Dear Families:
Last March we sent our students home, due to the pandemic, for what we thought would be a short time. Now, 10 months later, we are over half-way to bringing all our students back in the building. Today, our 4th graders returned with 5th grade starting next week. By mid-February, we will have all of our students here, though 6th and 7th will share the week in a hybrid model. We long for the day when we reach “herd” immunity and can return to a more normal day-to-day life. We are getting there!
The safety protocols we have in place have been working very well. Things get more complicated and we need the highest level of compliance by everyone as we bring more students into the building. One of the biggest issues happens at dismissal time when so many students are leaving the building at the same time. As I mentioned last week, we have yellow dots on the sidewalk in front of the building at a six-foot distance. If a student does not see the person who is picking him/her up, we will send them to a yellow dot to stand. Things will go so much smoother if parents arrive on-time and lead by example by wearing a mask, distancing and leaving the area as soon as possible.
This coming Thursday Night, January 21st at 6:30pm we will be having our PreK and K Information Night. As with everything else these days, the evening will be held virtually. On Wednesday, interested families will be sent a link to videos from me, Mrs. Mastrobattista and Mrs. Thole, giving information similar to what we do in-person, each year. On Thursday evening, parents can log-on to a live zoom call where we will be available to answer questions. Please encourage anyone you know who is interested in enrolling for PreK or K next year to contact Jennifer Hazzard, if they have not already done so, to make sure we have contact information.
Each year the Fulcrum Foundation holds a gala celebration of Catholic schools in our Archdiocese. Founded in 2002, the foundation leverages financial assistance to support and strengthen Catholic schools in our Archdiocese primarily through tuition assistance grants, school partnership grants, and grants for transformational leaders. St. Anne has benefited from over $17,000 in tuition assistance in just the last three years from the Fulcrum Foundation.
The gala “Celebration of Light” typically welcomes over 1500 guests. This year, by holding a virtual event, they can welcome as many guests who would like to attend. I encourage you to sign-up for the St. Anne Team (you do not need to do any fundraising) and watch the program on January 29th to see the work of the Fulcrum Foundation. Here is a link to sign-up.
Finally, January 31st marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. The week will look different this year but we are trying to keep some of our celebrations. The highlight of the week, the 8th grade v. faculty volleyball game will have to be put off until spring, where we may try an outdoor game, but we still want to mark the week the best way that we can. Details to follow, next week.
Have a great week!
Mary
