FAMILY CONNECTION | April 2, 2020
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Principal
Ian Mulligan
shares the decision to extend distance learning through the end of the school year and how it will impact students.
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Distance Learning
We are extending distance learning through the end of the school year. This decision was made after much discussion and prayer by members of the President’s Council, Principal’s Council, and Academic Leadership Team. We made this decision with the hope that it will alleviate some of the uncertainty for families in this time of many unknowns. It also ensures the quality of teaching and learning by allowing teachers to plan lessons and pace the curriculum appropriately. Students should focus on finishing strong despite the extraordinary circumstances.
Final Exams
Juniors and Seniors will take their final exams online on the originally scheduled dates of April 29 and 30. We have adjusted the last day of school for Freshmen and Sophomores to take their final exams on May 14 and 15.
Senior Events | Prom, Honors Assembly, Baccalaureate, Graduation
We are committed to honoring our Seniors and celebrating their accomplishments. All of these events have been postponed for now as we determine alternative dates and plans. Therefore, Prom, Senior Honors Convocation, Baccalaureate, and Graduation will not be held on their originally scheduled dates.
Junior Social Service Project
Juniors will complete their SSP online between May 4 and 15. Look for details in the days ahead.
Junior Ring
Junior Ring Mass & Ceremony will not take place this school year as originally scheduled. We will hold this event after our Class of 2021 starts its senior year.
Athletics | Performances | Activities
As long as students are not permitted to gather on campus, all athletics, performances, and activities are suspended. We will evaluate their status if we are allowed to return.
Illness
If a student is too ill to complete his work online, please email
Jen Kraus
at
jkraus@vianney.com
and
Scott Brown
at
sbrown@vianney.com
as well as individual teachers. Our faculty will work with each student to ensure he remains on track academically.
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EASTER BREAK | April 8-13
We will still observe Easter Break from Wednesday, April 8 through Monday, April 13, with no new assignments posted during this time. We wish you and your family a blessed Easter.
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Student Services
Our counselors and learning consultants are still here to support students. Please reach out when you need assistance.
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Our science department has donated goggles, filter paper, disposable gloves, and UV sterilizer containers for medical professionals in need at SSM Health. Let us keep those on the front lines of this pandemic in our prayers.
We invite you to send us your prayer requests as the world needs the healing power of prayer more than ever.
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Thoughtful Thursdays
Even though our Thoughtful Thursday sandwich-making program has to come to an end for this school year, we continue to collect grocery-store items for the homeless and jobless at St. Patrick Center. If you would like to help support St. Patrick Center during this challenging time, please contact
Janet Cochran
at
jcochran@vianney.com
or
Kevin Becvar
at
kbecvar@vianney.com
.
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Holy Hour
On Tuesday, April 7, in conjunction with Holy Week,
Fr. Fallon
will join
Jeremy Remiger
and
Grace Burnworth
to livestream a Holy Hour of Adoration, Benediction, and Praise and Worship from our
Curé of Ars Chapel. Please join us online this Tuesday from 7 to 8 pm.
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Pay It Forward
Owner Tim Garvey and his crew at
Pretzel Boy's
delivered 572 orders to our students, faculty, and staff this week.
Tim will
pay it forwar
d by donating more than 1,000 pretzels
in Vianney's name
to
an area food pantry
.
Those in the restaurant industry have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. We have a list of restaurants owned by Vianney families that may offer delivery and/or curbside service. If you have restaurants to add to our list, please contact
Mike Mantia '92
at
mmantia@vianney.com
.
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Blood Drives
We can no longer
host our Lenten Blood Drive, but you can still make a donation through Mercy Hospital.
Giving blood is deemed essential under the Homeland Security Act and does not violate Shelter In Place orders.
Visit Mercy's website to schedule a private appointment as blood banks are facing a national shortage.
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COVID-19 Updates
We invite you to visit the CDC website for the latest on COVID-19, including tips to protect yourself and recommendations if you think you are sick.
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Straight A Tickets
Students who achieved First Honors in the first semester qualify for the Straight A program established by the St. Louis Cardinals. Look for your ticket voucher in the mail.
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Sell Your Textbooks
MBS Direct will buyback textbooks you purchased through the company or elsewhere. Select
Sell Your Textbooks
under the
Menu
tab and follow the prompts. MBS will provide a quote for any books it wants to purchase.
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ACC Courses
Drury, Missouri State, SLU, and UMSL have confirmed that our students are still eligible for college credit as we
transition to distance learning
.
AP Courses
With the support of colleges, AP has adjusted its national exams as we transition to distance learning. Students will take a 45-minute online exam from home. There will be two different testing dates offered per subject. We will have more details after April 3 when AP finalizes its plans.
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Senior Parent Information
Please review some of the information we had planned to share at the Senior Parent Meeting. Seniors should submit the following forms with documentation by April 7 to
Sue Dombek
at
sdombek@vianney.com
or mail the completed forms to school. You can download and print the forms yourself or use the forms mailed to your home.
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Financial Aid & Scholarships
Families with questions about financial aid packages or scholarships from colleges, can contact
Marsha Dempsey
at
mdempsey@vianney.com
for assistance. You can also visit the Sallie Mae website to learn how to compare financial aid offers.
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There are no athletic practices or workouts until we are cleared to return to campus. MSHSAA has not made any decisions about the postseason at this time.
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Our apologies for not recognizing
Jacob Craig '20
last week for scoring a 31 or higher on the ACT, not once but three times, for the Bright Flight scholarship program.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center or MRCC is developing the Family Retreat Lodge at Marycliff. Scheduled to open in two years, it will be the area’s first retreat center created specifically for family programs. Your feedback on this brief survey will help the project better meet the needs of today's families.
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MARIANIST MOMENT
by Bro. David Betz
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No doubt, you have many questions and concerns during this COVID-19 crisis in our country and throughout the world. You may be asking: Why is it happening? What can I do to be safe? Why are people hoarding? Out of frustration, and maybe even despair, some may ask: Is God abandoning us? Is this a retribution due to our sins? I believe that these types of questions are perfectly normal during moments of crisis because we are humans, and our emotions can run rampant at times. We may even feel out of control.
But let me say this: We are not alone!
If we look to our Marianist saints, we can find some solace and even consolation. As we know from Marianist history, Blesseds Chaminade and Adèle and Venerable Thérèse lived during a time of major upheaval where every segment of society was going through radical change. Lacking hygiene protocols and poor medical practices, many people became very ill and died. Our Marianist blessed martyrs in Spain and Nazi Germany suffered persecution because of their steadfastness in their faith. It is important to recognize that our Marianist saints trusted in the providence of God during these crises. They turned to their loving and gracious God and invited God to lead them in these moments.
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Family Connection wishes you and your family a blessed Easter Break. Look for our next issue on Thursday, April 16.
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