With One Voice
News & Notes from St. Francis of Assisi School
"That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ Romans 15:6
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"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." ~ Matthew 5:14-16
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September 16, 2020
1st graders are learning about short vowel sounds, and those online and in-person are all fully included in the instruction!
Mrs. Tidball connects with 8th graders online to review probability!
WOV AUDIO EDITION - CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 9/20 - Catechetical Sunday
- 9/21 - Scantron Assessment window begins (gr. 2-8)
- 9/25 - Monarch Butterfly Dress Down
- 10/3 - Virtual Preschool Open House, 11 AM
- 10/9 - Scantron Assessment window ends (gr. 2-8)
The latest calendar updates can always be found at https://sfa-school.org/calendar
From the Office...
SCANTRON ASSESSMENTS
- During the 2020–21 academic year, all students in grades 2–8 throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore will complete a reading, language, and mathematics assessment in the fall, winter, and spring. In the spring, students in grades 3, 5, and 7 will complete science and social studies assessments. These assessments are shorter than the Iowa and CogAT, so the total amount of time testing will be comparable to previous years.
- Since testing in the spring of 2020 was canceled due to school closure, it is essential that we assess students this fall to determine potential content knowledge and skill gaps.
- At SFA, we will be conducting these assessments between 9/21 and 10/9, with no more than one test being administered per day. It is a total of three tests for the fall. Your child's Math and ELA teachers will share the specific date for each test.
- All students will complete these assessments, whether online or in-person.
- Please read the below documents from the Archdiocese with more information.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
- We encourage you to review this website in advance of any future travel and let us know in advance if you plan to be in any states considered a hotspot (10% or greater positivity) - https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/testing-positivity.
- Archdiocesan policy prohibits entry to the school building for two weeks after visiting a state with a greater than 10% positivity rate.
Monarch Butterfly Day
- It has become a tradition in recent to celebrate Monarch Butterfly Day in order to provide funds for the upkeep on our pollinator garden. We also use the occasion to highight educational opportunities around pollination and gardening.
- With the pandemic we will sadly be unable to invite students to wear wings and accessories this year, BUT we do encourage monarch colors (black, orange, gold) for a dress down day on Sept. 25th. We also invite goodwill donations to our general giving link and you may note the Pollinator Garden in the reason for your contribution. Any amount is appreciated!
THE 65th ANNUAL SFA TURKEY DINNER - SAVE THE DATE!
- COVID-19 will make this year's Turkey Dinner a little bit different! We are planning to still hold this longstanding school tradition, but we will obviously have to adjust somewhat due to the pandemic.
- This year's dinner will be done with pre-order and then curbside pick-up. The date is Sunday November 8th from 12:30 to 6 PM.
- All fundraising will be moved online, including the Silent Auction and Raffle.
- We will still need volunteer help this year so please SAVE THE DATE! Thank you to Maggie Miller for agreeing to once again chair this important fundraiser!
RACIAL JUSTICE
- Our SFA Antiracism Workgroup has met multiple times and has established areas of focus on Curriculum Development, Staff Development, Community Engagement, and Data Analysis. Current actions include: A group of teachers will work with the committee on the next steps for a curriculum audit. Also training topics on issues such as trauma-informed instruction and implicit bias are being researched for incorporation this school year.
- In addition to the Antiracism Workgroup formed locally here at SFA, A task force has been established by Archbishop Lori to combat the sins of racism and prejudice in our society and the ways these issues can be addressed in our archdiocese.
- As part of this effort, the Archdiocese of Baltimore offered a special Mass celebrated by the Archbishop on Sunday September 13 at 10 AM for peace and racial justice. The mass and Archbishop Lori's homily can be found at this link: https://www.archbalt.org/the-path-to-racial-justice/. The mass also recognized the recent September 9th feast of St. Peter Claver, a saint who was noted for his ministry to enslaved persons and people of color in the Americas.
- Our school took time to recognize the feast of St. Peter Claver and to incorporate lessons on the topic of peace and racial justice into Religion classes following the Mass. A list of resources has been prepared by the workgroup and distributed to all Archdiocesan Catholic schools to support the development of these types of lessons. We have included them for your benefit below.
