I am sure none of us were sad to say goodbye to 2020 and I'm praying for a better 2021. So far, it's not living up to my hopes when I see the insanity that took place in our nation's capital, but I know that with prayers for unity and with time for healing this will become a much improved year for all of us. There are many things to be hopeful for with the coming of the vaccine and life slowly returning to normal.
Here are some updates from the week and from my principal's meeting on Friday:
- The Diocese is working with the Dept. of Health to get the vaccine and administer it from the mobile van. If this becomes available, my understanding is the van will come to the school and it will be free to everyone. There is no plan at present to require students to have the vaccine.
- The Diocese is waiting for decisions from other dioceses within the province before making a final decision on the Terra Nova and students on the FLP. The question is, can we compel them to come in to take the test in person? I will let you know the answer as soon as I do. The decision should come by the end of the month. We want to do the same as the other diocese so that the data reported is consistent.
- This week you will find an Intent to Return document in your mailbox. Please complete, sign, and return to Gina by Feb. 15.
- Chancellor's office is completing a new document that describes the retention requirements for all records and documents. I will pass along information as it may pertain to your position as soon as I go through it and know that it is finalized.
- The 12 laptops that were purchased over break arrived VERY quickly. They were placed in each homeroom classroom K-8 and the other two went to Lisa for MS Math and Jamie for the ESE room. The connection piece that Jimmy discovered we needed was ordered promptly and arrived on Friday. Charles will be around first thing Monday morning to make sure they are set up.
- We are still in limbo about the Chromebooks we ordered in August. They were set to arrive in October, then December, and now sometime in the future. The problem is supply and how I am able to order them with ESSERS funds. I was told they are currently shipping late July orders so hopefully, it won't be too much longer.
- In my last conversation with John, he said he may have been able to save a backup from 6 months ago that we can access. We are working with an insurance company that covers these types of events and they may have the expertise to help recover data. Please pray that we are able to get everything back. One of the things we lost is a shared folder John created for all the old pictures. Right now we only have photos from 2015 forward. It's sad to think we could have lost the first 14 years.
- At our Faculty Meeting on Monday, the CSW committee will share everything they have been working on and what to expect during Catholic Schools Week.
Please remember to check uniforms. As the weather gets cold, the uniform usually gets adjusted. I saw lots of non-uniform items last week (especially on young girls - leggings). Here is what the handbook says regarding cold weather. Please review with the students.
Cold Weather : Only school logo sweaters, sweatshirts, or fleece are allowed to be worn inside the school building, the Family Life Center, and Church. Non-uniform jackets or sweatshirts can be worn to school but must be removed in the classroom. Leggings and sweatpants worn under the uniform must also be removed in the classroom. Non-uniform outerwear will only be permitted outside during the school day on extremely cold days over their school-issued sweater or sweatshirt. White undershirts/camisoles may only be worn if they do not show beneath the uniform (no long sleeves). They have the choice of wearing the school sweater or sweatshirt.
On a fun note, this year we supported the Lightning, the Rays, and now it's time for the Bucs. I've been told that this is the first time they have been in the playoffs in 18 years AND they won the first game. The next game is this coming weekend so the students may wear a Bucs or red shirt and PE shorts or PE sweatpants on Friday.
Go Bucs!
This is the mindset we need to help bring our students back to school! I understand that teachers are struggling with in-person and online students. I understand it brings extra stress and responsibilities. Let's work together to make a change. Gina and I already laid the foundation by sending home a letter to FLP families encouraging them to bring the students back to school. For some, the letter was enough and the students have returned. Others may need more help understanding the importance of sending their children to school. We shared with parents the statistics of how in-person students are making more progress. I believe it would help if they hear from their child's teacher exactly what the struggles are and how much better they will progress if they come to school. Many parents may feel like the cow and we just need to give them a nudge over the fence. 
