Welcome

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August 2020
 
Dear Parents  and Students,

I formally welcome you to my class.  I am so excited to seeing you in September.  I am looking forward to seeing many of you who are new to our school.  This will be an exciting adventure.  A warm welcome to our new students.  I hope you see that we are a caring and faithful environment and we work very hard to make sure every child in our school gets the best education possible and grows in a deeper faith as a person.  

Due to COVID 19 we have made many changes to insure the safety of all of us in our school.  I am excited to start this new year in our school, knowing we will be in a safe environment in which to learn, flourish and grow.  God is very alive in our school and I am so excited to sharing it.  

My colleague is Mrs. Guerrero.  She will be teaching Math andELA.  I will be teaching Science and Social Studies.  We require the following lists for September 2020.

We will be needing black or blue colored pens

pencils

erasers

rulers

a pack of loose leaf paper

a pack of copy paper

5 composition books

a box of tissue

a roll of paper towels

hand sanitizer

cleaning wipes.

Mrs. Guerrero also sent out a reading list and math work.  See her site for that information.

God bless you all and enjoy the rest of the summer.  Stay safe and see you in September.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Annamarie Smolenski.

 

 

September update

Posted on
 

Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn

310 Prospect Park West             Brooklyn, New York 11215 ​718-965-7300    fax: 718-965-7353

 

July 13, 2020

 

Dear Parents and Guardians of Catholic Academy and Parish School Students,

 

Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, within the Diocese of Brooklyn are planning to openin September!  The Office of the Superintendent Re-Opening Task Force continues to work tirelessly to ensure that our students, faculty and staff remain healthy and have access to the most current information. Moreover, the Diocese of Brooklyn Re-Opening Task Force, led by Chief Esposito, has been most impressed with the thoroughness of the Office of the Superintendent’s Task Force’s comprehensive plan for a successful safe opening of our school buildings this Fall.

 

Principals have been working diligently, planning for a September re-opening.  The New York State Education Department just recently shared the framework for school reopening plans with formal guidance.  This framework will be disseminated later this week and will serve as a roadmap, providing schools with guidelines, expectations and mandates, to safely open our schools this fall.  We also anticipate receiving information shortly from the New York StateDepartment of Health and the Board of Regents. The Office of the Superintendent Re-Opening Task Force will continue to share all information with our schools.

 

Governor Cuomo will be informing us of his final decision on school openings, during the week of August 1-7.   In anticipation of schools re-opening, please know there are essential elements included in all the re-opening plans being developed:

 

o Our goal for opening schools is a 5–day a week, in-school model, ensuring that asmany students, using social distancing, can safely be in our buildings. We are aware that many buildings cannot accommodate their total student population, in a sociallydistant way, for a full 5 days. Plans are being developed by principals, using alternative scheduling; hybrid learning, combining in-person and remote learning.  Although our goal is for a 100% opening, with all participating in 5–day a week instructional plan, government guidelines for health and safety will not allow that to happen at this time.

 

o We are deeply committed to ensuring that each Catholic Academy and Parish School continue to provide a loving, nurturing Catholic School environment. We will stand firm on continuing academic excellence. Social–emotional learning and mental well–being has been and will continue to be a priority.

 

o The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff will continue to be our number one priority, with enhanced cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing protocols, and the implementation of student and faculty wellness checks and symptom screening.

 

 

 

 

 

o We have and will continue to advocate for the many resources our students are entitledto under State and City law, as well as through the local school districts. We will continue to stress that all public-school districts provide a nurse/medical professional to our schools and provide transportation for eligible students. Unfortunately, at this time, we are uncertain if they will be able to fulfill these requirements. We will continue to be persistent in engaging local school districts and lobbying for our students. Further updates on these issues will follow.

 

We have studied the re-opening plans from around the world, and across our country. We have worked collaboratively with Principals, Pastors and Academy Boards, to envision a re-opening plan that is safe and strong in academics and is Christ-centered.

