Ms. I's Update
August 22, 2020
St. John School - Empowering for Excellence
Dear St. John School Community,
Welcome back to the new school year! Our first day of school (Monday, August 24) is right around the corner. My name is Alexandra Iwaszewicz and I have served the Archdiocese of San Francisco since January 2013 at St. John School. I began as a long term substitute in 2nd grade and then moved to 4th grade. In 2018, I became an Assistant Principal and then was named the Interim Principal in February 2020.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts, multiple-subject credential, and Master’s degree from St. Mary’s College of California. My teaching philosophy and outlook on education is strongly rooted in the Lassalian and Ursuline principles due to my education at St. Mary’s and subsequent work at St. John School.
My mission is aligned with the mission of St. John School. It is to prepare each student for a rapidly changing world by empowering them to become individuals of integrity, critical thinkers, and courageous leaders for the good of all. I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead the St. John School community as the Principal for the 2020-2021 school year.
It has been wonderful seeing many of you and welcoming some of our new parents and students in person these past two days during our supply/book pick up. I look forward to seeing you all virtually at our Back to School Night on August 25th at 6pm (information SchoolSpeak) and hopefully soon in person!
A physical return depends on our community adhering to the guidelines that have been set forth by the Health Department. Together we can help lower the number of cases in the Bay Area. Thank you for enforcing the guidelines within your families and modeling them to others in your extended community. Wear a mask. Practice physical distancing. If you are sick, stay home. Unless we can all work together to prevent the continued spread of the virus, we won't be returning to in-person classes in the fall.
All reopening plans are in need of approval by both the Archdiocese and SFDPH, so are
subject to change. I will have another Town Hall September 2nd to go over an updated Infection Mitigation Plan and to get feedback on how we are doing with Distance Learning. (I will send Zoom information/surveys next week.)
We all miss our students and we miss being together at school. Thank you again for doing your part: wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing. We must all continue to take this seriously.
Thank you again to the entire St. John School community for supporting us during this pandemic. Our continued success is due to your continued support. Thank you for continuing to entrust the education of your child(ren) to St. John School. There is a lot more information below, so please take a moment to go over the remainder of the newsletter.
Alexandra Iwaszewicz (Ms. I)
Principal
Update- continued
Preparation
St. John School was very busy the entire summer planning and preparing. Faculty/Staff/Admin attended many virtual meetings in order to prepare. This was by far the busiest summer I have experienced. We began professional development from the Archdiocese of San Francisco the week of August 10th. That week, we had a virtual two-day retreat where we focused on the Themes of Catholic Social Teachings, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
The faculty and staff spent many hours formulating a plan on how to build community at St. John School in the virtual setting. We also continued our conversation on racism and white privilege.
During our St. John School onboarding the week of August 17th- we had professional development on a variety of topics. As stated in an earlier newsletter, administration/staff received training on inherent bias/equity and worked on how to more fully integrate Catholic Social Teachings across all grade levels with a focus on human rights, equity, and justice. I am so impressed with the faculty and staff at St. John School. They spent the week supporting each other, lesson planning, organizing supplies/books for pick up, meeting virtually with parents and their colleagues to ensure a smooth start to the 2020-2021 school year.
Staff Updates
We are excited to welcome the following new staff members:
Christine Nevarez- Kindergarten teacher
Jordan Wetzel- 3rd Grade
Celina Gomes - Extended Care Director
(website is currently being updated)
Distance Learning
We are beginning with Distance Learning with the hope that we will soon resume on campus. Teachers have communicated their schedules to the parents and have posted their information on SchoolSpeak. St. John School asks that parents focus on the following guidelines:
Establish a routine and expectations
Define a physical space for your child to do their school work
Communicate with the teacher/school
Remain mindful of your child's social emotional health
Teachers will train students on all the platforms that will be utilized.
Uniforms
During Distance Learning, students will not be required to wear uniforms. Students should
dress according to the Free Dress policy. Uniforms will be required on campus.
School Supplies
Students will need to have supplies to do work during Distance Learning to begin the year. Students will need their own supplies for in-person learning- there will be no sharing of or communal supplies in the classrooms.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night will be virtual this year! We will have an all school meeting and each teacher will host their own meeting at different times. (Some are hosting 8/25 others are hosting 8/26)
All times and links are posted on SchoolSpeak under Principal's Corner
Please contact your teacher with any questions.
August 25th @ 6pm- All school (information and links posted on SchoolSpeak)
2020-2021 Calendar
Please always check SchoolSpeak for the most updated calendar!
Past events:
August 18th- PTG Meeting
August 19th- Tech Night
August 20-21- Leadership
August 21- New Parent Orientation
August 21-22 Book Pick Up
Upcoming
August 24: 1st Day of School! 12:30 DismissalAugust 25: Back to School Night- All School @6pm
August 26: 2:00pm Dismissal
Looking ahead:
Thanksgiving Vacation: 11/25/20- 11/27/20
Christmas Vacation: 12/21/20- 1/1/21 (12/18/20 is a 12:30pm dismissal)
Easter Vacation: 4/2/21- 4/9/21 (4/1 is a 12:30pm dismissal)
Last Day of School: 6/10/20
*All Wednesdays will be 2pm dismissals*
*Please note that the calendar is subject to change. SchoolSpeak will have the most updated version*
PTG
Thank you!
Referral Incentive
We love our St. John School community and feel that our parents and families know us best. Our school has thrived when current families have referred their friends/acquaintances to us.
Referral Incentive: Refer a family to us! If they enroll- your family will receive a $250 tuition deduction per newly enrolled student.
Alumni Spotlight
Here is the link to the article:
We would love to spotlight any alumni of St. John School! Contact us!
St. John the Evangelist Parish Updates
SJESF Corpus Christi - You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVAMd9jM9Lg
Visit the Parish website for all of the updates: https://www.saintjohnevangelist.org/
St. John School
Email: officesj@stjohnseagles.com
Website: stjohnseagles.com
Location: 925 Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA, USA
Phone: (415) 584-8383