Volume 66 - April 9th, 2020
"St. Joan of Arc, pray for us."
Please read the following updates (dated March 31st, 2020) from the Diocese of Palm Beach regarding the Coronavirus and school closures.
School is closed through May 1st or until further notice.

Dear SJA Parents, 

I am extremely proud of our SJA Community as we continue to help one another and maintain high standards in all that we do. Everyone has risen to meet unexpected challenges to the best of their abilities. Thank you very much for working together as we complete Week 2 of Distance Learning!  

We had three virtual faculty meetings yesterday among Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School to recap and reflect on our progress as a school. Overall, teachers perceive the students and families are developing routines and getting used to Google Classroom. Teachers expressed that they are getting better at determining the appropriate balance of work to assign.

Numerous parents conveyed to the teachers that they noticed: 
1) assignments are easier to find, 2) students are better at accessing their online resources and classrooms (including remembering their passwords), 3) and students are becoming more proficient and independent at uploading assignments.  Our younger students have definitely been benefiting and enjoying being in smaller virtual lessons as we have large group lessons as well as small group lessons.  Some teachers interestingly observed that some of our "quieter" students have found that they have an even stronger voice during virtual lessons.

We continue to make slight adjustments to some schedules in order to better meet the needs of each grade level and we continue to problem solve as some technology issues arise periodically.  

I am sure everyone is exhausted. We hope you can disconnect from distance learning briefly over the Easter weekend and recharge. The school office will be closed on Thursday and on Friday. God has graced us with strength. We pray that we can all feel renewed and rise from the current struggles even stronger. 

Please know I am here for you as well as Miss Hiponia, our faculty, staff, Monsignor McGraw, Father Marty, and Father Dominic. Our priests are holding daily Masses, at 10:45 AM, online through Facebook and taking turns speaking for the "Clergy Corner". These are two ways that the St. Joan of Arc Church priests are here to support your spiritual needs and journey at this time. We are all aiming to be flexible and understanding as so many families are experiencing varying circumstances.  We are here to help you, and some of our staff members are being assigned to work closely with some families to assist with the distance learning process, due to extreme situations.  

As we all continue to prepare for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday  (I imagine many of you will be connecting with loved ones virtually),  I will share with you some wise thoughts from an unknown author.  

Many people are concerned about students falling behind because schools are closed. 

But what if...
  • What if instead of falling “behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? 
  • What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.
  • What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet. 
  • What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
  • What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?
  • What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less? 
  • What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home. 
  • What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
  • What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?
  • What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?

What if they are AHEAD? 

Have a blessed Easter!

Mrs. Roberts
Principal


A Note from the Parish Office:

The Parish office is open on a limited capacity; Mass is being offered daily at 10:45 and streaming via our Facebook page: @SaintJoanOfArcCatholicChurch

Also, thank you SJA families who have mailed your offertory donation envelopes to the parish office. We appreciate and encourage you to continue.  
04/09 - No Zoom classes (Homework due for the week by Noon instead of Sunday)
04/10 - No Zoom classes
04/13 - End of Easter break / Zoom classes resume
03/16 - 05/29 - Quarter 4
05/11 - Last Day for AR
05/18 - Last Day for 8th Graders
8th Grade Parents please note: An email will be sent out regarding graduation and the Disney field trip.

IMPORTANT DATES
FOR THE 2020
SCHOOL YEAR
Easter Break
4/9/2020- 4/10/2020
Last Day of School
5/29/2020

IMPORTANT DATES
FOR THE 2020 -2021
SCHOOL YEAR
First Day of School
08/10/2020
Thanksgiving Holiday
11/23/2020 - 11/27/2020
Christmas Break
12/21/2020 - 01/04/2021
Spring Break
03/15/2021 - 03/19/2021
Easter Holiday
04/01/2021 - 04/02/2021
Need Tech Help? Miss Bryant and
Ms. Novoa are offering help sessions during virtual office hours during school days:
Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday and Thursday from
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Please send an email to Miss Bryant for Zoom link bryant_valerie@stjoan.org
IPad and Online Access to Textbook questions should be directed to the Tech Department at tech_dept@stjoan.org
Reminders
  • Parents: Please note that Zoom lessons and Virtual Office Hours are for students, only. If you wish to speak with the teacher, please email the teacher to set up a separate time.
  • Students are expected to attend live Zoom lessons and turn in bell-ringers through Google Classroom or complete their attendance through Class Dojo (depending on grade level).
Congratulations, Coach Daniel Cavalcanti!
Coach Cavalcanti and his wife welcomed their new baby, Julia Helen Haraldson Cavalcanti! She was born just after midnight on Wednesday, April 8th. Congratulations!
Distance Learning Spotlight
Check out what Pre-K3 has been doing this week for Distance Learning! From creative representations of number lines to planetary projects, the youngest St. Joan of Arc students are working hard from home.
The 8th grade Religion class made Power Points or Google Slides based on the 7 Catholic Social Teachings. The students did a great job! Here's a sample of some of their work.
Kindergarten went on a
"spring safari" and completed a scavenger hunt activity based on God's creation in their own backyard.
March Student of the Month
Featuring Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Self-Control (Self-Discipline)
3rd Quarter Honor Roll
Please review our updated
Holy Week Online Schedule

Dear parishioners and friends,
As most of you know because of U.S. restrictions, all Holy Week celebrations will be private and celebrated by our St. Joan of Arc priests and deacon. All of our Holy Week services will be available online via our Facebook page.

Compassionate and Loving Father,
In the face of confusion and concern impart to us the calm of Your presence. 
In You allow us to find hope and healing.
Be with those who serve the sick and give them Your caring hands. 
Be with those who lead and give them Your spirit of wisdom.
Be with those who have fallen ill and give them Your comforting heart. 
Wrap Your arms around our world and hold us in Your love. 
Allow us at this time of trial to then serve as instruments of that love to all we meet. 
We ask this in Your Name. Amen

May God Bless you and your families and please be certain our Pastoral Staff at St. Joan of Arc has you in their daily prayers.

• Holy Thursday, tomorrow April 9, 2020
– No 10:45am Mass
– 7:00pm: Livestream the Lord’s Supper Mass on our Facebook page
– Holy Hour immediately follows  

• Good Friday, April 10, 2020
– No 10:45am Mass
– 12:00 noon: Livestream Litany for End of COVID-19 (see Prayer Card below)
– 2:00pm: Livestream Stations of the Cross on our Facebook page
– 3:00pm: Prayer Service follows

• Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020
– No 10:45am Mass
– 7:00pm: Livestream Easter Vigil on our Facebook page

• Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
– 10:45am: Livestream Easter Mass on our Facebook page

Livestream Masses return at 10:45am each day