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Volume 10 Number 40 April 24, 2020
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Dear Delone Catholic Families,
As we complete the second week of our synchronous schedule, I am happy to share that initial reports have been positive ones. Although some classes are better attended than others, teachers are indicating that having specific times available to meet with students is proving beneficial to both sides. In order to facilitate these meetings and improve their effectiveness, students' Chromebook cameras were activated and guidelines governing their use were sent to both parents and students. This allows students to have a visual presence in the classroom if they elect to use it. As with all virtual meeting sites, however, students still have the option of muting their audio and video settings to protect their privacy. This alternative also grants teachers access to a greater range of applications to deliver instruction, chief among them being FlipGrids. My colleagues in other diocesan high schools indicate that this approach is quite successful, resulting in much more effective instruction.
Given that the Governor's Office has decreed that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, I know that many are concerned with the end of the year timetable. After careful deliberation with the Diocesan Office of Education and my leadership team, the last day of scheduled classes for underclass students will be May 22, allowing students to submit any remaining assignments and finalize any outstanding assessments by May 29. Similarly, the last day of scheduled classes for Seniors will be May 8, allowing them to submit any remaining assignments and finalize any outstanding assessments by May 15.
We are still working on what Baccalaureate Mass/Senior Awards Ceremony and Graduation will look like, but much depends on how long the stay-at-home order remains in effect and how allowances for group assembly are modified. A meeting has been scheduled with our Student Council and Senior Class officers to get their input on these events. That said, the Superintendent has requested that each high school submit a July date for an alternative "live" graduation ceremony. I have submitted Friday, July 10, for Delone Catholic High School. Given the approaching end of my tenure as principal and my pending move to Texas, I would not be available for dates later than that one.
As we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, we were reminded that, "Families are small communities within themselves, as well as the cell of society." While in quarantine, they can, "devote themselves to the reading of the Bible (especially the Gospels), to holy fellowship (marked by patience and kindness), to the breaking of the bread (even if it's participated in by live streaming), and to active prayer . . . . If the Christian family fulfills its call to live the Lord's way of love, therefore, then today will be Mercy Sunday, not only in name but action and deeds." *
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever. He is Risen. Alleluia!
Sincerely,
Richard La Rocca
Principal
*Fr. Jeffrey Kirby: https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2020/04/mercy-sunday-calls-families-to-live-the-lords-way-of-love
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Delone Catholic Receives Middle States Re-Accreditation
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DELONE CATHOLIC EARNS MIDDLE STATES RE-ACCREDITATION
Delone Catholic High School announced today that it has earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement.
"Middle States accreditation serves as an independent validation of the good work we do, and the re-accreditation process again focused our attention on strategic planning and continuous improvement practices," said Mr. Richard La Rocca, Principal. "We are proud to have earned re-accreditation and look forward to continuing to work with our administrators, teachers, and parents to provide high quality education for all students."
Accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.
The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle Statesmember schools conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school operations and interview various stakeholders.
The visiting team makes its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which votes on the accreditation.
"The Middle States accreditation process supports schools in developing a strategic plan for the future that is built upon continuous school improvement," said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. "Middle States accredited schools should be commended for their commitment to collaboration, growth and advancing student achievement."
About Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
Based in Philadelphia, the Middle States Association is the worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. For over 130 years, Middle States has been helping school leaders establish and reach their goals, develop strategic plans, promote staff development and advance student achievement. With more than 2,500 accredited schools and school systems in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and in over 110 countries, MSA-CESS is proud of its continuing legacy and its ongoing innovations to meet the challenges of improving education in the 21st century. For more information visit
www.msa-cess.org.
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We are in the process of generating electronic reports card for the third quarter. We hope to have them ready to be electronically distributed next week.
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Delone Catholic Day of Giving - #SquireImpact
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We have always known that Delone Catholic graduates are special. Now, more than ever, we are seeing our students and alumni making an impact during this unprecedented time in our history. At noon on Thursday, April 30, Delone Catholic will begin a Day of Giving. The day will begin with a live stream Mass celebrated by Father Morelli in Our Lady, Queen of Peace chapell. Throughout the day, we will post short videos and stories of the #SquireImpact that Delone Catholic has made.
We ask for your support on our Day of Giving to ensure that no family is forced to leave our community due to the unexpected financial turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to
give current and future students the opportunity to make their own #SquireImpact.
If you are interested in recording a short (30-60 second) video about Delone Catholic's #SquireImpact in your life, or your #SquireImpact on those around you,
please email it to
Mrs. Jennifer Hart
along with your Delone Catholic affiliation and a high res picture of yourself. Please note that by sending us a video or picture, you are giving us permission to use them in our marketing materials, on social media and in other public relations endeavors.
