The O'Reilly Minute

Dear Parents,

I know there are many questions as we approach the end of the 2019-2020 school year. While I do not know answers to many things right now, you can be assured that we are working to make the end of the year productive and special for your children. At the same time, we are also busy planning for the summer and for the 2020-2021 school year.

Governor DeWine has indicated there is a strong possibility that school will not look like normal when we return in August. At this juncture, it is too soon to tell what exactly that may mean, but a combination of blended learning is a possibility, as is remaining completely online. I will keep everyone posted as we know more going forward.

I know this is a frustrating time for you and your children. It is also a challenging time for our teachers and staff. It is probably an overused phrase, but we are “all in this together.” Everyone is experiencing this time of “Stay at Home” in a different way….everyone’s circumstances are different, even more so than usual. It takes great patience, empathy and prayer to navigate and implement even the simplest communication, idea, or project. As a faith community, we are so blessed because we know we have the prayer, spiritual, and emotional support of the entire community at all times. As I say to the children everyday….as members of the St. Brigid Family of Disciples, we are called to be the NOW of God. Little did we know when we started the year with this theme how important it would become to us to be the NOW of God to each other.

As the end of May approaches, please know that your teachers, as they typically do, are working on putting together a summer learning plan for your children to have some regular opportunities to practice and review.  There will be a small difference in that the materials and opportunities for learning and review will be electronic in nature.

We are also busily planning the end of the year to make sure we have special activities and memories for our 8th-grade graduates and for the whole school community. The details are still in the works but will be released as soon as possible. Please make sure to check out the article below to select a time on May 14th or 15th to pick up your child’s personal belongings.

As we face long-term planning for the possibility of e-learning to continue in some form during the next school year, we are issuing today a survey to parents (all grade levels), teachers, and students (grades 3- 8). The results of this survey will be used by a task force that is being formed of teachers and parents (and students as needed). This task force will look at what we have learned from our experiences during this brief crisis planned e-learning and apply it towards planning for next year. To use another analogy….we just had the sprint and now we need to plan for a potential marathon.

These first-hand experiences will be combined with researching best practices for digital education to design a cohesive, organized digital delivery model based on our students’ developmental ages. Mrs. Jill Carfagna, our assistant principal and director of instruction, is leading this process. She will draw on her expertise in curriculum and planning as well as her own current professional development on instructional coaching. She will work with our teachers to properly prepare for the educational models that are in our future. We will begin planning for several different possibilities since we do not know when the decision will be made for reopening schools in the state of Ohio. Part of this planning will also include potential summer classes depending on the survey results. Our planning will also include how to best transition our students from this year to next. Therefore, a process will be designed to transition our students and fill the gaps as needed. This will be of the utmost importance.

We know and love your children. We know their learning styles, we know their strengths and what they need to work on, we know the names of their pets, and their favorite sports and music. We have a personal and vested interest in all of our students and their success. Knowing this information and using it to plan for transitioning them successfully to next year is important and vital.

In closing, we appreciate your support, feedback, and prayers. All are valuable in this process. We are here to help -- whether that be academic support, emotional support, financial support or spiritual support. PLEASE ASK. We have resources and we want to help, but we can’t if we don't know your individual needs. We are a St. Brigid family and we are here for you.

Msgr. Hendricks would also like to share his thoughts and insights on planning and preparing for next year.  Please click here for his video message. 

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, it takes as much time to wish as to plan. I thank you for your confidence in us as we continue to educate your children spiritually and academically this year and in the future.

May the blessings of Saint Brigid be with you,

Kathy O'Reilly

Sign Up to Collect Your Students' Things - Tomorrow & Friday!

Everything is different about the end of a school year in the middle of a pandemic!

One of the steps that is needed involves getting student belongings as well as their schoolwork back to the parents. Students will not be returning to the building due to ODH and CDC guidance.

We have arranged for an organized curbside pick-up to allow parents the opportunity to easily collect these items.

There will be many time slots to choose from on May 14 and 15. Please sign up for one here. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4FAFA72CA31-collect

For questions or concerns, please email mrs.iannarino@stbrigid-school.org

Directions for School Item Pick Up

Please follow the following guidelines to make the process run smoothly:

Thank you in advance for your help with this process! For any questions, please email mrs.iannarino@stbrigid-school.org

Parent & Student Surveys

As we get closer to the end of our remote learning, we would like to gain insights from parents and students about the experience.  

