May 27, 2020
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
Looking forward to this Sunday, we anticipate the celebration of Pentecost, the time when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. The first reading begins by saying, the apostles were “all in one place together.” In this time of physical distancing we certainly wish that were the case for us. But, the readings of Pentecost go on to say, that the Spirit came upon them and allowed them to proclaim God’s word in many languages. We are reminded that although we are separate parts, we are one body in Christ. (The theme of this year’s 8th grade banner.) As Scripture tells us we are called to “renew the face of the earth”! May we continue to pray for healing and peace in our world as we move forward with hope!
As for our own Class of 2020, our in-person celebration for our Graduates and their parents, as well as limited staff members will take place at 4 p.m. on June 6th in St. Joseph Church. As you know at this time, only 50 persons are allowed to gather in one place. We do intend to live-stream this celebration for family and friends. Further information will be sent to the parents of our Grade 8 students by the end of this week.
I do hope many of you have been able to begin your Journal of Gratitude, as I have. I am so grateful for our St. Joseph School Family—our children, parents and grandparents who continue to nurture the Catholic Education, provided by our wonderful teachers and of course, yourselves—the first teachers of your children.
As we know our school year is winding down. Our closing day of school is June 10th. We know that “distance learning” is not the perfect choice for our children, but I feel that we have managed quite well in this difficult time. What the future holds in terms of our opening date of school is still uncertain. What we do know is that St. Joseph School is alive and well even at a distance in our students and their families and in our teachers and staff.
We continue to plan for our re-opening with joy-filled and hopeful hearts, as we welcome current and new students back to our St. Joseph School.
Looking forward we will have a drop-off day on May 28, 8:00 to 10 a.m. This is for the current week’s work or catch-up work. On June 4th we will have the final drop-off of catch up work, school books, library books and borrowed laptops. This will also be a pick-up of anything that was left behind on March 13th when we left school. Assuming that the weather is appropriate, this will be a drive through the playground, where teachers and I will assist the process. If the weather does not permit this, it will be a walk through the gym with teacher assistance, one family at a time. Additional details of this last drop-off and pick-up will be forthcoming.
Once again, I remind you of the importance of completing as much of the assigned work as is possible, and to sign in to the portal daily for your attendance. We will be grading using our regular system of grades NOT on a pass/fail system. Grades will be based on the demonstration of skills learned through the completion of the work assigned.
As mentioned above our official final day of school for this year will be June 10th. Teachers and I will continue to be in touch with you and your children through that date and going forward as deemed necessary. Report cards will be mailed to your homes during the 3rd week of June. The calendar for next year is still in process due to the current uncertainty as to a beginning date. We are hoping to begin as originally planned on August 26th.
We are aware that our opening may take on a different look from the past, and so I ask that you continue to read my communications with you each week.
Donnelly’s Uniforms is available to you by phone and through their website, as indicated to you by the flyer sent to you. The “summer” uniform rules will be in effect through October 12th, assuming the weather cooperates. Please consult the uniform regulations listed on the school website at sjsnl.com. Plan ahead as the uniforms are made to order.
As always, your families are in my prayers. Please continue to keep the us in yours.
Sincerely,
Marianne Cote