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We Want to Help Our Squire Businesses Stay #SquireStrong
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Delone Catholic is reaching out to encourage support of small businesses owned by our Delone Catholic community members! We invite alumni, parents and parents of alumni to complete THIS FORM if you own an essential small business in need of community support. These may include restaurants offering take-out, auto services, food and beverage manufacturing, medical supplies, social services, etc.
We would also like to promote your business on our social media outlets, so please email a picture (logo, owner selfie, employees, etc.) to Mrs. Jennifer Hart at [email protected]. Any submitted pictures can and may be used in the yearbook, in social media posts and in other public relations efforts.
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We are continuing our Highlight a Squire Hero campaign. We will highlight the heroes in our Squire family that are working to battle the coranvirus as they care for the sick, protect the healthy, keep us safe and supply us with supplies, food and other essential services.
Send pictures or selfies of students, alumni, family members and friends that are actively involved in this all-out battle with the coronavirus, so that our Delone Catholic community may pray for them. Send pictures to Mrs. Jennifer Hart at [email protected]. Note that pictures may be posted on Delone Catholic Social Media and/or printed in the school yearbook.
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Please Complete Student Re-Registration by April 24
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Parents with students in grades 9, 10 and 11 should have received an email with a link and instructions for online student re-registration. The form is simple to complete, and the registration payment can be paid online (via ACH or bank account or credit card). We need to have your student's re-registration by April 24. If you did not receive an email with a link or have any questions regarding completing the re-registration form, please contact
Mrs. Jennifer Hart.
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And The Trivia Fun Continues...
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Attention all Squire Trivia masters. We are hosting our fourth online trivia night this Sunday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your family's trivia knowledge with other Delone Catholic families. To play, sign in at crowd.live/DIFAE
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DCMA Updates: Carnival, Mulch Sale and $100 Dinner
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Thank you for your continued support of the Delone Catholic Music Association.
Delone Catholic Carnival
The carnival has been cancelled for this year, due to the COVID19 restrictions on large gatherings.
$100 Dinner
Due to recent events and social distancing in place we will be postponing our $100
Dinner fundraiser to June 5, 2020.
All other details remain the same.
You do not need to be present to win!
If you have any questions or need to purchase more tickets please call (717) 752-4873 or e
mail
[email protected]
Mulch Sale
Due to the State shutdown of schools in response to COVID 19, the Delone Catholic Music Association 2020 mulch sale is cancelled. Thank you to all of the Associations supporters.
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Spread the Word about Delone Catholic High School
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Place Ads for Grads by May 1
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Honor your graduate with a special message in this year's publication of the Delonian. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2020. The pricing and order form can be found by clicking here.
The Delonian staff would prefer that Ads for Grads be purchased on-line using Herff Jone's website
www.YearbookOrderCenter.com
and selecting Delone Catholic and using order number 4186.
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From the Alumni and Advancement Office
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delone Catholic will be unable to host the Ladies Tea this spring. We pray that those suffering during this time will find strength and healing, and that scientists and doctors will find treatments and a cure that will soon allow us to gather again. This special event will be held in 2021 as long as it is safe to do so.
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Alumni: Please Share Your News
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You may have graduated or moved on from Delone Catholic High School, but we never stop caring about you or being interested in your life. Use this form to share news with your Delone Catholic family - or to brag about your classmates and friends.
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From the Spiritual Life Office
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SportsLeader Virtue of the Week
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One pillar of the SportsLeader program is a weekly virtue that we incorporate into our athletic practices and throughout our school community. Every week, we will share them here to encourage the students to take the virtue into their homes as well!
Our virtue this week is to be PERSONABLE - The strength to be pro-actively welcoming and kind to others. It's an awesome experience to be in a school, a class or on a team that is kind to one another, that welcomes one another ... you want to be there with them. You enjoy the experience and the work that you put in together. That is fun. Let's do our best to create that type of environment here.
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From the Athletics Department
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PIAA Sports Information Update
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Third Annual Tommy Laudani Delone Dash 5K/3K Trail Run: UPDATE
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A new race date is being considered for this event. Please check the Squire Wire and Delone Catholic website for more information as it becomes available.
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Dinner Raffle to Benefit The John Gastley Scholarship Foundation - NEW DATE
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The John Gastley Scholarship Foundation (TJGSF) Dinner Raffle has reserved the date of Saturday, July 25 at SAVES to hold the dinner. Please stay tuned for additional details.
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Delone Catholic High School educates and challenges students
spiritually, academically, physically, socially and aesthetically,
within the traditions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
This challenge will inspire students to encounter Jesus Christ personally and
to "Be Doers of the Word."
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