IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Yesterday we received the following information from Madison County Schools:
“Following Gov. Andy Beshear’s press conference this evening, Madison County Schools is announcing its closure beginning Monday, March 16, through the end of spring break on Friday, April 10.”
Per diocesan policy, St. Mark Catholic School will be closed for this same time period. We will be in session on Friday, March 13, but beginning Monday, March 16, we will be closed until Friday, April 10. It was not a decision that was made lightly by the Madison County school district and not one made lightly by the Catholic Diocese of Lexington.
This closure also affects all school related activities. Tonight, Friday, March 13, our Fish Fry will be held as take out only and subsequent Fish Fries will not resume until April, provided that school returns to its normal schedule. No parents will be asked to come work their Fish Fry shift tonight. The Book Fair will be suspended until April as well as our PTO and School Council meetings.
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Teachers have worked diligently this week to provide rigorous and meaningful work for students while they are away from school. Work went home with our Tuesday/Thursday students yesterday and work for all other students will go home today. If your child is not at school, please feel free to call the school office so that we can make arrangements to get work to your child. Teachers will be available to answer questions about student work during normal school hours (8am-3pm) for the next three weeks.
One thing we know for sure is that our kiddos thrive on routines. When we are on a normal schedule at school, we accomplish the most work together. We as teachers try to support them mentally, morally, ethically, physically, and spiritually everyday. If you are not sure how to tackle the next three weeks, try beginning with a schedule. It could look something like the following:
Breakfast
Schoolwork
Outdoor Break
Schoolwork
Lunch
Quiet Time
Projects/Challenges
Outdoor Time
Dinner
Family Time: games, walks, house project, puzzles, storytime
If you are having any difficulty at all, please call us! We want to help. This is valuable learning time and we want you to feel productive and successful. Here are some other things you can try as a family during this extended time away from school:
Read LOTS of books
Plan a pollinator garden (there are lots of resources on the internet)
Learn some new jokes
Cook together
Craft together
Build together
Send snail mail - especially to people who may be isolated
Do a large puzzle together
Hike
Bike
Pick up litter in your neighborhood
Clean a closet and donate some items
Do yoga together
Memorize a poem
Porch visit with a neighbor
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate new information and directives concerning COVID-19. Please pray for our entire school community, and those throughout the world.
