Dear Parents-
I hope you are finding much joy in this
Easter Season. How blessed we are as Catholics that on one Sunday, we celebrate Easter -the birthday of eternal hope, the day that reminds us that we trust the risen Lord and the promise of salvation - and on the Octave of Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday - a day to rejoice in the infinite mercy of Our Savior! The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a beautiful prayer, and so fitting in our current health crisis that we ask,
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
On Friday, April 24, students and families have the opportunity to join our Friars for
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:30am on the
St. Joseph Catholic Church Facebook page. Father David will read the Gospel and deliver a homily for our students. Father Alberto will lead the rosary. I hope that many of our students can attend, and enjoy the spiritual connection.
The Superintendent of Catholic Schools has shared the
grading policy in effect for Trimester 3, and you can read the Superintendent’s letter
here, and access the policy
here. As you are already aware, teachers are very sensitive to the difficulty many students have with distance learning. Our focus is on making sure students are ready for the next level, and grades will reflect progress on essential standards to make that a reality.
We have many unanswered questions regarding First Holy Communion and Confirmation. As we work to reschedule these important Sacraments, please bear in mind that nothing will happen while we are under the stay at home order, and the celebration of the Mass has been suspended.
At some point, we will have a
textbook return, and at that time students will be reunited with their belongings that got left behind due to the unexpected length of the school closure. The date, time and logistics of this event are yet to be determined and certainly will not occur while the stay at home order is in effect.
As we start the last weeks of this unusual school year, we don’t want to lose sight of the
2020-2021 school year. Several months ago, I surveyed parents with regard to the button down shirt worn with the boys' winter uniform in grades 1-4. Overwhelmingly, respondents indicated a preference for the polo shirt year round. Starting with the 2020-2021 school year, boys in grades 1-4 will wear the polo shirt in the winter months. Flynn and O’Hara will sell a long sleeve polo shirt option. As we transition away from the button down in grades 1-4, either shirt will be acceptable this coming winter. No family should feel pressured to buy polos if you have button downs that fit. Flynn and O’Hara will no longer sell the button down as part of the grade 1-4 boys’ uniform.
Keep the faith! This ordeal will one day be behind us. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
(Rom 15:7)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
