Sunday Evening News 9.6.2020
September 6, 2020
SUNDAY EVENING NEWS
Peace and Greetings:
Happy Labor Day even though it may be a relatively somber one as the COVID-19 pandemic goes on. Trust you and your family are in good health. After intensive planning, I’m thankful and relieved that we had an uplifting week welcoming our students back on campus for orientation! It’s only a cautious beginning but it was inspiring to be back together again … experiencing a feeling of hope and completeness.
EVENING REFLECTION & PRAYER
A new school year during these times can appear to be a challenge. However, each time we look at the Cross we are always reminded that God makes all things possible. As we come together again to begin a new school year, may the Cross of Jesus Christ light our way. In the Cross of Christ may we find our strength and hope to be the light that illumines minds and hearts during this time of distance and uncertainty.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the way, truth, and life. Inspire us to be your light in the world. Bless our students, faculty, and staff as we come together for another year of academic learning. May our efforts only add to your glory and radiate your love and presence to the world. Amen.
St. Paul, pray for us.
Fr. Glen Dmytryszyn, Chaplain
WELCOME HOME
We were thrilled to officially Welcome the Class of 2024 to St. Paul Catholic High School at their convocation last Tuesday afternoon. Our new Freshmen include: Ethan Badio, Hunor Bartis, Emma Baxter, Kayla Benoit, Brandon Benoit, Anna Beresford, Alexia Bip, Matthew Bishop, Zephan Blankson, Jonathan Blatchley, Madison Bloom, Adria Brahaj, Quinn Burns, Lauren Bush, Wyatt Byrne, Zachary Caron, Isabella Cavicchio, Madison Cerreta, Brooklyn Chance, Nicole Cherrone, Julia Clough, Aiden Conklin, Lucas Courtemanche, Mitchel Crowley, Emma D’Addabbo, Olivia Dahn, Ty Davis, Matthew Doherty, Kristopher Dube, Arianna Estrella, Ainsley Fabrizio, Brandon Frye, Nathaly Garcia, Daniella Gerst, Mia Gonzalez, Anna Guzda, Devin Hinkson, Avery Ijeh, Kathryn Jackie, Charlotte Jennings, Sydney Kallaugher, Rebecca Kelly, Jocelyn Kennedy, Bryndle Kroll, Anna Kronen, Dylan Langlois, Julia Lawson, Rachel Leone, Nicholas Lowell, Nicklas Maglio, Allison Mangiagli, Kathryn Marchak, Melany Marquez, Mia Mastrogiovanni, Anthony Matusik, Marla McCool, Matthew McDevitt, Chase Mendela, Seth Meurer, Erica Morelli, Mackenzie Murphy, Lukas Nadolski, Molly Newman, Dominic Oakes, Daniel Ormsby, Hunter
Pickering, Arden Polverari, Gabriela Quirk, Kurt Radcliff, Angela Ragaini, Jude Rak, Cole Raymond, Tyson Raymond, Alexandra Rediker, Danielle Rediker, Alek Rencurrel, Christian Roach, Anthony Rogers, Mariah Ruiz, Mallory Sefcik, Samantha Sein, Rylie Sima, Renee Singleton, Riley Skarupa, Allison Smoloski, Lauren Stolfi, Ainsley Tolland, Emily Walker, Rose Wells, Kyle Wilson, Rose Wolfgang, Brianna Wood and Samuel Yang. Tuesday’s welcoming convocation can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/tf_zbiu9MxQ
Also Welcome to our new transfer students: Sebastiano Garofalo ‘23, Ryan Kilpatrick ‘23, Penelope Phillips ‘23, Angela Pierce ‘23, John Newman ‘22 and Khoi Tran ‘22. We’ve been waiting for you!
As we begin the 2020-2021Academic Year, opening week enrollment stands at 401 students, 202 females and 199 males.
DAILY HEALTH CHECK (IMPORTANT)
A reminder that the online Daily Heath Check survey MUST be completed by parents/guardians of all students each morning. The survey should not be completed the night before. Submit only one survey response per student each morning. 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. Failure to honestly submit your survey on a daily basis may result in losing in-person learning privileges.
SCHOOL CALENDAR (Week of September 7 – 11)
We will continue the “phase in” process and introduce our Hybrid/Blended Learning model with all students attending either in-person instruction or remote/distance learning classes with their designated cohort on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9. These days will continue to help students get used to the new class schedule, reinforce health and safety protocols, traffic flow for passing, etc. Full in-person instructional learning will begin on Thursday, September 10.
