Dear Parents,

Thank you for your continued support. As we reflect on our journey this 2019-20 school year, we are humbled and filled with gratitude for the true partnerships that have formed within our community. No one could have predicted the detour our journey would take this year, but in true St. Michael spirit, each and every student, teacher, and faculty member rose to the occasion. 
 
Thank you for trusting us through these uncharted waters. We recognize the challenges that have been put before each of you and your families, and we see the sacrifices that you have made and continue to make.
 
As this school year draws to a close, we too look towards the 2020-21 school year and want to provide as much information as possible regarding what school will look like. We know that undoubtedly, you have questions and concerns regarding the opening of school.
 
Your St. Michael Catholic School staff is working closely with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Catholic Schools Office. We continue to put in place measures that will allow us to continue providing an outstanding Catholic education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
At this time, we have not received any directives from the Archdiocese or state and local governments regarding how we are to proceed with the opening of the new school year in the fall. Therefore, it is our hope that we are able to open our doors and welcome our students back per our current calendar . However, as we have all learned during this time, we must be prepared with a number of different scenarios in the case we must adjust our plan.
 
Below, you will find three alternative scenarios to our current calendar for the opening of our academic year. Any scenario may include staggered attendance to limit the number of students on campus.  
 
Scenario 1: Start school after Labor Day, and adjust our calendar accordingly. Click here to see this version of the calendar.
 
Scenario 2: Remain in a system similar to our current Distance Learning Program but with adjustments to the current system as needed based on feedback we receive in the end of year survey that will be sent in June. 
 
Scenario 3: Transition to an Intersessional Calendar System. An Intersessional Calendar includes longer breaks dispersed throughout the year that provide flexibility.  In this scenario, the school year could be structured as such:
  1. Earlier start date (early August 2020), a longer Winter Break and longer other breaks, and later end date (mid-June 2021)
  2. Built-in remote learning time and staggered in-person attendance
  3. Recommended six weeks of intersessional breaks in addition to the regular calendar that can be used for remediation, acceleration, and enrichment
  4. Breaks required due to resurgence of COVID-19
We are not alone in the uncertainty of the opening of our 2020-21 school year. Please know that the scenarios outlined here are being discussed throughout public and parochial education systems across the nation. And despite any uncertainty that surrounds our opening, what is never uncertain is our commitment to SMCS families. We understand distance learning creates challenges for students and families, and we want to assure you that we are looking closely at every possible solution to help ease the burden on families while continuing to provide an exceptional and inspired Catholic education. 

We are also working on the school budget for the 2020-2021 school year and tuition statements were sent out this week. We are aware that these are uncertain times for families. The SMCS staff strives to provide quality instructional services even through distance learning and tuition allows us to keep highly effective teachers on staff. 
 
We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns that you might have. We promise to do the same and will provide you with updates and information as they become available. Our hope is that we can continue to work together with open lines of communication and mutual understanding. This is a journey none of us anticipated, and yet we are blessed to be your companions as we navigate through uncertainty, because together, we are SMCS strong.


Blessings, 
Dr. Kathleen Cox
 

Upcoming Dates and Events

Monday, May 18-Thursday, May 21
Last Week of Distance Learning

Tuesday, May 19
8th Grade Materials Collection and Pick Up from 9:30-11:30 am
7th Grade Materials Collection and Pick up from 12:30-2:30 pm

Wednesday, May 20
6th Grade Materials Collection and Pick Up from 9:30-11:30 am
5th Grade Materials Collection and Pick Up from 12:30-2:30 pm

Thursday, May 21
Last Day of School
Virtual Award Ceremony Information will be sent by grade level teachers

Friday, May 22
Teacher Work Day

Tuesday, May 26
4th Quarter Report Cards sent electronically
  
Annual Fund Deadline June 30th

Thank you to the many parents that support SMCS through our Annual Fund. The deadline to donate or complete your pledge is June 30th. To donate visit this  link. For specific pledge information, please contact Director of Development, Monica Berckley, at  mberckley@stmichaelcs.org. 


