Dear Families:
Tomorrow we enter the third week of Lent and Easter is just over a month away. Each morning the entire school gathers in Banchero Hall for a short Lenten prayer service. Using Catholic Relief Services videos and resources our students are learning how the money they collect in their Rice Bowls helps children and families throughout the world. We also observe two Stations of the Cross and a Saint of the week. Each day’s presentation ends with a decade of the rosary. Our students are engaged and respectful. They are truly fulfilling our Student Learning Expectation of becoming Active Persons of Faith.
Yesterday, was the first time in two years that students and staff had the option of not wearing a mask on our campus. Months ago, we thought the day would be a celebratory event, but the reality of Covid will be with us forever and though cases are currently low, we still need to keep the health and safety of our students and families as the highest priority. To mask or not to mask is a personal family decision that all of us will support and respect. I spoke with the entire school yesterday morning on the importance of honoring anyone’s decision. Teachers will continue to reinforce the lesson in each of their classrooms. No one is privy to every family’s situation and no judgment will be allowed.
We will continually monitor our Covid protocols and alert you immediately of any changes. Currently, we are still requiring masks when we gather inside in a large group. Prayer Assemblies and our morning Lenten services will require all students and staff to wear masks. Please make sure your child has two masks in his/her backpack. There may be times throughout the day when a student might feel more comfortable wearing a mask. We will not be charged with being the “mask police”. It is completely up to parents to instruct their children on mask practice.
This Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day and the first time in two years that we welcome back the Irish Dancers from Tara Academy. They always set the mood with the “luck of the Irish” for a festive day. Students are encouraged to wear green and white free dress and parents are welcome to join us (please mask) in Banchero Hall for the performance at 8:30am. It is a short program of about 15 minutes so we should be Covid safe with masks and ventilation.
Parents are also welcome to attend the K-5 “Broadway Revue” that will take place in Banchero Hall next Thursday, March 24th at 2:15pm. Each class (K-5) will be performing songs from Broadway musicals. We are allowing each family to bring two members to watch the performance so that we can limit numbers in the hall. The 6th– 8th graders will view the revue on Friday morning, March 25th.
Finally, we are noticing a number of cars that are parked or are waiting for students in no-parking spots/zones at pick-up time. Parking enforcement was in the area on Monday. Please be respectful of those spots. They are no-parking spots for a reason and we need to be good neighbors and honor the restrictions. It is also a safety issue for our students. The church and school lots are available for parking after school.
Have a great day!
Mary
