St. Mary's School
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It's been more than two months since we moved to a remote learning platform in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As we continue through this new process, I want to thank you for your tremendous support. For our teachers, instruction from home is a challenge at times, but they have demonstrated creativity and perseverance in the face of adversity. For our students, learning from home can be difficult, yet they have shown such resiliency and determination. And for you, I imagine the balancing act between work and family has added a good amount of stress at times, but you're all doing an amazing job.
This week is a full week of remote learning and I look forward to seeing the many ways our students and teachers will learn together and connect with one another. As we look ahead to next week, Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day. Our teachers and students will take a well-deserved day off and remote classes will resume on Tuesday, May 26.
Please know that the faculty and I continue to pray for the health and well being of you and your families, and we look forward to being together face to face soon.
Sincerely,
Mr. Beza
In This Issue
Sunday Mass at St. Mary's
Ascension Thursday Mass
SMS Virtual Art Fair
Students' Personal Belongings
Tuition for 2020-2021 School Year
Resources for Supporting Your Children
Sunday Mass - All Are Welcome
Today we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. All are welcome to join Father Shawn as he live streams Mass from St. Mary's Church at 10:00 am on Sunday, May 10. The live stream will be coordinated through Zoom and can be accessed by clicking this link. The link to the live stream can also be accessed on the home page of the parish website (www.stmarysmelrose.org).
Ascension Thursday - May 21
All are welcome to participate in Ascension Thursday Mass at St. Mary's with Father Shawn. Mass will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 21. To join the live stream, please click here. You may also access the live stream via the St. Mary's Parish website (www.stmarysmelrose.org)
SMS Virtual Art Fair
Please visit Mrs. Caruso's website to view the entire gallery! (https://mrscarusoart.weebly.com/art-fair.html)
Students' Personal Belongings
Students' personal items have been gathered together and placed in individual sealed bags. I would like to thank Mrs. Pedicini for coordinating this endeavor, as well as several of our faculty members who assisted Mrs. Pedicini. We anticipate yearbooks arriving by the end of next week. Once they have arrived, we will add them to the individual bags and notify you of the pick up process. We are still aiming for the week of May 25 for pick up of personal items. As soon as this is finalized, we will share more details with you. In the meantime, if there's something that you need before the scheduled pick up day, please let me or Ms. Mobilia know and we will be happy to make arrangements with you.
Tuition for 2020-2021 School Year
As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, we are mindful of the many financial sacrifices our school families make to provide their children with a quality Catholic education. As stewards of the school’s finances, we continually reflect on and implement practices that position us to run our school efficiently and effectively.
Each year, our budget is developed by Fr. Shawn Allen (pastor), Mr. Christopher Beza (principal), and Mr. Frank Garvey (Parish Finance Council). In determining a tuition increase for the upcoming school year, we take into account several factors, including projected enrollment, projected income, and projected expenses. This year we are faced with the additional factor of the economic impact of the Covid-19 situation on our school families.
After reflection and discussion, we have made the decision that there will be no tuition increase for the upcoming school year. Additionally, we have decided to waive the $400 deposit. The deadline for financial aid applications has been extended to June 30. Click here for more information regarding the financial aid application process.
As we plan for the future of our school, the continued support of our entire community – parents, teachers, alumni and parishioners – is vital to our long-term viability. The single most important factor to our continued sustainability is enrollment. A fully enrolled school allows us to keep tuition costs affordable, while having the necessary funding to provide programs that strengthen the experience of our students. I hope you will share with others the wonderful opportunities St. Mary’s School provides and encourage them to explore St. Mary’s School as an option for their child’s education.
Thank you for your continued support as we advance the mission of Catholic education at St. Mary’s School. We are deeply grateful that you entrust us with the formation and education of your children. God bless!
Resources for Supporting Your Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Below please find a list of resources you may find helpful as you support your children through this difficult time.
- McLean Hospital, 4 Ways to Help Children Manage Emotions During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Dr. Ashley Miller, Helping Children and Teens Cope with Social Isolation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- Psychology Today, How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus
- Dr. Nancy Rappaport: What Cancer Taught Me About Navigating a Pandemic
- Dr. Robert Brooks: Resilience in the Face of COVID-19
- National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
- Joanna's Place: Tips to Help Families through the Coronavirus Crisis
Contact Us
Email: mr.beza@stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Website: stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Location: 4 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA, USA
Phone: (781)665-5037
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschoolmelrose/