MARCH 24, 2020

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Dear Parents, 

 

As you are aware, Governor Cooper has closed public schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Debbie Mixer, our Interim Superintendent, has just notified principals that we will be doing the same. 

 

I want to share with you that teachers at St. Michael met yesterday on Zoom to discuss how we can better interact and instruct students from a distance should this occur. Recognizing that technology devices might be in high demand in some homes as many of us are now working and schooling at home, we have devised a schedule whereby each homeroom teacher will have two weekly scheduled online sessions with students. I understand that not everyone will be available to attend these online sessions so we are also creating videos that can be viewed at your convenience. On the days that your child does not have an online session scheduled, he/she will continue to receive an emailed “check- in” to provide instructional guidance for that day. Your child’s teacher will contact you regarding the time your weekly sessions are scheduled.

 

In addition to our online learning opportunities and emailed class assignments, we will also have additional packets for our PreK-5th grades for March 30-April 7. (There will be no work assigned from April 8-April 17 during spring break.) These packets can be picked up in the gym on Friday, March 27 between 9:00am-12:00pm. I am asking that parents only enter the gym. Parents can drop completed assignments off at this time as well. For parents who are unable to pick up at this time, we will have a bin in the narthex of the church for pickup as well as delivery of completed assignments. The  church is open from 9:45am-5:00pm each day, including Saturday, and can be accessed through the side door facing the Family Life Center. The bin(s) will be collected and returned to the school on Monday morning. The option of copying the assignments yourself is also available. Again, your child’s teacher will reach out to you to see if you prefer to copy your packet at home or if you prefer to pick it up. Completed packets can also be mailed to the school.

 

Given that the period of distance learning has been extended, I encourage families to develop a daily schedule for completing school assignments if you have not already done so. Teachers will be available Monday-Friday from 8:00am -3:30pm to plan, instruct, and respond to email questions from parents. Please let us know how we can help you and your child. 

 

My teachers and I miss our students! We are ready to come back to school for our face-to-face interaction time with students. Please continue to pray for the health and safety of all of our St. Michael Catholic School family as well as all those who are affected by this virus. We hope to see you soon!

 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support as together we work to help our children learn while keeping them safe.

 

Blessings to all,

Kathleen Miller

Interim Principal

MARCH 24, 2020

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Parents,

Again I am reaching out to thank you for your feedback and support.  Our students, teachers and families are doing a phenomenal job of adjusting to the remote learning platform and are finding new and creative ways to facilitate daily learning.  This is a challenging time for us all, but our faith will sustain us!  We are now into our second week of remote learning. Consistent with Gov. Roy Cooper’s most recent directive for public schools, in-person classes will remain suspended until the May 15th date set for North Carolina public schools.

Remote learning will continue through Tuesday, April 7th.  April 8th through April 19th, we will observe Holy Week, Easter, and then spring break.  There will not be any remote learning during this time – it will be a chance for all of us to recharge our batteries.  I pray that Easter brings peace and assurance to those who have experienced difficulties and uncertainty.

Right now, we expect to continue remote learning after spring break, although we will continue to monitor the evolving situation and consider the opportunity to resume normal classroom operations if public health restrictions are lifted or relaxed.  I realize that the situation remains fluid, which makes it difficult for many families to plan ahead, but we want to follow public health guidance to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, staff, and families. We have a few weeks to contemplate this decision as we pray for wisdom and guidance.  There are many factors that go into these decisions and they are not made without extensive deliberation and consideration for all the stakeholders involved.

My prayers continue to be with each of you, and I ask that you also pray for me and our entire Catholic school community. St. Roch and St. Rosalie, pray for us!

Debbie Mixer
Interim Superintendent
Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools
704-370-3355


The Mission of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting citizen.