August 4, 2020
Dear Parents and Students:
This is a long letter, please read it carefully and thoroughly!
We are very excited to welcome you (or welcome you back) to Justin-Siena. We know with certainty that there are still a lot of questions and concerns, but please know our staff is ready to greet you, support you, care for you, and love you. This year will be different and it will also be hard. None of this will be easy; there will be moments this year when we falter and don’t meet your expectations and there will be moments when we far exceed them. Through it all, let's continue to be an ALLHEART community in the way we treat one another and trust the educational process. What comes from the depths of our hearts--how we respond, words we say, how we show kindness--defines our community much more than this pandemic does.
Digital Learning to Start the Year
The school will commence learning in a digital format. Napa County remains on the California COVID watchlist. We have not even begun the process as a county to be off the watchlist and there is no way to be off the watchlist for fourteen days before school begins. As we have stated, our preferred method is to deliver in-person instruction that follows our Safe School Approach.
Change to Orientation and August 10 - August 14
In this environment, everything requires trade offs. One of the many things we agonize over is the safety of our students and staff. We take a cautious approach because we care deeply about each of you. Because we are living in and through a very complex time I have made some last minute decisions because of the rising cases in our local area.
The first day of classes will be on FRIDAY, August 14 as a 7 period digital day. There will be no classes on Thursday, August 13 as previously announced.
Orientations will happen for one class only on a given day, and split into two shifts by advisory (for freshmen and sophomore) or homeroom (for juniors and seniors).
Class of 2024 - Monday, August 10
Class of 2023 - Tuesday, August 11
Class of 2022 - Wednesday, August 12
Class of 2021- Thursday, August 13
This change impacts everyone differently. We appreciate your support and understanding.
Town Hall on August 10
We have a Town Hall meeting on Monday, August 10 at 6:30. We will go over additional information, as well as adjustments to digital learning that we have implemented as a staff given the feedback we have received from the various surveys, as well as student feedback sessions. Find the link for the Town Hall here:
Passcode: 165780
New Parent Orientation - August 11
Whether you are the parent of a new freshman or a transfer student, you are cordially invited to attend our virtual New Parent Orientation at 6:30. Come to find out more information regarding our ALLHEART community, the best ways you can support your son or daughter at Justin-Siena, and more. We look forward to you joining us. Find the link for the New Parent Orientation here:
Passcode: 365911
Preparing for the first day of school (August 14)
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Books and other information
If you have not already done so, please review the Back to School Guide which includes lots of information to prepare for the school year. Of note, of course, is the books required for every class which, by now, you should have ordered. This year we are partnering with Flannery Book Service which provides the Justin-Siena textbook list on a web portal through which families can compare prices and purchase books through many online merchants. To order, please click here. For detailed directions on making your purchase, please click here.
Please make sure that your son or daughter has checked on all posted summer assignments on Schoology. Students in AP and Honors courses that have summer assignments will be expected to have completed them assignments before the start of class. Make sure to read the instructions carefully so that your assignment is complete and submitted on time. If you have any questions, please reach out to your teacher.
Your son or daughter will receive a copy of his or her schedule their course list tomorrow. On it will be a student’s course schedule as well as their advisory and cohort color.
As stated above, we will begin with the first day of classes on Friday, August 14 (not Thursday) with a 7 period day. Students should prepare to log in to Zoom on that day. Links will be provided by their teacher in Schoology.
Beginning Monday, August 17, we will begin our class rotation of:
Monday/Thursday A-days
Wednesday being a wellness day
Tuesday/Friday B-days
Though classes will be seventy-five minute periods, classes are not expected to run the full duration. Teachers will provide students with guided instruction for a portion of that time. Since our founding in the 1600’s, Lasallian education has always been rooted in practical creativity. St. John Baptist de La Salle responded to the times, as we do now. Student learning is never dependent alone on the number of minutes in class, assignment length, assessments, or direct instruction. It is all of it combined, along with student agency and growth, motivation and partnership. Justin-Siena will continue to use a variety of teaching methodologies and styles in order to advance student learning and growth which remains central to how we provide educational excellence.
We will continue to provide opportunities for student athletes to condition according to our Return to Play Policy as well as county, state, and federal guidelines. These will continue to happen even in digital learning. You may also reference the email sent from George Nessman, Athletic Director, regarding the upcoming sports season. If your son/daughter is not signed up for a conditioning cohort and would like to participate please contact Mr. Nessman at [email protected].
We continue to explore ways to provide our students with the necessary artistic outlets we have marveled when watching them on stage. Their talents cannot be overshadowed by COVID, yet we also must provide a safe environment to do so. The traditional fall arts schedule has been adjusted and we are hopeful to have a musical or play in the early Spring.
As we continue to march toward the start of the school year, please know that we are here to be of support and resource for each of you. When you have questions, ask. When you have concerns, reach out. Let’s agree to have an open posture of dialogue and mutual support so that the young people entrusted to our care thrive under these challenging circumstances. Our Lasallian Catholic community is blessed with an abundance of people who care deeply for our students and staff. Let’s keep that at the center of all we do.
With warm regards,
David J. Holquin
President
Robyn Canga
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bob Bailey
Vice President for Student Affairs
Alma Gallegos
Dean of Academics
