Dear Friends,

As the world grapples with the impact of the Coronavirus, we at Arrupe Jesuit are reaching out to our community in an effort to stay connected in this time of disconnectedness. It is you, our friends and supporters, who allow us to remain grounded in our mission and focused on our students.

Our students:
Like so many other schools across the nation, we made the difficult decision to cancel classes and CWSP for this week before heading into Spring Break next week. We continue to monitor the situation closely to determine any further need to remain closed. During this time, students remain hard at work!! Each student received a version of this packet (specific to their grade level) and are focused on math and literacy while also spending 10 minutes per day in prayer and reflection. In addition, students were asked to complete a survey to let us know their ability to complete their work from home so that we may offer support to families of greatest need. The reality for our students and so many who come from low-income households is that things like reliable internet, desktop or laptop computers, quiet space to work can be hard to come by if not non-existent. 

Our faith:
As Catholics, we know that being in community with one another is at the very heart of who we are. Given the realities of “social distancing,” it’s understandable that many may be feeling displaced from their faith right now. We invite you to join with us in praying together by sharing your intentions here and our Jesuits will remember them in their prayers and private Masses. Further, we invite you to join us for each day morning prayer on Facebook & Instagram Live and to check out Regis Jesuit High School for daily Mass.

Our building:
With tremendous thanks to Mark Anderson, our Maintenance Director, our building is being sanitized from top to bottom and every surface in between – that includes hundreds of lockers, desks, chairs, etc. Our bus drivers are cleaning and sanitizing each vehicle. Guest & visitor access is strictly limited. Staff are keeping safe distance from each other and are washing hands regularly to ensure the business operations of the school can continue in this time of uncertainty.

Our story:
I think you will be pleased, but not surprised, to know that this period of uncertainty has elicited a tremendous response from the faculty, staff, and students of your favorite high school.

Since 2003, we have worked to build a community that is defined by the compassion, strength, and love of all those dedicated to Arrupe Jesuit. We know that without their normal connection to this vibrant community, our students may struggle. Put simply, Arrupe offers the supports that many of our students cannot access elsewhere.

However, we believe even more strongly in the bonds that still connect us. So, in the coming days and weeks, we will develop and implement the strategies and systems needed to support our students and families. If this is our reality for the immediate future, then we will adapt accordingly.

Fr. Nugent and his leadership team have been working tirelessly for days, and their thoughtful response to the challenges of social distancing are equal parts inspiring and brilliant. While none of us imagined the need to run the spring semester in a virtual environment, we are committed to sharing with students all the most essential elements of their formative Jesuit experience.

We know our students look to us as a second family and we remain steadfast in our commitment to them, even if we can’t see them in person each day. Without question, they will complete their studies, they will go on to college, they will succeed, and they will encounter Christ along the way.  

If families need access to financial support, we will help to provide it. If students need access to health care options, we will provide it. Our mental health counselors remain available to serve those who seek assistance. The list goes on and on. This is what family does for one another.

If you would like, we invite you to join us in this effort. Perhaps you’d like to send a note of encouragement to the Seniors whose careers are not ending the way they imagined? Or, you’d like to send a note of support to the student(s) you know through Work Study? Please send any of those notes – or others that are meaningful to you - here and we’ll be honored to pass them along.

We are partners in this wonderful mission and we thank you for the outpouring of support we have received in the past week. In the coming weeks, the faculty and staff at Arrupe Jesuit will be planning for what comes next and we look forward to communicating with you along the way.
In prayer,

Michael J. O’Hagan 
President
AMDG
Arrupe Jesuit High School | ArrupeJesuit.com