August 28, 2020

Dear HFS Families,

I would like to address the changes that continue to evolve as we get closer to our start date. We have had a number of teachers who have taken leaves of absence due to Covid-19, or who have accepted positions with other schools. While turnover is not unusual, some of these changes reflect the added stress related to Covid and the subsequent rise in openings experienced by many other area Catholic schools. Please continue to pray for us as we navigate through this, but know that we are proactively working to make sure that we are ready for the return of you and your children. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, a refuge on the day of distress, taking care of those who look to Him for protection…” (Nahum 1:7).

Reminders

I would like to welcome all of our new families! We are thrilled to have you here with us at Holy Family. In order to catch up on all the news, please refer to my past Principal’s Postings on our school website, or click here. 

A Covid Waiver was sent out to all families last week, and they are due in the office tomorrow. You may submit them in person or electronically. If you still have yet to submit your signed copy, I have attached a copy of the waiver for your convenience. Students will not be permitted into the building without this document signed and returned PRIOR to the first day of school.

Next week will be the final week of our summer hours. We will be here Monday through Thursday from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. The office will be closed on Friday, 9/4.

Don’t forget that we have plenty of uniform options available in our Uniform Exchange. Please feel free to stop by during regular office hours to peruse the offerings.

Gym Uniform

Our HFS store is ready! Please click here to begin shopping on our Squadlocker page. We will be adding more items as the year progresses.

Staffing Update

I am sorry to say that we are saying goodbye to 2 more teachers. Both Ms. Gwynevere Isabella and Mrs. Caitlin Serrano have accepted positions elsewhere. We wish them  both many blessings in their new roles.

On a positive note, I am thrilled to announce that I have been quite busy filling open positions. Please join me in welcoming our new staff members!

Mr. Steven Pendleton will be joining us as our Physical Education teacher this year. Mr. Pendleton comes to us with a degree in Sports Management and has worked with the Philadelphia Union, the 76ers, and the Phillies. 

Mrs. Amanda McCarthy has agreed to fill in for Mrs. Abell in art class. Mrs. McCarthy is well known in the halls of HFS. She is the proud parent to Lilly in the 6th Grade, and she has been helping out in the Art room, the lunch room, and at CARES. She has a degree in Architecture and extensive background in the fine arts.

In true Holy Family style, both Mrs. Abell and Mr. Peffle will be available to consult with Mr. Pendleton and Mrs. McCarthy, thus ensuring a measure of continuity to these two programs. 

We welcome Ms. Julia DiCastelnuovo as our new 4th Grade teacher. Ms. DiCastelnuovo just recently graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Elementary Education. She graduated Cum Laude and completed her student teaching this past May.

Mr. Joseph Quattrochi will be joining the 5th/6th Grade team as the 5th and 6th Science teacher and 5th ELA teacher. He has worked for both the School District of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from St. John Neumann University.

I am currently interviewing candidates for the 7th/8th ELA position, and we will be opening a second 7th Grade class in order to comply with the CDC guidelines of social distancing. 

Reopening Plan

Our Reopening Plan has been updated to reflect the changes the Chester County Department of Health made a couple of weeks ago. If you have not already done so, please read the document as many of the answers to your questions can be found there. For your convenience, the document is posted on the HFS website. Click here to visit.

Drop Off Day

Because we are unable to hold our Open House/Sneak-a-Peek Day as we normally would, we’ve scheduled a Drop Off Day instead. On Wednesday, 9/2 and Thursday, 9/3, we are inviting parents to drop off their child(ren)’s classroom supplies (wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc.) curbside in front of the school on Third Avenue.

Volunteers will receive your parcels and deliver them to the teachers’ classrooms. Please make sure the bag and/or items are labeled with your child(ren)’s name(s), grade, and the name of the teacher. Drop off times are as follows:

Preschool through Grade 4-Wednesday 9/2 10:00-11:30 am or 12:30-1:30 pm

Grade 5 through Grade 8-Thursday 9/3 10:00-11:30 am or 12:30-1:30

If you have children in multiple grades and/or are unable to make your assigned day/time, please choose the day that works best for you or stop by the office to drop off your items.

In lieu of an in-person visit, our teachers will be sending videos to their families as a way to familiarize the students with their classrooms. Be sure to watch for those emails following Drop Off Day. 

Lunch Parents

Lunch this year is going to look different in that students will be eating with their cohorts in their classrooms. Teachers will remain with the students during this time. Because of this, I am asking for volunteers to help with recess duty so that our teachers can have some time to eat and recharge. Please email Mrs. Martino at office@myholyfamilyschool.org if you are interested and available.

For the second week in a row, I have thrown a lot of information at you. If you have any questions about anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Peace and Joy,

Mrs. Jennifer D’Amelio