• 10/3 - Virtual Preschool Open House, 11 AM
  
• 10/6 - HASA General Meeting, 6:30 PM
• 10/7 - SCHOOL CLOSED - Archdiocesan-wide holiday
• 10/9 - Scantron Assessment window ends (gr. 2-8)
• 10/16 - SCHOOL CLOSED - Staff Professional Day

The latest calendar updates can always be found at https://sfa-school.org/calendar

• 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.

• 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.

There will be a HASA General Meeting on Tuesday 10/6 at 6:30 PM. Please join us for important community information for all families! You MUST login with your child's SFA Google account in order to access this meeting. We have provided links below for the participant meeting, as well as a livestream link in case the digital meeting room fills up.

Our Hot Lunch provider has been succeeded by a new offshoot company. Heaven Sent Catering will be the new provider, which is being run by some of the employees of the previous company. It is our understanding from Abundance that they will be either refunding money paid or paying forward credits towards Heaven Sent. We are also pleased to note that Heaven Sent Catering is both a local and a Black-owned enterprise, and that they will be able to provide food service 5 days per week! We will again be requesting parent volunteers to assist with pick-up of lunch from Curley and/or Catholic High each day. We are grateful to Susan King who has agreed once again to help schedule our volunteers! Please read the letter below from the company owner, and note his clear emphasis on safety and Covid-compliant preparation for all lunch items. Since we will be unable to offer Chick-fil-A or Pizza Lunch this year, we hope that this continuation and expansion of the Hot Lunch program helps to compensate!

• #MaskHygiene Reminder: Don't share it. Change it daily (or wash it daily). Make sure it is clean. Do not borrow or lend it out. Make sure it fits snug but not too tight.
• It is Cold, Flu, and (still) Covid season! Proper nutrition is the best defense against all of these. Make sure your diet is full of B vitamins, C vitamins, and Zinc this time of year. AND, stay hydrated! (sorry, caffeinated and sugary drinks do not count towards proper hydration)
• Immunizations need to be up to date, and we need documentation by October 5th to avoid interruption for in-person students.
• We are making sure all medical files are up to date. In order to best meet your child’s needs, it is helpful if we are informed of any/all health issues/history your child may have. If you anticipate your child needing medication at school (over-the-counter or prescription), a physician’s order is required with a supply of the medication.

• 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

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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!

• 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 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 +Shannon Reviere, that she might rest in eternal peace, and the entire Reviere family, that they might be consoled in their grief.

• 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.