Community e-News l 8.9.20
NBC Bay Area News highlighted Carondelet and our safety modifications as we prepare to return students to our school campus as soon as allowed.
The Virtual Week Ahead...

Mon. Aug. 10
Frosh Welcome Meetings - Frosh attend their first Peer Counselor meeting via Zoom.
School Orientation will be virtual this year and a prerecorded video will be posted on Schoology.

Tue. Aug. 11
Textbook Pick-up 1:00 - 5:00 PM, by Appointment
 
Wed. Aug. 12
First day of classes!
0-7 8:15 AM start (7:20 AM if 0 period)
 
Thu. Aug. 13
1/2/3/7 8:15 AM start

Fri. Aug. 14
4/5/6/0 8:15 AM start
Handbook Agreement due by 4 PM

If you haven't yet, bookmark these pages:
Principal's Update

As we start the new school year, we are excited to welcome 232 incoming freshmen, 12 transfer students, and their families into our Carondelet community!

In addition to our growing community, I'm happy to share more good news. On Friday, Contra Costa Health Services granted Carondelet approval to allow small stable cohorts to meet on campus for sports and other purposes (e.g., clubs, councils, and societies; campus ministry; peer support groups; etc.) following the updated guidelines that were used for summer camp and the summer math program.  
 
We will begin to create protocols and guidelines for student interest/socialization opportunities and will share that information with families as we develop them. We are in the beginning stages of planning and will, of course, focus on student and faculty/staff safety. This is an exciting opportunity that allows us to begin to phase in a return to campus using guidance from Contra Costa Health Services and the California Department of Public Health protocols. 
 
We have more good news related to Athletics. The California Department of Public Health and CIF, the governing body for athletics in the State of California, have released updated guidelines for youth and school sports. These guidelines will allow Carondelet to create stable cohorts of student-athletes to participate in modified trainings and workouts. We are beginning the process of creating cohorts for our sports teams that will include all levels. Please understand that we have over 500 students who participate in athletics at Carondelet and all coaches may not be able to participate.
 
Right now the Athletics Department is working through the logistics with coaches, so please stay tuned for information and start dates. The Athletics Department and coaches will reach out to student-athletes and will send out an informational questionnaire to all students to hear about their interest in participating in a sport-specific cohort. Our strength and conditioning coach, Dani Bernat, will also be implementing workout cohorts at the CAC. We are still not able to offer indoor training until the County allows for gyms to be eligible for use.
 
Here are some of the guidelines that we received and are following:
 
  • Outdoor and indoor sporting events, assemblies, and other activities that require close contact or that would promote congregating are not permitted at this time. For example, tournaments, events, or competitions, regardless of whether teams are from the same school or from different schools, counties, or states are not permitted at this time.
  • Youth sports and physical education are permitted only when the following can be maintained: (1) physical distancing of at least six feet; and (2) a stable cohort, such as a class, that limits the risks of transmission. Activities should take place outside to the maximum extent practicable.
  • For sports that cannot be conducted with sufficient distancing or cohorting, only physical conditioning and training is permitted and ONLY where physical distancing can be maintained.
  • Strength and conditioning cohorts will focus on building and regaining general strength while introducing athletes back to training in a safe manner.
  • Activities that require heavy exertion should be conducted outside in a physically distanced manner without face coverings.

We appreciate your patience as we navigate and implement these new guidelines and protocols. We will provide you new information as we receive it.

Blessings to you and our entire community at the start of this new school year,

Kevin Cushing
Principal
Social Media and Your Student

Recently we have become aware of a private group on Instagram called, "Carondelet Protectors." This group was started by an unknown student for the purpose of anonymously sharing information and incidences of sexual assault and harassment to raise awareness. Students in other schools in the area have started similar accounts. Although this Instagram group is not affiliated with Carondelet, its existence brings up the importance of Student Voices. While we do have some concerns about the anonymous platform and the unknown account owner, it is heartening to hear of students standing up for themselves, and each other, in the face of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviors towards women. We do address this issue as a school, especially during Rise Week, and we have worked with DLS on the issue of respectful behavior and working on negating violence against women. The school is also bringing in Green Dot training later in the school year to provide bystander tools to help our young women address this issue.   
 
