Resurrection-St. Paul School
News and Notes, January 17, 2021
2020-2021 Be a Light for All to See, Matthew 5:16
Announcements
A Note from the HSA
The Gift of Gratitude program from December was incredibly well received from the RSPS faculty & staff. Thank you to everyone that participated!
The teachers and staff sent emails to the HSA thanking all of the families that contributed to the generous gifts. We wanted to share a portion of one faculty member's email,"To say that I was bowled over by the generosity of our RSPS families’ Gift of Gratitude I received would be an understatement. The past nine months have been challenging for everyone and certainly not anything I ever could have envisioned myself doing when I began my teaching career. The struggle to maintain that valued connection with my students in spite of all of the obstacles that have been thrown between us this school year has been Herculean. Your kind gift means so much to me at this time."
Valentine's Day
All students are allowed to add Valentine accessories or pink and/or red to their uniform on Friday the 11th.
Students in PK-5 are welcome to exchange Valentines with their classmates. Please remember, if you are going to be bringing in Valentines for classmates, you bring in a Valentine for each child in the cohort. For example if your child is in 1A and you are choosing to participate in the exchange, bring in a Valentine for each child in 1A. Valentines consisting of edible items, may be brought in for the exchange, however, all edibles must be consumed at home.
PLEASE HAVE ALL ITEMS IN TO SCHOOL NO LATER THAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH. THIS GIVES US TIME TO HAVE THE VIRTUAL STUDENTS ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP. PICK UP INFORMATION FOR VIRTUAL STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN AT A LATER TIME.
A Valentine snack will be provided to each grade on the 11th. This snack will be organized through the room parents.
Columbia Pregnancy Center
Suggested items for boys or girls:
Outfits – newborn, 0-3, 3-6, 6 -9 months
Sleepers – newborn, 0-3, 3-6, 6 -9 months
Diaper bags
Pacifiers
Diapers-newborn and preemie to sizes 4 & 5
Bibs
Feeding spoons
Diaper creme, baby wipes, lotions, shampoo, Cornstarch baby powder
Crib sheets
Receiving blankets
Winter or Summer outfits/0-3 and 3-6 months
Coats 0-3 and 3-6 months
Shoes 0-3
Small educational toys for infants
Small toys up to age 3
Recess Volunteers
All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained (STAND) and you may volunteer ONLY for your child(ren)'s cohort.
Please review the following presentation created by Mrs. Rensberger regarding our COVID-19 policies.
This document also includes the list of ideas, broken out by grade level, to assist in engaging children at recess.
PLEASE DO NOT COME IN IF IT IS RAINING, ALSO, IF THE FEEL LIKE TEMP IS BELOW 32, PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO FIND OUT IF OUTDOOR RECESS WILL OCCUR THAT DAY.
To sign up for a recess spot this week (Mon 1/11- Fri 11/15) please enter your name into the appropriate block on this form. Each cohort may have up to two volunteers per day. click on the form. A form for next week will go out in next Sunday's newsletter.
Photographer and Panther WANTED!
ScanTron Performance Series Assessment
The winter administration of the ScanTron Performance Series assessment will be during the week of January 19th-22nd. This assessment is completed on the computer and is an adaptive assessment tool. It will be completed three times a year so we can make real-time data-driven decisions about our students’ academic strengths and areas of improvement. The first round of testing was complete in October 2020.
We will be testing each morning, as the test is adaptive, the testing duration will vary for each child. If you must make appointments for your child on one of these days, please make it for after 12:00 p.m. and let the office@resstpaul.org know in advance.
Please see the attached information packet for more information about the ScanTron assessment program.
Healthy Habits/Tips Before Taking a Test
1. Prepare the night before.
Gather your materials and get enough sleep to ensure your morning goes smoothly.
2. Wake up your mind and body.
Jam out to some music and keep your spirits up. You’ve got this!
3. Choose the right clothes.
Dress in layers to prepare for any exam room climate.