 

As we continue to plan for September 2020, we must remember that all plans are based upon information we have presently received, never looking to compromise the health and safety of all.  We will continue to work and plan, accepting changes with patience and common sense.

 

We thank everyone for their continued support through these unpredictable times and continue to ask for God’s blessings.

 

Sincerely,

 

Thomas Chadzutko

 

Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.

Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYI September School Opening

Posted on

July 13, 2020

 

Dear Parents and Guardians of Catholic Academy and Parish School Students,

 

Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, within the Diocese of Brooklyn are planning to open in September!  The Office of the Superintendent Re-Opening Task Force continues to work tirelessly to ensure that our students, faculty and staff remain healthy and have access to the most current information. Moreover, the Diocese of Brooklyn Re-Opening Task Force, led by Chief Esposito, has been most impressed with the thoroughness of the Office of the Superintendent’s Task Force’s comprehensive plan for a successful safe opening of our school buildings this Fall.

 

Principals have been working diligently, planning for aSeptember re-opening.  The New York State Education Department just recently shared the framework for school reopening plans with formal guidance.  This framework will be disseminated later this week and will serve as a roadmap, providing schools with guidelines, expectations and mandates, to safely open our schools this fall.  We also anticipate receiving information shortly from the New York State Department of Health and the Board of Regents. The Office of the Superintendent Re-Opening Task Force will continue to share all information with our schools.

 

Governor Cuomo will be informing us of his final decision on school openings, during the week of August 1-7.   In anticipation of schools re-opening, please know there are essential elements included in all the re-opening plans being developed:

 

o Our goal for opening schools is a 5–day a week, in-school model, ensuring that as many students, usingsocial distancing, can safely be in our buildings. We are aware that many buildings cannot accommodate their total student population, in a socially distant way, for afull 5 days. Plans are being developed by principals, using alternative scheduling; hybrid learning, combining in-person and remote learning.  Although our goal is for a 100% opening, with all participating in 5–day a weekinstructional plan, government guidelines for health andsafety will not allow that to happen at this time.

 

o We are deeply committed to ensuring that each Catholic Academy and Parish School continue to provide a loving, nurturing Catholic Schoolenvironment. We will stand firm on continuingacademic excellence. Social–emotional learning andmental well–being has been and will continue to be apriority.

 

o The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staffwill continue to be our number one priority, withenhanced cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizingprotocols, and the implementation of student and faculty wellness checks and symptom screening.

 

 

 

 

 

o We have and will continue to advocate for the manyresources our students are entitled to under State andCity law, as well as through the local school districts.We will continue to stress that all public-school districtsprovide a nurse/medical professional to our schools andprovide transportation for eligible students.Unfortunately, at this time, we are uncertain if they willbe able to fulfill these requirements. We will continue to be persistent in engaging local school districts andlobbying for our students. Further updates on these issues will follow.

 

We have studied the re-opening plans from around the world, and across our country. We have worked collaboratively with Principals, Pastors and Academy Boards, to envision a re-opening plan that is safe and strong in academics and is Christ-centered.

 

As we continue to plan for September 2020, we must remember that all plans are based upon information we have presently received, never looking to compromise the health and safety of all.  We will continue to work and plan, accepting changes with patience and common sense.

 

We thank everyone for their continued support through these unpredictable times and continue to ask for God’s blessings.

 

Sincerely,

 

Thomas Chadzutko

 

Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.

Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

Important information for September 2020

Posted on

July 10, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I pray you’re having a restful and safe summer. We are currently making plans for the opening of our academy on September 9, 2020. At that time, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy will be open to all students.

However, if you so wish, we are giving the option to those parents who would like to continue with Distance/Virtual Instruction at home to have their child remain at home and receive instruction through Distance/Virtual Instruction as has been done in the past few months.

Otherwise, we will begin classes with 12-15 students in each class depending on classroom footage, 6 ft apart, and we will be following all social distancing guidelines. Masks will be required to be worn by students while in the school building and, therefore, masks that accommodate your child should be sent in with your child daily.

