July 31, 2020 - Important Updates for the School Year
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Dear SCCS Families,

Good evening. As we continue to move forward with preparations for the upcoming school year, we wanted to send you a communication which is as comprehensive as possible, given what we know at this time. While we know that there is a great deal of information in this message, please take time to read it thoroughly as it contains a great deal of important information. Please note that we are also asking for parents/guardians of all kindergarteners through 8th graders to complete a Google form, the respective information and link can be found below, by Friday, August 7th.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to St. Croix Catholic School. God bless you.

In Christ,
Sister Maria Ivana, O.P.

SCCS’s School Building Reopening Committee

SCCS’s Academic Committee

Updates from the Academic Committee for Grades K-8
[ Please note that a separate communication will be sent to all Ark of Angels Preschool families next week regarding our plans for welcoming our preschoolers back to the building on September 8th!]

Wheels are spinning and juices are flowing as the Academic Committee works away! You may remember that when we began to move forward with planning for the 2020-2021 school year this committee (members listed below) was formed to develop an academic framework for the coming school year. Last March, we were quickly and unpredictably thrown into distance learning. Our goal is to identify and plan for any scenario we may find ourselves in this year in order to ensure that all SCCS students receive the high caliber instruction for which our school is known. Specifically, this Distance Learning framework is being built for the following instances:

  • For SCCS students whose families choose not to return to the school building at this time, because of health concerns
  • For SCCS students who are absent for any period(s) of time
  • Should we need to move to distance learning as a class/school for any period of time during the school year

We are grateful for the survey feedback we’ve received from parents, as well as input we’ve received from teachers during a listening session. Three key points were made resoundingly clear: overall, teacher-made videos and teacher-guided video conferencing sessions are preferred by students and parents; all community members appreciate our teachers and understand that much will be required of them this year and hope that expectations can be stream-lined; as much as possible, a more consistent approach across grade levels would be helpful to parents. Therefore, the model being developed by the Academic Committee for home/distance learning will:

  • consist of recordings of daily classroom instruction by teachers, which will be posted within 24 hours for students to access from home;
  • ensure that materials for respective recordings, as well as the recordings themselves, will be provided either via hard-copy or on platforms which are user-friendly
  • include regular communications for parents and consistent feedback given on student assignments which will dove-tail with returning to our traditional grading models at each grade levels (i.e. markings on report cards)

Additionally, we are currently investigating different options which would occasionally allow for students at home to participate in the classroom activities and discussions which are taking place with students who are receiving in-person instruction. We want to be sure our students are feeling a sense of connectedness and community that makes SCCS what it is.

The Academic Committee will continue to provide families with updates as we proceed with our planning prior to the start of the school year. We are also committed to making adjustments, as needed, in the upcoming weeks and months. Great things happen at SCCS because of the spirit which is ours, especially in our dedicated teachers and staff!

Please continue to read below for information about our Learning Plans, and a link to select the option that would best fit the needs of each child in your family.

Updates from SCCS’s School Building Reopening Committee

  • First Day of School & Transportation: St. Croix Catholic School has decided to have the first day of class be Tuesday, September 8, for Preschool through 8th Grade. This aligns with District 834's decision to begin classes September 8. While we are awaiting a final communication from the District, to date, it has been communicated to SCCS that the District will provide transportation for our families on days in which public and charter schools are in session, providing in-person instruction in their buildings. Thus, we are hoping that our students will have access to transportation provided by the District beginning on September 8, (please see more information about transportation in the section below regarding SCCS’s Learning Plans). As you may know, SCCS utilizes District 834 for busing, special education services and staffing of our health room. This also allows staff and families one more week to prepare and ease into the unique school year. We will be reviewing the rest of our school calendar and will communicate any additional changes as soon as we are able.
  • To support students in transitioning back into the school building, SCCS will have “Welcome Back Week” over the course of the week of August 31st. During this week, students will have the opportunity to see their classroom, meet their teachers, and bring in their school supplies. At the same time, staff will be available to answer questions parents might have regarding the school year. More information about the Welcome Back Week will be forthcoming, including a sign-up for families to ensure that proper safety measures and protocols are being followed.
  • Classroom Spaces: We are in the final stage of space planning. By moving larger classes to larger rooms and smaller classes to smaller rooms, along with re-purposing spaces, we are able to maintain 6 feet between each student's work station/desk. This will require some volunteers to assist with movement of desks, furniture, materials, etc. If you are interested in volunteering for this task, complete the Volunteer Survey. 
  • While spaces in the school will look different, be assured that our teachers, who are so vigilant about the formation of the whole child, will be attentive to the physical and emotional needs of the children to ensure they are adapting to the changes of the school year, including those of the physical environment.
  • Outdoor spaces: The scheduling of outdoor spaces will be done to allow for increased time to be outside as weather allows during the school day. This will also allow for mask breaks, in addition to mask breaks at lunch and recess. 

