Dear SAP Parents and Guardians,
I pray you and your families are staying safe and healthy at this time. As we begin our second week of distance learning, we want to commend our faculty, staff, parents, and students for adapting to these sudden changes so well, to ensure that meaningful learning continues to take place. Please follow the directives of our federal, state, local, and public health officials. On Thursday evening, the Governor of CA announced a “stay at home” order. As a result, all our teachers and aides are working remotely this week. We are awaiting direction from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on determining the length of the school’s closure beyond March 31st, amid the recent stay at home order.
The main school office will be open from 8am-12 noon M-F (please schedule an appointment by phone or email if you plan to stop by in person). The office staff will be available to take your calls and emails until 4pm every day this week. All social distancing guidelines must be adhered to for anyone visiting campus (6 ft. apart).
Virtual learning will continue during the quarantine, to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please check emails from your child’s teacher for specific directions and visit your child’s classroom blogs daily for more information. This will reduce the amount of emails you receive. We are working to streamline the process. Administration will stay in touch via emails and the Remind app. We will also continue to post updates and bulletins on the school website under News and Events on the homepage at www.stanthonygardena.org. This is an unprecedented experience for everyone, so know that we will take things slowly as we transition to this “new normal” together. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience.
May God continue to bless us all this Lenten season and during this time of uncertainty. We continue to pray for Our Blessed Mother’s protection and ask for healing for all those affected by the Coronavirus.
Mrs. Grey, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2020
(Be sure to always check www.stanthonygardena.org and your child’s teacher’s blog for the most current information.)
- March 24-26 – WASC/WCEA Accreditation Team (Official Visit) POSTPONED UNTIL FALL
- March 25 – Feast of the Annunciation, end of 33 Days to Morning Glory, Marian Consecration (School Mass and all morning assemblies suspended)
- April 1– Jog-a-Thon canceled (fundraiser suggestion: replace this obligation by raising $100 in percentage amount through the purchase of SCRIP for gas cards, Amazon cards, food delivery)
- April 7– First Reconciliation (PENDING)
- April 8– Spelling Bee, 8-10 am in Hall ( POSTPONED)
- April 9– Holy Thursday
- April 10– Good Friday (beginning of Spring Break)
- April 20-23 – 8th grade Pilgrimage ( PENDING)
- April 25 –First Holy Communion (PENDING)
FOOD SERVICES The Department of Catholic Schools was blessed to have received a waiver from the State of CA to distribute breakfast and lunches to elementary, high school students, and community members 18 years of age or younger at 37 school sites. Children DO NOT NEED TO QUALIFY for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program to participate. Please Note: these sites are subject to change based on demand and school participation. St. Joseph in Hawthorne is the nearest site to SAP, if you are in need of these services. Peary Middle School also has a grab and go service, but children must be present with the adult to receive meals.
SACRAMENTS AND 8TH GRADE INFORMATION
As of now, we are hopeful that our school children can still have their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and that our 8th graders will still continue with their 8th Grade Retreat on 4/20-4/23, their Graduation, Disneyland trip, and all 8th grade activities in June. However, as COVID-19 circumstances develop, we will inform you of any changes/updates to these plans.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
As our school transitions from campus-based to distance-based learning, our school staff continue to work daily to ensure our students are receiving the best instruction possible under the current circumstances. As a ministry of the Church, it’s important to remember that our school operates on its own budget. Families, through tuition and fees, and donors support the ministry of St. Anthony of Padua School. As a result, it is important to maintain financial obligation during this period as scheduled.
ONLINE BEHAVIOR
Please understand that while we are not physically on campus, the policies of the behavioral Parent Student Handbook still apply. When on ZOOM students must show respect to Teachers and Students at all times. All participants must wear the appropriate clothes when entering the virtual classroom, should have an appropriate background, and should follow proper etiquette. When not speaking, your microphone should be on mute. All joking, insults and misbehavior will be reported to our Vice Principal, Mrs. Navia, and you could be removed from the virtual classroom by the teacher.
RE-REGISTRATION
We continue our planning process for the 2020-2021 school year. It is imperative for parents of returning students to complete the Registration process ASAP. We are in open enrollment and if you have not registered, your child will be waitlisted, and there is no guarantee of acceptance next year. Should you have any questions, please contact me via email at agrey@stanthonygardena.org.
St. Anthony – Pray for Us
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