All teachers, teacher aides, custodians, and staff members will also wear masks. We will have hand sanitizers in each room, and disinfection of everything in the classroom and halls, etc. every day and sanitizing during the day will occur. According to CDC regulations, students will remain in
the same classroom all day to allow for the least amount of contact to others. Teachers will shift from class to class. Because we are not permitted to gather them together, they will also have lunch in the classrooms.

All those entering the building will be screened for fever every morning. Therefore, it is a must that if your child does not feel well, they should remain at home. An isolation room for parents to pick their child will be set up near the nurse’s office in the event your child becomes ill during the day and must be removed from the classroom. All CDC precautions and requirements will be adhered to at our academy. It is of the utmost importance to keep everyone safe. Limited visitors will be in the building, and all visitors must follow the same safety precautions such as coming with masks on while in the building.

If you choose to have your child remain at home for instruction, please send an email informing me of this decision to ddibrino@olphca.org to let us know if your child will continue with remote learning. If we do not hear from you, then I will count your child as being instructed in our classrooms at school. This information allows me to judge accurately the number of students we will be expecting to be home or in our building. More specific information will be provided to you if the CDC adds additional requirements.

May God bless you and watch over you,

Mrs. Frances DeLuca
Principal

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OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ~ CATHOLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
310 PROSPECT PARK WEST BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11215 718-965-7300 FAX: 718-965-7353
July 9, 2020
Dear Parent or Guardian:
It is with deep sadness we must announce the permanent closing of six of our Catholic academies, within the Diocese of Brooklyn, effective August 31, 2020, due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis on enrollment and finances – an issue faced by many Catholic schools in the region and across the nation.
This communication is to assure you that your school is not included in this announcement and is planning to reopen in September 2020, when New York City and New York State determine it is safe to do so.
We want to share our commitment that the tradition of Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens will continue. We are committed to giving all children an opportunity to receive a Catholic education.
The extended family of Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn must come together to mourn the losses suffered, pray for the future, and support our children, as many of them will need to transfer to a new Catholic Academy in the midst of very uncertain times.
Our smaller and caring community of Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have many advantages, as witnessed by how quickly we adapted to remote learning, to ensure and maintain our high standard of education. Our children knew that even though they were separated, they were not alone. Our devoted teachers and staff supported every child with the tools they needed to continue their education.
Planning is currently under way to serve all our students and school communities in the best way possible for the upcoming academic year, following state and health department requirements. More information about the reopening plan for your Catholic Academy or Parish School will be shared later in the summer, as guidance from the state and health officials evolves.
We look forward to continuing to care for and educate children with faith and knowledge in God’s plan for all of us.
Let us pray for every family, child, teacher, and school staff member at this time. Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services

Summer Enrichment Activities

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I hope you are enjoying your summer! 

Please click the link below for fun and engaging enrichment activities.   Please note that this is not mandatory, but can help you to prepare for the 2020/2021 school year.  For more information click on the link “Letter to Families”. 

Please note that the enrichment activities does not replace your summer work assigned by each subject teacher. 

God Bless.

Summer Instructional Plans…Gr. 6-7 July Plans (1)

Summer Instructional Activities–Letter to Families (1)

Summer Enrichment – Not Mandatory but Beneficial

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Dear Families,

Welcome to Summer! We thank you for the time and effort you have invested in your child’s education, particularly over the past few months. Distance learning has been a challenge for all and we applaud you (and your child) for making the best of these unprecedented times. The end of the school year hasn’t been what anyone would have expected but we are happy to welcome summer and hopefully some time to relax and recharge. As we move into summer, we would like to provide options for at-home enrichment. The summer months are an important time to relax and unwind but are also an opportunity to keep your child engaged and on track for the fall. Attached you will find summer choice boards to use with your child. It is important to note that these are NOT required.  These boards Do Not replace the summer packets distributed by the faculty already. This is simply a tool to provide parents with activities and ideas for summer enrichment. How it Works Download a packet of choice boards that match your child’s grade level. Choice boards are grouped by grade level band based on the grade your child has completed. For example, a child finishing 1st grade will use the K-1 document. Each page of the document is one week of themed activities (6 weeks total) with different activities in categories such as reading, writing, math, STEM, etc. Each activity follows a theme for the week but can be done independently of all other activities. For example, all activities in week two are about ice cream but you do not need to complete the activities in any particular order so your child can pick and choose the activities that interest them. You can also use grade level bands above or below your child’s grade based on your child’s needs. What do I Need? As you view the choice boards, you will notice that they are divided by subject/ category. Materials needed are italicized in the top of the boxes. Many items will likely be available in your home or easily accessed at the supermarket.

