Return To Learn Update 8-7-2020

Return To Learn Update 8-7-2020
Posted on 08/08/2020

Dear Parents,


Many of you may have heard by now that St. Edmond has a new principal this year, but I am not sure that I have “officially” introduced myself!  My name is Mrs. Abby Glass, and I am thrilled to join the St. Edmond family!  I have received such a beautiful welcome by many of the faculty and staff, and I truly look forward to meeting students and families in a couple of weeks as we return to school on August 24th!


I have much to share with you in this email, but I would like to first thank you for your support and dedication to St. Edmond during the past five months.  The school and parent partnership is one of the most wonderful components of our Catholic school mission.  In the Vatican document, Gravissimum Educationis, written on the importance of education, it beautifully highlights this parent/school partnership by stating that parents are “...entrusting their children to Catholic schools wherever and whenever it is possible and of supporting these schools to the best of their ability and of cooperating with them for the education of their children.”  I want to extend my greatest appreciation to all of you for trusting in a St. Edmond education.  I can confidently assure you that our leadership team and dedicated teachers have worked diligently and competently - and continue to do so - to ensure that we are able to provide the best Catholic education for your children.  We understand that we will continue to face challenges and may not always have immediate answers, but we ask for your continued support, patience, and most importantly - prayers.


Through our work since the release of our return to learn plan, we have developed more details and information to pass along to you.  Please read carefully for helpful information as we prepare for the start of the school year.


Distance Learning - Additional Information


This past week we have worked in cohort groups with our teachers to determine additional guidelines and expectations for our Distance Learning - Family Choice option.  Please read through this document carefully.  If your family wishes to enroll in our distance learning, please complete this form by August 12th.  Reminder this will require a semester commitment (August 24 - December 18) from your family.


Schedules


I understand that parents and students are anxiously awaiting their schedules to be released.  We have a wonderful new guidance counselor, Ms. Sanderson, who has been doing an excellent job at learning Infinite Campus and working hard to adjust schedules as changes are being made daily.  We appreciate your patience and understanding while we continue through this process.  We will be releasing schedules on Infinite Campus on Monday, August 17th, for middle and high school students.  Elementary teachers will be sending out information to parents inviting their students to their classrooms on this date as well.


Please understand that I strongly support the St. Edmond policy that we do not take requests for selection of specific teachers.  We value all of our teachers and their abilities to provide the best education possible for our children.  Thank you for your support and trust in all of them.


Open House - August 20


TK - Grade 8 - On August 20th, Grades TK - 8 will be able to sign up for conferences from 12:00 - 7:00pm with their child’s classroom or Gael Pride teacher.  These will be 15-minute conferences.  Teachers will be sending out a sign up through Sign-up Genius when they contact their families on August 17th.  


Preschool will also be hosting an open house during the same week.  Please be looking for more information from your teachers regarding dates and times.


Grade 9 will have a designated time for freshman orientation.  We will be sending more information out regarding this soon.


Grades 10 - 12 will not be having an open house this year.  If your child would like to visit the campus prior to the start of school, please contact their Gael Pride teacher to set up an appointment.


**Distance Learning - Teachers will be reaching out to students who will be enrolling in distance learning to make a connection prior to school.  


School Devices


Computers will be issued the first day of school for Grades 8 - 12 during their Gael Pride rooms.  Students enrolled in ICCC classes will not begin their coursework until August 24th and will receive their devices on the first day of school as well.  We are still discussing device usage for Grades 4 - 7 and will share that information with you as soon as we have determined a policy.


**Distance Learning - For families opting to enroll in distance learning, we will be contacting you regarding devices and other materials.  



Again, I want to sincerely thank all of you for your continued support and patience.  We do have many new members of the St. Edmond family, and we are all learning and growing together.  As with any learning process, this takes some time.  However, I can assure you that we are all very fast learners!


I am very excited to welcome students - whether in our classrooms or from a distance - back to school on August 24th!  Thank you again for your trust, support, and cooperation.  


Best to you all,

Mrs. Glass