St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
October 6, 2020
Dear Families,

All I can say, to all of you who work in IT or do beta testing, is I salute you. We're fixing problems as we go and learning workarounds.  We'll be really proficient, but in the meantime...

Thank you, again, for your patience.  I have been very conscious of your investment and cooperation.  As always, the kids are great!  We're sad not to see them in person, but hope that the connection grows in the next weeks.

We had a beautiful Confirmation on Sunday.  These were candidates who thought they would be confirmed in March, but world events intervened.  Please pray for them and for the last half of that group, who will be confirmed on October 18.

If your student is beginning a sacrament program this year, I'll be contacting you shortly.  Instead of meetings, I will be sending you videos to watch at your convenience.

googletipsGoogle and Zoom tips and tricks and things to know:
  • Have you gotten me a gmail address?  Google Classroom is only accessible with gmail, so we need one from each family.

    You need to log in to your gmail account and accept the invitation to Google Classroom.  (This is for each student using that account.) There you will find your student's assignments.  If you don't use that account for your other email, make a special 'trip' and do so.
     
  • Find the 'waffle' in the upper right corner and the Classroom icon there.
    After that point, you will see the Google Classroom icon when you click on the 'waffle' on the right side of your Google window, if you are logged in.  You don't need a specific web address to log into each Google Classroom. You'll see every Classroom you need right there.
     
  • When you complete an assignment, fill out a form that is linked in Google Classroom, etc., you go back to 'View Assignment' in Classroom and 'turn it in.

    There is the opportunity to attach something, but it is not necessary. (As every email does not have an attachment.) Just click that you are done.
     
  • We didn't set up some forms properly at first and it said you needed permission.  If this happens, just let us know and we'll fix it.  (Now that we know what to fix.)  We apologize for the frustration. 
     
  • You might be asked to upload a picture or video for an assignment. It is pretty easy to do. A) Download the Google Classroom app to your phone from your app store.  B) Log in to that gmail account.  You will be able to see the Classroom account, go to the assignment and attach the picture or video.  Mark it 'done' or 'turned in.
     
  • We will try to have the Zoom class open about ten minutes prior to the beginning of class.  It would help to log in and RENAME your account.  Older kids are vets and can do this on their own, but first and some second graders might need help.  We need their 'real names' so that we can log them into the correct breakout (classroom.)
     
  • You should have received the Zoom link for your student last week. This link will be recurring for the whole semester.  Please let me know if you need that link re-sent.
You should receive an emailed lesson plan about 24 hours before class begins.  The lesson plan each week will give you:
  • Any materials you need to have on hand for the class.
  • The Zoom link.
  • The agenda for the 30 minute Zoom session.
  • The agenda for the 'engagement' - the 30 minutes that your child will do at home off line.
  • The 'response' - a short response, question or project to send back to the catechist via Google Classroom.
If you have questions or concerns, please let me know.  Believe it or not, despite a few bends in the road, this is going pretty smoothly.

We are all giving this our best shot, and we know you are, too. My number one goal this week is to eliminate missteps.

massesPlease remember that you can attend Sunday mass at both parishes.  You need to sign up ahead of time, as spaces are limited, and we need to keep track of attendees for 14 days.  For St. Thomas Becket, sign up here.  For St. Emily, sign up here.

The dispensation from attending Sunday mass is still in effect, and you may still watch the livestream masses on Facebook and YouTube.

Some of those who must take extra care with infection precautions have chosen to attend a week day mass, where there are many less people.  You can sign up for those with your parish, as well.

Please stay healthy, wear your masks and wash your hands! 

Get a Flu Shot
It is even more important this year

Prevent the flu: Get vaccinated every year
Prevent the flu:
Get vaccinated every year
tuition
Paying Tuition
You can do so online with eGiving

This year, both St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket families will pay tuition directly to St. Emily.  We hope this makes the process easier for you.
  • You may pay online with eGiving. Many families prefer to set up monthly installments with this tool.
  • You may pay with cash or check in the St. Emily parish office.
     
  • You may mail a check to the attention of Cathy Crino, St. Emily, 1400 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 60056.
The tuition and fee schedule can be found here.  

scheduleThe Schedule of Classes

Please take note of the day and time of your child's class.  They are thirty minute sessions, staggered so that you don't have all your kids engaged at once.


Quick Links
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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