i-Ready and the 100th Day of School

 If you were wondering where we are in our 180 days of school, we are nearing the 100th day.  Thank you Kindergarten for always reminding us of this milestone.  This is also the week that most students will be completing the i-Ready diagnostic.  Please remind the students to do their best and that this is their opportunity to show us what they know.  Other than that, it seems to be a pretty typical week at St. Stephen.  

We are hoping that the Covid cases have peaked and will begin to drop.  While some of our students are testing positive, the good news is that they have not become seriously ill.  

On Saturday, our 8th graders became filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.  They all looked ready and excited to receive this gift.  Thank you Shaun for helping our students to prepare for this beautiful sacrament.  

I will end my blog today with some sad news but also a celebration of the gift that Gina has been to St. Stephen.  Gina shared with me that she does not plan to return to St. Stephen for the 2022-23 school year.  She is ready to embark on the next stage in her career.  Gina has been a vital member of our family since 2004 helping the school to grow from the first year we had a middle school, through a pandemic, and with preparing for the future.  When I think of all the things that Gina does for us, I know it will take someone special to fill her shoes.  With the experience she has gained here and with different opportunities available that meet her personal and family needs, it is time for Gina to continue her career beyond the walls of St. Stephen.  I am sure you all know how saddened I was when she told me, but I am also grateful for all the years of service she has given to the school, and I am truly excited about her next adventures.  We felt it was important that everyone heard this from us before I place an ad for her replacement.  I ask that you not discuss with parents until Gina has an opportunity to tell them in Tidbits this week.  Please join me in wishing her well as we spend our final months working together.

Have a joyous week!

Delta and Omicron and Deltacron, Oh My!

 If you have been watching the news, there is possibly a new strain of Covid that was discovered in Cypress that has properties of both Delta and Omicron and they have named it Deltacron.  You may have also read in the news that we need to start changing our mindset about Covid-19.  I had a discussion in carline one morning with Coach Green about Covid, measles, smallpox, etc., and how the vaccines are different.  I then read an interesting article on the topic and what I learned is that the Covid vaccine is not meant to eradicate the virus as other vaccines did.  It's meant to contain it to a level that would end the pandemic.   If you are interested in learning more about vaccines, here is the article that was in Scientific America https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vaccines-need-not-completely-stop-covid-transmission-to-curb-the-pandemic1/

What I'm also reading in many places is that we need to learn how to live in a world with Covid, not hide from it.  A good example of how the Diocese is moving forward with this mindset is their decision about positive cases in schools.  No longer are classes shutting down.  Instead, students are all wearing masks and taking precautions (masks, social distancing, eating lunch outside, etc.) that allow them to stay in school.  The only time the Diocese will approve closing a class or school is if there is not enough teachers and staff in the building.  The best advice I can give you all is to talk to your doctor about what is right for you, continue to get vaccinated, get the booster, wear a mask if you do not feel well, and continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  And if anyone can give me some advice as to where to buy half and half for my coffee, it would be appreciated.  Did Covid take out the cows?  Of course, I'm not serious, but we need to find some humor in all of this - see below :)

For some good news, our 6th graders participated in an overnight adventure to the Kennedy Space Center on Friday.  How exciting it was to bring back this field trip even with the face of Omicron.  Thank you Christine for taking them on this adventure!  It looks like they had a good time.  

For teachers, Monday's faculty meeting is s PLC (I did change this on the calendar).  Middle school and Encore teachers will meet in Room 20 to discuss pages 45-54 in our book study of The Successful Middle School.  Gina will give directions to the other two groups.  Monday is also holy card free dress day.  Teachers, please be sure you are checking uniforms.  I continue to see jewelry, nail polish, logo socks, pink socks, very short shorts and skorts.  I do speak to students when I see violations, but if you are not giving out uniform violations and following up by not letting them participate in free dress days, my talk with them means nothing.  Review the handbook if you are unsure.  On Friday I saw a female student (in an older grade) in very short shorts.  When I got closer I realized she was wearing the shorts meant for grades PK-2.  Once they hit grade 3rd grade, they should be wearing the mesh shorts which are longer.  A couple of years ago the uniform section of the handbook was edited and I didn't realize this was changed.  I will change it back for next year.  It should read:

