St. Sebastian Parish School News
3-22-20
Video Update and Message from Mr. Rohr
On Sunday, March 22th, under the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH issued a director’s order to require all Ohioans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 beginning at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. This order prohibits holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Residents can return home from out of state and can leave the state. For more information on what this order means for you, please see these frequently asked questions.
We understand how difficult this time has been and will be in the coming weeks. Speaking on behalf of the faculty, we have already truly missed the children being with us and I am so thankful for how hard the staff worked Monday, March 16th to prepare materials for distance learning that begins Monday, March 23rd. We held multiple virtual staff meetings this week using Zoom to plan guidelines for distance learning. Google Docs by grade levels have either been shared with you or will be shared with families and students as grade-appropriate by 8 pm Sunday, March 22nd.
As this week served as our Spring Break, we ended the 3rd nine weeks, which was scheduled to end Friday, March 20th. We will be finalizing the report cards and sharing them in Progress Book on March 27th. If you are unable to access your child's report card, please contact Miss Riede at riedegoogle@students.stsebastian.org and we will make arrangements to get you the report card another way. If there are questions about assignments and/or grades, please contact the appropriate teacher directly.
If your student is having difficulty with their Chromebook, please contact Mr. Mason at masongoogle@students.stsebastian.org. There are a few loaners available and arrangements can be made to trade out devices if necessary.
Based on statements Governor DeWine made during his press conferences, we have reason to believe that there is a possibility schools may be closed for a longer time period including through the end of the school year. Please know that we are actively planning accordingly and will contact you as we receive additional information.
Please continue to pray for the health and safety of all affected by this crisis by using the prayers at the bottom of this newsletter.
Resources for Families
The Ohio Department of Health has a list of Virtual Exhibits for online learning and fun, and Family Activities to try during COVID closures:
This is a good resource for accessing books using Overdrive. It only takes a few seconds to sign up to start borrowing free ebooks and digital audiobooks:
Free Catholic Movies, E-books, Media & Curriculum
As Catholics, we are suddenly faced with our school and parish doors being locked and limited access to the sacraments. This can be very disheartening. Now more than ever, we must hold fast to the great virtue of Hope.
In the words of Pope St. John Paul II “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” We must open the doors of our hearts to Christ and trust in the Lord who will give us everything we need.
In an effort to assist Catholics everywhere, we are opening our doors to make the FORMED platform free to everyone for the next 40 days. Sign up today and get immediate access to the best Catholic movies, faith formation videos, audio talks, and great children’s videos.
Meal Service during COVID-19 Closure
Pickup for food will be Monday through Thursday at the main entrance from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Students will receive "To Go" bags for breakfast and lunch every day, and on Thursdays they will be given extra meals to cover Friday.
(*) No meals will be served at Ott, Essex, Stewart, Early College, NIHF STEM, STEM HS, I PROMISE or Miller South. These students may come to any other neighborhood school and receive meals.Please note: Meals are available to all children up to age 18, regardless of the school they attend.
We are grateful for these community service options and appreciate your understanding during these challenging times.
Spectrum Community Assistance
Parish Bulletin and Homilies
Please click on the link below to access the Weekly Homilies:
Message from School Counselor Mrs. Hanna
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you are all finding great ways to connect with each other at home and also trying to understand and deal with this new way of living. We are all praying that it will be a temporary thing so that we can get back to normal soon.
In the meantime, I would like to extend the invitation to your children or yourselves to email me if you would like to have some personal chats. I think it would be fun for the students and beneficial to have another person to talk to during this situation. My email is hannaj@stsebastian.org
I've been thinking about all of you, and I truly hope that all is well with your families.
Love and hope,
Janet Hanna
School Counselor
St. Sebastian
Getting into the School
Important Dates
- 03-23-20 through 3-27-20 1st week Distance Learning
- 03-30-20 through 04-06-20 2nd week Distance Learning
Annie Jr. dates subject to change
St. Sebastian Prayer
Pope Francis’ Prayer during the Coronavirus Pandemic
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
St. Sebastian Parish School is dedicated to Christ and committed to excellence in education. We honor the Catholic traditions of the past, work to develop our talents today and prepare for christian service in the future.