April 1, 2020
St. Bonaventure
Catholic School
Principal's Communication
This is your source for bi-weekly updates from Kim White, Principal during the COVID-19 campus closure and the implementation of the Diocesan remote/distance teaching and learning protocol.
Announcement from
Diocese of Orange Department of Catholic Schools







DIOCESE OF ORANGE
DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
13280  CHAPMAN AVENUE ,  GARDEN GROVE ,  CA  92840


April 7, 2020


Dear Catholic School Parents,

Blessings to you during this Holy Week.

As we recall Christ’s passion and prepare for the Easter Triduum, we find ourselves in a unique time in history. Instead of looking ahead to the joy of the resurrection, we are faced with burdens of uncertainty and the pain of loss. It is times like these that we rely on our faith more than ever.

Easter has always brought me immense joy, not only because of the Resurrection of our Lord, but because I love to host Easter dinner for my family and friends. I enjoy preparing food to share and games to play. Even though my children are 12 and 15 years old, we still enjoy our annual Easter egg hunt with cousins and friends. This year, our Easter celebration will look very different. I will miss my family and friends and the joy we share being together. I know that all of you are grappling with a similar sense of loss.

I know the past few weeks have looked different than any of us ever planned. Instead of field trips, open houses and spring sports, we have been navigating distance learning with our children. I am so grateful to our principals and teachers who continue to make our children’s learning and faith formation a priority. I am grateful to the thousands of parents who companion us on this journey because of their commitment to Catholic education. I am grateful to our beautiful students who have risen to the challenge and continue to be engaged and on task. Throughout this crisis, our Catholic schools have been a bright light shining as a testament of faith, excellence, and community.

While we would love to return to our beautiful school campuses in May, we expect campuses to remain closed through the remainder of the school year. The health and safety of our students and teachers are of paramount importance. If, however, our public health officers deem it safe to return sooner we will adjust as needed. As we implement distance learning for the remainder of the school year, know that we are committed to ensuring that your children continue to achieve academically and grow in their faith.

While we do not know what the future holds, may we find comfort in knowing that we do not walk alone. Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, may we open our hearts to Christ in our midst and celebrate the risen Lord!

In mission,

Erin C.O. Barisano, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Orange
Message to 8th Grade Community
from Mrs. White, Principal
St. Bonaventure Catholic School
16390 Springdale St., Huntington Beach, CA 92649
 
 


April 7, 2020

Dear St. Bonaventure Catholic School eighth-grade community,

With courage and grace, you have adapted swiftly to the sudden and disruptive changes in how we experience one another and our SBS education. I am grateful to our students, faculty, and staff for your resilience and creativity while we adjust to this temporary way of educating our students amidst a wave of uncertainty, loss, and grief. Each of you has risen to the challenge of this moment, and you inspire us with hope for our human future. 

Today Dr. Erin Barisano, Superintendent of the Diocese of Orange Department of Catholic Schools, announced schools will remain closed until the end of the school year. This will ensure our community’s well-being and safety. After careful reflection,  we have decided to postpone the Class of 2020 graduation Mass and ceremony to a time when we can be together—in our church with loved ones, with our faculty, and with our staff—so that our entire community can gather to honor, gloriously, our graduates with the recognition that they deserve.

I appreciate your flexibility, and I realize that despite the rational foundation of this decision, it still stings that our most cherished annual traditions will not take place in May and June. But in no way need that stop us! Please note the following facets of our postponed decision:

  • We are currently exploring alternative dates for the 2020 graduation Mass and ceremony. Our society’s ongoing, collective commitment to conquering COVID-19 through social distancing measures will help us determine an optimal time to schedule the Mass and ceremony. Please know that we will give you and your families advance notice to plan for the occasion. 
  • Because we are eager to acknowledge our students for their accomplishment, we are exploring ways to recognize them virtually throughout May and June. This will not replace the graduation Mass and ceremony but rather give us a head start in honoring our graduates and their tenure at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. 
  • We will seek input from our community and share details as soon as they are available.
  • Please continue to check our website for updated information at www.stbonaventureschool.org/health

Class of 2020, your SBS education has helped form not only the person you are today, but the person you will continue to become, and the impact you will have in this world. How we deal with our challenges today, how we unite, and how we care for one another will bring about a greater tomorrow. Together, we look forward to honoring our Class of 2020 in multiple ways with strength, creativity, and love. May God bless and watch over your families. 

In His grace,

Kim White, Principal                    
Partnership, Patience, Positivity, Prayer
Our administrative team is currently working on logistical matters that come with this announcement. We will continue to update you with information as we have it via future editions of this newsletter and school website. In the meantime, we value your partnership, patience, positivity and prayer. God bless.
Prayer:
Merciful God,  

Worry and fear are not of Your heart.  1 John 4  reminds us that perfect love casts out all fear, and we pray Your perfect love upon the hearts of all those who are burdened with the fear of this virus. Lord, we know with no doubt that You are bigger than the threat of anything, especially illnesses. Please comfort those who are living in fear, please free them from the bondage that anxiety creates within. Remind them that You are still on the Throne and that You are still in control. Fully rain down the serenity that comes only from the Prince of Peace. Help those who are living in unease to trust You in this time so that in times to come we may rest assured that You will be faithful to be with us until the end of the age. We rest at the Throne of the Almighty such fears and cast them upon You ( 1 Peter 5:7 ), for Your burden is Light and Your Yoke is easy ( Matthew 11:30 ), we know You cover us with Your wings ( Psalm 91:4 ). 

In Jesus’ name,  Amen