4. Eat a smart breakfast.
Do your mind and body a favor by giving your substantial and healthy food in the morning.
5. Warm up your brain.
Do some light reading to get your mind going.
6. Bring the right snacks.
Even if you don’t think you’ll be hungry, bring some water and light snacks just in case.
7. Focus and calm yourself on arrival.
Make yourself comfortable and have a good stretch before settling into your seat.
Catholic Schools Week
We will be having COVID-safe Catholic Schools Week celebrations for the week of January 31-February 5th.
Here are the themes for each day...more details will come regarding each day's activities.
2/1 Priest Appreciation Day
Let's celebrate Father John and Father Tyler
2:15 p.m. Living Rosary to be streamed into classrooms and on the RSPS Facebook page
2/2 Parent Appreciation Day
2/3 Community Appreciation Day
2/4 Student Appreciation Day
2/5 Teacher Appreciation Day
12:30 p.m. dismissal for students
Formal luncheon and PD in the afternoon for all faculty and staff
Reminder, No School on Monday, Jan 18th!
Individual School Pictures
Books and Bundts
Reading at an early age enriches children's brains, increases vocabulary and test scores, introduces readers to the world around them and helps develop their imaginations.
See the flyer below for a coupon for a free bundtlet and more details on this reading program.
2020-2021 Weather Policy
Weather Related Delayed Openings and Closures
When Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) are in session, Resurrection-St. Paul School follows HCPSS regarding delayed opening or closure due to inclement weather. In the case of inclement weather, on days when Howard County Public Schools are not in session, all information pertaining to delays and closures will be posted on the school website, and notification will be sent through the school email system.
A two-hour delay means the Resurrection-St. Paul School day will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Before Care starting at 9:00 a.m.. Half day Preschool students have the option of coming from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. or not coming at all. Lunch periods will be provided, but not recess.
On days when the school is closed early due to inclement weather, the After-Care program and all after school activities for that day will be cancelled as well. Parents will be notified via SwiftK12 Alert.
Please take the time to plan for the event that school may be forced to close early and discuss with your child beforehand what he/she is to do on these occasions. Children must be picked up promptly on days when early closing is necessary in order to ensure the safety of the students and staff in getting home.
Non-Weather Related Delayed Openings and Closures
There may be non-weather related circumstances (such as loss of power at school) requiring Resurrection-St. Paul School to cancel school, open late, or close early. These occasions will be communicated in a timely manner via email, phone call, text, and/or web announcement.
HOWARD COUNTY Public Schools has verified that they WILL be making a call to delay or to close schools for in person learners due to inclement weather for the 2020-2021 school year.
Our calendar has three inclement weather days built into it. For the first three days, the days will NOT be instructional days. Any day beyond the third will need to be a virtual instructional day.
Want to come in for a day?
You do not have to be available at the drop of a hat. You can even be picky about which grades you would be comfortable substituting for!
The requirements to apply have been adjusted to allow for more people to qualify. See below for details. Also, feel free to send Mrs. Underwood, tunderwood@resstpaul.org, an email if you have any questions.
Support the School Through SCRIP
HSA is encouraging all families to participate in the Shop with Scrip fundraiser this year, especially with the cancellation of many fundraisers due to COVID. It is a simple gift card fundraiser. It benefits your family and the school at the same time. The PowerPoint below contains new information about the new app RAISE RIGHT and our school's enrollment code. This video also explains the SCRIP program. Please reach out to Jessica Dove (jmdove4@gmail.com) or post on the RSPS Parent Connect FB page with any questions. Jessica is always happy to help!
RSPS Cookbook Fundraiser is Here!
The RSPS Cookbook Fundraiser is here!
The cost is $15 per book if picked up or $20 per book if shipped (cost includes shipping fee)
Things to know (UPDATED):
All orders placed by Sunday evenings will be ready for pick up the following week. You will receive a confirmation email verifying that your order has been received and is ready for pick up once it is ready.