LESSONS LEARNED - All new or updated info
1) GENERAL TIPS & NOTES
- Google apps require student accounts and passwords. Email Ms. Alsadiq for a reset.
- Please be sure to complete the wellness survey on a daily basis. Do not use nicknames and complete one for each child!
2) ARRIVAL
- With gratitude for your continued compliance on the wellness survey, we will now move temperature taking to the school entrances rather than at your vehicles.
3) DISMISSAL
- We ask for your vehicle to post the provided sign in the passenger side window or visor identifying the family name of students you are picking up.
- If you have a carseat or other issue to address, rather than fixing it in line and holding up everyone else, please exit the loading zone and pull to the open parking lot area to make your final adjustments before departure.
FAMILY INCOME SURVEY - REQUIRED!!
HOT LUNCH
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE...
Parents & Families: Need some tips to overcome the challenges of wearing a mask more frequently? Check out the following links for mask breathing tips and ways to make masks more comfortable for kids.
FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR...
- During these stressful times we are all in need of self-care and support from our community more than ever. I wanted to share local as well as digital resources to help you as you navigate these pandemic days.
- Phillip McKnight offers affordable Nature Based Mindful Coaching for all ages and will see families as well. I am currently enrolled in a 6 week Nature Based Stress Reduction class for teachers and school staff that is being taught by Phillip along with a Mindfulbased Counselor. I highly recommend Phillip, click here to learn more: https://www.cmhcweb.com/mindfulnesscoaching?utm_campaign=a75e1cc9-90ff-46ee-a1c2-e84d3b0ca440&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=fe99b09d-b752-4973-9b59-4eb0f0b3abb4
- In addition, Mariposa offers virtual classes and coaching for parents: https://www.mariposaeducation.org/ Click here to learn about the free one hour class they offer every Wednesday at noon: https://mariposa-education.mykajabi.com/sign-up-free-workshop-summer-2020-promoting-resilience-caregivers
- Finally, some apps I recommend: I AM (thanks Ms. DiPietro for sharing this), Calm, Head Space and Smiling Mind.
- Please don't hesitate to reach out if you would like to schedule a time for me to meet with you, your student and/or family. crownc@sfa-school.org
SCHOOL STORE
Get SFA branded items delivered to your house in time for Christmas!
Pro Tip: Click the name of the school on the left side to see products! A percentage of every purchase goes directly to support SFA! More items to come! Get your SOAR Swag!
SFA PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
FLU SHOT CLINIC 9/27
- FREE Flu shots will be offered to adults 18 and older. Provided by Good Samaritan Hospital’s Community Outreach Dept.
- WHEN: Sunday, September 27th at 11:30 am until 1pm
- WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi church hall
- Please wear your mask when entering the hall.
- Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, is advising people to get vaccinated for the flu to help eliminate one of the two risks (Covid 19 and Flu). A flu vaccine isn’t 100% effective and you might still get the flu, but it can help reduce the risk.
- The CDC recommends getting vaccinated between early September and late October. Source: https://bgr.com/2020/08/13/coronavirus-flu-season-cdc-warning-worst-fall-ever/
TOGETHER WE PRAY...
- For those affected by the wildfires out West, for the safety of those combatting them, and for an increased embrace of stewardship for our planet in the midst of climate change.
- For +Shannon Reviere, that she might rest in eternal peace, and the entire Reviere family, that they might be consoled in their grief.
For all those affected by the Coronavirus, as well as all those tending to the sick, and all those working to advance the cause of science towards cure/treatment.
For the fostering of productive dialogue and real action around social justice, equity, elimination of bias, and the healing of the wounds of systemic racism in our nation.
For all victims of violence in our city, our nation, and our world.
- For the victims and survivors of cancer, as well as those who continue to fight!
Prayer requests may always be sent to wov@sfa-school.org.
St. Francis of Assisi School
Email: office@sfa-school.org
Website: sfa-school.org
Location: 3617 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410-467-1683
Facebook: facebook.com/sfaschoolbalt
Twitter: @sfaschoolbalt