Although remote learning went well after Thanksgiving break, I think we can all agree it was so nice to be back together again in our "normal for now" routines. Thank you for all the hard work in helping to keep our community safe and slow the spread. This week proved that our efforts played a role in maintaining the health of our students and staff. The next topic of discussion is whether or not to pivot to remote learning for the week after Christmas break. After discussing in length with the Archdiocese, Fr. Oswaldo, local health department, school nurses, and the school business team, we believe it will be safe to return to on-site learning on Monday, January 4, 2021. In hopes that our school community does their part and avoids large gatherings over both Christmas and New Year's Eve, we believe it will be safe to come back to school. Links for CDC and JCDHE guidelines are listed below. If you have any questions regarding these recommendations, please contact Mrs. Polly Mandl at pmandl@holycrosscatholicschool.com or Mrs. Nina Haverkamp at nhaverkamp@holycrosscatholischool.com.

We were so blessed that Fr. Oswaldo Sandoval and Fr. Anthony Mersmann helped our students prepare their hearts for the Advent season. Typically we have priests from other parishes come help for this special event, but due to Covid-19 we felt it was safer for the students to have less exposure and Fr. Oswaldo and Fr. Mersmann completed all of them for grade levels 3-8. Thank you! Our students are very grateful. Fr. Oswaldo even took a short break to participate in PE with our eighth graders.

We have extra water bottles for students in the event the students forget their water bottles at home. We all have been there and are happy to help out. This week we were getting into a new routine of being back and school, but we went through a lot of water bottles. Please try to remember to send one with your child each day as the water fountains are closed.

Isaiah Gavin graduated in 2015. After graduation he attended Saint Thomas Aquinas High School where he played football, basketball, and ran track! He is currently at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He now plays football for the Army Black Knights. Keep up the good work Isaiah!