Dear Valley Catholic Families,
It is a very different Welcome Back to School message this year as we return to school with virtual learning, yet I want to assure you how happy we are to have students returning to school. In the midst of the pandemic, I appreciate everyone’s commitment to extending the rich experience of a Valley Catholic education into the digital format.
Our principals and teachers have put in a tremendous amount of effort over the summer to plan for the reopening of school – the dedication of these educators has been impressive! Detailed plans are in place, both for the comprehensive digital learning platform that will be used at the start of the year as well as the necessary safety precautions for returning to in-person learning once Washington County meets the guidelines for returning to the classroom. Valley Catholic’s plans have been reviewed by the Oregon Department of Education and Washington County Health Department, and are posted on the Valley Catholic website for those interested in seeing these plans.
Teachers have devoted much of their summer to planning for digital instruction by exploring new and more effective ways to reach their students. The IT department has upgraded our Zoom capabilities, purchased cameras and other hardware that will allow teachers to create online classrooms which provide for whole group instruction, working with students in small groups, and meeting one-on-one with students. The daily schedule has been adapted to more closely emulate a typical school day, while providing a mix of online sessions and independent work that will help balance the demands of learning from home. Finally, the school calendar includes masses, assemblies and other school events – all done virtually – which will provide a rhythm that feels like being in school. Our goal is to keep students connected to their teachers and classmates even though they are learning from home.
However, as the school year begins we recognize that Governor Brown’s mandate for distance learning has placed added strain on many families. Our campus has been working hard during summer to prepare for these challenges. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, our finance office or myself if there are ways we can provide additional support to your family. We will do everything we can to help smooth out this transition.
One thing is for sure: this will be a very different year than anything we have experienced before. Valley Catholic stands ready to challenge, inspire and support your children, no matter how the year unfolds. Welcome back to school!
John Matcovich
President
Valley Catholic School
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Letters from Our Principals
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Your gifts to the 2019-20 Annual Fund celebrate a community that embraces the culture of giving modeled by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. We are grateful for your gifts that positively impact Valley Catholic students and the entire VCS community. Thank you!
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Whole in One Tournament 2020 Postponed
In light of current limitations on social gatherings, we have decided to postpone this year’s Whole in One Golf Tournament until September 2021.
In the meantime, practice your swing, perfect your putts, and drive like you mean it! We look forward to seeing you (and your improved handicap) in September 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact the SSMO Foundation’s Events Manager, Caroline Fogarty, at cfogarty@ssmoministries.org or 503 718-6486.
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