Dear Parents,
 
As our school year comes to an end, I want to thank everyone for their support this year. I love our St. Michael community and I want to thank you for volunteering to help make our school the great place that it is. I have enjoyed working with and getting to know so many of you through all the different committees and volunteer opportunities this year. I am excited for Sarah Sprengnether to be our next P.L.U.S. Chair for the 2020-2021 school year and I want to announce that her assistant will be Amy Jolly. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Lisa Marre
P.L.U.S. Chair 2019-2020
 
 
P.L.U.S. Reminders:
·   If you were a committee chair please remember to turn in your binder to Lisa Marre or Sarah Sprengnether.
 
·   The deadline to turn in receipt(s) for reimbursement is Wednesday, May 20.  Please reach out to Lisa Marre directly if you have questions or concerns. 
 
·    Head Room Parents of PK3-5th grade please let our 2020-2021 P.L.U.S. Chair, Sarah Sprengnether, know the Back-to-School Party date and plan for your grade by Monday, May 18.  


Mural Tour

Thank you to Ashley McGinnis, our Art-a-la-Carte Chair, for creating two mini mural tours. One tour is of the Heights area and the other is of Downtown/East Downtown.  Both tours feature a mural painted by Ignacio "Nacho" Sanchez, husband of our very own Paty Ramirez (Lower School Art Teacher)!  If you take a tour, have your camera ready, these make for some amazing backdrops.  
Please send us your amazing photos!   AALC@stmichaelcs.org
 



SUMMER READING 2020
Grade

K
REQUIRED READING: 
I Like Me! by Nancy L. Carlson
Suggested Reading:(nightly reading including)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
No, David by David Shannon
Please have students bring book in the first week of school.
 
1st
REQUIRED READING: 
Biscuit Finds a Friend by Allysa Satin Capuccili
Suggested Reading: (nightly reading including)
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
The New Kids on the Block by Jack Prelutsky or any Jack Prelutsky book
Please have students bring book in the first week of school. 

2nd
REQUIRED READING: 
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo
Suggested Reading: (nightly reading including)
Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Julius the Baby of the World Kevin Henkes
A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky or any Jack Prelutsky book
Please have students bring book in the first week of school.
3rd
REQUIRED READING: 
The One in the Middle is the Green Kangroo
by Judy Blume
Suggested Reading: (nightly reading including)
Judy Moody was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood. by Megan McDonald
Beezus and Romona by Beverly Cleary
Something Big Has Been Here by Jack Prelutsky or any Jack Prelutsky book
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
Project - Test done in class
4th
REQUIRED READING: 
Crenshaw by Catherine Applegate
Suggested Reading: (nightly reading including)
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Whoosh! by Chris Barton
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstien
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
Book Project Test - done in class
5th
REQUIRED READING: 
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Recommended Reading:
Jerry Spinelli: Crash, Stargirl, Knots in My YoYo String, Wringer
Gary Paulsen: Lawn Boy, Woodsong, The Winter Room
Classics: Julie of the Wolves, Sounder, A Year Down Yonder, Rascal
Newer Classics: Surviving the Applewhites, Shooting the Moon, Pictures of Hollis Woods
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
Test
6th
REQUIRED READING:
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Recommended:
Homeless Bird, Tuck Everlasting, Mockingbird, The Shakespeare Stealer
Esperanza Rising, Tangerine, Crispin:Cross of Lead
Authors: Avi, Katherine Peterson, Sharon Creech
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
Test
7th
REQUIRED READING: 
Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Recommended:
Choose two or more books from the HAISLN 7-8 2020 list
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
Take notes on the character development of Holling Hoodhood
There will be a writing assignment/project in the first weeks of school.
8th
REQUIRED READING: 
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Recommended:
Choose two or more books from the HAISLN 7-8 2020 list
Please have students bring book in the first week of school
An notate your novel following the provided criteria
There will be a writing assignment/project in the first weeks of school.

St. Michael Tigers
Talents of the Week

Paola Cosculluela- Singing- CLICK HERE
Tatiana Cosculluela-Singing- CLICK HERE
Isabela Karaszewski- Singing- CLICK HERE
Paulina Karaszewski- Singing-CLICK HERE
Will Rausch- Eyebrow Dancing - CLICK HERE
Alberto Ravell- Piano Mashup-CLICK HERE
Nina Shadid- Lip Sync-CLICK HERE
Mr. Clare- Singing- CLICK HERE


SMCS Distance Learning Week 8


St. Michael Catholic School
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