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| FROM THE DESK OF MS. BRESLER... |
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Dear Parents,
Last night I watched a documentary on Netflix titled The Social Dilemma. If you have not heard of it or seen it, I highly recommend it. It is approximately 90 minutes and discusses the use of social media and how it is affecting not only our young people but the world in general.
Some of the things I learned shocked and scared me and others reinforced what I already felt about young children's exposure to social media. Since 2010, when social media exploded, the amount of young girls who have begun self-harming and committing suicide has increased, in some cases as much as 150% in girls aged 10 to 14. That is alarming. According to this documentary, research has shown that this generation of teenagers is the most anxious. All of this, it is said, can be traced to how much these children are on and influenced by social media.
Adults are not immune either. Social media platforms have created algorithms that use what we view on social media to feed more of that to us. For instance, if you view a lot of conservative or liberal things, more conservative or liberal things are sent to you as part of your news feed. Here is where it gets scary. According to this documentary, each of us has our own individual news feed, tailored directly to us, so we never see any "news" that opposes what we have viewed in the past. This is leading to a very polarized society and perhaps that is why we are seeing what we are seeing in society, politics etc...
Here is the most scary part of this...the people who made this documentary are the same people who created these algorithms. They are now coming out against social media saying what they created has and is being used in ways they never thought or conceived it would be. The most telling is that they said they do not allow their children to participate in social media (some not even screen time) at all. One said he did not think children should be on social media until the age of 16, but he would at least suggest high school.
Really something to think about.
WALK-A-THON:
It is finally here! Tomorrow is supposed to be chilly, so please dress your children accordingly. To help lessen the amount of students in one place, we are separating them into two walking areas. Our preschool to grade 3 will be walking around the field by the playground while the older students, grades 4 to 8, who run laps to see how many they can do in an hour, will run around the school building.
Since the weather is calling for rain tonight, I am urging parents, of our younger students who will be in the field, to consider sending rain boots with their children for the walk. Rain boots will help keep the students' feet dry as they walk the field.
END OF TRIMESTER:
The end of the first Trimester is coming up in early November. If you are considering switching your student(s) status and moving to virtual or moving to in-class learning instead of virtual, please let the office know your decision by November 6. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that things will remain the same for the second trimester.
I have been asked to clarify what being a virtual student entails and what, if any, limitations that places on your child(ren). I have consulted the Archdiocese, the Parish Directors, and the Education Commission and we have considered your rights as parents to make decisions for your children, the roles of Athletic Boosters as a parish versus a school entity, the role of the school and extra-curricular activites sponsored by the school, and what social activities the school/parish have say over if any. Below are the four guidelines we will follow for the rest of this year as we all struggle with virtual or in-person school decisions.
- Athletic Boosters is a parish entity, not a school entity, because all children from the parish can participate in sports. All parish children, virtual, in-person, or REP, can choose to participate in sports as dictated by their parents.
- In order to participate in school-sponsored activities taking place during the school day (field trips, class parties, Walk-A-Thon, etc...), students must attend school in person. Virtual students are not permitted on campus during the school day unless it is for a pre-approved educational or religious activity.
- To participate in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities after the school day (VE, Band, Chess Club, Math Club etc...), students must attend school in person as well; therefore students choosing remote learning are not permitted to participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular activity taking place on school or parish grounds, unless it is for a pre-approved educational or religious activity. Most of these activities have a virtual option and remote learning students may participate in extracurricular activities when available virtually.
- If there is a social activity sponsored by the parish, PTO, FAB, Athletic Boosters or the 8th grade, on or off school or parish grounds, outside of the school day, parents of both in-school and virtual students may make the choice they think is in the best interest of the safety of their child(ren).
WAYBRIDGE COUNSELING:
St. Veronica is once again working with Waybridge Counseling for the emotional health of our students. If you feel that you want to explore this option for your child, please start by reaching out to your child's homeroom teacher. Then either you or the teacher can send a referral to Waybridge to start the process. In this time of extra anxiety and stress, do not forget we have this service for your child(ren).
OPEN POSITION:
We are in need of a Kindergarten Aide. The job entails about 19 hours a week and could be three to four days a week from 8:10 to 12:45 on the days you work. If you are interested, please contact the school office about setting up an interview with me and/or the teachers with whom you could be working.
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SCHOOL PICTURE
MAKE UP DAY
TUESDAY, OCT. 27
School pictures should be sent next week.
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Due to Covid -19 and social distancing, we will not have our annual Veterans Day Prayer Service and breakfast. We will however, continue to honor our Veterans, with the Veterans Wall of Honor. The wall consists of military photos, sent in from our parish and school families, of their special family members who have served or currently serve our country. We have saved all the photos from the previous years. Any new photos sent in will be copied and returned to you. Please put the person's name and branch of the military they served in, and please remember to put your name and where to return the photos. The photos may be sent to the parish office or the school office by November 6, 2020. Pictures can also be sent via e-mail to Jbetz@stveronica.org
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St. Veronica Fine Arts Boosters is offering Butter Braids for purchase October 15 th - October 30th. These delicious frozen pastries are available in a variety of flavors: Apple, Cherry, Raspberry, Four Cheese & Herb, Bavarian Crème with Chocolate icing, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese, Blueberry & Cream Cheese, Caramel Roll with Caramel Glaze, Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese, and Strawberry & Cream Cheese (some varieties available online only). These pastries are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Delivery is Monday, November 16th (time and location TBA). Orders are due by October 30th - please turn in to Matthew Irvine 8F. For questions, contact Jenny Irvine at btijli@fuse.net
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FATHER / SON EVENT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020
5:00 PM
RJ CINEMA DISTILLERY
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 MEGA SPLIT THE POT RAFFLE
As a way to help with finances and make-up for our missed festival this year St. Veronica is hosting a Mega Split the Pot Raffle. All parishioners should be receiving a mailing from the Finance Commission containing information about the raffle and tickets to purchase. Tickets are also available to purchase online by going to the parish website. Please encourage your relatives and friends to participate. The more who participate the greater the winnings!
Drawing November 26, 2020
Winner not be present to win.
PRIZE 1: 75% of split pot
PRIZE 2: 12.5% of split pot
PRIZE 3: 12.5% of split pot
Early bird drawing on October 23, 2020 for $100 prize! $5 for 1 ticket / $25 for 6 tickets / $50 for 14 tickets / $100 for 30 tickets
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