SCCS Learning Plans, K-8

As we prepare for the start of school, it is important that we have accurate student numbers regarding each family's desired Learning Plan, for each child. These options will continue to be available throughout the duration of the pandemic this academic year. 

[ Please note that a separate communication will be sent to all Ark of Angel Preschool families next week regarding our plans for welcoming our preschoolers back to the building on September 8th!]

At the same time, we understand that transportation may impact families' decisions. To date, it has been communicated to SCCS that the District will provide transportation for our families on days in which public and charter schools are in session, providing in-person instruction in their buildings. According to the current ABABC Model communicated by Stillwater Schools, Fridays will be 'C' days and only Distance Learning will be available to public and charter school students. It is our current understanding, therefore, that transportation will not be available to SCCS students on Fridays. Therefore, should this be the District's final decision, a Distance Learning option for FRIDAYS ONLY will be offered to all SCCS families who decide to begin the year with in-person learning. As In-person Learning will continue as usual on Fridays, it is our hope most of our students are able to attend Fridays. As with all other school days, it will be expected that students utilizing the Distance Learning option on Fridays complete all school work assigned prior to return to school on Monday.

Therefore, the SCCS Learning Options for K-8 students are: 

  1. In-person Learning, Mondays through Fridays
  2. Distance Learning, Mondays through Fridays
  3. In-person Learning, Mondays through Thursdays; Distance Learning for Fridays (this option will only be available to families if the District DOES NOT provide busing for students on Fridays) 

Moreover, the purpose of these Learning Models is to provide flexibility as we keep before us the health and safety of all of our students and families. Therefore, students who are sick, or whose circumstances otherwise deem it necessary, will access learning via the Distance Learning Model for as long as it is needed (whether one day, several days, two weeks or more).

Understanding the exceptions just mentioned above, the purpose of our asking you to complete the form below is to enable us to capture our school families' desired Learning Models for the start of the school year. You will be asked to choose from one of these three options mentioned above, for each child. After the first few weeks of school, we will reach out to all families to ask if parents desire to make any changes to the Learning Model selected. Once we are in school for about a month, we will ask families to make a commitment to a Learning Model, for each child, for the remainder of the semester.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we unite with families to form scholars, disciples and servant leaders!

Please click here to select a Learning Plan for each of your children, Kindergarten through 8th Grade. This form should be completed by Friday, August 7th.

State and Archdiocesan Updates
  • Face Coverings: As you know, on July 22, 2020, the Walz Administration issued Executive Order 20-81 requiring Minnesotans to wear a face covering in all indoor spaces, including K-12 schools, beginning July 25. Following the announcement, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker clarified that this Executive Order included all school buildings, both public and nonpublic, writing that “face coverings are generally required for all students, staff, and other person present in any kindergarten through grade 12 school buildings or district offices or riding on school transportation vehicles.”
  • In our desire to work collaboratively with public officials in the spirit of public health and the common good as we continue preparations for a safe and healthy start to the school year, SCCS is developing policies for our PPRP, (Pandemic Preparedness Readiness Plan), to include the wearing of face coverings which meet the requirements of the Executive Order.

What this Order means for your child(ren), based on what we know today:

  • All K-12 students are required to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth.
  • A face shield (clear plastic shield worn in front of the face) may be used for students who cannot wear a face mask.
  • Teachers will be instructed in proper techniques for wearing face masks and will use positive behavioral strategies to encourage the safe wearing of face masks in school. No student will be punished or singled-out for his or her inability to wear a face covering.
  • Students will not be wearing coverings during recess, physical education class or lunch.
  • We will be scheduling additional “mask breaks” for students.
  • Masks must be free of writing or any distracting design.

We ask you to work with your children and make a good-faith effort in these next weeks to help your child wear a face mask, especially as the first day of school quickly approaches. Parents may opt to send their child to school with a face shield if wearing a face mask is not possible. We will work to make reasonable accommodations for those students who may not be able to wear a face covering due to a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that makes it unreasonable to wear a face covering.

In the upcoming weeks we will be in close communication with you with more information.

  • Minnesota’s Learning Plan for all public and charter schools: Yesterday, Governor Walz and his team announced a learning plan for all public and charter schools for the 2020-21 school year. The Archdiocese is working with the Walz Administration to give Catholic schools greater flexibility to ensure educational quality and the health and wellbeing of their students and community. It is our expectation that our Catholic school students will be able to share equitably in the services and funding the Governor has made available to all Minnesota students.

Please use this Google Form to ask any questions you may have regarding this update.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read this message. These times, perhaps more than ever before, require mutual support and encouragement in every facet of our community as we turn to the Lord Who is our hope and our strength. Thanks be to Him Who leads us and remains with us as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May God bless you as Our Lady, cause of our joy, keeps you.