We are now accepting check/cash payments via kid mail from in person students for any orders that are placed via the google order form. Note- all checks should be made payable to: Resurrection- St. Paul School HSA (with cookbook noted in the memo field).
NEW cookbook delivery/pick up procedure:
If you have a student attending in person- we will be sending your order home via kid mail once it is received and payment has been verified. If you order using the google form please send your check or cash into Joanne Dewey’s attention with a note on the envelope indicating that it is for a cookbook order as soon as you place your order, so that we may send your book to you in a timely manner.
If your student is virtual- you will be picking your order up from an unmanned bin located outside the main school entrance (M-F 8:30-4:00), your cookbook will be packaged and labeled with your name and if you owe $ then there will be a payment envelope in the bin for you to place your payment into.
Links to order:
If paying by check or cash use this link: https://forms.gle/zXzjFaKoP1Xijony9
If paying by credit card or shipping an order use this link: https://forms.diamondmindinc.com/Annual_Fund/cookbook?token=1460846886
RSPS Spirit Wear
For new families and old, spirit wear is a day that kids can come out of uniform yet in their spirit wear of RSPS. It can be any of our theme tshirts (past theme t-shirts are OK to wear for September as we await our 2020-2021 theme shirts), or items from our spirit wear shop.
Which FYI the spirit wear shop is a FUNraiser for our school community! There are tons of amazing items and you can even customize them!
Spirit wear orders can be made here:
HSA Sponsored Restaurant Nights
The HSA welcomes RSPS families to patronize restaurants to build community, support the school all while enjoying a socially distance meal.
Carrabbas Restaurant Day - All Day January 19th
Academics
Policies and Procedures
Arrival and Dismissal Safety
- all morning arrival traffic should enter from Chatham Rd (please do not skip traffic lanes by cutting through the parking lot)
- only vehicles dropping off students in Grades 3-8 should exit via Paulskirk Drive in the morning
- all traffic for dismissal should enter and exit via Chatham Road
- drive through the parking lot at a safe speed (5 mph or less)
- follow Maryland regulations for children in car and booster seats
- children should be seated properly and buckled until the car is no longer moving
- observe parking lot signage and staff instructions
Thank you for your cooperation keeping our Panthers safe!
Afternoon Pick-Up
Thank you!
Out of State Travel Policy - UPDATE!
In an effort to reduce the possibility of introducing the COVID-19 virus into a school community, RSPS established a policy applicable to both students and employees which requires notification be provided when individuals are traveling out of state to areas defined as high risk jurisdictions based upon positivity rates of the destination.
Both students and staff must notify school administration in writing if they intend to travel to a state or country with a positivity rate for COVID-19 of 10% or greater during the period of their stay (see https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/tracker/overview if the state you are visiting has reached that threshold).
In the event that students and/or staff members elect to proceed to visit a state with a positivity rate of 10% or greater, those traveling will be required upon their return to provide evidence of a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic or they have completed an entire 14 day quarantine.
It is advised that you create an appointment at a COVID-19 testing center prior to your travel for testing immediately upon your return. This will ensure there is no delay in getting tested, receiving your results, and your student’s return to in-person learning at school.
Students Who are Quarantining
Please let Julie Rice, jrice@resstpaul.org, to inform her of any close contact exposures, presumptive positive cases, or positive cases in your household so we can coordinate instructional programming and follow all COVID-19 protocols.
VIRTUS Training for all Volunteers
Required training for all volunteers
Due to COVID-19 policies, visitors and volunteers will not be allowed in the building until further notice. We welcome volunteer service that can be done from home.
RSPS Career Opportunities
We are looking to expand our current Panther Faculty and Staff for the 2020-2021 school year to accommodate the needs of our students and all our reduced class sizes due to risk mitigation policies and procedures.
