Sunday Evening News 11.29.2020
November 29, 2020
SUNDAY EVENING NEWS
ADVENT 2020
EVENING REFLECTION & PRAYER
Happy New Year! You might be wondering why I am wishing you a Happy New Year. Today, we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent – opening the door to a new year of grace from Almighty God. Advent is a time of prayer and watchful waiting. We joyfully await the celebration of Christmas. We pray that Christ may be born in our hearts. Jesus is the true light who shines in and through our ups and downs of life. He shines through the current pandemic. He shines through our family and friends. During this time of Advent may we allow ourselves to be renewed in the promise and hope that God’s love never fails.
Let us pray,
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen
Have a blessed week.
Fr. Glen, Chaplain
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Week of November 30 – December 4
As announced yesterday, we will be following the remote learning schedule Monday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 2 with all classes meeting virtually for 30 minutes with 15 minutes scheduled between classes. Lunch will be 12:15 – 12:45 pm for everyone.
During remote learning maintain positive daily habits for a healthy mind. Consistent with our dress code policy this year, a reminder that students are expected to be in uniform when remote learning. Find yourself a quiet and appropriate location in your home (i.e. not on your bed), arrive to class on time and be sure your teacher can see your face on the Zoom screen. Thanks!
We look forward to students returning to campus for in-person learning (or alternative remote option) on Thursday, December 3 (Day 1) and Friday, December 4 (Day 2).
IMPORTANT – BEFORE RETURNING TO CAMPUS ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
- Every student, faculty and staff member must submit the mandatory online BBHD Daily Morning Health Self-Assessment before arriving at school. Students who do not complete the daily health survey will lose in-school privileges. Remote learners do not need to complete the daily survey.
- If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 including fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste and smell or headache, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider. You should not return to school until your symptoms have improved or you submit a doctor’s note indicating that your symptoms are not COVID-19 related.
- If you, a family member or a “close contact” test positive for COVID-19 you MUST stay home from school and notify the St. Paul health room/BBHD immediately.
- If you travelled to a state on Connecticut’s advisory list (which is most states) for Thanksgiving, students, faculty and staff must quarantine for 14 days or get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of returning home. You cannot return to school until you submit your negative test report to the St. Paul health room/BBHD.
DINING HALL HVAC PROJECT
I’m pleased to report that Air Temp Services expanded the existing ductwork in the Dining Hall last week to allow for greater conditioned and purified fresh air to be supplied to the lower level of the school and will install in mid-December a new outside condenser to provide air-conditioning to this assembly area for later this spring.
LIGHT UP ST. PAUL
Friday, December 4 at 6:30 pm – Virtual Light Up St. Paul
Visit www.spchs.com/lightupstpaul for details.
This year our special Light Up St. Paul Advent Prayer Service and candle lighting ceremony will be live streamed to keep everyone safe! St. Paul students and faculty will begin the celebration of Advent with readings and music bringing the wonder and joy of Christmas into your home!
You have the opportunity to support St. Paul and honor your loved ones present or past by purchasing a votive candle which will be lit and adorn our beautiful chapel in hundreds of lights! For each votive candle purchased, you will be able to write a special message to be placed in our Digital Program Book which will be available on our website on December 4.
Purchase a fresh balsam wreath from Gozzi Family Fresh Greens! Wreaths are 22″ in diameter and include a red bow. Wreaths are available for curbside pick-up near the St. Paul Annex on Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4th from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. Proceeds from the wreath sale will go to the St. Paul Scholarship fund.
Order Your Votive Candles and Wreaths here by December 2, 2020
ADMISSIONS NEWS
The next Placement Exam is Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 am. We appreciate your partnership in promoting St. Paul Catholic High School to your family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. For further information contact Mr. Crowley, mcrowley@spchs.com or Ms. Mone, cmone@spchs.com.
GUIDANCE NEWS
Don’t forget while we are remote the beginning of this week you can still schedule an appointment to see your School Counselor via Zoom!
Mrs. Mancini’s appointment link for students: http://MRSMANCINI.ClickBook.net
Mrs. Glynn’s appointment link for students: https://mrsglynn.clickbook.net/sub/mrsglynn#.X0_amnlKjIV
NOVEMBER MATH TEAM RESULTS
Congratulations!
1st Alecia Barbieri ‘21 2nd Frank Wankerl ‘23 3rd Amelia Badzioch ‘22
Reagan Davis ‘22
Abigail Wroblewski ‘22
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Student Government will be sponsoring the United Way of West Central Connecticut Toy Drive on Monday December 7. Please bring in a new unwrapped toy or gift for boys and girls, ages 1 – 14. All toys collected go directly to the United Way to be distributed throughout our local communities to children in need.
Students who bring in a toy/gift can dress down on December 7. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kendrick.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (November 30 – December 6)
Happy Birthday wishes go to: Ethan Badio, Andrew Fusco, Leslie Gutierrez, Bryant Kowalski, Matthew McDevitt, Emma Schatz and Madison Tornberg.
FINAL WORD
IT TAKES ALL OF US!
Trust you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. We look forward to getting back in the virtual classroom tomorrow and welcoming students and faculty back to campus later this week. I can’t emphasize enough that all of us need to consistently practice, both in school and out in the community, all the COVID-19 mitigating practices (i.e. wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distance, etc.) to minimize the spread of this invisible but ever-present virus in our lives.
There are no perfect attendance awards in a pandemic. PLEASE if you are not feeling well, stay home and take care of yourself. You have the convenient option of Zooming into your classes remotely.
I realize these uncertain times can be stressful on many levels. However, staying caught up with your academic studies will contribute to your mental wellness. Don’t procrastinate or make excuses if you’re falling behind. Instead reach out for help from your teachers or school counselors or contact Mr. Cooper. Everyone is here for YOU! Together, we can do this! Stay #spstrong!
Make it a great week!
Stay well … take care of yourself and take care of each other.
St. Paul, pray for us!
Cary M. Dupont ‘72 President/Chief Administrator