Our students’ health and well-being is always our primary concern. The Carondelet Administration and Wellness Counselors are always ready to support students when they come forward to share concerns and/or experiences of assault or harassment. As the faculty and staff are mandated reporters, when a student discloses to us that they are a victim of sexual assault, we will report it to the police and share that information with families. However, this process is one where we walk with the student, offering support at every step.

This topic is not one that is easy to discuss, however, this is a good time to start or continue conversations at home about healthy relationships, consent, and communication. Additional resources can be found at our Wellness Resources webpage.
Faculty & Staff Liturgy
"You can’t pour from an empty cup."

Friday morning, Campus Ministry hosted a liturgy for faculty and staff ahead of the new school year. We’re ready to educate and support all of our students no matter if we're in distance learning or in-person, and we make sure to nurture ourselves, too. See you this week!
Updated Beginning of the Year Info

In the next few weeks, there will be several documents, videos, and actions for students and families to complete to start the school year.

Handbook Agreement form - the Handbook Agreement form is due digitally by Friday, August 14 at 4 PM.
Orientation Video - Orientation will be virtual and a prerecorded video will be posted on Schoology on Monday, August 10.
First Day of Classes - Wednesday, August 12. All classes will meet for 45 minutes each and will be treated as welcome check-ins. View schedule for Aug. 12.
Student Expectations Document - will be published and reviewed with teachers on the first day of classes.
Now that the school year is upon us, be sure to check out the Beginning of the Year webpage.
College & Career Updates

College Kickstart Make-Up Sessions
Two make-up sessions are being offered for seniors who missed the June and/or the August Kick-Start sessions.

Monday, August 10 l 2:00 to 4:00 PM for students who missed the June week-long session; and

Tuesday, August 11 l 2:00 to 4:00 PM for students who missed the week-long June session OR students who missed College Kick-Start Part Two (August 3 and 4) only.

Register via the Google registration form. A Zoom link will be provided to registered students on Monday morning.

Virtual College Exploration STEM Days
Join CACHET (College Admissions Collaborative Highlighting Engineering and Technology) for three days of presentations by over 30 colleges about their opportunities in STEM. Other sessions will be offered on topics such as Women in STEM, Best Ways to Connect with Colleges During COVID, Internships, Co-Ops, and Research in STEM Fields.

August 11-13 l 7 AM to 6 PM Register Today
Cougar Classic – Tuesday, Sept. 22
Donations & Volunteers welcomed

Donations and Volunteers Needed
If you can offer a business service or items (e.g. gift cards, vacation home, sports memorabilia, or other items) to benefit our tournament please fill out this donation form and return to Lea Harrington.

To spend a fun day on the green working at a hole, or donating beverages please sign up through Cervis.

Thank you to our Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities at Carondelet now provide involvement through the year, not just a single event. Please see our revised program and contact Lea Harrington for participation.

Your sponsorship supports Carondelet in our pursuit of educational excellence, providing programs and opportunities that benefit every Carondelet Student. Thank You! 

Beverage Host/Emerald Sponsor: Hamill Family Charitable Fund, Lehmer’s Buick GMC Concord, Insperity
Corporate/RubySponsor: Oak Court Properties, Mission Valley Development, SC Builders, Better Living Care Homes
Hole Sponsor/Sapphire: Destination Wealth Management, Mary Beth Kulawiec Dittrich ’79, Lenox Homes, Jimmy Johns
School Store
Direct Delivery to Your Home
Shop for home delivery for your student or yourself at the Carondelet online school store. Lots of new spirit wear and accessories available for your family!
Accessorize your new student-designed tee with this 20 oz hot/cold tumbler. Normally each $20, get both in August for just $33!
Bella+Canvas Student-designed LOVE Tee
AUGUST SPECIAL!

Student-designed
LOVE Tee + Tumbler
Class of 2021 - Portraits & Dedications

Senior Portraits
You can book your Senior Portrait now! Follow the steps below to book and prepare:


Questions? Contact Kimberly Moss Williams from Creative Imaging.
Yearbook Senior Ad/Dedication Sales
Dear Parents and Guardians ~ Yearbook is now selling senior ad/dedication spaces! All information is available on our Yearbook webpage. Questions? Contact Ms. Koski at yearbook@carondeleths.org.
More than high school. Her school.