Insider Alert - September 17, 2020
Remote Learners Updates
Mass and Assembly Pictures

Do you have some pictures of your remote learners participating in our Weekly Assemblies or Mass? If so, we would love to include them in some planned upcoming social media posts. Please send pictures to Director of Community Engagement Tim Scalzitti this Friday for Mass, or next Wednesday for Weekly Assembly.
Remote Learner Pickup/ Drop Off

On Fridays from 12-1 pm, we will be available to exchange items. Please enter Joan of Arc parking lot and pull through as if going through carpool. We will be at the library door ready to hand out any materials. Please display your child’s name on a paper, and we will bring it out to you.

Please only come to remote learner pick up if your teacher has notified you that there will be something to hand out, or if you need to turn in something that Friday. If something needs to be returned, please label it with your child’s name and teacher.
Remote Learner Social and Emotional Learning

We are committed to reaching our social emotional learning goals with our online learners. We have created an SEL (social and emotional learning) online library, mindfulness activities, and emotional regulation activities through virtual online rooms. These are helpful if your child is just having an “off” moment and needs a calming activity or a brain break.

Our remote learners will still be a part of morning meeting check-ins with their homerooms, where they will be able to share how they are doing emotionally. We will also be seeking opportunities to check in with our remote learners though lunch bunches and other social activities so they feel part of their classrooms, but also feel a sense of togetherness with other online learners.
Remote Learner Tips

There are some other things to consider when learning online:

Encourage physical activity and exercise.
  • Our kids need brain breaks and the best way to do that is to move our bodies! Any physical movement, from jumping jacks to walking the dog, will get their brains ready to tackle more learning. 

Create a routine and follow the remote learner schedule.
  • Have your children be a part of the process, from creating that learning space to making their lunches.
  • Getting up at the same time, getting out of pajamas, and eating breakfast are all still important when learning from home.
  • Using a planner and staying organized are key.  

Friends are important, and kids want and NEED to maintain their social connections. Here are a few ideas to continue friendships:
  • If you feel comfortable, participate in an outdoor sport.
  • Have a drive by hello, or a socially distant picnic in the front yard with a friend.
  • You could also plan a weekend Zoom lunch, or play a game over Zoom.
  • Set up virtual chats in their routines so they are able to communicate with their friends. 
  • Even old fashioned snail mail brings a smile to their faces. You could encourage writing to a friend.  

Whichever method you feel most comfortable with, plan for it so your children will look forward to having that social interaction.

At the end of the day, remember you have a support network. We are a community. If at any point you are feeling like you don’t know what the next step is, or if you have any concerns about your children, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Technology Corner

Remote Learner Weekly Schedule
Teachers are working to update the Remote Learner Weekly Schedule each week to facilitate your child’s learning from home. They have a goal of updating it by the Friday prior to the following school week. Please know that this is a fluid document and teachers will be updating this as the needs of the learners are being met with each day of instruction. We recommend that you view it each morning with younger learners at home and remind your older learners to check it as well.

Benchmark Assessment
Students in K - 8th grade take a benchmark assessment three (3) times a year. 1st - 8th grade students take a Reading and Mathematics Assessment and Kindergarten students take an Early Literacy Assessment. This year, you will be able to take this assessment from home. Please watch for an assessment date from your child’s math and reading teacher in the Remote Learner Weekly Schedule during the weeks of September 21-30. For younger learners, they will require some support to help them get started. For older learners, we recommend that they take the assessment at the same time as their classmates.

Please click here for more information about accessing and administering the benchmark assessments from home.

Tech Support
Check our technology support page with resources to help you continue with remote learning. Still need help? Email us at technology@saintcecilia.org
Our mission at St Cecilia Catholic School is the ongoing Catholic formation and education of the whole child in mind, heart, and spirit, in preparation for an adult life of commitment and service.