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Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
I hope this summer is providing you with an opportunity to rest, relax and have fun with family, friends and loved ones. In this letter, I am excited to update you on improvements that will enhance our students' experiences this fall. At the end of the letter, you will find a link to important "Beginning of Year Information."
Student Life Improvements
I am very pleased to report that Jennifer Reinwald, Chair of our Religion Department for the last few years, will now serve as Vice Principal for Student Life. Jennifer will supervise and help coordinate all the opportunities provided for our students' growth and development beyond academics and athletics. This includes interactions with team members in Campus Ministry, Student Activities/Government, Mission Integration, Personal Counseling, and the Dean of Students Office.
Also new to the Student Life team are Director of Mission Integration Carrie Rehak and Dean of Students Caitlin Main. (Caitlin is moving over from her role as Athletic Director). We are delighted to have the entire Student Life team together to support our young women this coming year.
Facility Improvements
Facility enhancements to support our programs include more furniture in the inner court and on the balcony for use by students in blended classes and by all students for study and gathering space. We are also piloting new classroom furniture. Getting rid of desks designed at the beginning of the 20
th
century, we will use a variety of adaptable furniture pieces, gauge the benefits to student learning and refurbish more classrooms during the spring semester. We have removed the stairs in the gym that lead up to the stage to create more space and greater safety, and added a fourth water bottle filling station. By rough count, these stations have saved over 80,000 plastic water bottles last school year alone. Concurrently, planning continues on track for the new STEM Innovation Center, as President Bonnie Cotter reported earlier this summer.
Transportation Improvements
I'm pleased to share news on three transportation-related items:
A
new drop-off procedure
will be implemented at the start of the school year. Last year's procedure created a backup on Winton Drive and Treat Blvd. and congestion in the drop-off area. Valuable parking spots were also occupied. Moving the drop-off space to the back of campus will add 10-15 students parking spots to offset spots lost to Innovation Center construction over the next year and a half. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with the new drop-off location.
School-managed bus transportation
will be available in the mornings from the Pleasanton/Livermore/Dublin area, with several communal stops near the highway on the way to campus. As final details are confirmed, they will be posted on our website. Sign-up and registration for this service is required and will begin on Friday, July 27 on a first-come, first-served basis. The first semester payment of $500 will also be due at that time to complete the reservation. Please log on to this transportation link to ensure your daughter has a spot on the bus for this year.
With the Athletics Complex due to open this fall (the artificial turf is being laid as I write this!), a
free one-way shuttle to the Complex
from our main campus will be provided in the afternoon. Look for the shuttle schedule in coming communications.
You
can be assured that these improvements, and all our efforts at Carondelet, are undertaken within the framework of our Sisters of St. Joseph Mission and our Catholic faith and values.
We look forward to meeting our incoming freshman families at the Frosh BBQ on Sunday, August 12; and we can't wait to see the rest of you on the Orientation Days on Monday, August 13 and Tuesday, August 14.
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