Parents, please complete a survey for each child.  Students in grades 3-8, please complete one survey.

We will also be surveying our staff, and we plan to use all of the results to prepare for our fall programming, as well as our possible summer experiences.  

Survey information is due by May 20.

Thank you for sharing your experience !

New Updates: E-Learning Resources

We have added many new virtual learning resources and activities to the E-Learning webpage. To view the items newly added this week, look for the red NEW icon.

Items newly added this week include:

BWHS 3rd Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations to our many alumni at Bishop Watterson High School who are on the honor roll for the 3rd quarter.

FACTS Re-Enrollment Agreement for 2020-2021 Distributed Via Email On Wednesday, May 13

We are confident that school will open on schedule in the fall and we will be prepared to teach your children using best teaching and safety practices as determined by government and Diocesan officials. With that in mind, we are asking for your commitment to re-enroll your children for the 2020-2021 school year.

Traditionally, we send a FACTS Re-enrollment Agreement home with your child and ask you to sign and return within 7 days. This year, we are sending agreements electronically via email. If you agree with everything on the agreement, you do not need to respond and your child will be enrolled for 2020-2021 automatically. Note that your decision is not binding until contracts are finalized June 1.

It is extremely important that you review the following information and notify us via email if you DO NOT wish to re-enroll or if you want to change from your current payment plan or Peace of Mind agreement:

1) Contact information, especially email address, to ensure that you receive all critical communication.  No agreements or information will be mailed this year.  

2) In addition to existing payment plans, several options have been added in response to the COVID crisis. You may now elect to pay-in-full in September, pay semi-annually in September and February, pay quarterly in September, December, March and June, or start the 10 monthly payment plan in September (September-June). The 12 month plan remains the same (July-June). If you want to make a change, please email Jackie Mack the changes at jmack@stbrigidofkildare.org. You do not need to create a new agreement -- just email Jackie the change you'd like to make.

3) Peace of Mind Option, you can elect ($20 fee) or decline this option.

All changes, including the decision to NOT re-enroll, must be communicated to Jackie Mack by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 pm at jmack@stbrigidofkildare.org. Note that your decision is not binding until contracts are finalized June 1.

Barn Bash Save the Date!

Friday, October 23, 2020

The annual Barn Bash at Leed's Farm in Ostrander will be held on Friday, October 23.

Save the date for the fun family event!

Let's Stay Connected: Share Your Learning!

During this complicated time when we can't be together physically, let's lift each other's spirits and stay connected virtually!

We would love to see your photos of your children continuing their learning and creativity while social distancing.

Please share your photos and a short description via emailing them to Allie Wing at mrs.wing@stbrigid-school.org and they will be featured in the Wolfhound Wednesday as well as on our Facebook page. Feel free to also upload to social media and tag our Facebook page at facebook.com/stbrigidschool!

Schoolbelles & Educational Apparel Uniform Ordering Info & Sales 20-21

Educational Apparel is having a 30% off Back to Business Sale May 10-31st.

Click here for details and offer codes.

Schoolbelles wants to make uniform shopping convenient for the families at St. Brigid Of Kildare and stress free for the administration! Below is a URL that will directly link your school’s website to the Schoolbelles "St. Brigid Of Kildare" shopping page. Purchases made under your school number s2649 helps you earn more towards your School Rebate.

http://www.schoolbelles.com/myschool/M37/s2649

Also, click here for a PDF copy of our school's Buying Guide.

Incoming 9th-12th Grade Young Women: Summer Book Group

Summer Book Group is open to all young women who are incoming 9th-12th graders. This summer we will be reading Go Bravely by Emily Wilson Hussem. Visit http://emwilsonmusic.com/ to learn about Emily Wilson Hussem and her book, Go Bravely.

Teen leader, Ava M., will facilitate fellowship and book discussion on Thursday evenings at 7 PM, June 4-July 9. All gatherings will be via Zoom until we resume in-person gatherings on the parish campus.

To join...