Week of April 17, 2020
Dear Guardian Angels School Families,
We have come a long way in a short amount of time. As you are aware, we quickly implemented a distance learning plan to keep students engaged and connected during the school closure the week before Spring Break. Way back in September, no one could have predicted the situation we are currently in, but we have certainly adapted to the times and we are making the best of this learning situation. I am sure you have heard already that Governor Walz announced that distance learning will continue through the end of the school year. As I shared, in addition to carrying on with improving the academic experience, we are working together to continue to provide fun and engaging community building activities that the kids enjoy and that allow us to continue to connect with one another. I know that we will be stronger when we are able to meet back together at our HAPPY PLACE once we are on the other side of this COVID-19 pandemic. I pray each day that we will look back and be proud of how we walked this journey and that we wrote our history together!
Over the past few weeks, I have participated in several webinars and learning meetings to investigate how learning is taking place around the country during this time and exploring the most effective methods for reaching out to and teaching our students. The most obvious and glaring takeaway I gained is that there is a stark difference between online learning versus emergency remote teaching. To be trained and able to deliver a comprehensive, high-level eLearning academic experience requires many hours of preparation to implement effectively. In an ideal world, our teachers would have had that amount of time to work with other trained educators and professionals in the field to plan a well-thought-out agenda, complete with real time and recorded lessons, with built-in opportunities for individual support, small and large group interactions, in addition to community building activities. To say the least, we were not presented with an ideal world. We had to act quickly to move to remote instruction without the luxury of preparation time. We acknowledge that this was, and still is, somewhat scary and challenging for all involved. I assure you, however, that our teachers are highly committed to our students, and they’re doing their very best, as are all of us who support them. I couldn’t be more proud of how the staff and our community has pulled together to benefit our students.
In my research, I am finding there is continuing evidence out there that demonstrates there is not a “one approach fits all” to learning during this uncertain and ever-changing time. We are continually assessing and improving the process and we value your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Thank you for taking the time to participate in our online survey to help us better plan for our next steps. We appreciate the support and feedback and truly feel blessed with our partnership. Your feedback provided us with great insight, and we remain focused on providing the best academic experience while adding as little stress as possible to our families. If you didn’t get a chance to complete the survey, the link is posted further down in this newsletter.
Our teachers will be participating in collaborative work days NEXT Tuesday, April 28th & 29th to get plans and videos organized for the final weeks of the 2019-2020 school year. Therefore, there will be no distance learning NEXT TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY. Teachers are planning independent / self-directed activities for both of those days. The scheduled time is designated for the classroom teachers to get into their classrooms, create lessons and videos, prepare feedback on students’ work, and prepare for the final weeks of this school year. For the students, this time will provide the opportunity to catch-up on schoolwork, read a favorite book, engage an interesting STEM project, or get outside for some fresh air. Attendance will not be taken on Tuesday or Wednesday.
You should expect a communication from Guardian Angels School with our COVID 19 End of the School Year Plan for the remaining weeks of school on Thursday, April 30th.
Please be reassured we are also working on and ready to address the possible learning loss as a result of the impact of school building closures on student academic achievement. We will be communicating more on what our plan looks like as the end of the school year approaches.
Also, as a friendly reminder, if your family finds itself in unexpected financial hardship and you’re worrying about paying tuition for the remainder of this year or next, please reach out to me. We will work it out together.
On behalf of myself, Fr. Deziel, and the Guardian Angels School Staff, we thank you and hold you all in our prayers. May God Bless you each and every day!
Stay well…Stay positive…Stay active…Stay in prayer …and Keep shining bright!
Blessings to you all!
Ps No Parent Zoom meetings this weekend
Semana del 17 de abril de 2020
Estimadas familias de la escuela Ángeles Guardianes,
Hemos recorrido un largo camino en poco tiempo. Como saben, implementamos rápidamente un plan de aprendizaje a distancia para mantener a los estudiantes interesados y conectados durante el cierre de la escuela la semana antes de las vacaciones de primavera. En septiembre, nadie podría haber predicho la situación en la que nos encontramos actualmente, pero ciertamente nos hemos adaptado a los tiempos y estamos aprovechando al máximo esta situación de aprendizaje. Estoy segura de que ya han escuchado que el gobernador Walz anunció que la educación a distancia continuará hasta el final del año escolar. Cómo compartí, además de continuar mejorando la experiencia académica, estamos trabajando juntos para continuar brindando actividades divertidas y atractivas de desarrollo comunitario que los niños disfruten y que nos permitan continuar conectando entre nosotros. Sé que seremos más fuertes cuando podamos reunirnos nuevamente en nuestro LUGAR FELIZ una vez que estemos del otro lado de esta pandemia de COVID-19. ¡Rezo cada día para que miremos hacia atrás y estemos orgullosos de cómo caminamos este viaje y que escribamos nuestra historia juntos!
