Monday Memo
We Are Family - August 2, 2021
As you may know, the CDC recently updated its guidelines for schools this fall. The CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Indiana State and Hendricks County Health Departments all strongly recommend that students wear masks indoors in educational settings.
I thought I would take a moment to explain why we support this recommendation based on what we have learned in the past year.
- Students learn best in person at every age. Education is a deeply social undertaking. Students and teachers need in-person interaction in order to provide an appropriate learning environment.
- Students do not social distance well at any age. From three years old to 14 years old, students are often in close proximity to one another as they talk, work, and walk through our building. They thrive on discussion, working in groups, and being together, all of which require they be in close proximity to one another.
- Our classroom sizes are not large enough to permit 6 feet of distance between students. Several of our classrooms are at capacity in enrollment which presents an additional challenge in distancing students.
- Students wore masks last year with little difficulty. It provided an important individual layer of protection on top of additional layers such as increased handwashing, social distancing to the extent possible, improving ventilation, and enhanced sanitation.
- Last year, we had 22 cases of COVID among students and staff throughout the fall and winter months, but we did not have any evidence of spread within our building due to consistent masking and contact tracing.
- With masking, we are required to contact trace and quarantine students based on close contact to a positive case at a 3-foot radius. Without masking, the radius is at 6 feet which will result in more quarantines when we have a case in the school.
At this point, our health and safety plan states, "face coverings may be required for all unvaccinated students in the future if conditions in the community change, i.e. increased cases, contagious variants, etc." We are seeing increased cases in the Hendricks County area and the very contagious Delta variant is now the predominant strain of COVID. I am watching the state dashboard carefully for data on the spread of COVID in our area.
In the event that cases continue to increase dramatically in our county, we may move to required face coverings. Our commitment to in-person learning is strong and we will take whatever steps necessary to continue in-person throughout any challenges presented this school year.
At this time, I am simply asking each family to consider sending their children to Saint Susanna in face coverings. Please consider the reasons presented by these professional organizations as well as what we have learned from the past year. As a community, I believe we can ensure a safe learning environment for our students and maintain in-person education throughout the year.
Although we are starting the year with no school day visitors, we will allow parents to walk their students to the classroom if they wish on the first day provided the parents wear a mask.
Important Back to School Dates:
- New Family Orientation - August 4th at 7 PM in the Parish Center West
- Supply Drop Off and Classroom Visits (students welcome)- August 8th from 12:45 to 3:30 PM
- Back to School Night (parents only) - August 9th at 7 PM in Zore Hall. Avon Sports Apparel will be onsite for spiritwear and theme shirt orders.
Though many of our classes are nearing capacity, we still have spots left and plenty of time to enroll! Have any interested parents contact me asap.
God bless,
Janet Abdoulaye, Principal
Welcome Mrs. Paullett!
Saint Susanna Parish Festival Dates / E-Learning
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
However, if you would normally apply for the free and reduced lunch program, I ask that you continue to apply. The application and parent information letter are available as links at the bottom of this newsletter. This information is used by the state of Indiana to determine our funding for the Title 1 program. This funding helps pay for after-school tutoring and other programs that directly benefit our students. Printed applications will be provided in the back-to-school packets, available for pickup at school, and available in the links on this newsletter. If you have questions about the application, please contact Ashley Trump, cafeteria manager, at atrump@saintsusanna.com
Not sure if your child would qualify? Check out the qualification guidelines, including household size and income, on the parent letter linked below.
CYO Sports
- Registration is open for boys and girls CYO cross-country grades 3-8 now thru mid-August.
- Girls CYO Basketball registration is also open now thru August 20th for girls grades 4-8.
- To register simply log on to the website: www.saintsusannaschool.com and choose CYO Registration under the athletics tab. Once on-site, click: St. Susanna Online Sports Registration Form
- For questions or concerns please email: cyoboard@stsusanna.com
Summer Fun Runs
We are excited to start up our summer fun runs again this year! We will meet at 8:30 AM every Saturday in the outdoor performing arts center at Hummel Park. We'll warm-up, stretch, and go for a run along the trails. These are open to the entire family! Hope to see you there!Volunteer Opportunities
The service hour tracking form can be found here and a copy will be sent home in the back-to-school packets. We ask that each family complete five service hours this school year. These hours can be completed during school or parish events.
Upcoming events include:
- Parish festival - Signup to sell raffle tickets before/after the weekend masses HERE
- Signup to help at the festival https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aada82ca7f85-2021
Car Rider Refreshers
Easy Fund-Raising for Saint Susanna Catholic School!
Box Tops for Education
Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Download the new Box Tops App (iTunes or Google Play) – it’s free
- Step 2: Create a username and connect it to your child’s school
- Step 3: Scan your grocery store receipt. Items with the new Box Tops label will be automatically credited to your school
Does this mean I should stop sending in my paper Box Tops that I have already clipped? No! Continue to send those to the school!
Kroger Community Rewards
Information on the Kroger Community Rewards program can be found here on their website or under the "rewards" tab in your Kroger app. You will need to search for the exact name of our organization as SAINT SUSANNAS SCHOOL PTP . From there, you can link your Kroger card with our organization and a portion of your spending at Kroger will come to us.
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About Us
St. Susanna Catholic School's mission is to provide a Christ-centered, quality education that prepares and inspires its students to excel as they progress in their scholastic careers. Based on Catholic teachings, our students and staff exemplify the value of faith, service, love, and respect in all situations and with all people.
Email: jabdoulaye@saintsusanna.com
Website: www.saintsusannaschool.com
Location: 1212 East Main Street, Plainfield, IN, USA
Phone: 317-839-3713
Facebook: facebook.com/stsusannaschool