10.4.2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for the prayers you've said for our community. The student who had a positive COVID test is well. She has passed the 14-day quarantine period and has no symptoms, She will be back in school on Monday. No other member of the community was infected as a result, and we are back to no active cases among our faculty and staff.

This week's newsletter doesn't have any profound message, just a lot of valuable information and resources. We strive to model being life-long learners, and I am learning much through many of our close friends and connections. I hope you will join me!

October 11th marks the United Nations observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

On Thursday, October 15th the Parliament's Next Generation Task Force is celebrating the critical importance of empowering girls in order to foster a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world with the webinar, Planting Seeds of Hope: A Multigenerational Conversation on Empowering Girls.

The fall and winter months may be especially challenging with COVID-19 and influenza possibly spreading at the same time. In many cases, the symptoms overlap and make it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
 
On Thursday, October 8 at 6pm Dr. Tina Brueschke, a family practice physician and Regional Medical Officer with AMITA Health Medical Group, will explain the similarities and differences and provide guidance on when you need to seek medical attention so you are prepared heading into flu season.
 
The event will last approximately 40 minutes, with the final 20 minutes reserved for Q & A. After you register, you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting the day before the Webinar. Also after you register, head down to your health care provider for your annual flu shot!!

In a world deeply divided, how do we have hard conversations with nuance, curiosity, respect? Veteran reporter Eve Pearlman introduces "dialogue journalism": a project where journalists go to the heart of social and political divides to support discussions between people who disagree. See what happened when a group that would have never otherwise met -- 25 liberals from California and 25 conservatives from Alabama -- gathered to talk about contentious issues. "Real connection across difference: this is a salve that our democracy sorely needs," Pearlman says.  

I hope you find some of this useful.

Stay well,
Laura Curley
President
Important Updates
Indoor waiting space for students: beginning Monday, October 12
As the temperatures are dipping into the realities of the new season, we realize that our students cannot wait outside every morning. As such, beginning on Monday October 12, our students will be able to wait inside of the SMG (gym) if they arrive to school anytime between 7:00 and 7:50 AM. The waiting space will be supervised by an adult, and all of our health and safety protocols will be in place. That is, parents must have completed the Appian screening for their daughter, students must remain masked, and they must practice social distancing. 
Information for the Class of 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2021, 

On Friday, this communication was sent via email to your soon to be graduate regarding Baccalaureate Mass/Commencement and the ordering of Caps/Gowns/Diplomas!  

It contained two action items for seniors:
  • Submit a form to Herff Jones with measurement information for Graduation Caps & Gowns.

  • Submit a form to Trinity High School with verified spelling of first, last (and middle name if applicable) for diplomas

Please take some time to consult as a family about whether or not you would like for a middle name, if applicable, to appear on your student’s diploma and be sure that your senior submits both Google Forms by October 9th!

Thank you so much for your continued partnership!
Walk-A-Thon Update
Walk-A-Thon 2020 Update: By now Blazers have finished up walking their 3.1 miles for the Walk-A-Thon. This is a reminder that pledges ($175) are due tomorrow, Monday October 5th. It can be turned into a student's Lunch Circle Moderator, the Main Office, or the Advancement Office. Questions can be directed to Mary Beth Lavezzorio and Nicole Neyenesch in the Advancement Office. #InThisTogeter.   
Student Services Department
Coffee with the Counselor
Trinity's Student Services Department just launched their monthly Coffee with the Counselor presentation on Growth Mindset. Check it out!
College Counseling
Banned Book Week
This past week was Banned Book Week which celebrates the freedom to read, draws attention to banned and challenged books, and highlights persecuted individuals. The Trinity community joined the national conversation around free and open access to ideas and information by reading banned books, watching exclusive Facebook Live events with Grammy Award-winning musicians and free expression heroes "Portugal. The Man!" and a FaceBook Live Event with Alex Gino, author of  award-winning middle grade novel George.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed it)
Important information from last week's newsletter
Trinity Uniform Update
Calendar Reminders: 

Tuesday October 6:
ACT Day for Juniors and Seniors / No class for Freshmen and Sophomores 
On Tuesday October 6 there will be no in-person or eLearning for Freshman or Sophomores. Those Juniors and Seniors who have signed up to take the ACT will report to school for their test. Please note that there will be no Trinity transportation that day. Please see the attached information for times and details. 

Wednesday October 14: National Testing Day for Sophomores and Juniors / Virtual Retreat for Freshmen / No class for Seniors
There will be no classes or eLearning on Wednesday October 14. Instead, Sophomores and Juniors will use the day to take practice standardized tests. Note that Trinity transportation will be available. Please see the attached information.

On this date Freshmen will attend an online retreat via Zoom. Links and information regarding exact times and expectations will be emailed out to students and families in the upcoming week.

Seniors are not required to attend class on this date. They are encouraged to use the day to research and schedule virtual tours of the colleges and universities they are interested in attending.
No Schedule Changes for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year 
The Leadership Team is finalizing plans for the continuation of in-person for Block 2. As part of the process, we are evaluating each learning space currently in use and making modifications as needed. The most essential aspect of the planning is ensuring student safety though social distancing. As such, we cannot allow students to change their schedules for the remainder of the year.  
ATTENTION SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR PARENTS: 

October is an important month at Trinity for Standardized Testing! Please see below for specifics on dates.

On October 6th -Trinity will host the ACT for our junior and senior students. The ACT is a College Entrance Exam. All junior and senior students have been registered for this test unless they completed the opt-out form.

On October 14th- Trinity will host the Practice ACT for Sophomore students and the PSAT for Junior students. The Practice ACT will prepare students for the ACT and the PSAT will prepare students for the SAT, as well as give them a chance to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Trinity registers students and pays for these tests.

Please click on the links below for more detailed information.

Virtual Chapel Prayer Book