Durante las últimas semanas, participé en varios seminarios web y reuniones de aprendizaje para investigar cómo se lleva a cabo el aprendizaje en todo el país durante este tiempo y explorar los métodos más efectivos para llegar y enseñar a nuestros estudiantes. La conclusión más obvia y evidente que obtuve es que existe una gran diferencia entre el aprendizaje en línea y la enseñanza remota de emergencia. Ser capacitado y capaz de ofrecer una experiencia académica de aprendizaje electrónico integral de alto nivel requiere muchas horas de preparación para implementarlo de manera efectiva. En un mundo ideal, nuestros maestros habrían tenido esa cantidad de tiempo para trabajar con otros educadores y profesionales capacitados en el campo para planificar una agenda bien pensada, completa con lecciones en tiempo real y grabadas, con oportunidades incorporadas para el apoyo individual, interacciones de grupos pequeños y grandes, además de actividades de construcción comunitaria. Por decir lo menos, no se nos presentó un mundo ideal. Tuvimos que actuar rápidamente para pasar a la instrucción remota sin el lujo del tiempo de preparación. Reconocemos que esto fue, y sigue siendo, algo aterrador y desafiante para todos los involucrados. Sin embargo, les aseguro que nuestros maestros están altamente comprometidos con nuestros estudiantes y que están haciendo lo mejor que pueden, al igual que todos los que les apoyamos. No podría estar más orgullosa de cómo el personal y nuestra comunidad se han unido para beneficiar a nuestros estudiantes.
En mi investigación, descubro que existe evidencia continua que demuestra que no existe un "enfoque único para todos" para aprender durante este tiempo incierto y siempre cambiante. Estamos continuamente evaluando y mejorando el proceso y valoramos sus pensamientos, ideas y preocupaciones. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo de participar en nuestra encuesta en línea para ayudarnos a planificar mejor nuestros próximos pasos. Apreciamos el apoyo y los comentarios y realmente nos sentimos bendecidos con nuestra asociación. Sus comentarios nos proporcionaron una gran comprensión, y seguimos enfocados en brindar la mejor experiencia académica al tiempo que agregamos el menor estrés posible a nuestras familias. Si no tuvo la oportunidad de completar la encuesta, el enlace se publica más abajo en este boletín.
Nuestros maestros participarán en días de trabajo colaborativo el próximo martes 28 y 29 de abril para organizar planes y videos para las últimas semanas del año escolar 2019-2020. Por lo tanto, no habrá aprendizaje a distancia el PRÓXIMO MARTES Y MIÉRCOLES. Los maestros planean actividades independientes / autodirigidas para ambos días. El tiempo programado está designado para que los maestros entren a sus aulas, crean lecciones y videos, preparen comentarios sobre el trabajo de los estudiantes y se preparen para las últimas semanas de este año escolar. Para los estudiantes, esta vez brindará la oportunidad de ponerse al día con el trabajo escolar, leer un libro favorito, participar en un interesante proyecto STEM o salir a tomar un poco de aire fresco. La asistencia no se tomará el martes o miércoles.
Quédense a la espera de una comunicación de la Escuela Ángeles Guardianes con nuestro Plan COVID 19 de fin del año escolar para las semanas restantes de lecciones el jueves 30 de abril.
Tengan la seguridad de que también estamos trabajando y listos para abordar la posible pérdida de aprendizaje como resultado del impacto del cierre de edificios escolares en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes. Nos comunicaremos más sobre cómo se ve nuestro plan a medida que se acerca el final del año escolar.
Además, como un recordatorio amistoso, si su familia se encuentra en dificultades financieras inesperadas y le preocupa pagar la matrícula por el resto de este año o el próximo, comuníquese conmigo. Y será resuelto juntos.
En mi nombre, el Padre Deziel, y el personal de la escuela Ángeles Guardianes, les agradecemos y los mantenemos a todos en nuestras oraciones. ¡Que Dios los bendiga todos los días!
Mantenganse bien ... Mantenganse positivo ... Manténganse activo ... Manténganse en oración ... ¡y sigan brillando!
¡Bendiciones para todos ustedes!
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Outdoor Mass this Weekend
Ready to get out? How about going to mass in your car? Just drive to the VFW parking lot and park. Participate from the comfortable pews (your own car seats) to something that is a comfort to all; listening to the word of God. Mass is at 10:30. There will also be a Spanish mass at 12:00. No communion will be distributed and please stay in your car.
