March 27, 2020
Hello Crusader Families,
Congratulations on wrapping up week two of virtual learning! Continued heartfelt thanks to students, teachers and parents for your flexibility, resilience and engagement. It has truly been an effort involving everyone. This is our final letter before spring break so there are several important updates to share. Certainly, if there is breaking news affecting CMH, we’ll send out a special issue of this newsletter.
Academic Update from Mrs. Anderson:
It is unbelievable to me that we have had two weeks of remote learning in our Catholic Memorial community. Our students, faculty and staff – and the parents at home – are doing a remarkable job at this new type of learning. Thank you for your patience as we adjust along the way to do what is best for students.
Here are a few reminders for what we expect for our students during this time of remote learning:
- Each day Monday through Thursday your child should be checking in with 3 or 4 classes. This is how we take attendance and see that students are engaged in learning. Checking in consists of posting a discussion point, submitting a Form or submitting an assignment for each of the classes.
- On Mondays and Wednesdays, students will need to check in or submit work for Math, Science, Theology, Art, Music, PE and Health classes.
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will check in or submit work for Social Studies, English/Literature, World Languages, Business and Engineering classes.
- On Fridays there is no “official” check in with a teacher but, students should be working on projects, long-term assignments, late or missing work. Teachers have office hours on Fridays as well. This would be a good day for your child to connect with their teacher if needed.
Here are some additional reminders for parents during this time of remote learning:
- If your student is ill, at an appointment or cannot check in with a teacher on the given day, please contact Jenny Hubley, Attendance Assistant (jhubley@catholicmemorial.net) to report their missing attendance. This is helpful to us, so we know if students are not able to check in with their teacher.
- Please contact your child’s teacher or counselor if you have concerns. You can find their contact information on MYCMH or contact me for additional help. Teachers have updated their class pages with information about their classes during this time. And our Academic Resource Center and Student Services Team is available to support students as well.
- Next week is Spring Break (March 30-April 3). It is important that students and families take some time off of school for a bit. We have had some intense, stressful couple of weeks, and we will continue to be “Safer at Home” until April 24. It is important to take some time to rest and recharge. This is also a good time to get caught up on any missing work, work on long-term projects or even work ahead. The faculty will be taking a break as well.
- When we return to remote learning on April 6, please check with your student on their progress each day as they work remotely.
And, most importantly during this time, continue to rely on your strong faith. We are called to be hopeful disciples of Christ. We are called to spread the Good News. And, we are preparing for the best news ever, the Resurrection. And, while this Lent and Easter will be forged in our memories for many years to come, it is perfect timing for keeping our faith at the forefront of all we do. Keep our CMH community in your prayers.
IB Update:
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) announced that the exams scheduled between April 30 and May 22 for the IB Diploma Program and Career-related Program will not be held. Parents and students in our IB Program should have received a more detailed letter from Laura Anderson and John Burke.
What we know about the impact for our CMH IB students:
- Our IB students will complete their IAs (Internal Assessments) and will receive their Predicted Grades (PGs) from their teachers. These IAs will all be uploaded by April 20, 2020. The course work will be externally marked by IB.
- The IB intends to release results to universities as planned by July 5, 2020. All student coursework and associated predicted grades will be uploaded by April 20, 2020 in order to guarantee delivery of results by July 5, 2020.
- CMH IB students will have the opportunity to earn IB final diplomas and course certificates based on the work throughout their class this year.
- The requirements for each IB course are unique, so each IB teacher will communicate course requirements to students and parents.
AP Update:
Many of you (students) were made aware from your AP Teachers and College Board, that College Board is rolling out a new plan for its high school Advanced Placement Exams in light of school closures due to the novel coronavirus. The College Board will share more information on its intended exam schedule and free-response question styles by April 3rd. Please continue to follow your AP Teachers assignments and directions and please contact your AP Teacher if you have any questions about the coursework and content of the exam. On Wednesday, March 25 College Board rolled out Free AP Review Classes. Here is the link to those resources: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates#free-ap-classes.
As soon as College Board rolls out the new exam schedule on April 3rd, we will send you that information.
A Message from Campus Ministry and Service Club:
We recognize this Spring offers different opportunities than any Spring before and we would like to highlight a number of ways in which you can make yourself at service to your family, your school, your parish, your community and your world. See the link here for a list of wonderful ideas . Please follow up with us as and share your stories of how you are prioritizing service this Spring!
Campus Ministry and Counseling Update
In times of challenge, it's important to pay attention to our thoughts and emotions, and to be able to respond in a healthy manner. The local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a great perspective and many resources to support what we all may be processing and experiencing. We encourage you to browse the attached newsletter in our week away from school. Pick out a couple of tools (write them down in an easy place for your to access them) that might be helpful for you now and in the weeks ahead. Sign up, as well, for NAMI’s Youth Focused Newsletter (similar to the one we’ve shared with you). Simply scroll down and sign up to receive the Youth Newsletter found on the right hand side of the website. And remember, the greatest resource is our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, Jesus.
With that, while we are called to always direct our hearts to our Heavenly Father, we might often be at a loss as to how to do that. Here is a simple and yet profound approach for your family to explore this Spring Break as you continue to journey through Lent seeking the Truth. May this family prayer be an opportunity for you to direct your hearts to God above, who loves us and who is the Truth, the Way and the Life. To help enter into this prayer experience, here are some simple steps:
- Designate a leader to fulfill the role of “CALL”.
- Remaining members fulfill the role of “RESPONSE”.
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
- Alternate reciting the “Liturgy for a Pandemic” based on your respective role as CALL or RESPONSE.
- Be sure to pause and to take good breaths throughout the recitation and prayer.
- Conclude with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
- Discuss and debrief how this prayer experience made you feel more connected with God and with each other.
- Repeat often.
Athletic Update:
Message from Classic 8: With the new directive of “safe at home” we will now cancel all Classic 8 Events through April 24th.
CMH Family Business Friday!
We know many of the businesses run by our CMH community are being impacted by COVID-19! We will highlight businesses that we as a community can support and lift them through this unprecedented time. If you have a business that we can help elevate – please let us know!
Featured Friday Business – Caterina's Ristorante, at 92nd & Oklahoma
Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to CMH! Please reach out if we can support you in any way!
Have a wonderful spring break – rest, recharge and stay healthy!
Our Lady of Memorial, Pray for Us!
Sincerely,
