Sunday Evening News 9.13.2020

September 13, 2020 - 11:18 pm

September 13, 2020

SUNDAY EVENING NEWS

Peace and Greetings:

After a cautious “phase in” start to the 2020-2021 Academic Year, we are now fully engaged in our In- Person Learning model (with an alternative remote option) five days a week. Overall, it has been a relatively smooth reentry onto our campus and start to the school year. The students and faculty seem to be adapting to the new COVID-19 routine and genuinely happy to be back together again. For this, as well as the support of our parents/guardians, we are most grateful!

EVENING REFLECTION & PRAYER

With the school year fully started we should pause and reflect on the great progress we have made since the challenges of Covid-19 were placed upon us. It’s a testament to the truth that with God, all things are possible. Who would have ever thought that back in March we would be here today. God is good. Let’s pray this week in thanksgiving for the graces and blessings we have received in these first few weeks of school and pray we remain diligent in our efforts to make this a smooth and successful endeavor.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, with you all things are possible. Inspire us to work diligently and give us the grace necessary to carry out our commitment to our school and community. May your love and peace shine forth through our faculty, staff, and students that we may continue the work of your Gospel and educate the minds and hearts of all people. Amen.

St. Paul, pray for us. Have a blessed week, Fr. Glen, Chaplain

SCHOOL CALENDAR (Week of September 14 – 18)

Monday, 9/14 (Day 2) – Tuesday, 9/15 (Day 3) – Wednesday, 9/16(Day 1) – Thursday, 9/17 (Day 2) and Friday, 9/18 (Day 3).

OPENING MASSES FOR THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

Due to maximum assembly restrictions for COVID-19, the Opening Mass for the new academic year will be celebrated by classes.

Class of 2021 Tuesday, September 15 1:15 pm
Class of 2022 Friday, September 18 1:15 pm
Class of 2023 Tuesday, September 22 1:15 pm
Class of 2024 Friday, September 25 1:15 pm

All Masses will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church (physical distance observed). In addition to Msgr. Gary and Fr. Glen, the new Vicar for the Office of Education, Evangelization & Catechesis (OEEC), Fr. Michael Whyte, plans to join us. This week, Fr. Whyte intends to visit classes on Friday, September 18 prior to celebrating Mass with the Junior Class. We look forward to welcoming Fr. Whyte to St. Paul.

Students should proceed to St. Gregory the Great Church during the afternoon mask break for Mass to start on time.

DAILY HEALTH CHECK (MANDATORY)

We have NOT had consistent compliance as required by the Bristol-Burlington Health District (BBHD) in submitting the online Daily Heath Check by parents/guardians of students each morning. Please submit only one survey response per student before 8:00 am. The survey should not be completed the night before. Use the following link:

https://forms.gle/v9mNDN8abHEYBk8G6

All responses will be received by the health room and are confidential. If a student answers YES to any of the survey questions they must stay home from school and follow the recommended protocol.

HEALTH & SAFETY REMINDERS

While acknowledging that everyone is still trying to comply with the new COVID-19 routine, the following health and safety guidelines from the Bristol-Burlington Health District are important to practice consistently.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water (restrooms, art room, science rooms, etc.) frequently throughout the day. Sanitize your hands before entering a classroom or prior to lunch.
  • You are allowed to take your mask off outside during mask break only if you are more than 6 feet (two arm lengths) away from your classmates and being silent.
  • When eating lunch, you should be facing in one designated direction. If you want to turn and talk to others around you, your face mask must be put back on.
  • Only two (2) students allowed in a restroom at a time. Please wait outside the door if there are already two students in the restroom until someone exits.
  • A reminder that students hanging out after school in the parking lot, senior courtyard, dining tent or other outdoor areas on campus MUST wear a mask and should remain six feet away from each other.

HEALTH ROOM

PAST DUE: We have approximately 80% compliance in receiving your Health Room Emergency Information Card (yellow form) and pre-filled SPCHS Information Form (Emergency Parent Reach).

We plan to test our parent/guardian Emergency Response Notification system in the next week or two. If we don’t have your SPCHS Information Form completed and returned, you will not receive an alert call.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

PAST DUE: Students and parents/guardians are expected to read and discuss the 2020-2021 Student Handbook, located on our website before printing, signing and returning the Agreement for Students and Parents (found under the Student Life tab).

MATH XL & ENGLISH IXL

DUE THIS WEEK: As in the past, Math and English teachers will begin collecting $15.00 for Math XL (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II classes only) and $10.00 for English IXL licenses that have been or will be activated on student iPads and utilized in their respective classes. Students should make payments (cash or check made out to SPCHS) in a marked envelope to their teachers by this Friday, September 18.

FOOD SERVICE

Students are reminded they can open a café account by prepaying cash or making checks payable to Paul Gregory’s.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Welcome Back Weekend is coming this Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. On Friday, arrive at St. Paul by 8:00 pm and choose your spaced-out seating for our Drive-in movie, The Greatest Showman.

Please bring blankets and chairs to sit on. Concession snacks and drinks will be able for a small cost. Spots are on a first-come, first-served basis for 75 people! Sign up through a Google form that will be released soon.

