Mustang Memo
A Newsletter for Saint Ann School Families
August 28, 2022
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Reflection
- Back to School Details
- Meet Mrs. Edge
- Student Life Notes
- Mark Your Calendars!
One Body in Christ: Our Spiritual Theme
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
As we start the new school year, we begin our study of the seven themes of Catholic Social
Teaching. In September we shall focus on the first theme – Life and Dignity of the Human
Person. This theme reminds us of the sacredness of all life, those lives we love and
cherish as well as the lives we would choose to avoid for one reason or another.
This theme calls us to live the Gospel of Life for the unborn, the elderly, persons who are
differently-abled, persons assigned a death penalty, the immigrant, persons with
addictions of any kind, persons who are malnourished, homeless, or underemployed,
and the list continues.
We may believe that such large issues require large actions. But what can be done in our community for the one person we may know or know about who meets any of the above descriptions or others? We are called to take a stand and act
for even one person and so demonstrate the each person is sacred.
What action will you take this week for the life and dignity of a human person in your neighborhood?
- Dr. De Angelo, Superintendent of Catholic Schools
SAS: A Healthy Community
We are grateful that we are able to begin the school year with the benefit of gained knowledge about best practices to mitigate Covid-19, and clear guidelines for how to proceed should we get positive cases, something we as a worldwide community could not say just two years ago!
Please rest assured that all CDOW school nurses received information about COVID protocols for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. These protocols are in accordance with CDC and DPH guidance. Please check with Nurse Kerr if you have any questions or concerns: dkerr@thesaintannschool.org or 302-652-6567.
Highlights of the information include, but are not limited to:
- Vaccines are still the most important strategy to prevent serious illness. We encourage you to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines are optional for students and staff.
- Routine asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended, and regular testing with Quidel will no longer be offered in school. However, Nurse Kerr has an ample supply of rapid antigen tests which can be used upon request by parents at anytime.
- If COVID positive, remain home in isolation for 5 days and return masked for the next 5 days. Please inform Nurse Kerr.
- Quarantine is no longer recommended for those exposed to COVID. Masks are recommended after an exposure, with testing on the 5th day after exposure. Remember, testing is available to students at anytime.
- Masking is optional for students and staff.
- Hand hygiene remains our best defense.
- If sick in any way, stay home. We encourage parents to screen for symptoms at home each morning.
You can see specific guidance from the CDC on how to handle positive cases and exposure here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OFeztVjeAeHJTyND4_cHWpguqJedP-hF/view?usp=sharing
Arrival & Dismissal
Reporting to School
- The school is open to students at 7:30 am. Families needing an earlier drop off should inquire about Before Care services, which bear a small fee.
- K-8 Students are expected to be in class by 7:50 am, and Pre-K students are expected to be in class by 8:00 am, or otherwise report to the main office to sign in.
- Pre-K students should use the Grant Avenue Entrance.
- K-8 students should use the school entrances on Shallcross Avenue.
Dismissal from School
- Pre-K dismissal begins at 2:30 pm on regular school days, and 11:30 am on half-days.
- K-8 dismissal begins at 2:45 pm on regular school days, and 11:45 am on half-days.
- Walkers are dismissed first, followed by car riders.
- Families needed a later pick up should inquire about After Care services, which also bear a small fee.
Families will receive several copies of name cards to display in car windshields. Please be sure to display them in a prominent location so that we can responsibly and safely deliver your children to you in a manner that keeps the pick up line moving efficiently.
Meet Mrs. Edge!
Student Life Notes
Lunches at SAS
SAS partners with Yay Lunch! to provide daily lunch options for purchase. For more information on menu and payment options, please visit: https://www.thesaintannschool.org/parents/lunch-program. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Ordering closes each Saturday, so plan accordingly to be sure you've made your selections for each upcoming week by that deadline.
Also, we'll continue to have lunch outside as appropriate this year. Indoor lunches will be held in the Social Hall, where tables will now seat 4 students (as opposed to 2 per table in the previous school year). Teachers will assign seating as usual. If you have any concerns about seating as it pertains to Covid-19 mitigation, you are welcome to contact the main office so that we can address your needs.
Middle School Electives
Students in grades 6-8 will receive information on how to select electives courses this week. SAS will process the schedule requests and communicate those elective schedules the following week, and elective courses will begin on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning September 13. This allows students to pursue individual educational interests and investigate their gifts and talents in such a way that will help them to prepare for a high school schedule, when choice will play a bigger role in course selection.
Win Me! A Fundraising Announcement
Thanks to the generous donation of Preston Motor Group, Saint Ann School has a BRAND NEW 2022 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT 4X4 to raffle off to a very lucky winner! This will be a year long project, and we'll be asking for your help. Look for more details on how to buy and sell tickets soon! Visit http://www.prestonmotor.com to learn more about our donor partners.
The winner will look just as cool as Fr. Mink cruising around when we announce our winner next June!
Pre-K 3 - 2nd Graders: After School Soccer Shots Fall Season Begins 9/27!
Mark Your Calendars!
August 28: Regular Weekly Mustang Memos Begin (Distributed every Sunday during the school year)
August 29: First Day for All Students! Half-Day Schedule, 11:45 am Dismissal (Grades 1-8)
Regular Uniform Day
Students in Pre-K 3- Kindergarten should follow separate orientation schedule as outlined by your classroom teacher
August 30: After Care Program Begins - This is a correction to reflect the accurate start date!
September 2: Half-Day Schedule, 11:45 am Dismissal - No After Care
September 5: Labor Day Holiday, School Closed
September 13: Opening School Mass
September 14: Band Instrument Demonstration Day, Grades 4-8 & SAS Restaurant Night - more information to follow!
September 20: Back to School Night, 6:30-7:30 pm
Please join us in the Social Hall for an opening presentation, followed by classroom visits
September 21: Picture Day, Formal Uniform Required
September 23: Casual Day - $1 to Support Missions
September 27: First Day of Soccer Shots Fall Season (see below for details)
September 28: First Day of Band Instruction
October 10: Fall Break, School Closed
Special Note: STAR Testing will take place during the weeks of September 26 & October 3, 2022
We can't wait to see you!
SAS staff is pictured at the annual Diocesan Spirituality Day, hosted by Saint Mark's High School