Week at a Glance
Marian Central Catholic High School Faculty Newsletter
NOW PUBLISHED EVERY TWO WEEKS
September 20, 2020
Reflecting on the past two weeks...
Well, this past week we came back from Remote Learning, transitioning to Red & Blue Teams. As teachers, students, and the rest of the Marian staff adjust to half the students in the building at any one time, the most positive thing is that we are seeing our students in person again! I believe we are over the hurdle of parent requests for team changes due to carpooling issues and should be moving to a more predictable pattern. Administration knows that there are still some kinks that need to be worked out, but with your input and patience, we will overcome those and have a productive couple of weeks, months, etc.
***Reminder: If you have not already submitted your Red & Blue seating charts to Mrs. DiSilvio already, please do so. These are imperative for our efforts in contact tracing.
Thank you!
I was able to step into a couple of classes on Friday and intend on coming into many more over the next two weeks. As I have stepped in, I get to see first hand what challenges teachers and students may have in this hybrid world. I am looking for patterns, how the learning environment has or has not changed, and entertaining thoughts from teachers and students alike. Thank you for allowing me to join your classes and again, feel free to share your thoughts either while I am in your classroom and/or via emails or personal meetings. My door is always open to you!
What's coming up?
Homecoming... adjusted
All of the seniors received the opportunity to apply for any of the five Student Council Executive Board over this past week. We have about 30 applications and are now reading through them. We anticipate providing the applicants to campaign as well as the entire student body (9th - 12th) the opportunity to vote within the next few weeks.
Once the Board is determined, they will be working with Mr. Stamatakos to decide how we may want to celebrate Homecoming in this most unique school year. Stay tuned!
Senior Portraits... adjusted
Senior Portraits will no longer be separated by boys & girls...
Tuesday, Sept. 29: Blue Team Seniors will have their portraits taken during the day. That afternoon/evening the seniors who are remote learners for the semester will be coming to the school to take their portraits.
Wednesday, Sept. 30: Red TEam Seniors will have their portraits taken during the day.
**Mrs. DiSilvio will be sending out the schedule when it is completed.
Covid-19
So far so good! The few students who are still left quarantined are coming back, and we do not have any other new cases or concerns. Let's pray it stays that way!
As a student comes back from quarantine, I will continue to notify that student's teachers via email that they are returning.
Let us know if there is anything else that will help you navigate our ever-changing situation!
Let's stay healthy!
Have a wonderful couple of weeks!
Policy on Making Up Work after Covid-Positive Isolation
Students who are Isolated due to being Covid-Positive
If a student misses any work (both formative and summative) WHILE IN ISOLATION, allow the student ONE week from the date of return to make up the work without penalty.
After the week grace period, you can still expect work to be turned in, but you can now employ your late-work policy.
Once a student's isolation is completed, please hold the student fully responsible (no matter whether we are remote learning or in-person) for both attendance and all work (both formative & summative)
**Please note that if a student in isolation has more severe symptoms and is not able to participate in learning at all during their isolation and/or their isolation is extended due to the illness, we will look at each situation individually to determine the course of action that is appropriate.
Students who are Quarantined due to Close Contact with someone who was Covid-Positive
There should be NO NEED to accommodate, as students should still be able to fully participate remotely in your classes. These students are expected to be in attendance and complete their daily work as if they were not quarantined.
Need to Wrap your Head around How to Address your Students' Gaps in Learning?
Addressing Gaps in Learning Through Curriculum Alignment
Addressing Gaps in Learning Through Formative Assessments
How to Plan for a Personal Day
When you need a personal day, make sure you submit a request for leave form at least 2 days prior to the planned absence. Give the form to Mrs. DiSilvio who will get the approval from Administration.
If you are calling in sick (non-Covid related) or taking a personal day, we are treating it like we have in past years prior to Covid. You will need to provide lesson plans to Mrs. DISilvio prior to the start of the day and she will give the plans to the substitute.
Now, due to our Red/Blue Team rotations, you will also have to use your LMS to communicate to ALL students the fact that you will NOT be in the classroom that day and there will NOT be "live" teaching via your video conference mode. You will also need to provide instructions for what your students should be doing for that day, as some will be remote.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to administration.
Emergency Drills
ISBE requires that if a school has any in-person learning, the school is still held to the yearly expectations of all emergency drills. Therefore, the Deans are now working to reconfigure the emergency drills schedule, especially given our new "team" configuration for delivering both remote and in-person instruction.
Once they have developed the new schedule, you will be informed. Thank you for continuing to keep our students safe!
Outside Visitors
If a meeting is required for a sensitive or personal topic regarding our students, please discuss it with someone from the administration before setting up a meeting.
Thank you for keeping our Marian family safe!!
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Having Trouble Getting Used to Outlook Email?
If you are not sure how to attach a document, send an email using blind CC, or any other procedures using our new Outlook email system? Feel free to reach out to anyone on the Administration team or Mrs. Houk, and we will be happy to sit with you one-on-one to ensure that you feel comfortable using Outlook!
Why Technology is Important in the Classroom
Click here for a great video that speaks to the importance of educators embracing technology use in the classroom.
Remember that you've got DYKNOW!
DyKnow is our Classroom Management Software that will give you, the teacher, the ability to see what websites/apps each of your students is on in real-time! Not only that, but you will be able to redirect them with a message, lock them out, collect data of off-task behavior, and more!
If you need more information on how to use this tool, check out this quick how-to video!
Additional Resources
The Next Two Weeks' Schedule
As you work through your plans this week, please note these events. For a more detailed list, check out our school calendar, 8to18 Athletics Calendar or Clubs/Organizations Page
**Important Scheduling Note: Our yearly "Testing Day" for PSAT and PreACT that was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14 has been moved to January 2021. This means that Oct. 14 will be a regular full day of school for ALL students. Families have been notified of this through the Friday Focus and the online calendar.
Monday, September 21, 2020
BLUE Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
RED Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
6:30 pm ~ College Information Night, Virtual
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
BLUE Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Thursday, September 24, 2020
RED Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ NHS Selection Committee Meeting, rm 218
Friday, September 25, 2020
BLUE Day
NOON DISMISSAL ~ Schedule #6
Saturday, September 26, 2020
MCCHS Trivia Night ~ Virtual!
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Monday, September 28, 2020
RED Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
BLUE Day
Blue Team Senior Portraits ~ All Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
3-6 pm ~ Senior Portraits for Remote Only Learners
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
RED Day
Red Team Senior Portraits ~ All Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Thursday, October 1, 2020
BLUE Day: SPIRIT Dress Down Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Friday, October 2, 2020
RED Day: SPIRIT Dress Down Day
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Mass, Chapel