Dear Saints Alumni,
I am very grateful for all of the support we have received from the Saint Raphael Academy Alumni during the past several months. Your kindness and support has been amazing!
The Covid-19 virus has certainly made life challenging for all educators in our country and our Academy was no exception. The virus reared its ugly head in early March on our campus and our community stepped up and fought back with vengeance. Our prayers, coupled with the sheer determination of one of our administrators, allowed him to be discharged from the ICU after a 10-day battle with the virus. The student body and faculty were shining examples of how to self-quarantine; the result was no community spread within the Academy. The school also pivoted to virtual learning in less than a day. Since we provide all of our students with a computer, we began virtual learning (several days a year) in 2017. We were the only high school in Rhode Island that had experience with educating students in their homes!
This summer we have been working diligently on Walcott Street formulating plans for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to have our students in front of the teachers on the first day of school. I am certain all members of the school community (even the students) want to be back at our Academy. In person education is simply the best way to learn any subject matter. However, we know the virus continues to spread throughout our country and we are prepared to open using the hybrid model (both in person instruction and virtual learning) or totally virtual learning. We have used our summer wisely and we are prepared for all possible contingencies!
As we all know, the last few months have also wreaked havoc with the country’s economy. Many of our families have lost significant income due to being laid off, or permanently losing their position. With limited family funds, some students were certainly at risk of withdrawing from Saint Raphael Academy. This is where so many SRA alumni stepped up and supported the Principal's Fund throughout the spring. Your record contributions made it possible for us to keep the majority of the students who needed additional financial aid enrolled. On behalf of those families, I can’t thank you all enough!!
After a tumultuous several months, caused by Covid-19, we bonded together and we are now stronger as a community.
Once a Saint……..Always a Saint!
In Peace,
Dan Richard, Principal
