St. Mary's School
PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope you are all well and staying healthy. The practice of social distancing, though so important for the health and well-being of our community, is difficult and I want to thank you for your work with your children as we continue to implement remote learning. As I am sure you already know, Governor Baker has extended the order for school closures until Monday, May 4. Therefore, our teachers will continue to provide remote learning lessons throughout the closure. Below please find a link to a survey regarding remote learning. Your feedback is essential as we continue to refine our plans.
Please let me know if the current situation is causing your family financial hardship. We have resources for emergency financial aid through the Catholic Schools Foundation. We know some of you are concerned about loss of wages and ability to pay bills. We share your concerns. Last week the Catholic Schools Foundation sent an important message to schools. They will continue the Emergency Fund with added rounds and frequency. If you need assistance, please be in touch with me.
Finally, please consider joining Pope Francis this Friday as he joins our Catholic faith community in prayer. More information can be found below.
Sincerely,
Mr. Christopher Beza
Principal
Prayer from Pope Francis
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide,
so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Pray for Us.
Lenten Retreat with Cardinal Sean
We will remember this Lent as one “in quarantine.” Social distancing the new norm as daily social interactions are suddenly unavailable to us. Schools are closed. We can’t go out to restaurants. Even public Mass has been suspended to curtail any further spread of this coronavirus. Many people feel alone. Many are scared. And people are thirsting for something good.
The Lord appoints shepherds to lead his flock, to be beacons of light in darkness, and to be instruments of hope to his people in times of despair. This Virtual Lenten Retreat with Cardinal Seán is a means for our shepherd to feed us, to comfort us, and to give us the hope we need right now.
Join Cardinal Seán on this five-part retreat, using this opportunity to enter more deeply into Lent and grow in your relationship with Christ.
Virtual Lenten Retreat Schedule
Monday, March 23, 7:00 PM – Prayer
Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 PM – Mercy and Forgiveness
Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 PM – Faith: The Key to Meaning and Call to Friendship
Thursday, March 26, 7:00 PM – Who is My Neighbor? The Good Samaritan
Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM – The Seven Last Words
Additional Holy Thursday Retreat
Thursday, April 9, 7:00 PM – The Eucharist
The retreat will air/stream nightly at 7:00 pm on:
Catholic TV (click here)
Catholic TV Facebook page (click here)
Archdiocese of Boston's Facebook page (click here)
Bostoncatholic.org (click here)
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Remote Learning Survey
We are asking all families to please complete a brief survey to provide important feedback regarding remote learning. Click here to access the survey and thank you in advance for your response.
Report Cards
Report cards were sent electronically via email to all families last Thursday. If you have any questions or comments after you receive your child's report card, please email your child's teacher directly. If you did not receive your child's report card, please check your spam folder for an email from reportcard@stmaryschoolmelrose.org. If you still are not able to locate the email message with your child's report card, please reply to this newsletter and the report card will be sent to the email address you reply with.
In lieu of the parent signature, parents are asked to confirm receipt of the report card by completing a google form that was included in the email message. The form also asks two questions regarding access to remote learning. If you have not completed the form yet, please click here.
iPad Borrowing
Book Recommendation (PreK - Grade 1)
Contact Us
Email: mr.beza@stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Website: stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Location: 4 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA, USA
Phone: (781)665-5037
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschoolmelrose/