Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for partnering with us in the education of your children. Thanks also for your support, thoughtful feedback, and patience as we determine the most effective way to start the 2020-21 academic year. Our priorities are to protect the health and safety of all and to provide an exceptional Catholic education.
After much careful consideration, we will open the 2020-21 academic year with a staggered, in-person student orientation, followed by Mode 3, remote learning.
Student Orientation will take place the week of August 17th. Classes will begin in Mode 3 on Monday, August 24th and last at least through Friday, September 4th. Our goal remains to bring the students back to school in person as soon as possible. We anticipate a measured, sustainable return to in-person learning, one that preserves the continuity of quality instruction while easing students back into the physical classroom. The goal is to commit to a particular mode for a period of two weeks, while continuing to monitor the guidelines and data of the Saint Joseph County Health Department. This allows us to remain flexible and responsive, and to prepare for Mode 1, 2, or 3 (as described in our Back to School Plan posted on our website here). We will provide at least one week advance notice before switching between modes.
Saint Joseph High School is uniquely positioned to provide an exceptional remote learning experience. First, every student is issued a school laptop, making us a 1:1 learning community. Additionally, Saint Joe has provided hot spots for every student without reliable internet access at home. Our students have the tools and resources to access their classwork remotely.
Second, we are starting from a place of considerable strength. Parent feedback related to 4th quarter extended eLearning was overwhelmingly positive; and the remote instruction planned for this fall will be even better. This fall, a day of remote learning will more closely resemble a day of in-person classes. For instance,
- We have created a new Saint Joseph High School Canvas course template and developed standardized procedures for the use of Canvas, thereby ensuring consistency across subjects and streamlining the student experience.
- Classes will be taught in real time, with live two-way video interaction, followed by the completion of assignments offline, approximating the curriculum and pace of the physical classroom.
- Teachers will offer opportunities for virtual and/or in-person support for all students, as well as targeted academic support for students who require additional assistance.
Third, we remain a vibrant, faithful, and engaged community, and will offer new ways for students to gather in community, deepen their faith, and strengthen their social and emotional wellbeing. Student success is paramount, and we will seek to welcome and orient students in ways that ensure a solid start this fall. Activities include:
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New Student Parent Welcome, August 12 and 13. While the information session for parents goes virtual, new students will complete in-person laptop training. The training will be staggered and with limited capacity. We will assign students to a group alphabetically by last name or by sport, if a fall athlete. Families will learn of their assignment in a separate communication. Four sessions will be offered:
- Wednesday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
- Thursday, August 13 at 3:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
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Student Orientation, August 17 - 21, staggered with limited capacity. Students will meet their teachers, learn new procedures and expectations, receive course materials, take student I.D. pictures, and participate in a live, teacher-guided, remote learning practice session. (Orientation Schedules and Important Upcoming Dates are here).
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Weekly in-person, small group opportunities on Flex Days (Wednesdays), such as:
- Faith-sharing groups hosted by Pastoral Ministry
- Small group discussions hosted by Counseling
- Aerobic activities offered by Physical Education faculty
- Extra-help sessions for ongoing academic support
As I shared in my Soundings letter, Saint Joseph High School will remain in 2020-21 and beyond a school that prepares our teenagers to be difference-makers and servant leaders. We will continue to transform students in heart and mind and to instill in them the importance of living a faith-filled life, committing to excellence, supporting justice, and acting with kindness. At Saint Joe, students are surrounded by peers that bring out the best in each other. Whether school is in-person, remote, or some combination of the two this fall, these values will remain, and Saint Joe will still be a transformative experience for our students. We will not compromise the health and safety of our community; nor will we compromise the quality of education.
Saint Joseph High School is, and will remain, a great place to be.
God Bless,
