March 13, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As we have navigated the news related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have placed utmost priority on the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. At this time, the Diocese of Fort Wayne South Bend has determined that the best course of action is to close all schools.
Saint Joseph High School has cancelled in-person classes effective immediately, and will transition to extended eLearning. The closure is currently in effect through Monday, April 13.
Students will be able to pick up any necessary materials from their lockers on Monday, March 16 according to the following schedule:
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Last names beginning A-L
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Last names beginning M-Z
Teachers and the iHelp Desk will be available to students at these times. If it is not possible to pick up materials at the designated time, students may come at another time. Our objective is to spread arrivals throughout the day. The school will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday only. Afterwards, the building will be closed to students.
Extended eLearning will begin on Wednesday, March 18. The schedule for eLearning will consist of four instructional days, Monday - Thursday, rotating White/Blue/White/Blue with Fridays reserved as a student work day. Next week’s schedule is as follows:
Monday, 3/16: Teachers available until noon, Students pick up materials
Tuesday, 3/17: Teachers prepare eLearning
Wednesday, 3/18: eLearning begins (WHITE DAY) - Campus is closed for cleaning
Thursday, 3/19: eLearning (BLUE DAY)
Friday, 3/20: FLEX DAY - Student work day, teachers available for additional support.
Extended eLearning directions, the schedule, and additional information will be shared separately. Please read the email from Assistant Principal for Academics,
Mary P. Gallagher
.
During this period, all Saint Joseph High School events, athletic practices and competitions (including club sports) and co-curricular activities are cancelled or postponed. The SAT test scheduled for Saturday, March 14 has also been cancelled. Please know that Bishop Rhoades has dispensed all Catholics in the diocese from the Sunday Mass obligation.
In order to consolidate information related to the school closure, we have published a COVID-19 resource page on our website. Please visit
www.saintjoehigh.com/virus
for more information.
We will continue to communicate with students and families throughout extended eLearning, and share updates as needed. Regular school communications, such as Soundings and the Counseling Department newsletter, will continue on schedule, and we will share via email daily prayers and intentions. Faculty and staff will be available via email, according to their office hours posted in Canvas. Contact information is located on the
www.saintjoehigh.com/virus
page.
This dynamic situation is new to all of us. Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility and understanding as we walk through this together. We pray for the wellbeing of all our students, families and community members. I am confident that we will navigate the uncertainty successfully, and become stronger as a community as a result.