Monday, September 7, 2020 – Labor Day, No School
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 – Hybrid/Blended Learning model (Day 1 schedule)
- White Cohort (L-Z) In-school
- Blue Cohort (A-K) Remote
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 – Hybrid/Blended Learning model (Day 2 schedule)
- Blue Cohort (A-K) In-school
- White Cohort (L-Z) Remote
Thursday, September 10, 2020 – In-Person Learning model (Day 3 schedule)
- All declared in-person learning students are expected at school.
- All declared alternative remote learning students simultaneously attend classes online.
Friday, September 11, 2020 – In-Person Learning model (Day 1 schedule)
- All declared in-person learning students are expected at school.
- All declared alternative remote learning students simultaneously attend classes online.
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL
Upon arrival to school this week, students should report to their Homeroom/A Period classroom by 7:45 am. Students arriving earlier to school can gather physically distant in the auditorium, dining hall, library or their A Period classroom. Students can drop off their athletic bags in the gymnasium for storage during the day.
After school, students should report to the monitored Dining Hall and not linger in the corridors.
A reminder that students hanging out in the parking lot, senior courtyard or other outdoor areas on campus MUST wear a mask and should remain six feet away from each other. After school is NOT a mask break. If you are over six feet away and not engaging in conversation with anyone then you can remove your mask. However, you must immediately put your mask back on if physical distance is not maintained or if you engage in conversation.
HEALTH ROOM
Your Health Room Emergency Information Card (yellow form) and pre-filled SPCHS Information Form (Emergency Parent Reach), originally distributed in the June parent mailing are past due.
According to Connecticut state law, as a requirement for entrance to Grade 11, students are required to have a physical examination in either Grade 9 or 10. In addition, a student who is attending a school in the State of Connecticut for the first time (regardless of the grade) is required to have a health assessment/physical examination. Students who wish to participate in sports must have a sports physical done yearly. This year due to COVID-19, the validity date has been extended from 13 to 15 months.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
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) by September 8.
FOOD SERVICE
As we start the school year, there will be limited breakfast options available beginning at 7:00 am. Similarly, the lunch menu will have “Grab & Go” selections (sandwiches, salads, soups) available from 10:30 am – noon. Students are reminded they can open a café account by prepaying cash or making checks payable to Paul Gregory’s.
Extended outside dining under the tents will begin this week.
MATH XL & ENGLISH IXL
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 license payments by Friday, September 18. Thank you!
STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS
Let’s get ready for St. Paul Catholic High School’s Welcome Back Weekend scheduled for Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. Friday night, we will be sponsoring a Drive-in Movie, at 8:00 pm. Join us and enjoy a light-hearted movie accompanied by pre-packaged snacks and spaced-out seating. Spots are on a first-come-first-served basis for about 75 people. Sign up through a Google form that will be released soon.
Saturday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm you can participate in our very own “St. Paul Chalk It Up”! Bring your colorful chalk to decorate a parking space, with your unique artistry or deliver a happy message. Chalk spaces will be used for Falcon Cup points and a gift card competition. We will also display a “living” museum of quarantine art to view, by bringing your own artwork for display.
In upcoming events, we have Trivia Night scheduled for October 1 which will be broadcasted live on the school’s YouTube channel. The host will ask participants questions on a forum, resulting in a final round with the last contestants competing for St. Paul apparel and bragging rights. A date to be determined is for Human Scrabble! All class members are welcome to participate in the classic board game, played in human form. Parking lot spaces will be utilized as the real-life-board grid. The class with the most word points will receive the most Falcon Cup points. Don’t miss out on these community entertaining festivities!
VIRTUAL CLUB FAIR
On Wednesday September 23 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm Mrs. Kendrick will host St. Paul’s Virtual Club Fair. The event will start out as one zoom session for all interested students giving a brief introduction to all the clubs that St. Paul offers. Students will then have the opportunity to visit separate clubs in a virtual meeting speaking with the advisor and a current club member. Stay tuned for more details.
