Saint Mary School Weekly Newsletter
May 29, 2020 Volume 2, Issue 34
A Note from Mrs. O'Rourke
“We do not fear the unknown. We fear what we think we know about the unknown.” -Teal Swan
Dear SMS Families,
As I mentioned last week, we have begun planning for a variety of different scenarios for the 2020-2021 school year. It is my expectation that we will continue to receive guidance from relevant government/medical/educational authorities in the next several months, and as a result, our plans will evolve throughout the summer. Guidelines may differ in preschool, elementary school, and middle school. As you might imagine, there are many questions that I am not able to answer. But there are some things that I can share with you now, and I will continue to update you throughout the summer.
Before you review this, let me underscore that our goal is to make you and your children feel comfortable and safe. We will reinforce that message and look for every opportunity for our building to remain child friendly.
You will notice the following changes/procedures when we return to the school building:
In order to promote healthy hygiene practices:
we will be installing no-touch hand sanitizers in every classroom and also will have sanitizing stations at every entrance to the building to be used upon arrival and after any outdoor time.
we will remove some of our flexible seating options, such as upholstered couches, chairs, rugs, etc. in classrooms as they are harder to disinfect.
we will suspend our hot lunch program. All students will bring their lunch from home.
students will only use their own supplies, i.e. pencils, crayons, markers, etc. No more community sharing of items. There will be guidelines on what students may bring to school from home.
only the bottle filling water fountain will be open for student use.
In order to promote social distancing:
our student drop off and pick up procedures will change.
access into the building will be restricted to students, teachers, and staff. Parents will be permitted in very limited cases only, which will be outlined prior to the beginning of school.
lunches will be eaten in the classrooms until further notice.
in elementary and middle school, desks will be distanced according to the final CDC guidelines. All desks will face the same direction rather than be organized in clusters.
field trips are temporarily suspended.
Nurse Linda will have a separate room to assess and care for children who have a fever.
Much, much more to come.
Have a great weekend! Blessings and peace,
Anna
Virtual Art Show
Class of 2020
Details to Come - Virtual Field Day all next week
End of Year Reminders
- Preschool teachers have notified each of their classes on how to receive students' belongings from the classroom and pick up portfolios.
- K-7 families were emailed a schedule and procedures for the June 9th pick up/drop off.
- Kindergarten Groovy Graduation will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 10th at 10:00 am.
- Grade 5 Promotion will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 10th at 12:00 pm.
- The last day of school for Preschool - Grade 7 is Thursday, June 11th. Early dismissal at 11:00 am for all.
New Enrichment Ideas
- American Girl books online
- Challenge Robots
- Planet Food
- Where's Waldo
- and more!
Virtual Help Desk for School Families
The Diocesan virtual help desk is open for all of our families. A member of the Office of the Superintendent will be present in these virtual rooms for you to login, ask questions, and get support on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am - 12:00pm and Wednesdays from 4:30pm-5:15pm. You can join by Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81272322709 (password is dobschools) or by dialing into 646-558-8656 using Meeting ID Meeting ID: 812 7232 2709.
From the Parish
Sunday Mass
From the Community
Ridgefield Library - Reading is a Family Affair
Rising 3rd-6th graders and their families can join us on June 24 for discussion of Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai!
All registrants will be mailed a physical copy of the book to read together as a family, then we'll come together for a fun discussion in a closed Zoom meeting. Registration required. Please register early to ensure you receive your book in time.