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Birthdays this week were/are Danny on the 22nd, Zoe on the 23rd, and Joyce on the 25th. Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Danny, Zoe and Joyce, Happy birthday to you!
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Special Prayer Request
Please keep praying for Mrs. Hennen's husband, Paul. He might be able to come home at the end of next week. All of your prayers would be appreciated. We will also like to do some meal planning for them. We will keep you posted.
Also pray for all of our school family that have lost jobs during the Covid crisis. This is a hard time for everyone.
Please join us as we pray the rosary daily at 4:00 and the litany of saints at 11:05 for the health and welfare of all people during this difficult time in our world. God bless you all!
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Please spread the word about the Relevant Radio fundraiser this Friday, April 24th: Christ Brings Hope Live Broadcast
There is an anonymous donor who will match every dollar donated to Relevant Radio to a Catholic school designed by the donor. That means any donation made to Relevant Radio would be matched and sent to Guardian Angels. The donor would need to select Guardian Angels as their school of preference. Share this information with all your Relevant Radio lovers out there. It's a win-win for Relevant Radio and GA.
Relevant Radio® is bringing you the first-ever national broadcast of the Christ Brings Hope Virtual Award Banquet, this Friday, April 24 from 6:30 – 7:00 pm CT, followed by the Live Family Rosary Across America®. You won’t want to miss this exciting, historic event!
We will be joined by Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, and our very own Patrick Madrid. Father Rocky will inspire us as he hosts this special event to honor the Little Sisters of the Poor and celebrate the hope of this Easter season!
You can participate by video-streaming at relevantradio.com or Father Rocky’s Facebook Page, listening via the Relevant Radio app, or tuning into your local station.
At the conclusion of this virtual award event, Fr. Rocky will invite everyone to pray as one Relevant Radio family during the LIVE Family Rosary Across America from 7:00 – 7:30 pm CT. We will entrust ourselves and our loved ones to the powerful intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
Christ is Risen! Join us this Friday, April 24, as we celebrate the hope we have in Him!
Your Friends at Relevant Radio
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Rice Bowl
With all of the craziness going on we forgot about the Rice Bowls. If you have yours sitting around the house waiting to be turned in please drop it off at school the next time you make a trip this way. Front door is open from 9-5.
Thank you!
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An important message from Aim Higher
Tuition payments:
Aim Higher is offering Reserve Funds for any non-Aim Higher scholar who has a parent that was furloughed or laid off due to COVID 19 and are struggling to make tuition payments for the remainder of this school year. Mrs. Lovegreen can apply for a $1000 scholarship to help with tuition payments if needed. These funds are available on a first come first serve basis until the funds run out. Please contact her directly if you need help making tuition payments because you have been furloughed or laid off due to COVID 19. (slovegreen@gachaska.org)
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We are planning for the 2020-2021 school year. Please go online and register now! We need to make preparations for our future. If you haven't done so please click on the link below to register
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Tuition, lunch accounts & yearbook fees
Tuition for the 2019-2020 school year still needs to be paid. The tuition covers the cost to continue the Distance Learning and support we are providing for all our GA families. (Yearbooks are $25)
Payments can be left in the drop off box inside the double glass doors Monday through Fridays between 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
You may mail payments to:
Guardian Angels Catholic School, 217 W 2nd Street, Chaska, MN 55318
Online orders for the yearbook are due in ONE WEEK. Please order now if you want to get one or drop off payment.
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Cloth mask drive this Saturday 10 - 2 at your local Fire Department
Promoted Governor’s “Make Masks at Home” project via social media. Masks are homemade and can be dropped off at County fire departments for distribution to local congregate living facilities for residents and
employees.
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PARENT SELF-CARE
Check out this video of Dr. Jules Nolan (Phoenix School Counseling) talking about parent self-care during the time of COVID-19. Dr. Nolan and her team at Phoenix provide counseling services for a number of our schools and this is a presentation she made to parents and teachers at Our Lady of Peace in Minneapolis, with Paul Berry serving as host and facilitator.
Dr. Nolan graciously offered to share it with all of you, with an invitation to contact her if you would like to have her help out your school in any way. Her contact information is below:
Dr. Julene D. Nolan, Psy.D., LP, NCSP
Licensed Psychologist
Nationally Certified and Licensed School Psychologist
(507) 382-5404
drjulesnolan@gmail.com
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Where in Guardian Angels School is our Guardian Angel?
Each week we’ll post a photo of our little Guardian Angels. The first five families to respond and tell Mrs. Lovegreen where our Guardian Angel is located in our school will get a surprise in the mail.
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