8th, which is Holy Week, and when we would have had Living Stations of the Cross in the morning. We will resume distance learning, if we are still closed, on Monday, April 20th. How we will all miss our Easter vacations!
There will be no field trips for the children this year to insure their safety. Our Washington DC trip is on hold for two more weeks. We have been in conversation with the tour company and are assured of a full refund if we decide to cancel. I’d like to receive emails from 8th Grade parents with their thoughts on the matter.
Our efforts at distance learning seem to be going well. I know everyone is doing their best. IPAD users seem to be at a disadvantage in the home situation and for some reason my Apple desktop does not support audio on Zoom. Who knew? One very creative use of Zoom, was a virtual play date organized by 1st Grade parents. Kudos, 1st Grade parents! Though, in general Zoom is not recommended as a learning platform for young children. Please be patient with one another’s technological shortcomings.
I cannot thank the teachers and staff enough for their hard work and efforts. I think they are doing a phenomenal job in this time of pandemic. Parents, you are the salt of the earth, your support, words of encouragement and willingness to make the best of a bad situation leaves me speechless. Students, I am so very proud to be the principal of our great school, it is great because of you! Students you should keep a journal of this unusual situation, you are a witness to history!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
God bless you all,
Deborah Savage