Transition to e-Learning
Bruin Press March 24, 2020 Edition
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Email: LSenecal@sbdallas.org
Website: https://www.stbernardccs.org/
Location: 1420 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 2143212897
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBSBruin
Twitter: @SBS_Official
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, Mar. 25th - 8 AM - SBS e-Learning Classes begin
Wednesday, Mar. 25th - 12:00 PM - Our Father Communal Prayer
Wednesday, Mar. 25th - The Solemnity of the Annunciation; 36th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute of the Incarnate Word
Coming Soon - St. Bernard Sisters - Facebook – Daily SBS Announcements and Morning Prayer, Livestreaming Adoration, the Holy Rosary, Lenten Prayer Group, Girls Group Activities, and so much more!
UPDATE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Bruin Families,
As you know, Governor Greg Abbott, extended the date to close schools until Friday, April 3, 2020. I want to say that the teachers, faculty, and staff members are heartbroken to know that they will not be able to return to school until this time. We had many amazing field study trips, classroom projects, and special events planned that we have had to cancel or postpone.
The teachers are not only trying to continue each child's education but they are trying to ease fears by extending themselves and continuing the relationships they have built this year. We have many ways to stay in contact with families. We are using Renweb, our school Facebook page (@SBSBruin), our school library page (sbsLibrary1420), and the Bruin Press. All teachers are also using Renweb, Seesaw and Zoom. We also have on-line personalized learning resources available to students. As of today, students in all grades have access to IXL for Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies. We have Spanish for grades 1-8. Students in grades 2-8 should have their access codes (email Ms. Luna if you have any problems gluna@sbdallas.org). Ms. Luna will send out codes for students in PreK3-1st grade this afternoon. In addition, SBS has IStation for PreK3-8th grade.
If you do not have Wi-Fi at home, there are several companies offering Wi-Fi for free during this time and many extending data plans. Please see our recent post on our Facebook page for details.
Remote learning will not be our future and we will get back to normal, but until then please approach our teachers with grace and understanding. My promise is that we will extend the same grace and understanding as parents do their best to encourage, teach, and manage their children's education at home. We are going through a world crisis and we need to make sure we are protectors of one another, our families, our students, and our parents. Years from now our students will remember how they felt, not the specifics of what they learned. However, we make the commitment to continue to prepare them for the next grade. We know that as we begin next school year, we will have to remember the weeks we are spending now doing remote learning. Thank you for your support.
We are aware that many of our school traditions are also being postponed or not occurring. The eighth grade students are particularly experiencing a loss during this time. We are feeling that loss with you, as you do not get to participate in the Living Stations, May Crowning, Pass the Light, Middle School Play, Confirmation and so much more. We are working to see that these traditions are kept in some way - it may be virtually. More to come on this (especially Living Stations) as the Sisters work their magic!
Remote Learning
Even during this unprecedented time, the success of our Saint Bernard students is our mission. I met with all teachers on Monday and heard about their intentional lesson plans, innovative ways they plan to conduct lessons, how they will communicate to parents and students who need additional support, and their desire to learn new ways of doing things. There will be numerous bloopers while trying to video their lessons, but that is to be expected and will hopefully give us a moment to laugh together. One thing is sure, it was evident that their dedication to your children is the heart and soul of their mission.
I also have complete respect for our parents who are trying to balance their own work schedule along with their child’s remote learning schedule. Thank you for making each lesson count. Communicate with your teachers and me, let us know how you and your children are managing. After gathering feedback from parents and teachers over the next two weeks, we are open to modifying our remote learning schedule.
You will hear from your child’s homeroom teacher today, if you have not already received an email. Teachers will communicate on how they will run their virtual classroom, how work will be submitted to be graded and how their daily instruction will work. It is our goal to over communicate, and if at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to either the teacher or me.
By the end of the week, there will be a general schedule for each teacher posted on our webpage. It is “Under Construction” currently, so no need to check it today. Please be patient as we make this happen - we are all wearing many hats and pulled in countless directions. We will get it done as quickly as possible. You can expect the following information posted: Subjects Taught, Virtual Office Hours, Ways to Contact the Teacher, Expectations for Platforms Used, Expectations for Quality of Work, and Extra Information (this will include but is not limited to helpful websites, log-in links, etc.)
We are also adding a Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have a general question that cannot be answered by your homeroom teacher, please email me. Other families may have the same question. We will add it to this section.
We miss you and love you Bruins!
May God's Grace be on all of us at this time.
Laurie Senecal
A MESSAGE FROM MOTHER SERVANT
Time of Need
Fr. Gaston Giacinti, Pastor: ggiacinti@sbdallas.org; 214-684-7880
Mother Servant, SSVM, SBS Religious Coordinator: mservant@sbdallas.org; 469-439-6211
Sr. Maria Filotea, SSVM: sr.filotea@sbdallas.org; 214-499-6325
DATES AND DETAILS
Webinar: Transitioning to eLearning for Parents
Dear Friends in Catholic Schools,
Seemingly overnight, you have become a homeschool parent, while also trying to figure out how to transition yourself to working from home or facing other stressors. Schools are trying to quickly adapt by setting up virtual lessons, online planning and keeping the learning going, but all of this can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have a teaching background!
This webinar event on Tuesday, March 24th at 12 PM EDT and again at 6 PM EDT (5 PM CDT), is open to parents, educators, administrators, caregivers, or anyone who needs some practical help RIGHT NOW managing a transition to distance learning, establishing routines, discipline, navigating all the online tools that are out there and trying to keep sane. Share this event with your parents, networks and friends.
Objectives:
- Creating a learning space for your children
- Establishing and keeping routines
- Managing multiple grade levels
- Communication with the school
- Tools and Tips for keeping organized
- Time for Q&A with our presenters
- Resources
Tuesday, Mar 24, 2020, 05:00 PM
Comfort of your home
Wednesday, March 25th- Feast of the Annunciation & Praying of The Our Father
On Wednesday, 25th of March at 12:00 pm, Pope Francis has invited “the Heads of the Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us” – The Our Father.
Mark your calendar and let's pray The Our Father, at 12 noon, for healing for all those suffering from this virus, strength and protection for all health care providers, and peace for all those whose lives have been disrupted by COVID-19.
The Feast of the Annunciation, also on March 25th and known as Lady Day, the Feast of the Incarnation, Conceptio Christi, commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and it will also, mark the 36th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. Let us all unite in prayer.
BRUIN BUSINESS
E-LEARNING RESOURCES
Required (click to download)
Lower School:
Middle School:
IXL (both lower and middle school)
Formed (great resource for the whole family as well as for religion class)
Additional Resources:
Audible (free streaming of books for students)