Dear HNPS Families,

Yesterday, our students enjoyed a virtual "Move Up" day as part of Catholic Schools Week. Most students had the chance to visit one of the classrooms from the next grade via Google Meet while students in two classrooms took advantage of the warm weather for a socially distant outside chat. Older students shared their experiences with younger students, described a day in the classroom, and highlighted projects that younger students can look forward to next year.

Like many activities this year, the current circumstances challenged us to find a new way to undertake this annual tradition and celebrate Catholic Schools Week. I am grateful for the faculty's collaboration to successfully host these fun and community-building activities.

While we experienced some winter weather this week, Catholic Schools Week also marks the midpoint of the year and reminds us that spring will be here soon. While there is still much of this school year remaining, we are beginning to plan for next year. Please be sure to submit your deposit by next Friday to ensure your child(ren)'s place next year.

Have a great weekend!
Best regards,

Mr. Chisholm
Announcements
  • With the Super Bowl this weekend, we have a special announcement from the Boston Public Health Commission. Chief of Health and Human Services Marty Martinez reports that Boston metrics are headed in the right direction and he asked us to send a special request to watch the Super Bowl at home with members of your own household. Small events like parties, especially with food, have been drivers of the spread. He requests, and we do too, that you forgo parties this year.
Reminders
  1. Re-enrollment information was sent home in the oldest child's folder last week. Please submit your seat deposit by Friday, February 12th to ensure your child(ren)'s seat at HNPS next year.
  2. Lunch orders for March are due on February 11th. Instructions for ordering can be found here.
  3. The 6th Grade is holding an online fundraiser to help defray the cost of their field trip in May. The Boon Supply fundraiser ends next week on February 14th. Forty percent of the sales goes to support the cost of the trip. Click here for the link to the Boon Supply website.
Celebrating Our Faith

Please note a few highlights:
  • Once again, Lent will look different for many families. One goal of the season is to eliminate distractions and turn our hearts back to God. A few adjustments can help transform your family’s hearts, even in the midst of a pandemic. Our main article on page one explains.
  • Every Sunday is a “Little Easter,” with Mass as a celebration of Christ’s victory over death and sin. Many Catholic families find that strengthening Sunday habits bring them closer together and closer to God. Our main article on page two gives details.
  • Our popular ParentTalk article explains how one parent struggles with faith and prayer during the pandemic and overcomes it with the help of her ten-year old daughter.

Updates from Nurse Molly
If a member of your household is notified of being a close contact, then only that person needs to quarantine. Contacts of Close Contacts are not considered exposed and do not need to quarantine. A Close Contact should take as much precaution as possible in the home. Keep distance from other household members, wear face masks, perform hand hygiene, and clean and disinfect surfaces frequently. During quarantine, closely monitor for any signs and symptoms of illness. If the Close Contact becomes symptomatic and/ or receives positive test results, they immediately begin isolation and the rest of the household begins quarantine, as they have now become Close Contacts.

As February vacation approaches, we would like to remind everyone of our travel protocols. The Massachusetts Travel Order requires a 10 day quarantine upon return from a high risk state. An alternative to quarantine is to take a molecular or antigen test for Covid-19.  Holy Name’s protocols vary slightly from MA in that we only accept negative test results taken in Massachusetts when families return. We strongly encourage 3 to 5 days of quarantine prior to testing, but as of now, it is not a requirement.There can be no pending test results in the home when a student returns to school. Children under the age of 10 years old are not required to test. Please let us know your family’s travel plans and what safety measures you will take when you return.

Anyone who has recovered from Covid-19 within 90 days of travel does not need to quarantine or obtain a negative PCR test upon return to MA. In the event a person who has recovered from Covid-19 within 90 days experiences symptoms related to Covid, then that person would need to seek testing prior to returning to school; travel or not. 

SNAP Health Portal
The Daily Health Screening form should be completed in the SNAP Health Portal each day. The portal can be accessed here: www.studentehr.com.
Home and School Notes
Earn volunteer hours and purchase scratch ticket raffle tickets!

Our Home and School Association's scratch ticket raffle drawing will be held next week! Make sure to purchase your tickets now! You can earn up to 20 volunteer hours for selling/purchasing tickets!  Please click here for more information about the raffle and volunteer hour opportunities. Thank you for supporting their efforts on behalf of HolyName.
Holy Name in Artwork and Photos
Quote of the Week
"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

~ Will Rogers