Principal's Post May 21, 2021

 

Dear HFS Families,

 

Happy Friday... and what a beautiful Friday! I’m still glowing with pride and joy from last night’s Spring Cabaret. It was a beautiful evening filled with music, laughter, and happiness. I felt blessed last night as I watched our students share their talents with the HFS community, and I’m sure many of you felt the same. It was so wonderful to see everyone together, and I am looking forward to returning to that regularly in the not so distant future. 

 

Principal’s Spotlight

This week, I am shining the light on Mr. Matt Cahill, Mrs. Kristin Abell, and Ms. Shannon Jarvis. Despite the past year (and then some!), Mr. Cahill, Mrs. Abell, and Ms. Jarvis never gave up  hope that our students would make a return to the stage before the end of the year. They continuously consulted with one another and me to figure out how they could make this event happen in a safe yet fun way. As always, they exceeded any expectations, and gave us a stellar event! I am grateful beyond measure for their determination, motivation, and love of the arts. 

 

Terra Nova Home Reports

Terra Nova Home Reports will be sent home on Monday, 5/24. Please review them and let me know if you have any questions. Keep in mind that the pandemic and the change to virtual instruction last year may have impacted student performance on this year’s testing. Rest assured that we expected to see this, and we will review the students’ scores to help us determine in what areas we may need to focus in the coming year. . 

 

Mitigation Efforts

It seems that the guidance from the CDC is continuously updating for the better, and I know we’re all excited about that, but please keep in mind that this guidance is for the general public, restaurants, businesses, etc. There is different guidance for schools, and we are continuing to follow that guidance. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has mandated that all schools continue to follow the protocols currently in place until the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year. 

 

With that being said, I have received questions and concerns from families regarding masks. When you enter the school or are on school grounds, parents and children are still required to wear their masks. The majority of our students are not eligible for the vaccine at this time, and we want to do everything we can to keep them and their family members safe. We respect that not all people have chosen to get vaccinated, and we ask that you continue to respect our policy regarding masks.

 

Survey

This is a friendly reminder to help us prepare for our Middle States re-accreditation. If you haven’t already completed the survey, I would greatly appreciate it if you could do so over the weekend. Click here to get started.

 

End of Year Assessments

It’s that time of year again! June Assessments are coming, and I know the teachers and students have been working hard to complete the curriculum and begin reviewing. Assessments will begin, officially, on Friday, 6/4. The teachers will post on their websites when each assessment will be administered.

 

Honors Math

Mrs. Louden, our Honors Math teacher for 5th-8th Grades, has begun reviewing the 4th Grade Terra Nova results. The Terra Nova, along with report card grades, and teacher recommendations are part of the process that determine admission into the Honors Math program. 

 

No decisions have been, or will be, made until after report cards are distributed, but if you have any questions regarding Honors Math and your child’s eligibility, Mrs. Louden is happy to speak with you. She can be reached at blouden@myholyfamilyschool.org. 

 

Graduation 

On May 31st, all restrictions will be lifted in the Archdiocesan parishes, which means that we will have a traditional and close to normal Graduation Mass. Father Newns and I have discussed this, and he has given me his blessing to proceed with a Graduation Mass that does not involve social distancing or limiting our guests. Despite this, we are still requiring masks for all guests as this is a school sanctioned event. However, there will be ample photo opportunities as the graduates will be permitted to remove their masks as they receive their diplomas and awards.

 

HFS Yearbook

We are excited to announce that we are finishing up the Yearbook and it's looking great! The sale is open and just like last year, it will only be an online sale. You can purchase a yearbook for your child(ren) at the link below. The cost is $24. The last day to purchase yearbooks is Friday, May 28. 

 

http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A07350391

 

Lunch Parent Volunteers

We are always in need of volunteers during our lunch recesses. If you have some time to spare, our teachers would be very grateful.  Click here to sign up.

 

Upcoming Dates

5/31/2021                Memorial Day/No School

 

I hope you enjoy the weekend! “Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms” (Psalms 95:1-2).

 

Peace and Joy,

Mrs. Jennifer D’Amelio