Dear Students and Families,
I hope Easter Break has given everyone time with their families, time outdoors, and time away from their screens.
This Monday, April 20, we return to remote learning for the remaining weeks of school. We have so appreciated the patience, flexibility, positivity, and creativity of our teachers and students. As the weeks of shelter-in-place continue and the end of the school year approaches, it is important to remain focused. While remote learning is not a substitute for the greater experience of being together with all of our co-curricular activities and end-of-year celebrations, we take comfort in knowing that California is successfully flattening the curve to date and that this sacrifice is serving the common good. In his Easter Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing, Pope Francis challenged us to ban indifference, self-centeredness, division, and forgetfulness during this time of COVID-19 and to spread the “contagion” of hope. Students, I ask that you continue to be kind, thoughtful, and engaged with your classmates, teachers, and families as we approach these final weeks of learning.
Below are some important reminders, dates and information about our return, including our new weekly schedule (be sure to view new updates to our Wednesday flex schedule), and resources to support students’ learning and well-being. We are aware that a number of students have personal items in their school lockers and we are working on a process and schedule that will permit students to safely return to school to pick those up. We will be updating you next week on this schedule as well as plans for grading protocols and semester exams. We are looking forward to Lift Your Spirits Week!
Be kind, be safe, be well, Dragons,
Chris Smart, Ed.D. Principal
Resources
Key Dates and Information
April 20 First Day of classes with new weekly schedule
April 20-24 Lift Your Spirits Week
April 22 First Flex Day (details on new weekly schedule). Earth Day, 2020 theme Climate Action (a special day we honor our charism value kinship with creation). Enjoy this National Catholic Reporter article “What does Climate Change Demand of Catholic Education?,” featuring O’Dowd’s Living Lab, Creation Care Team, and Director of Justice and Kinship Michael Downs
Lift Your Spirits Week – April 20-24
Student leadership groups will lead activities daily to help our student community connect with each other and enjoy positive, fun and informative activities. Each morning by 8:30am, the hosting student leadership group for the day will post about the morning activity/inspiration, then at 3:00pm will post about the after-school activity. See the flyer below for activities and Instagram details and check in on Schoology and student group Instagram accounts for all activities. All are optional and none will conflict with class time. Daily leaders as follows: – Monday: ASB & Student Council – Tuesday: Solidarity In Action – Wednesday: Eco Leaders – Thursday: CMT – Friday: ASB & Student Council