Dear SAP Parents and Guardians,
I hope you and your families are making the most of this time together, praying, and focusing on what is most important in life. It isn’t often that we have uninterrupted family time for days on end, so let’s count our blessings in these uncertain times. As we enter our third week of distance learning, it is nice to see our students, parents, and teachers falling into a nice routine and rhythm with our new daily school schedules.
Today is our Staff Retreat, and it is a Student Free Day. Do allow your children to socialize with their friends via Zoom, Skype, or Facetime, under adult supervision. They miss each other! Students can also use Monday to catch up with their work from last week, if they have not yet turned all assignments in. If you or your child have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher ASAP to get guidance.
Based on the recent “stay at home” order, our office has closed its front door to the public. The main school office will have staff in the building from 8am-12 noon M-F (please schedule an appointment by phone or email IF YOU MUST stop by in person). The office staff will be available to take your calls and emails remotely until 4pm every day this week. All social distancing guidelines must be adhered to for anyone visiting campus (6 ft. apart). If things change, we will update you right away.
Our teachers and aides continue to work remotely this week. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently notified us that all schools in the ADLA will be closed till April 19 (through Easter Break). If the closure is extended, we will communicate this info to you immediately. Our teachers will be prepared either way.
Please check emails from your child’s teacher for specific directions and visit your child’s classroom blogs daily at www.stanthonygardena.org for more information. Administration will continue to stay in touch via emails, the Remind app, and on social media (follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). We will also continue to post the weekly school bulletin on the homepage, and updates on the school website under News and Events on the homepage at www.stanthonygardena.org.
As we finish up the month of March this week, we pray for all those who are sick and dying, and for all their caregivers. April is also Child Abuse Prevention month. We pray for those who are victims of child abuse and beg for God’s mercy for an end to their suffering.
Mrs. Grey, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2020
(Be sure to always check www.stanthonygardena.org and your child’s teacher’s blog for the most current information.)
- April 1– Jog-a-Thon canceled (fundraiser suggestion: replace this obligation by purchasing $100 in percentages in SCRIP for necessities like gas cards, Amazon cards, food delivery fo reach family to make up this funding)
- April 7– First Reconciliation (POSTPONED)
- April 8– Spelling Bee, 8-10 am in Hall ( CANCELLED)
- April 9– Holy Thursday retreat and Stations of the Cross
- April 10– Good Friday: NO SCHOOL (beginning of Easter Break till April 19)
- April 20-23 – 8th grade Pilgrimage (STATUS PENDING)
- April 25 –First Holy Communion (STATUS PENDING)
FOOD SERVICES
For families who need food services, Peary Middle School has a “grab and go” free breakfast and lunch distribution service from 7am-10am Monday-Friday on 162nd Street. Children must be present with adults in cars to receive meals. Children DO NOT NEED TO QUALIFY for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program to participate. Please Note: these sites are subject to change based on demand and school participation. This is a drive-through program.
SACRAMENTS AND 8TH GRADE INFORMATION
As of now, we are hopeful that our school children can still have their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and that our 8th graders will still have their 8th Grade Pilgrimage and all scheduled activities. However, as COVID-19 circumstances develop, we may have to postpone events until it is safe to resume school and normal activities. Room parents and teachers are in communication with the school and alternate plans will be put in place if necessary.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
As our school transitions from campus-based to distance-based learning, our school staff continues to work daily to ensure our students are receiving the best instruction possible under the current circumstances. As a ministry of the Church, it’s important to remember that our school operates on its own budget. Families, through tuition and fees, and donors support the ministry of St. Anthony of Padua School. As a result, to keep our Catholic school open and running, it is important to maintain financial obligations during this period as scheduled, based on your signed tuition contract.
RE-REGISTRATION
We continue our planning process for the 2020-2021 school year. It is imperative for parents of returning students to complete the Registration process ASAP. We are in open enrollment and if you have not registered, your child will be waitlisted, and there is no guarantee of acceptance next year. Should you have any questions, please contact me via email at agrey@stanthonygardena.org.
St. Anthony – Pray for Us
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