St. Francis Xavier Catholic School/Marquette Campus 500 W. Marquette Street Appleton, WI 54911 Telephone (920) 733-4918 • Fax (920) 733-7269 Mrs. Laura A. Barnett, Principal lbarnett@xaviercatholicschools.org 


Dear Families, 

I hope that this letter finds you all well and in good spirits as we all move through these uncharted waters. We understand that every family has their own challenges in the days/weeks ahead, so we want to make your new homeschooling role as easy as possible. As your partners in education, our teachers have put together many ways to deliver a meaningful and fun approach to elementary learning during our time apart. 

Most of you have already heard from your classroom teachers and have received packets of related materials so that you are ready for the first day of remote instruction on Monday, March 23. Our specialists have also put together some great ways to enrich your child’s homeschooling experience. Information about the delivery of instruction is found in the packets you have received as well as in the “Teacher Pages” on the Xavier Website, which you can access here . Each grade level (at both buildings) have followed these general guidelines when setting up their instructional time:

 
*PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN: Goal is 30 minutes of planned activity per day: 
  • Families receive a packet of different activities that can be done at home- which include craft projects with ready-created pieces and directions for families to follow, ABC coloring book or alphabet activities 
  • Promote at home movement time 
  • Additional possibilities could include ABC mouse, Let’s Find Out Scholastic, etc for families that have at-home access 

*GRADES 1 & 2: Goal is 1 hour per day of planned activities- can be broken into two 30 minute time blocks 
  • Create a packet for students that includes math and writing activities/journal prompts 
  • Encourage students to spend 20 minutes/ day reading 
  • Handwriting and spelling consumable books 
  • Also, for families looking for more and who have access to devices, students can be encouraged to go on Razz Kids, ABCya, etc.
 
*GRADES 3 & 4: Goal is 90 minutes per day of planned activity- can be broken into two 45 minute blocks 
  • These planned activities may include 
  • ○ Read for 20 minutes a day 
  • ○ Seesaw; Google Classroom other approved sites 
  • ○ Journal writing 
  • ○ Do a virtual tour or field trip through Scholastic 
  • ○ Go on IXL 
  • Packets are also possible with math/ reading/ writing skills 
  • Encourage physical activity as part of day 

Keep in mind, these were the general guidelines. Our teachers worked with these basic guidelines and collaborated with their grade level counterparts at the other campus to provide a comprehensive plan for educating remotely. Your child’s teacher has communicated her individual expectations. All families have different needs for scheduling learning time depending on the work schedule of parents and the number of children in the family. It is for this reason, we tried to be reasonable and flexible in expectations. 

We will continue to keep in close contact with you throughout the duration of this situation. Since we are closed for an indefinite period of time, I know that things are bound to change or be adjusted along the way. I continue to work with my staff and the other principals to make sure that the outstanding education you expect from our System is what you will continue to receive.
 
In addition to working through the academic expectations, please be sure to take some time to get outside, to read, to play board games and to pray as a family. Making the most of this time as a family will go a long way in making this a positive time for these young children. 

As was mentioned in my email yesterday, I will maintain regular office hours from 8:00-3:00 Monday-Friday and am happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to email me at lbarnett@xaviercatholicschools.org . 
You are all in my prayers and I greatly look forward to returning to a busy school office and hallways filled with happy, smiling faces. 

God bless, Laura Barnett, principal