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During this time when live Masses are impacted by the pandemic, I stumbled upon a weekly Children's Liturgy of the Word. Each Sunday, Catholic TV airs the Children's Liturgy of the Word hosted by Miss Heidi. The Liturgy incorporates sign language, songs, prayers, and God's Word into an engaging 20-25 minute program, and it can help children to understand the message in the Gospel. It is aired live at 5:30 a.m., but after that, families can watch the program at their desired time. The link for the weekly videos can be found here: http://www.catholictv.org/shows/childrens-liturgy
I hope you are all having a peaceful Sunday. We hope that you are having a safe summer! A few weeks ago, I sent out a revised calendar, but in light of Governer Ducey's order, we have revised the calendar again. Governor Ducey is requiring all schools to delay opening their on-campus learning until August 17th. In order to meet this requirement, we are moving our first day of school until Monday, August 17th for all students.
In order to move the start date back, we have revised the calendar. Here are some of the important changes:
We appreciate your flexibility with these changes. Our hope is to provide a safe learning environment for our students, and we will continue to follow the recommendations from Pima Health, Department of Catholic Schools, and the Governor's orders as we develop our plans including our school calendar for when classes are scheduled. In order to provide continuity in the learning, the school calendar has been changed for this year. For all the details for the school calendar, please visit the school calendar page.
Additionally, if the school is required to close for a short 2-3 day closure, we will count the break as days off from school and modify the spring semester by either shortening a break or adding days to the end of the school year. As we begin the Triduum and prepare for Easter, I pray that all our families are healthy and safe. Normally, the students engage in many prayers in preparation for Holy Week. As families, there are many ways that we can engage our families in this holy season even though we cannot go to Church and be together as one community.
Holy Thursday Today is the day that we celebrate the 1st Eucharist when Jesus shares in the Last Supper with his disciples. We also celebrate when Jesus institutes the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and the Holy Thursday Mass includes the washing of the feet. The Holy Thursday Mass does not have a sending. Parishes traditionally offer prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament because Jesus prayed in the garden until he was arrested. Today is a beautiful day, and it is the beginning of the Triduum. As a family, here are a few ideas that you can do at home to celebrate Holy Thursday at home:
Good Friday Today is the day that we pray and remember that Jesus died on the cross for us. We are called to reflect and pray on the fact that Jesus endured much suffering as He was condemned to death, carried His cross, and was crucified. As a family, here are a few ideas that you can do at home to celebrate Good Friday at home:
Holy Saturday, The Easter Vigil Following the crucifixion of Jesus, the world was quiet. On Holy Saturday, we wait for Jesus to rise from the dead. The Easter Vigil Mass is traditionally the Mass when the Catholic Church welcomes new members into the Church through the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. The Mass begins in darkness, and Mass includes many readings which describe God's love and salvation for His people from Genesis to Jesus. Then, after waiting since Lent began, we finally sing the Alleluia which is when the Church changes from darkness to light! As a family, here are a few ideas that you can do at home to celebrate the Easter Vigil at home:
Please know that you will all be in my prayers, and I am anxious for the day that we can all be on campus together again! We recognize that remote learning is a new process for everyone. The teachers and administration want to see everyone be successful, and we do not want the format for the learning to negatively impact a student's grades. Below is an outline for how the teachers will grade during this third trimester:
Work Expectations
Academic Grades in K-4
Academic Grades in 5-8
Grade 5-8 Retakes During Remote Learning
On behalf of our faculty and staff, we want to send our prayers to our students and families. We miss having you on campus, and we are praying for your health and safety during this period of remote learning. We cannot wait for the laughter of our students to fill the halls once again! Current Context
Today, Governor Ducey announced that all schools in Arizona will be closed through April 10th. Beginning Monday, March 23rd, we will begin remote learning for students. The date that we are scheduled to return is April 13th, but that is subject to change based on how the pandemic unfolds. The end of the remote learning will be determined in consultation with Fr. Arnold, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the health department. The school is regularly coordinating with Fr. Arnold, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the health department since this is a rapidly evolving situation. Please be aware that as information surfaces we will communicate changes to families as quickly as possible. Picking Up School Supplies and Chromebooks If you need to come to school to pick up a Chromebook or your child’s school supplies, you are welcome to come at the following times:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B44AEA823A0FD0-chromebook Information for Family Support If you have not already done so, please complete this brief survey as soon as possible so that we can work with individual families who might need special support during this time. https://forms.gle/x8NXYs9Xa7fjBiyo6 Families Who Do Not Have Internet At Home Cox is offering internet deals for families in Tucson who do not currently have internet. If you are a family who does not have internet at home, please contact Crystal Lanik at clanik@omosschool.com if you would like for the school to share your information with Cox so they can discuss this opportunity with you. If you have not already completed the survey, please complete the family support survey so we can help support you and your child. If families need to pick up school work, the office will be available each Monday from 3:30-6:00 p.m. to pick up school work each week. We ask that families drop off the work from the week prior at that time as well. Procedures for Remote Learning to Begin Monday, March 23, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving quickly, and will monitor changes to the plan as needed. The school closure applies to all students grades preschool to 8th. Remote Learning Procedure for K-8 In order to continue the education for the students in the event of a school closure, the teachers will have online learning opportunities. Families can communicate with teachers via email, and students in grades 3-8 can communicate with their teacher via Google Classroom.
COVID-19 Diagnosis for PK-8 Should a student or family member be diagnosed with COVID-19, please let the school know. Front Office Closed for PK-8 If the school is closed, the office is closed. Based on the recommendations from Bishop, please contact the following people with your questions or needs:
The National School Lunch Program contacted us this week, and we will be able to provide the breakfast and lunch program to all families during the school closure. The breakfast and lunch program is free for all students regardless of income during the school closure. If you would like for your child to receive the lunch and breakfast, please order the meal in Renweb by 10:00 a.m. the day prior to ensure that the staff has time to plan to cook the proper amount of food. Food will be available to pick-up food from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Students will be able to pick up lunch and the breakfast for the following day during that time. Current Context
On Sunday, Governor Ducey announced that all schools in the state would close effective immediately. On Monday, Bishop Weisenburger announced that all Masses and Church gatherings would be suspended until at least April 6th. The students are still scheduled for spring break this week, March 16th. Beginning Monday, March 23rd, we will begin remote learning for students. The end of the remote learning will be determined in consultation with Fr. Arnold, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the health department. The school is regularly coordinating with Fr. Arnold, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the health department since this is a rapidly evolving situation. Please be aware that as information surfaces we will communicate changes to families as quickly as possible. Information for Family Support Please complete this brief survey as soon as possible so that we can work with individual families who might need special support during this time. https://forms.gle/x8NXYs9Xa7fjBiyo6 Procedures for Remote Learning to Begin Monday, March 23, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving quickly, and will monitor changes to the plan as needed. The school closure applies to all students grades preschool to 8th. Remote Learning Procedure for K-8 In order to continue the education for the students in the event of a school closure, the teachers will have online learning opportunities. Families can communicate with teachers via email, and students in grades 3-8 can communicate with their teacher via Google Classroom.
COVID-19 Diagnosis for PK-8 Should a student or family member be diagnosed with COVID-19, please let the school know. Device Check-out for K-8 If families need a device so that children can complete online work, 1 Chromebook can be signed out per family. Families will need to sign an agreement for the device, and the office will arrange for the pick-up of the device. Please make sure to complete the survey related to the need for family support so we can assist with this coordination. Families with No Internet at Home If families have not internet access at home, please make sure to complete the survey related to the need for family support so we can assist with this coordination. Front Office Closed for PK-8 If the school is closed, the office is closed. Based on the recommendations from Bishop, please contact the following people with your questions or needs:
National School Lunch Program for K-8 Due to the fact that the entire state has closed their schools, the National School Lunch Program is working at the state level to identify the schools that will remain open to serve lunch. Once we receive the information, we will share the details with families. Please make sure to complete the survey related to the need for family support so we can assist with this coordination and sharing the school that will be serving lunch closest to your home. Supporting Children During the Pandemic Social Distancing, what does that mean? There has been so much discussion surrounding the importance of social distancing as a method to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Social distance refers to the importance of separating from the larger community. As schools close, it is important that families work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by washing hands, keeping a distance from others, and avoiding large groups of people. This weekend, there was an article in the “Washington Post” which presented simulations representing the way that social distancing can slow and prevent the spread of the virus. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ Talking to Children about COVID-19 As the events surrounding COVID-19 evolve rapidly, it is important that we speak with our children. Some general guidelines for speaking with our children include the following. Depending on the age of your children will determine how much information you share; however, some general recommendations include:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-parenting-smarter-kids/202003/how-talk-kids-and-teens-about-the-coronavirus https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ Power of Prayer With so much uncertainty, we can forget that we always have the power of prayer. During the season of Lent, I invite all our families to spent time in prayer for those impacted by COVID-19. One great prayer that families can pray during our time away from campus is the Rosary. As a Marian school, our students regularly pray the Rosary, and it is a wonderful prayer that can bring peace and clarity during times of trouble. https://dynamiccatholic.com/5-million-rosaries/10-reasons-why-pray-the-rosary If you would like a step-by-step guide on how to pray the Rosary, here is a guide: https://dynamiccatholic.com/5-million-rosaries/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ Bishop’s Announcement Regarding Masses and Public Gatherings As of Monday, 3/16/2020, all parish-based public gatherings are either cancelled or suspended. These directives are in place for the next three weeks, until April 6, 2020, at which time they will be reviewed and either brought to a close or extended. This effectively puts us a “ Level 3” in our response to the Coronavirus challenge and includes, but is not limited to:
