The Digital Classroom
April 30, 2020
Weekly Update for Families on Catholic Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear School Families,
This week I had the pleasure of announcing the 10 recipients of the prestigious Archdiocese of Boston Excellence in Education Award. This annual award honors teachers' commitment to developing saints and scholars in the Catholic schools. Learn more about the award here.
While we had to connect via video call, I look forward to celebrating with the honorees, guests, and school leaders in September. Thank you to all who nominated an excellent educator in the Archdiocese of Boston!
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Today Cardinal Seán issued a special request for people to sign the petition to ensure that Catholic schools have access to emergency funding in regard to COVID-19. If you have not signed the petition, we request that you do so. You can read the Cardinal's request here.
The funding would specifically be allocated for expenses related to COVID-19 that are in excess of a school’s normal operating expenses. There are additional expenses that will be required when guidance for re-opening schools becomes available, and the COVID-19 relief funding is directed toward such expenses so that schools do not have to place an additional financial burden on families to cover these extraordinary costs.
In Christ,
Tom
Thomas W. Carroll
Superintendent of Schools
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Prayer of the Week - The Rosary
We have compiled resources on our website, at www.csoboston.org/rcabresources. There you will find links on education, mental health, faith, and online security.
Our Lady of the Assumption School, Lynnfield
Our Lady's Academy, Waltham
Saint Mary of the Hills School, Milton
Austin Prep, Reading
Lowell Catholic
Saint Catherine School, Norwood
Educational Resources
- Museum of Science: During this time when educators can’t work on the floor of the Museum, the Museum of Science has quickly developed the capacity to serve its community digitally. If you haven’t done so already, check out MOSatHOME. Currently, they offer four live webinars DAILY. There are also programs for adults, new podcasts, town halls and more, and they are adding programs all the time.
- Information for Supporting Families with Young Children: Links in the PDF below include articles on recognizing stress in your young child, talking to children about grief, and how to help young children wear face masks.
Mental Health Resources
Webinar: May 1, 7:30am
Parents are invited to attend a webinar tomorrow with Dr. Elizabeth Englander from MARC. While this webinar is geared toward educators, parents are welcome. Educators/Participants will be trained on how to properly address and discuss the use of digital technology. Register here.
Faith Resources for the Domestic Church
- Renewing the Consecration of the United States to the Care of Our Blessed Mother with Cardinal Sean O’Malley. Videos available in four languages!
- Consecration of the United States to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Join Archbishop José Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop of Los Angeles, in prayer on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 3:00pm, as he, in one accord with all the Bishops in the United States and Canada, consecrate our Nations to the most powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This moment of unified prayer will give our Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the sick, and wisdom for those who work to cure COVID-19. More information can be found here!
- Catholic Family Conference: May 1-2, 2020 is a free online conference to enlighten and fortify your family and to engage the culture with the truths of the Faith! Join Bishops, priests and over a dozen lay evangelists who will gather for Holy Mass and address various topics, some suitable for adults only and some for a family audience. Topics include: Digital Disconnect, Prayer, Trauma and Loss, Growing in Holiness, Special Needs, Hope, Being a Pro Life Family, Women in the Church and Society and Holy Masculinity. Register here!
- The Theology of the Body (TOB) Virtual Conference: May 8-10, 2020 will feature dozens of prominent speakers and artists who will share their "ache" and joy with you — showing how St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body applies to everyday life, how it will transform your prayer life, how it can bring healing of the deepest wounds in yourself and with others, and how it will bring your Catholic faith alive in new and brilliant ways. This free TOB conference will beautifully help us understand what it means when God said He made us male and female! Register here!
Today's COVID-19 Briefings from the Government
Catholic Schools Office
Email: bostoncatholicschools@gmail.com
Website: csoboston.org
Location: 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA, USA
Phone: 617-779-3601
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSOBoston/
Twitter: @csoboston