All Saints Catholic School Communicator
Friday, September 11, 2020

All Saints Catholic School Communicator  - Friday, September 11, 2020 

Greetings All Saints Families! 

We have just completed an awesome second week!!  Our students have been incredibly cooperative both on-site and distance learning!  Throughout the day we are seeing happy, engaged students. Many thanks to our teachers and parents for their support and efforts in making this possible.

This past Wednesday, the state of Massachusetts updated the COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map which reports on the average daily case rate of Covid-19 per 100,000 population by town for the time period of August 23 – September 5, 2020.  New Bedford’s average daily case rate increased which changed the city’s status from yellow to red. 

As a result of this change in status, I had a call with the Catholic Schools Office to review the current situation in New Bedford, and for now, ASCS will remain open for in-person learning.  While we are monitoring this situation very closely, we have decided to keep the school open for the following reasons:

• Safety measures are in place and students and faculty are fully engaged in following protocols for mask wearing, handwashing and sanitizing, social distancing, and school cleanings.

•  The change in status is mainly due to two localized clusters of Covid-19 patients in organizations that have no contact with our school community.

We will continue to be vigilant about the status of all communities represented by our student population as the health and safety of our school family is our top priority.

Finally, the option for remote learning continues to be available to any family who has concerns about in-person learning.  Please contact me directly if you have any questions about our remote learning program.

Some announcements for the coming week( Sept 14- 18):

• Mask are in!  Please order masks through the ASCS website.

  • Please note that masks with vents are not allowed 

  • Beginning 9/17 ( Thursday) solid color masks are required for grade 2 - 8  students except on Wednesdays.

• Attendance reminders:

  • Parents must call or email when the student is absent. This is especially important at this time.

  • Students in grades K - 8 who are absent, but healthy enough to participate in distance learning are expected to do so.  If your child will be out for a planned absence, please be sure books and materials are taken home the day before.

  • When students are returning to school after experiencing COVID-19  symptoms or quarantine, a doctor’s note clearing the student for return must be provided to the school the day prior to returning. Doctor’s notes may be emailed, faxed or dropped off in the office.

• Extend Care change and reminders:

  • Parents no longer need to pre register students for Extended Care. Students should go to Ex Care at the end of the day if they know they are not being picked up.  We ask that parents of students in Grades PreK - 2 email their child’s teacher to make them aware of days that students will be attending Ex Care after school. Parents of students in these grade levels who have already signed up for this week will not need to notify their child’s teacher as we already have your information,

  • No food may be consumed in morning Ex Care.

  • If your student will be in Ex Care until 3 pm or later, please pack a snack & drink which will be consumed at the Extended Care snack time (2:40 pm).

• After School Clubs are on hold for the present time.  More information will be provided next week.

• Report Cards from June 2020  not picked up by families are being sent home in your student's yellow folder this week.

We need the assistance of every family to complete and return the attached Income Eligibility Form.  You do not need to list your family name. This information is used to qualify our school for state and federal funding and programs - so please assist us by returning the form!

Please see the September schedule for Grades 1 - 8   These schedules allow distance learners to know when to join their classes through Google Meet each day. Shaded boxes are log in times for distance learners.  Log in codes are provided on the schedules, Please see the distance learning reminders attached. .NWEA MAP Assessments begin this week for both on-site and distance learners. More information will be coming  - please expect some schedule changes toward the end of the week for some classes.

The 2020 - 2021 Parent & Student Handbook is posted on the ASCS website. There are TWO signature pages required this year - one for the handbook itself and one for the diocesan appendix on distance learning. These were sent home in the yellow folder.

As a way to serve our students and families best in this challenging time, our school will be asking parents to complete The Family Social Emotional Education Partnership Index (F-SEEPI).   Click the link to participate!

Please keep our school and our families in your prayers!

In Christ’s Peace,

Mrs. Massoud

 

For your consideration this week:

Parent/Family Access to the School Buildings

Parents are not allowed to enter the school building, including the lobby, before 8:10 am and between 2:15 - 2:45 pm. When dropping off or picking up students, parents are required to wear a mask - even outside. At other times, parents who need to access the school office will be allowed to enter the lobby one family at a time, where they will be greeted at the plexiglass station outside of the office. Forms, etc.may be dropped off in the white mailbox outside of the main lobby at any time.  After 8:10 am, larger items may be dropped off or picked up at the table immediately inside the front lobby doors. Please ring the bell for access.

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

FACTS SIS  - Parents are asked to update emergency, pickup and all other demographic information on FACTS SIS for each of their students so that the school has accurate records and contacts for your student. All students need to have emergency contacts listed (not just parents).

Uniforms

• Used uniform & gym uniform sales. Contact Mrs. Camara at 508-995-3696 or by email [email protected] 

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

• We will not be requiring “formal Fridays”/full dress uniform until after the October national holiday.

• Until October 2,  students will have the option of wearing Spirit Uniform - any ASCS t-shirt with ASCS gym shorts, Donnelly’s khaki shorts, loose fit jeans or loose fit capris with socks & sneakers. !

Important Links:

• ASCS website: ascsnb.org.

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

• 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 (Renweb) 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 

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

In faith and together as a community, we can make this year 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