Principal's Post February 11, 2022

Dear HFS Families,

Today has been a crazy day, and the cherry on top (of me) was making a sundae out of me! Between Home and School and, under the leadership of Mr. Ireland, our students brought in over 700 items for PACS! That’s incredible! Thank you to all who contributed. We are so appreciative of your generosity…and desire to see me covered in ice cream with all the toppings. “Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25)

Principal’s Spotlight

This week, I shine the light on Mrs. Abell and Mr. Cahill. Both teachers are shining examples of going above and beyond for their community. Mrs. Abell is our Art teacher, and Mr. Cahill is one of our 1st Grade teachers. In addition to their “day jobs,” they are also running the HFS Drama Club. For the past several weeks, they have been overseeing rehearsals for the cast. While I haven’t seen any of the rehearsals, I am confident in that Mr. Cahill and Mrs. Abell will present us, once again, with another fantastic show! I can’t wait to see our kids in action!

Mask Communication

Earlier today, a communication went out regarding going masks optional beginning Monday, 2/14. To clarify, the letter from Dr. McLaughlin does indicate that all Archdiocesan schools in the counties outside of Philadelphia will be lifting the mask mandate on 2/28; however, in my meeting today with the Archdiocesan principals and Dr. McLaughlin, he indicated that schools could move forward earlier. I reached out to colleagues in Chester County to see what they are doing, and many of them are going masks optional on Monday, 2/14 as well. I discussed this option with Fr. Newns and BLJ Chairman Mr. John Coll. We were all in agreement that we would move forward on Monday, 2/14, and that masks will be optional for all students at HFS.

There are a couple of other relevant items that I would like to mention:

• Students who work with staff from the Intermediate Unit will need to wear masks during that working period. 

• We will continue to monitor Covid levels within our school community rather than the county, and any mitigation efforts will be based on the school.

• Masks will continue to be worn on the school buses as this is a federal mandate.

February Lunch Monitors

We are in desperate need of lunch and recess monitors over the course of this month. Our teachers have been stepping up and picking up the slack when we don’t have enough coverage, but if you find that you have some time and are on the Approved Chaperone List, please consider volunteering. Click here to see what’s available.

Upcoming Dates

2/17/2022           February/ August Birthdays Dress Down

                           7th Grade Prayer Service in St. Ann’s Chapel @ 2:15PM

2/21/2022           Presidents’ Day/No School

I am looking forward to this well-deserved weekend (and washing the jimmies out of my hair), and I hope you are too. Enjoy the weekend!

Peace and Joy,

Mrs. Jennifer D’Amelio