Panther Press
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020
ICCS Mission Statement:
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We are looking forward to returning to campus on August 13th and will be providing ICCS families with campus-specific information in the coming weeks. Much effort is going into returning safely with as much normalcy as possible for our students and teachers. Planning and resources are also going into developing a solid virtual teaching plan in the event that we find ourselves needing to go virtual at some point in the future.
We are also putting a lot of time, energy and resources into planning for our physical return to campus in August. We are grateful for the guidance from the CDC, members of the Lake Charles medical community, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the Office of Catholic Schools. We are working to create an effective learning environment that balances safety with best teaching practices. New information continues to adjust the plan, but at this time I can share some information that hopefully can help your family prepare for the fall.
First days of school: The first few days of school will hold alternate schedules. Students will report to school in small groups at a time to allow proper orientation and training for returning to school and new protocols in place. A schedule for the first 7 days of school will be included in the campus-specific details.
School Day: Students will report to school each day. Schedules are currently being evaluated to determine whether staggered drop off/pick up times will be necessary to avoid crowding inside or increased traffic issues outside. Temperatures and symptoms will be monitored upon arrival to campus. We hope to keep the school day as normal as possible for academic time.
Extended Care: We are working to provide an after school option to accommodate essential work schedules. This will be announced in the coming weeks.
Social Distancing: Students will be socially distanced to the maximum extent possible throughout the school day. Early elementary grade levels unable to do so will be kept in static groups appropriate to phase II or phase III guidelines.
General Cleaning: Handwashing protocols and sanitation procedures will be added throughout the instructional day. Signage will be installed to encourage good practices. Increased cleaning of high touch surfaces will also be implemented.
Gym/Cafeteria: Gatherings in the gym will be limited in size to allow appropriate spacing. Students will likely report to classrooms upon arrival and morning announcements will be broadcasted school-wide. Lunchtimes will stagger and may need to temporarily move outside or to other areas of campus. Hot lunches will be served in disposable containers. Lunch visitors will not be allowed while we are limiting person-to-person contact and group sizes.
Water Bottles: Shared water fountains will be closed. Students will be encouraged to bring water bottles. More details will come regarding specific types of water bottles allowed, so please refrain from purchasing that perfect water bottle at this time.
Face Coverings: In accordance with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Office of Catholic Schools, students in Grades 3-8 will be required to wear a face-covering (mask or face and neck gaiter) to the maximum extent possible, mostly during transitions. We will have a neck gaiter option for students or students may use their own preferred mask. Guidelines for acceptable face coverings will be provided in the coming weeks. Face shields will be provided to use as needed when students are interacting with their teacher or with one another in the classroom.
Visitors on Campus: In an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to our students and staff, non-essential visitors will not be allowed on campus during this time.
One of the most frequently asked questions has been in regard to measures that will be taken in response to an employee or student testing positive for COVID-19. The Louisiana Department of Health will give guidance in the event of a possible employee or student exposure in regards to a small group or school-wide quarantine. Specific diocesan and school response/re-entry guidelines will be communicated soon.
As always, thank you for the support and trust you continue to give the Immaculate Conception Cathedral School community. I look forward to sharing more detailed information in the weeks to come …….. stay tuned!
Christi Jarreau, Principal
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!
ICCS has purchased a new emergency notification and rapid alert system to help improve and facilitate communication with our families. The Parent Alert system will allow us to send out communications via Text, Email, and Voice Messages. These alerts can be used for many reasons, but will ultimately provide us a fast and efficient way to communicate with our families in case of an emergency.
HOW TO RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM ICCS:
To ensure you are able to receive our alerts please text the keyword “START” to 22-383 from your mobile device. Any text alerts from our school will begin with “ICCS” and voice calls will show up from “337-433-3497."
ICCS WILL TEST THIS NEW SYSTEM ON TUESDAY, JULY 14. PARENTS ARE ASKED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED ABOVE PRIOR TO TUESDAY, JULY 14.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please note, per the Telephone Consumer Protection Act the system must provide all recipients the option to Opt-Out of receiving the alerts. Anytime we send out a text alert you will see “Stop to End" at the end of the message. If you reply “Stop” you will no longer receive text alerts from our school, regardless if we select you as a recipient. This means you will not receive any messages from ICCS including emergency information.
SUMMER LEARNING HUB LINK PROVIDED
The ICCS Summer Learning Hub gives students access to their iccsweb GSuite accounts and Summer Math packets as well as any Summer Reading requirements. The link to the ICCS Summer Learning Hub is available for easy access. Click on the link for more information. https://sites.google.com/iccsweb.com/iccs-summer-learning-hub
Please know that only ICCSWEB accounts are allowed to view the site. Students will need to log in with their ICCSWEB accounts which will remain active through the middle of July. For more information, please contact Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Mrs. Blair Tadlock at btadlock@iccschool.org.
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesdays: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Parents needing to pick up student belongings may do so during these times.
ICCS SUMMER CARE UPDATE
Thank you for your continued patience, support and flexibility in response to the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, we were unable to open the ICCS Summer Care program on schedule due to federal and state guidelines for reopening schools. As of today, we have no plans to officially start the ICCS Summer Care program due to continued limitations for group activities, access to shared spaces and other restrictions. We are unable to provide a summer program that is in line with all health recommendations, financially feasible for our families and developmentally appropriate for our students.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED
LIFETOUCH SPRING PICTURES
ROOM MOM COORDINATORS NEEDED
For more information, or to sign up to be a Room Mom Coordinator for 2020-2021, please contact Kay Morgan by email at kmorgan@iccschool.org.
WELCOME FATHER SAM BOND
Father Sam Bond is no stranger to ICCS! He spent a lot of time at our school last Fall before heading back to the seminary to complete his final year of study and preparation for the priesthood. We are very excited to welcome Father Bond back to our school community and will continue to keep him in our prayers as he begins the work God has called him to do.
PRAYER AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS
O Mary, you shine continuously along our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the Cross were near to the pain of Jesus, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need, and we trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us, He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and took up our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
PRAYER FOR SAFETY DURING HURRICANE SEASON
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awaken from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster.
During this hurricane season we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen.
QUICK LINKS
ONCOURSE CONNECT STUDENT/PARENT PORTAL
Keep up with homework, grades, attendance and get quick access to teacher websites via Oncourse Connect. Families having trouble logging in should email mbmathew@iccschool.org.
DON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
Contact Information
Email: mbmathew@iccschool.org
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool