Farewell SSCA: A Message From Our Seniors – Class of 2020

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As our seniors prepare to leave us for high school in the fall, they have shared a message of fond farewell. See the link to their goodbye video below.  Click each student to see their individual message.

We wish our Class of 2020 the very best as they begin their high school years and remind them to take care of themselves, take of each other and to focus on doing their very best in high school.

Congratulations Class of 2020! Our school community is so very proud of your accomplishments! 

https://flipgrid.com/+ssca2020

 

 

SSCA News

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Families,

I hope that despite these stressful circumstances, you were able to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather we have been experiencing the past few days.  I continue to pray that all of you and those that you hold dear, stay well.  

During the week of June 8th your child’s classroom teacher will reach out to you with instructions for picking up any materials that your child might have left behind when we ended in person classroom instruction on March 13th.  The items left behind will be put together and bagged up.  Teachers will schedule appointments for those of you who wish to retrieve the items, and meet you at the front door. 

Summer school will be in session for those students that have been deemed eligible to receive Title I services.  These services will be delivered on the digital platform and be administered by Title I and the Office of Non-Public Schools.  Families of students who are eligible for these services have been notified. This is an optional program that is not mandated.  Families of students deemed at academic risk and or in danger of failing for the year, will be contacted with regards to summer school the week of June 15th.  All summer programming will be run on a digital platform.  There will be no in person summer school. 

The Board of SSCA has put together a new financial aid program for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Board may award aid in addition to the scholarships made available by the Futures in Education program through the Diocese of Brooklyn, should you still demonstrate need. Under special circumstances, you may receive aid from the Board even if you are not awarded a scholarship from the Futures program. Please note that you must complete the Futures in Education through the Diocese of Brooklyn application process before applying to St. Saviour Catholic Academy’s in house tuition assistance program. The SSCA tuition assistance form is attached. To return the form and for any inquiries, please email Diane Rigobello at Drigobello@sscaparkslope.org. The deadline to apply to Futures in Education and SSCA is July 24, 2020.  

Discussions continue with State Ed., the Department of Health and other varying agencies with regards to the opening of schools in the Fall.  I will share information with you as I receive it. 

Please see below a link and blurb from an organization which I am sure some of you are familiar with, the Child Mind Institute. It offers some ways to speak with children during these unprecedented times.

Finally, please see some thoughts from our PDHP guidance counselor, Liz Palumbo, on how to deal with feelings utilizing the five senses.

I hope all of you are able to enjoy some time with family and close friends.  As a reminder, classes will not be in session on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. Teachers will continue instruction for students on the digital platform on Tuesday, May 26th.

Best, 

Sue Walsh

This week on childmind.org we discuss ways of helping children build healthy resilience to setbacksand learn to tolerate the uncertainty that stretches ahead of us. It starts by really listening to what they’re feeling — even though you know you can’t fix it. And with that in mind we also offer tips on ways to ask kids how they’re doing without getting that dreaded one-word brush-off: “Fine.”  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cSw_p_l9JZm4DdxmblqGu3t05Nbs4JVX/view?usp=sharing

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Futures in Education Relief Fund

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Please see below for the information concerning the Futures in Education Relief Fund letter that was emailed to all families earlier this week.

Dear Families:

As we go through this crisis together, there are so many needs that continue to grow. We are continually praying for you and your loved ones so that we may heal and emerge from these difficult times. We recognize the financial burden many have experienced as the school endures its own financial struggles.

Our partner scholarship organization, Futures in Education, has established a Relief Fund to assist families affected by the COVID-19 health crisis in completing their 2019/20 tuition payments.

You are invited to complete this form ONLY if your family has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, resulting in a reduction or loss of income, and you are seeking tuition relief for the 2019/2020 academic year. Funding is very limited, and it is critical that we are able to assist those most affected by this crisis. Please only apply if your family has been affected in a way that it will not be possible for you to complete this year’s tuition payments.

We will work with Futures in Education to assess the overall need and funding received to determine how we may best help our families. The application will be open from now through May 15, 2020 and may be found at www.futuresineducation.org/covid19app.

Please alert us directly if you need this assistance so we are aware of your situation. This is a requirement of the fund.

In addition, we encourage you to apply for the regular financial aid program administered by Futures in Education for the 2020-21 academic year now, by going to  www.futuresineducation.org/scholarships. 

Note: Returning Teddy J. Forstmann recipients should apply for regular tuition assistance for 20-21 through Children’s Scholarship Fund/Civicore. Instructions have been emailed to you.

Please contact Futures in Education at 718.965.7340 or by email: Scholarships@FuturesinEducation.org if you have any questions or need assistance.

Sincerely,

Sue Walsh

Easter Message from Principal Walsh

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Families,

I hope all of you continue to remain healthy and safe. I am sure that four weeks ago many of us could never have imagined that our new normal would include closing our schools, sheltering in place, and distancing ourselves from friends and family. It has been an incredibly difficult few weeks with all of the adjustments we have had to make. We, as a school community, appreciate all that you have done to support your child while they continue the learning process at home. Although there is physical distance between us, we are here for you and we encourage everyone to support one another through these trying times.

Please know that I am on daily calls with instructional experts and administrative leaders from multiple private, public and independent schools from various districts in the tri-state area. We have been discussing plans and sharing ideas of next steps for schools when they do indeed reopen. Rest assured the faculty, staff and administration of SSCA will be prepared to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of each student when they return to school whether that be in May, June or September.

Please also know that all of you will be in my prayers during the remainder of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Please hold in your thoughts and prayers the members of our school community who have had their lives impacted by the Covid19 virus.

Below is a link to the website of the Catholic Foundation of Brooklyn and Queens, where you can leave a special prayer intention at any time. I have also included a link to NET TV’s site where you can find daily live streams of Masses in multiple languages.

Lastly, please see the YouTube link of a video that the faculty, staff and administration of SSCA have proudly put together to remind our students that we are and will always be here for them.

We miss you and are thinking of each and every one of you.

Best wishes for a safe, peaceful and blessed Easter Day.

Sue Walsh

Adapting to Distance Learning

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Having completed the second week of distance learning, our students and teachers here at SSCA have gained their rhythm. Morning Meetings have still been happening and there have been Zoom classes for gym, music and other instruction. Whether it is middle school Social Studies or early childhood gym class, our students have benefited from have the opportunity to connect with their peers and teachers.
 
Because of their strong commitment to our school community, the amazing faculty, as well as Principal Walsh, have pushed themselves to go the extra mile. 
 
A special “thank you” to our parents and caregivers for helping the process go smoothly at home. We could not do it without you!
 
See the video below for a sneak peek at one of Mr. Paolo’s gym classes. 
 

 
 

Transitioning to Distance Learning Webinar by National Catholic Educational Association

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The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) is hosting a webinar, “Transitioning to Distance Learning for Parents,”  taking place this evening at 6 p.m. Please register for the webinar, using the link below.

Seemingly overnight, you have become a homeschool parent, while also trying to figure out how to transition yourself to…

Posted by Catholic Schools of Brooklyn & Queens on Monday, March 23, 2020