For reading activities and some of the other categories, you will need device with internet access.

Texts sourced from www.myon.com can be accessed using the following login info: School: Brooklyn Reads Elementary

Username: brooklyn

Password: read

My Child (and I) are Tired of School Your child might be tired from weeks of distance learning and the stress of our current situation. This is not intended to add to anyone’s stress or become a point of contention in your household. To make this seem less like “school” you can:

· Empower your child to choose the activities themselves. Let them pick what they are interested in (i.e. complete all the math activities first)

· Challenge your child to see how many boxes they can complete in a week

· Designate a short (20-30 min) block of time to complete an activity and then offer free choice time

· Use the board like tic-tac-toe and try to complete a whole column or row across. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need structured activities to “do enrichment.” Trips to the library, talking about books, taking a walk and talking about what you see, planning a trip together, cooking by following a recipe, and even going to the grocery store discussing quantity and pricing are all learning opportunities. Do what is comfortable for you and your family. Take time to relax, unwind, and enjoy your summer. We look forward to our time together in September.

Before this week is up, your child’s teacher  will be posting the activities on their homework page.

God bless you and watch over you and your dear children.

 

Mrs. Frances DeLuca,

Principal

 

Report cards and end of year letter

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Dear Parents and students,

Thank you all for your help and understanding during this difficult time.  I wish all of you a very blessed, happy and safe summer.

Please check your emails for report cards.  If you did not receive an attachment, please let me know at asmolenski@olphca.org.

 

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Hello future 6th graders. This is Mr. Giacobba your future ELA teacher. I am sending you the summer assignment which will be due when we return to school in September.

During the summer you will need to read 2 6th grade books and report on them. I am going to list some books you may read for the reports. You may also choose to read any other 6th grade level books if you wish. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Because if Winn-Dixie 

White Fang

One Came Home

Princess Academy 

One Crazy Summer

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Where the Red Fern Is

Island of Blue Dolphins 

This is a list of ways to report on the 2 books you choose. 

  1. Standard Book Report

This should be at least 4 paragraphs. Each paragraph should be at least 6 to 8 well written sentences. Include a cover for your report.

Paragraph 1. Introduction. Tell the plot, setting, and main characters.

Paragraph 2. Tell about the problem or conflict that needs to be solved.

Paragraph 3. Tell how the problem is solved.

Paragraph 4. Tell your opinion of the book. Include reasons for your opinion.

  1. Make a diorama. In a shoe box create a scene from the book. Include at least 1 paragraph telling what is happening in that scene.
  2. Create a poster about the book. On a poster board. Include a description if the story. Your opinion of the story and pictures.
  3. Interview a character from the story. You are a reporter. Include at least 6 questions and the answers the character would give.
  4. Rewrite the ending of the story. In 3 paragraphs tell the actual ending of the story. How you would change the ending. Why you chose to end the story in a new way.

Remember a paragraph should be at least 6-8 sentences long. 

You may hand write your report or type it. 

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at

jgiacobba@olphca.org

I am looking forward to being your 6th grade ELA teacher 

Have a safe summer. Remember to keep praying.

See you in September.

Sincerely

Mr. Giacobba (Mr. G.)

 

 

 

 

 

iPad distribution

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Good morning all,

Just a gentle reminder that the remaining iPads, will be distributed today Monday May 18, 2020 between the hours of 10:00 a.m to 12:00 noon. They will be distributed to students who still need them. First come – first served.