PE Uniform Girls and Boys (Grades K – 8)
• Knit PE shorts with logo (Gr. K-2)
• Mesh PE shorts with logo (Gr. 3-8)
• PE shirt with logo
• Sweatpants with logo (cold weather)
• Red Sweatshirt with logo (cold weather)

Third grade is a transition year so some grace is given.  We also allow the pull-on navy shorts in 3rd grade as needed even though that is the year they transition to flat-front zipper pants.  Any student (including those in first grade) who chooses to wear the zip-up pants, must have a belt.  Otherwise, they look like a plumber when they bend over.  

Thank you all for your continued support and I hope everyone is feeling well this week!

Happy New Year!

 Welcome to the new year.  I hope everyone had a wonderful break and was able to spend quality time with friends and family. I'm sure many of us continue to have hopes that each year will be better than the last and I'm sure you have seen the memes that talk about the pronunciation of the year 2022 and how it sounds like "2020 TOO!"  With the arrival of Omicron and how many people are currently sick with it, that may not be too far off.  However, I do believe there is much hope that things will continue to improve.  I know most of us got our vaccines at the same time and are therefore eligible for the booster.  If you have not received your booster shot, I encourage you to go get it.  It seems that Covid is here with us and this is how we protect ourselves from getting seriously ill.  If you have not read my email that went out yesterday to all families and staff, please take some time to read the new updates for Covid.  Teachers should also continue to monitor changes to the opt-out file as parents continue to submit the form.  

Just like other businesses, we are experiencing staff shortages due to Covid.  We all need to be patient and understanding as we may be asking everyone to take on some different roles.  Gina and I do not want to overburden anyone, but we may be asking that you do something different.  For example, assistants may take on different tasks and our Resource Department may become a resource for all.  For office staff and administration, the priority for the next few weeks will be getting ready for re-enrollment and the Angel's Gala so know that we all will be working very hard for the next few weeks but together we will get through this and we always need to remain focused on what is most important - our students.  I did tell Fr. Dermot not to panic if he sees all the students in the FLC watching a movie with just 2 teachers supervising but I'm sure we will be able to do much better than that.  It is somewhat comforting to know that it's not just our school.  I had a zoom meeting Friday morning for principals and we are all dealing with the same problems right now.  The Diocese will continue to monitor the situation and we will have weekly updates like at the beginning of the year.  

The new teacher computers have arrived, however, the monitors did not.  I have followed up on the status and I know John is getting the computers ready for when the monitors arrive.   

Teachers should be receiving a schedule next week for i-Ready testing which is currently scheduled for the second week back.  Since we have a Professional Development day on Friday, Jan. 7, I am tentatively canceling our faculty meeting on Monday.  I'm sure everyone has plenty to do coming back from break.  I say tentatively because some of us may need to meet briefly if we need to map out a plan for the week once we see what the staff and student attendance is on Monday.  Please monitor your email for updates Monday morning.  For Friday's professional development, all teachers PK-8, Encore, and ESE should plan to attend.  

Tis the Season!

 At the end of Thanksgiving Break, I said to myself, "Only 3 weeks until Christmas break!"  Little did I know these would feel like the longest 3 weeks in history.  There were more students in the office the past two weeks than all year (or at least it felt that way).  Please keep to your routines this week and spray the air with some calming aromatherapy :)   Thursday and Friday this week will not be typical days and it's important to be extra vigilant with supervision on those two days.  Teachers, remember to leave for practice at 9:30 am on Thursday and we will need to be done by 11:30.  Timothy will be there to give directions.

Please have your students keep the people of Kentucky in their prayers this week (Gina, be sure this is in the intentions all week).  Some of our families come from Kentucky and we pray their families were not affected by the storm and tornadoes.  