I believe these directives, while a hardship and deeply regrettable for us all, are sensible, substantially consistent with directives for the other Catholic diocese in Arizona, and in line with the spirit of public health directives. -Bishop Weisenburger School Scheduled Events Many families have been planning for special events that happen in the spring to include the middle school play, 8th grade promotion, the preschool celebration, and the kindergarten celebration. The school administration is coordinating with Fr. Arnold, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the Health Department to make decisions regarding these events. The decision to cancel or modify any of the events would be based solely on the health and safety of the students and families. At this time, the Office of Catholic Schools is strongly recommending that all events be suspended or cancelled until further notice. There is no way to know how the pandemic will be impacting Tucson in May, so the special events may be cancelled this year. In the event that the recommendations from the Office of Catholic Schools changes, Fr. Arnold and I have plans in place which would allow for modified versions of the special events. Some of the options include limiting the people in attendance and videotaping the event so that other family members can participate remotely. Sacraments Students have been preparing for 1st Eucharist and Confirmation this year, and the dates for the sacraments are this spring. We realize that families may be traveling from out of town to be present, and every effort will be made to provide families with updates related to potential changes in the date of a sacrament. Any changes to the date of 1st Eucharist and/or Confirmation would be communicated by Fr. Arnold or Bishop Weisenburger. At this time, the two sacrament dates are still scheduled; however, it is likely that there may be some changes in the events based on the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus this spring. Some of the changes may include limiting the number of people in attendance and videotaping so that others can be remotely present. There is a chance that the dates for the sacraments may be moved based on the recommendations of the Fr. Arnold and Bishop Weisenburger. Today the report cards went home for all the students in grade K-8. Please review your child's academic progress, and plan to return the signed envelope to your child's homeroom teacher by Friday, March 6th. Parents can keep the copy of the report card at home. Summer will be here before we know it! This year, Our Mother of Sorrows is offering summer camps for students in preschool through grade 6. The camps are one week long. Families are welcome to register for the half day and full day options. The preschool camp will explore the ocean, the desert, fire, as well as the Vacation Bible School Camp entitled Rocky Railway. This camp is for students ages 3 to 5. Each week will include music, stories, special guests, messy fun, art, and more! The camps for students entering first to sixth grade will have sessions that focus on STEM, music, art, paper crafts and poetry, lego building and design, and the Vacation Bible School Camp entitled Rocky Railway. All the camps are run by the faculty and staff at the school. We hope to see you there! Important Dates:
Feb. 28: Report Cards sent home March 6: Family Event, Soup and Sacrifice March March 8: Family Fun Event March 16-20: Spring Break The second trimester ends Wednesday, February 19th. The students have worked hard this trimester, and I have seen so much evidence of academic growth. The kindergarten students are beginning to read their sight words with confidence, and the eighth graders are tackling their systems of equations in order to find the point of intersection for two lines. The report cards will be send home of Friday, February 28th. With only one more trimester left, we encourage all our students to keep up the hard work! Enrollment for the 2020/2021 school year is now open! We ask that families log into Renweb in order to complete the enrollment process. Please complete the re-enrollment process by the end of February in order to have priority as a current family. Once March begins, we will begin our rolling admissions process. We anticipate a waiting list in a few grades, so please do not hesitate to re-enroll your child! Thank you to the many families who have already complete the re-enrollment process! Important Dates:
Feb. 15: Parent Valentine Dance Feb. 19: 2nd Trimester Ends, 1:10 p.m. dismissal Feb. 20-21: Rodeo Break, No School Feb. 26: Ash Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. dismissal Feb. 28: Report Cards sent home March 6: Family Event, Soup and Sacrifice March Catholic Schools Week begins Sunday, January 26th. As part of the week, we will celebrate all the groups that make our Catholic School great. Additionally, students are invited to participate in the theme days which were organized by our Student Council. General Guidelines from the Parent Handbook regarding special dress days: "All clothing shall be within the guidelines of decency and good taste as appropriate for Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School. Clothing should maintain a level of modesty. All clothing shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. The same length regulations as stated [in the dress code policy] apply to skirts, shorts, and skorts on no-dress-code days. Any clothing that has reference to drugs, alcohol, considered racist or contains sexual innuendo will not be allowed at school or at any school-sponsored functions, including those occurring after school hours." Sunday: Catholic Schools Week Begins
Pautas generales del Manual para padres sobre días especiales de vestimenta:
"Toda la ropa debe estar dentro de las pautas de decencia y buen gusto, según corresponda para la Escuela Católica Our Mother of Sorrows. La ropa debe mantener un nivel de modestia. Toda la ropa debe ser suficiente para ocultar la ropa interior en todo momento. Las mismas normas de longitud como se indica [en la política del código de vestimenta] se aplica a faldas, pantalones cortos y faldas cortas en días sin código de vestimenta. Cualquier ropa que haga referencia a drogas, alcohol, que se considere racista o contenga insinuaciones sexuales no será permitida en la escuela o en ninguna funciones escolar patrocinada, incluidas las que ocurren después del horario escolar.” Domingo: Comienza la semana de las escuelas católicas
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Mrs. VuMrs. Vu is the principal of Our Mother of Sorrows. This blog contains information regarding the exciting things that happen at Our Mother of Sorrows. Archives
February 2021
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