Weekly Update
March 9, 2020
“”I am close in prayer for people suffering from the current coronavirus epidemic and to all those caring for them. I join my brother bishops in encouraging the faithful to live this difficult moment with the strength of faith, the certainty of hope and the fervor of charity.”
Pope Francis during his Angelus address on March 8, 2020
Coronavirus: We continue to monitor the emerging circumstances of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) as it continues to spread around the world. In addition to continued prayers for the many people who are suffering, caring for or have lost a loved one, we encourage all to respond with vigilance in taking the recommended steps to retard the virus from spreading. We are continuing to take precautionary measures at the school, including more frequent cleaning of surfaces, classrooms and bathrooms.
We recommend that practices of good hygiene are adopted by all boys while here at school, such as frequent handwashing (using hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol when soap and water are unavailable); protecting your coughs and sneezes with tissues disposed of immediately, or coughing into your elbow if tissues are not available; cleaning and disinfecting commonly used surfaces often; avoiding contact with people who are ill, if possible; and following other healthy practices of good diet, sleep and exercise. If your child is not feeling well, especially if he has feverish conditions, please keep him home.
Please also help to support several simple precautions that Mrs. Thurston has enforced in the lunchroom:
1. Washing hands before and after lunches
2. No Lunch sharing or sharing of snacks
3. General personal cleaning up before and after eating
For boys who stay after school and eat snacks we require that they do so in the supervision of one of our staff members who will ensure that surfaces have been cleaned prior to eating.
Please be assured that the health and well-being of our community are our top priority. As we move forward, that includes remaining focused on empathy and offering additional prayerful and other support for those students and families most affected by this health risk and the related challenges. I remain particularly grateful for the strength and togetherness of our community.
For further information, we suggest that you frequently consult the three websites where up-to-the-minute authoritative information is readily available: cdc.gov (Center for Disease Control) ; childrenshospital.org (Boston Children’s Hospital); and mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health (MA Department of Public Health).
National Latin Exam: Mr. Maurer and Mr. Warner will be proctoring the National Latin Exam for our students at the end of this week. The exam is a great way for our students to see how far their Latin skills have advanced year-to-year and to see how they compete with students across the country. Our more advanced students will take the same exam that many high school students take.
Rose Institute Debate Tournament: Our boys put on some very impressive performances at the Rose Institute Debate Tournament hosted at St. Paul’s on March 7th. Seven of our performers were able to advance to the finals and several placed within the top five of the tournament’s events, including a first place trophy for Persuasive to Xavier Maricich (see listing below of top performers).
Persuasive: Xavier Maricich (1st), David Marino (3rd) and Andrew Driscoll (5th)
Standup: Philip Chamian (3rd) and Andrew Driscoll (6th)
Monologue: Philip Chamian (3rd) and Jan Kotecki (5th)
Admissions letters: We will be sending out twelve acceptance letters tomorrow to the best of the students who completed their applications by our February deadline. We will continue to review applications on a rolling basis as several candidates only recently heard of the wonderful opportunities that await boys who matriculate to SPCS. Please let Mr. Moran know if you are willing to assist in upcoming home receptions for these candidates. The home receptions are informal occasions for families to meet and greet existing families as they move through their decision-making process.
A gentle reminder to any returning family who wishes to apply for financial aid and have not done so. We will be sending out renewal contracts with financial aid awards tomorrow as well. Please know that if we do not receive an application, we will not be able to offer financial aid.
Summer Music Camp: Our Summer Music Camp will begin to accept applications very soon. This year we will offer the one-week camp for boys and girls aged 6 to 12 during the week of June 15 to 19. Mr. Moran reports that some of the rock star staff of last summer’s camp will be returning and will be joined by Mr. Kennerley and Mr. Adachs.
Chorister Summer Intensive: Choristers, including pre-choristers who are rising 5th graders, should mark your calendars for an overnight summer intensive camp to be held during four days at the end of the summer, August 29 to September 1. The camp will build upon a long-standing tradition from years past at SPCS and also an experience cherished by many of the boy’s choirs led by Mr. Kennerley. The exact location and details will be coming soon, but it will likely be held off-site in western MA to provide a serene atmosphere to focus attention on music making and preparing to hit the ground running for the new school year.
Lenten Evening of Recollection: On Thursday, March 12, the boys will sing with the Men’s Choir, the Durufle Requiem, for a special evening of Recollection that starts at 5:30, with dismissal at 6:45. The Requiem will be preceded by a Lenten meditation presented by Sr. Germana Santos, a Daughter of St. Paul and Delegate for Religious here in the Archdiocese of Boston. Please join us for this prayerful evening and take advantage of the magnificent music to invite friends to enjoy it with you.
Theology of the Body Parent Workshop: Our 7th and 8th grade parents are invited to a special Parent Information Event on Sunday morning, March 15th from 9:30 to 10:45. This session is supported by the school and parish religious education team and will feature a talk by renowned guest speaker, Jane Richard, who has taught Theology of the Body for over fifteen years. The discussion will introduce the topics that will be covered in the curriculum and to better facilitate discussion with your sons and foster spiritual growth. The boys will be making a field trip to St. Catherine in Norwood for a Catholic Schools Office sponsored event with Sisters of Life and Jason Evert on Monday, March 16th.
Thank you, Tom