All Saints Catholic School Communicator
Friday, January 1, 2021

All Saints Catholic School Communicator  - Friday, January 1, 2021

New Year’s Greetings to all of our ASCS Families! Prayers for a Happy, Healthy and Holy New Year! January 1 is also the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and World Day of Peace.  May Our Lady guide and protect us as we begin this new year - and let us pray that we may we strive for peace always in our homes, our communities, our nation and our world!

As you know, ASCS, as well as the other Catholic schools, private schools and public schools in New Bedford and many surrounding towns will be engaged in remote learning for all students January 4 - 8.  This was an especially difficult decision for All Saints as we know that on-site learning has been a priority and child care is a serious concern for many of our families.  Please note that it is our hope to return on-site January 11, unless there are Covid, weather, or other emergency situations impacting that decision. Please email Mrs. Massoud if you choose to switch to distance learning when we do return. As in the past, parents are asked to switch their student to distance learning if there has been Covid exposure or your child is ill, and may choose to do so if there is concern about Covid levels in the community. 

Some important information for the coming week:

• There is a revised schedule which puts us in line with and exceeds DESE's minimum requirements for remote learning. Please note that the changes are not substantial as compared to the previously distributed schedule.  The full school schedule is attached to this Communicator.  Teachers will post individual schedules on Google Classroom. 

• Mrs. Camara and Nurse Erin are actively working throughout the week and are best reached via email. Mrs. Camara may also be called at school.

• Attendance is required and recorded for all scheduled distance learning classes.  Please note that parents of students in Grades 5 - 8 will be emailed immediately should your student be missing from class. 

• Be sure to email Mrs. Massoud and Nurse Erin if your student will be absent from distance learning or if your family is experiencing Covid issues which impact your student, even during this remote learning week.

• Appropriate behavior is expected during all distance learning classes.  Teachers will be reviewing and reinforcing this. In particular:

  • Students should be seated at a desk or table, with all materials present. 

  • A school t-shirt / sweatshirt or school uniform must be worn.

  • The student’s face must be visible at all times.

  • Assignments should be completed on time and submitted as directed by the teacher.

• SPED and Title I will run on their regular schedules. Please be sure your student is in attendance.

• A limited number of Chromebooks are available to be borrowed by students who need one this week.  Please email Mrs. Massoud if this is the case.  

•  On Sunday, Jan 3, 4 - 5 pm, I will be available at school for pickup of PreK materials and Chromebooks (by pre-arrangement only).  In addition, the school office will be open 8 am - 1pm, Monday - Friday.

The CDC Covid link answers many questions about new Covid guidance and quarantine. Please be sure to contact Nurse Erin when you are experiencing a specific Covid situation which involves your student . If you have traveled, please be aware of the Massachusetts Travel Order  Check for the latest advisory on states considered “safe travel” as of the date of your trip. 

A student meals distribution flier is attached, should your student or a child you know be experiencing food insecurity.

The Massachusetts Department of Health is now requiring that students must be vaccinated against the influenza virus and must present a certificate of such vaccination to the school, now extended by the state to before February 28, 2021. Please contact your child’s pediatrician if you need to obtain certification that ‘vaccination endangers your child's health.

Re-enrollment time is coming!

A year ago, when re-enrollment for the 2020-21 school year commenced, we would have never thought that being “in school” could be so complicated but so necessary.  With the first half of this school year completed, we are now preparing for the 2021- 2022 academic year.

While we are still unsure what “school” will look like in the fall of 2021, what we do know is that the re-enrollment process will take on a different sense of urgency.  You may be aware that many new families are interested in joining our school community, and we have turned away many families in the past months so that class sizes remain capped at 20 students.  We now have wait lists for the present and coming year.  While this is a wonderful problem to have, it requires us to ask families to re-enroll their child or children earlier than in previous years or risk losing your child’s “seat” in next year’s class. Please watch for information about this in the coming weeks.

FACE Scholarship Applications for 2021-2022  are open! Those who have applied for the current year have been contacted directly by FACE to reapply. If you feel you are in need of financial assistance please see https://www.face-dfr.org/how-to-apply/. Don’t delay!  Start your application now and upload 2020 tax documents later this winter.

Calendar Reminders: 

• Monday, January 4 -  8 school reopens remotely for all grades.

• Tuesday, January 12 - Winter MAPGrowth Assessments begin.

• Thursday, January 14 - Scrip orders and payment due

• Monday, January 18 - No school - Martin Luther King Holiday

• Tuesday, January 19 - PreK & K Report Cards sent home

• Wed & Thurs, Jan 20 & 21 - PreK & K Virtual Conferences

Supporting Our School:

• The ASCS 2021 Annual Fund is focused on defraying the costs of the special items we have and will need to purchase to keep our school community safe and socially distanced.  To date we have spent over $11,000, which was not originally budgeted - our goal is $15,000. To date we have raised $3200 thanks to the generosity of our parents! Our Annual Fund link remains open for anyone who would like to contribute. Please note that the website has been adjusted to accept both Annual Fund and Outreach donations for whatever charity is currently supported. Donations will be billed to your FACTS Incidental Billing or you may send a check to the school. 

• When you shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/90-0748611, AmazonSmile donates to All Saints Catholic School! Please support our school as you shop! 

• BoxTops for Education - While the Box Tops program has shifted to on-line, it remains a booster to our school funds, without costing our families!  Please join the program and scan your receipts - 10 cent donation from products you buy can add up to hundred of dollars for ASCS!

• Stop & Shop Gift cards - We have these on site for purchase!  Please contact Mrs. Camara if you are interested. 5% of your purchase is credited to your Fundraising Fee.

• Shop With Scrip Program - see https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/ . Hundreds of gift cards available! This is a great way to support ASCS and earn back your Fundraising Fee! You may order and pay directly on-line or order on-line and pay the school. School payment orders are processed once per month. Our school # is  45CF5EE531292.  Next due date is January 14 .  

Important Links & Contacts:

• ASCS website: ascsnb.org.

• ASCS Calendar - http://ascsnb.org/calendar-1 

• Faculty and Staff Listing with emails: https://ascsnb.org/staff

• Learning Choices - On-site / Distance Learning / Hybrid -  https://ascsnb.org/2021-return

• Used uniform sales. Contact Mrs. Camara at 508-995-3696 or by email vcamara@ascs.dfrcs.org 

• Purchasing new gym and spirit items from the school - https://ascsnb.org/gymwear-orders

• Purchase masks - https://ascsnb.org/mask-orders 

• 2021 Return and DESE links -https://ascsnb.org/2021-return

• NBPS menu for All Saints - see https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/NewBedfordPublicSchools,MA (skip the log in)

• FACTS SIS Family Portal Login https://ascs-ma.client.renweb.com/pw/

• ASCS Prayer Line - Submit prayer requests http://ascsnb.org/prayer-requests

• ASCS Parents Group on Facebook - search ASCS Parent Group and ask to join!

• Parent Tip Sheets for Eureka Math (Gr K- 5) - https://greatminds.org/math/parents 

In faith and together as a community, let us support a successful academic, social and spiritual journey for our students, as we try to keep everyone safe and healthy!  Please pray for our school, our students, and our families.  

Peace in Jesus and Mary,

Mrs. Susan Massoud

Principal, All Saints Catholic School

 

All Saints Catholic School provides quality Catholic education in a safe environment where Jesus Christ is the model for the spiritual, academic, and personal growth of each unique student.

We Are One + We Are All Saints

Academically focused, Spiritually alive Community of Saints in training