JUNIOR & SOPHOMORE CLASS ELECTIONS
Junior and sophomore students interested in running for class office should forward to your class advisor (Juniors – Dr. Gnoza: jgnoza@spchs.com and Sophomores – Mrs. Pisani: lpisani@spchs.com) your intent in a three-paragraph letter by this Friday, September 11, 2020 at 8:00 am. Include the following in your intent letter:
- Your first and last name
- The position you are interested in running for
- Why you believe you are qualified for the position
- How you plan to work with the class to build a stronger class and a stronger community at SPCHS
- How you live the SPCHS core values on a daily basis Freshman Class elections will be held later this month.
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
ATHLETICS
No practices on Monday, Labor Day. Practice Schedule for September 8 – 11:
Cheerleading: Tuesday & Friday 3:00 – 4:00 pm Girls Cross Country: Wednesday & Friday 4:15 – 5:30pm Boys Cross Country: Tuesday & Thursday 4:15 – 5:30pm Football: TBA
Girls Soccer: 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Boys Soccer: 2:45 – 4:00pm (9th & 10th graders) and 4:30 – 5:45 pm (11th & 12th graders)
Girls Swim: 6:00 – 7:00 am @ Dennis Malone Aquatic Center
Volleyball: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Any cancellations or changes to this week’s practice schedule will be communicated to teams by their coaches and also posted on the St. Paul website.
Message from Mr. Dennehy following Friday’s CIAC announcement that the CT high school football season has been cancelled. I echo his sentiments.
“It was with a heavy heart that I spoke with the football team about the cancellation of their season on Friday afternoon. I never imagined that when I had the same conversation with the winter teams in March about the cancellation of their state tournaments that I would be having the same conversation six months later. But if we have learned anything in navigating our way through this pandemic it is that we have to be flexible and ready to manage change and that most importantly as communities & families we need to rely on each other and our faith in God and ultimately there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
I am confident that this group of young men and the St. Paul coaching staff will make the most of whatever opportunities are afforded them. Conversations started this weekend with CT high school football coaches, athletic directors and the CIAC to create football related activities and experiences that will allow teams to continue to work out, train and engage in football specific skills this fall as a team. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.”
BIRTHDAY WISHES (SEPTEMBER 1 – 12)
Happy Birthday wishes go to: Allison Barton, Eleanor Bryda, Jordan Conroy, Arianna Estrella, Jamie Leggett, James Melvin, Alex Partyka, Sofia Perugini, Neesha Ramchandani, Sarah Roberts, Anthony Rogers, ameron Roy, Aiden Staus, Jenny Yang and Mrs. Pahl.
ST. PAUL FALCON MASK
Visit www.auctria.com/auction/spiritwear to place your pre-order of our St. Paul Falcons, adjustable mask ($10.00). Click CATALOG, then under SHOW ME click ACCESSORIES. Scroll to BOTTOM of Page 3. Delivery should be the week of September 14.
ST. PAUL GOLF TOURNAMENT in memory of Sharon Mielcarz
We have had an amazing response to this year’s 13th Annual St. Paul Alumni Golf tournament, which will be held on September 24 at Fairview Farm Golf Course, Harwinton. We want to thank all of the sponsors and players that have committed to being a part of this year’s event. If you are interested, there are still sponsorships and spots for golfers available. We are also seeking raffle or silent auction donations. Check out our event website to see how you can help and participate in this year’s event! www.spchs.com/alumnigolf. Questions? Contact Shelley Mendoza at smendoza@spchs.com.
FINAL WORD
After a very long and uncertain wait, we gratefully opened St. Paul Catholic High School’s doors again this past week. As the reentry “phase-in” continues this week, we will increase the number of students on campus from approximately 100 per class during orientation to 200 per hybrid day to 400 for full in-person instruction (less remote learners) by the end of the week. It’s going to be a new challenge/test that we MUST pass.
I can’t emphasize enough my encouragement “to intentionally take care of yourself and take care of each other” certainly as it relates to critical health and safety practices but equally important to the social and emotional well-being of all. With a greater appreciation for the gift of being together during this pandemic, we must act on this opportunity to reach beyond where we were when we abruptly left last March. Sr. Marie Benedict paraphrased best our returning message, “openness to relationship and broadening of our hearts” when describing our individual and collective task ahead. #bethelight
As we begin the 2020-2021 school year, let us not just come back to St. Paul but remain committed to staying back and leave no one feeling left behind.
#spstrong
Stay well,
Cary M. Dupont ‘72 President/Chief Administrator
