St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends,
As the response to the Corona Virus pandemic continues to evolve, the school campus of
St. John XXIII College Preparatory, along with the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese and local public schools, will remain closed through Good Friday, April 10. Our revised plan is to welcome everyone back to classes on campus on Easter Monday, April 13. We shall continue to keep you informed as plans adjust to the developing situation. You can stay informed by checking our website and our Facebook page.
Along with on-campus classes, all meetings, activities, practices, contests, and gatherings of any type are cancelled through Easter Sunday. Campus Ministry will be meeting about the Works of Mercy program and requirements next week, and will soon communicate about how to proceed.
Even though our physical campus is closed, classes will resume remotely this Monday, March 23, using our existing Blackbaud Portal. Students will receive information from their teachers tomorrow (Thursday, 3.19) via messaging through Blackbaud, with details regarding how their classes will proceed. Students should be prepared to access Blackbaud to check on this communication, because a “dry-run” of contacting classes will take place Friday afternoon:
- Crimson classes test contact is scheduled for 1:15 p.m.-2 p.m.
- Gold classes test contact is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
Remote Instruction Process:
- SCHEDULE: The Crimson/Gold, ABCD/EFGH schedule, will be followed, with Monday, March 23 being a CRIMSON day.
- ASSIGNMENTS: Coursework and assignments for each day’s classes will be posted in the Blackbaud Portal by 8 a.m. Students should be dressed and ready to go for the day, regardless of the class schedule in place for the day.
- ATTENDANCE: Documenting attendance is very important, and each teacher will communicate how they will take attendance each day.
- DUE DATES: Due dates will be clear, and it is important that students access posted coursework and return required items on time. Students are expected to be diligent in completing their work with honesty and integrity.
- GRADES: Teachers will be posting grades for coursework, assignments, etc. within 48-hours of the due date.
- ADJUSTED MEETING TIMES: Classes may not regularly “meet” during the designated time as stated on the regular class schedule. Teachers may schedule discussions through Blackbaud or a live session using Microsoft Teams at other times convenient to the teacher and students, in recognition that home situations for everyone may be a bit chaotic.
- TECHNOLOGY: Students and parents should review the Acceptable Use Policy regarding technology in the Parent-Student Handbook.
- ROUTINES: It will take some time for this remote process to settle in place. The situations students and teachers are dealing with at home are myriad. Therefore, patience and forbearance will be called upon frequently in the early stages.
We have received inquiries regarding the retrieval of textbooks, class materials, and other items from the school building. To accommodate these requests and to assist students in preparing for the resumption of classwork on Monday, we have scheduled pick-up times for materials this Friday, March 20, according to House Membership:
- Aquinas House - 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
- Borromeo House - 9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
- Lisieux House - 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- Loreto House - 10:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
- Neri House - 11:30 a.m.-Noon
In an overabundance of caution to minimize the number of people visiting the buildings, students should arrive during their assigned times and line-up in the parking lot. Access will be through the main front entrance only. Six students at a time will be admitted to retrieve items from their lockers and/or PE lockers. Simply queue up in the parking lot and remain in your vehicle until directed to enter the building. The entire campus was disinfected on March 9, and will be disinfected again on Friday after the pick-ups.
There will be problems as this process unfolds. If you experience any difficulties, please access the appropriate Troubleshooting Point of Contact:
- Coursework, Assignments, Etc.
Contact: Course Instructor
- Academic Program Questions
- Social/Emotional Concerns
Besides the academic program ramping back-up, our Chaplain, Fr. Jonathan Mitchican, is preparing a series of reflections he plans to post on Youtube. The spiritual nurturing of our entire community is crucial during the stressful and uncertain times that have come upon us. Fr. Jonathan is also planning to celebrate Mass each week, which he will share via podcast. More information on this will be provided as it becomes available.
I would urge you to take the opportunity to participate in simulcast or broadcast Masses.
I want to assure you that our teachers and staff are ready to assist you as best we can. Keep in mind that communication and cooperation are key to our success – let us know if you are having any problems. Of course, most of you are outside your comfort zones with this situation – I am certainly out of mine. It is only by grace that we will be able to persevere, so I shall pray daily (hourly) for the grace each of us needs to deal with this upheaval.
Thank you again for your trust as we embrace the hard work ahead.
Yours in Christ,
Joseph Noonan