In-Person Early Childhood Education Teacher
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide grade appropriate instructional program for students, coursework to include teaching Religion
- Instruct students in all content area subjects
- Maintains an attractive, organized, and engaging learning environment
- Develops lesson plans with clear objectives in line with the Archdiocesan Course of Study
- Provides grade appropriate extended or enrichment opportunities
- Uses relevant technology to support/enhance instruction including one-on-one devices such as IPads and Chromebooks, as well as interactive whiteboards
- Maintains appropriate control through positive discipline techniques
- Maintains accurate and complete records of students' progress in Power School
- Provides regular and consistent communication with parents, students, staff and administration
- Performs assigned duties when needed for the supervision of students before, during or after school including lunch duties, recess duties, dismissal duties, detention, and any other duties assigned by the administration
- Participates in faculty meetings, school committees, and in-service learning opportunities
- Attends school events including Back to School Nights, Open Houses, Parent/Teacher conference days, and other events as requested by the administration
Job Requirements
- Practicing Roman Catholic
- Bachelor degree in education
- Current MSDE certification
- Prior successful teaching experience in early education preferred
- Positive references and recommendations
- Basic understanding and acceptance of Catholic school philosophy, goals and objectives
- Must be comfortable with or willing to learn technology including Chromebooks, Google Classroom, interactive white boards, etc.
Job Responsibilities:
- Implement lesson plans utilizing a variety of techniques to motivate, challenge and engage students
- Plan and execute instructional programs that adhere to Archdiocesan curriculum
- Create an instructional environment conducive to learning
- Maintain high professional standards consistent with the mission of the school and the teachings of the Catholic Church
- Safely and actively supervise students both inside and outside of the classroom
- Work collaboratively with other teachers, staff, and administration
- Meet the needs, interests and abilities of students
- Perform various non-teaching related duties such as recess, lunch, and parking lot, etc.
Job Requirements:
- Practicing Roman Catholic preferred
- AA degree
- Prior successful experience working with students
- Positive references and recommendations
- Basic understanding and acceptance of Catholic school philosophy, goals and objectives
- Must be comfortable with or willing to learn technology including Chromebooks, Google Classroom, interactive white boards, etc.
How to apply:
- All applications should be emailed to Tracy Underwood, assistant principal, tunderwood@resstpaul.org
- Complete applications shall include:
- cover letter;
- resume;
- complete RSPS application;
- contact information for three professional references and any employment with substantial contact with minors
- Only complete applications submitted via email will be considered.
2020-2021 School Year at a Glance
January 18th: No school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 22nd: Interims sent home
January 25th: Individual student pictures (in uniform)
February 5th: 12:30 p.m. Dismissal day for students, no after care, Afternoon professional development for teachers
February 15th: No school, Presidents' Day
March 4th: Trimester 2 ends
April 2nd-9th: Easter Break
April 12th: Classes resume
May 31st: No school, Memorial Day
June 2nd: 8th grade graduation
June 8th: 12:30 p.m. Dismissal day for students, no after care, Afternoon professional development for teachers
June 9th: 12:30 p.m. Dismissal day for students, no after care, Afternoon professional development for teachers
June 10th: 12:30 p.m. Last day of school for students, Dismissal day for students, no after care, Afternoon professional development for teachers
June 11th: Last day of school for faculty and staff
Resurrection-St.Paul School
Vision Statement
At Resurrection-St. Paul School, students have unique opportunities for real life critical thinking, problem solving, and experiential learning through enrichment programs built into our curricula such as theater, art, outdoor education, and much more. We offer a well-rounded academic education rooted in the Catholic tradition of excellence and values. We prepare our students to assume responsible, creative roles in an ever challenging and changing world.
Mission Statement
Resurrection-St. Paul School, through the teaching of the Catholic Church, is dedicated to the total formation of the child by preparing them for a global society through innovation, problem solving, and cross curricular collaboration.
Email: office@resstpaul.org
Website: resstpaul.org
Location: 3155 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 461-9111
Facebook: facebook.com/ResurrectionStPaul/