Week in Review:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Well, this week has been like drinking from a fire hose. I am sure many of you can relate to this feeling. I also feel like I have lived a year since I saw everyone at our last Prayer Square in the gym. The amount students, parents, teachers, and I have learned in the last few weeks has been incredible. We have had to make major adjustments in our basic daily tasks as well as adapting to a radically new and different way of learning and teaching. Although there have been hiccups, I applaud ALL of you for your hard work, positivity, and willingness to make the best out of the worst. If I could, I would high five all of you!
Speaking of our new way of learning, our school has learned a lot from your feedback and from trial and error. I realize that I sent out a Distance Learning Plan with the overarching ideas and expectations, I also let you know that we would modify and adjust as needed based on the needs of our students and their families. I want to let you know that our teachers have listened to you and are currently making adjustments to their lesson plans to provide engaging and meaningful learning in the weeks ahead. That being said, I have extended the deadline for teachers to share their weekly lesson plans for next week until this Sunday evening. I wanted to give them a few more days to revisit their lessons and make them more meaningful and manageable for students and their families. Be on the lookout for messages from your teachers with explanations if and how they will be modifying their weekly plans and expectations. We will continue to use Google Classroom as our learning management system as well the various other electronic resources to supplement the learning process. In the weeks ahead, I ask that you reach out to your teachers and to me if you have questions or concerns about what is taking place in your student’s class. I am also including a short survey below to allow you to provide me with feedback on how St. Mary’s has done in this transition to a Distance Learning Plan.
During this weekend, I hope you are able to take some time to unplug and have some quality time with family. In these difficult times, it is so important to take care of ourselves and make the best out of the worst.
Finally, I wanted to remind all of you that this coming week is Holy Week. This is one of the most holy and solemn times in the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. I encourage you all to take time this week to enter into the spirit of Holy Week through prayer and the various traditions of our Church and allow our Heavenly Father to pull you closer to his loving heart. May God continue to bless you all and please remember: Be Safe, Be Well, and we are praying for you all.
Continue to stay plugged in by looking at the weekly slideshow. You can’t help being amazed and energized by our students’ smiles and engagement in their work. Click HERE to see the photos.
Need to Know:
- Amazing resource for St. Mary’s Families:
Our fantastic counselor, Mrs. Eiguren has worked hard to create a Google Site to help all of us through this difficult time. It has a large number of helpful resources and information for students, parents, and other family members. Please check it out by clicking this link: https://sites.google.com/a/stmarys-boise.org/ms-eiguren-s-counseling-corner/home - Parent Survey of our Distance Learning Plan at St. Mary’s:
Hey all, please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your feedback helps us to improve our instruction and help all students be successful during this time away from school. Click HERE to access the survey.
Nice to Know:
- Buy your St. Mary’s Car Magnet (When we see you again):
Important Dates (Right around the Corner):
- April 6-10 Holy Week
- April 9 Holy Thursday
- April 10 Good Friday (No school work assigned or due)
- April 12 Easter Sunday
- April 13 Easter Monday (No school work assigned or due)
The complete School Calendar can be found on the Home Page or on the Parents Quick Links Page. To have an event added to our School Calendar, email us at calendar@stmarys-boise.org.
Important Dates (On the Horizon):
- Dates and events to come
The complete School Calendar can be found on the Home Page or on the Parents Quick Links Page. To have an event added to our School Calendar, email us at calendar@stmarys-boise.org.
Strategic Plan Updates
Click here to see the most recent updates on the Strategic Plan Projects, including the West Side Grounds Project, The Interior Project, and the Community Directory Project. We are currently looking for volunteers for on these and other key initiatives. Whether you’re interested in helping lead a small project, or just have a few hours to help, please complete this quick form and we’ll contact you shortly about whatever you’re most interested in.
Wisdom from Our Young Scholars:
- From a student to his mom while making lunch at home:
“Mom I can’t make a sandwich, the last time I made myself lunch we were told we couldn’t go back to school!”
- Conversation with a parent while working through assignments:“Child: Mom, when are we going back to school? Parent: I don’t know, baba, but hopefully soon. Child: I hope so too! I love you, but you’re not very good at teaching. Mrs. Elliott does it better! I miss her.”
- During the earthquake:“MOOOMMM! How come the couch is giving me a massage right now?!?!”
- While on a family hike:
When looking up to a sunny sky, a young kindergartner said to her parents, “I see white flies!!!” (It was actually snowing!)