Have a great week and I look forward to our party on Friday!  

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

 The theme of the Second Sunday of Advent is Peace.  When listening to the news, peace is something we can definitely use more of.  Let us continue to pray for peace and understanding in the world and that our students will continue to grow in kindness toward each other. 

Teachers, remember to send your students as directed to the Gingerbread House for Christmas shopping this week.  Assistants in grades PK-2 should accompany the students.  Students in grades 3-8 can go on their own.  The shop will be located in the East Hall.  See Nicki's email for details.

Timothy will be discussing the Christmas program at our faculty meeting on Monday.  All students in grades PK-4 will be singing and students in grades 5-8 were invited to sing.  He will let teachers know what the students are wearing and how they can help the night of the show with getting students on and off the "stage."  The program takes place in the main church.  

Our Christmas gathering will be on Dec. 17 from 1-3 pm at Three Bulls.  We will be doing a left/right game and everyone should bring a wrapped gift valued between $5-$10.  These gatherings are great fun and everyone is expected to be there for a "mandatory good time."  The food is always good (and so is the wine and beer) all compliments of the Parish!  If there is a good reason you are unable to attend, please come see me privately to discuss.  

Finally, thank you to our social coordinator Galy, for creating a great event this past Friday!  Those of us who went had a good time and I hope we can do that more often.  Leaven is close and the perfect setting to relax and have fun.  The board games were great fun!  

Have a wonderful week!

O Come, O Come...

 Today is the first Sunday in Advent.  It is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ.  In our role as catechists, we should also be helping our students to prepare.  I love all the activities we do during this joyful season, but let us always keep the message of the angels at the forefront... O come let us adore, Him!

Here are some things that everyone should be doing in preparation for Friday's retreat:

• Create a new bulletin board in the hallway with the theme of Advent / Christmas
• Prepare a Jesse Tree in your classroom for the retreat
• Look deep into your closets and find your advent wreath that I know is in there (do not actually light the candles).  The morning show should also have a wreath on the desk.  If you picked up a Magnificat at church today, there is a blessing of the Advent Wreath in it.
• Prepare any materials you need for the retreat (Be sure you have read through it and have prepared activities for the second half of the morning.  I will get the Jesse Tree ornaments and scripture verses and Advent Angel materials to you.)

Should students ask, Friday is a regular uniform day.  Also, if you are part-time and normally come in late on Friday, please plan to come in by 8 a.m. so that you can help with the retreat.  Assignments are on the retreat at the end.  I have shared the document with everyone.  

Please remember that there are only three weeks of school before Christmas break, but these will be VERY busy weeks with lots happening.  Be sure you are reading all your emails, checking the calendar, etc. to keep up.  Thank you all for everything you do.  

While the cat's away...

 Actually 2 cats.  Gina and I will be in Monday morning, but we leave for Orlando after lunch to attend the FCC Administrator's Conference.  We have been participating in different chats on the conference app since last weekend, and I'm excited to learn more about what other schools are doing in terms of schedules, technology, and STREAM.  We will return on Thursday. Please do not send routine discipline issues to the office on Monday afternoon as no one will be there to help.  If it is extreme, I suggest having the office call the parent to pick up the child. Barbara will be there Tuesday and Wednesday and she is the go-to person should anything arise.  I am also a text away if you need me.  

I hope everyone had fun on Friday.  PTCO did a great job of getting volunteers and providing fun activities for the students.  At last count, we earned just over $17,000!  The winning class will be announced after everything has been tallied up.  

It's a pretty quiet week.  Teachers, instructions for the faculty meeting were emailed on Friday.  The Advent Retreat script and activities were emailed to teachers last night.  Be sure to look for both as well as the schedule for Adoration and Reconciliation.  

Friday is jean day with a Fall shirt.  Please review the jean day rules with your students.  Thank you and have a great week!  Thanksgiving break is almost here!!