Saturday, September 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm is “St. Paul Chalk it Up”! Bring your colorful chalk to decorate a parking space, with your unique artistry! A “living” museum of quarantine art will be displayed: bring your own artwork for display. Some chalk spaces will be used by each class for Falcon Cup points and a gift card competition.

CLASS ELECTIONS

Junior and sophomore class elections will be held this Thursday, September 17, 2020. Be on the lookout for election information sent from your class advisor to your student email address this week.

Freshmen students interested in running for class office should forward to your class advisor, Mrs. Houle, ahoule@spchs.com your intent in a three-paragraph letter by this Friday, September 18, 2020 at 8:00 am. Include the following in your intent letter:

  1. Your first and last name
  2. The position you are interested in running for
  3. Why you believe you are qualified for the position
  4. How you plan to work with the class to build a stronger class and a stronger community at SPCHS The Freshman Class election will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020.

GUIDANCE

Mrs. Glynn’s Appointment website: https://mrsglynn.clickbook.net/sub/mrsglynn#.X0_amnlKjIV Mrs. Mancini’s Appointment website: http://MRSMANCINI.ClickBook.net

Transcript Request Form: https://forms.gle/sCnKgpy9yrQ8GVJX9

Seniors are reminded to email a copy of your resume to your school counselor.

ATHLETICS

St. Paul Athletic schedule for the week of September 14.

Cheerleading: Tuesday, (9/15) 3:00 – 4:00 pm; Wednesday (9/16) 4:00 – 5:00 pm Saturday – TBA

Cross Country: Boys & Girls, 4:15 – 5:30 pm (Mon – Fri) Football: 3:30 – 5:15 pm

Girls Soccer: 2:45 – 4:00 pm

Boys Soccer: 2:45 – 4:00 (9th & 10th grades) and 4:30 – 5:45 (11th & 12th grades) Girls Swimming 6:00 – 7:00 am (Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri)

Volleyball 5:15 – 6:30 pm

Starting the week of September 21 fall teams will progress into normal full team practices (which will result in cohorts combining & longer practices) per CIAC guidelines. Also, this week game schedules will be posted which can be accessed in the Athletic Section of the school website. The first scheduled play for the fall season is October 1.

PERFORMING ARTS

St. Paul Performing Arts is proud and excited to announce its fall production, Monologue Mashup. This original production created by our director, Mark Mazzarella, will be featuring our talented actors presenting well known monologues from classic shows complete with music, costumes and a spectacular set design.

We’ll be highlighting dramatic productions like Our Town, St. Joan, the Crucible and The Diary of Anne Frank. We’ll also feature theatrical gems like Peter Pan, Charlie Brown, Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland and so much more!

At this time, due to COVID-19 assembly restrictions, it is our intention to film each student’s performance, edit a complete production and in November stream it on YouTube for family, friends and our community to enjoy!

AUDITION

    • Virtual auditions on Zoom: Thursday, September 17 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm (Meeting ID: 822 5783 7832 Passcode: Audition17). Sign-up sheet is posted outside theatre bulletin board (remote students can email Mr. Mazzarella directly).
    • Taped Audition: You can also send a one-minute video of a monologue of your choice to mmazzarella@spchs.com by September 17 at 9:00 pm.
    • Monologue scripts are available outside the theatre if you wish to use one of the many available for your audition.

REHEARSAL

    • Rehearsals are going to be after school for students wishing to work in person (limit 3 per session) on a variety of days predetermined with students/schedules.
    • Rehearsals will also be available via Zoom for any in-person student or remote learners who prefer to work from home. A combination of the two is possible.
    • This is a flexible show with flexible rehearsals. Social distancing will be strictly observed while working with students in person.

Any questions concerning auditions or rehearsals please contact Mr. Mazzarella at mmazzarella@spchs.com

OPEN HOUSE – September 26, 2020

Do you know any prospective 7th or 8th grade students that might be interested in attending our first Open House on September 26 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm? This fall our in-person Open House tours are by appointment only. Prospective students can also contact Mr. Crowley, mcrowley@spchs.com or Ms. Mone, cmone@spshs.com to schedule a virtual tour.

BIRTHDAY WISHES (SEPTEMBER 13 – 19)

Happy Birthday wishes go to: Christopher Begey, Zephan Blankson, Thomas DiPinto, Lilli Giammarco, Davis Kroll, Natalie Leone, Kathryn Marchak, Riley Skarupa, Katelyn Sulvester, Jiajie “Jim” Zheng, and Mrs. Houle. Belated wishes to: Michael Barzee.

FINAL WORD

I’m incredibly proud of our entire St. Paul community as we have planned tirelessly and carefully implemented together the last three weeks marking the start of this unchartered school year. As we move forward, we cannot let our guard down and become complacent in taking anything for granted. In fact, just the opposite. We need to commit to being more consistent in our health and safety practices as well the social emotional awareness of our classmates.

As I emphasized last week, “intentionally take care of yourself and take care of each other” if we are to successfully navigate the weeks ahead. I ask you tonight, to reflect upon your attitude and behavior the last week not only with respect to the virus but equally in being open to relationship with your peers. Can you identify a time or situation when you personally acted on this challenge?

#spstrong … this is not a catchy phrase, it’s a call to action!

Stay well … see you tomorrow,

Cary M. Dupont ‘72 President/Chief Administrator