COVID-19 Updates

9/30/2021 – Please note that for all potential COVID exposures at school, we follow the guidelines as distributed by DESE and the instructions of our local health officials for contact tracing while follow HIPAA guidelines in regards to what information we share with families.

In MOST cases, students who have been exposed to a student who has tested positive are required to quarantine for 5 days before taking a COVID test. Students are able to return to school two days after a negative test. Each case is unique and guidelines can change for a myriad of reasons. More information can be found in the “DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios — SY 2021-22:

https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/protocols/

 

 

8/30/2021 St. Stanislaus School Mask Documentation Form

 

Diocese of Springfield Reopening Guidance:

School Reopening Guidance 8.16.21

 

Information from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Public Health:

8/1/2021 DESE_DPH COVID19 Guidance for Districts and Schools Fall 2021_July 30 2021

 

2/23/2021 Information from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:

Initial Information on Expanding In-Person Learning This Spring
Physician Letter

 

Diocese of Springfield Response Guidelines for COVID19 Events

Please read the letter from our Pastor about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement on Moral Concerns about the Creation of a Vaccine for COVID-19.

St. Stan’s Reopening Plan

Opening of School Archbishop Rozanski

Please read the following letter from our Administration about the critial safety precautions/procedures for drop off and pick up of St. Stanislaus School students beginning in August for the 2020/2021 school year.

Critical Safety Drop off pick up Information on School Letterhead July 2020 (1)

Please read the following encouraging letter fromCritical Safety Drop off pick up Information on School Letterhead July 2020 (1) our Superintendent about the opening of our schools in the fall.

Communications to families 6.9.20

 

Catholic education has played an important role in lifting many from poverty to a more hopeful future. This mission is in danger as a result of the economic devastation facing many families across the country. Abrupt unemployment and lost income have meant that families suddenly find themselves unable to make the tuition payments that sustain our schools.

Additionally, our parishes which normally provide financial support to the schools to keep tuition within financial reach for families have lost their Sunday collections with the halt to the public celebration of Masses.

Please take a moment to contact your Members of Congress to ask for emergency aid to Catholic schools and our families in the next Covid-19 Legislation package.  Our requests include: equitable access to K12 federal funds for Catholic schools, direct funding to families for tuition aid and tax breaks for K12 tuition payments.

We encourage you to add your own personal story in the message as well.

Catholic schools urgently need help in this time of uncertainty.  By speaking with one voice, we can amplify this problem with Congress and provide help for our families.

Here is the link to take action — and please share this with anyone who also wants to help support Catholic Schools.

ACTION ALERT LINK:  https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/campaigns/74377/respond

Jennifer Daniels

Associate Director for Public Policy

Secretariat of Catholic Education

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

mobile: 202-243-9081

Our Drive by Parade Smilebox, click to view.

 

Please take a moment to read the following message from our Diocesan Schools Office and click on the link to help our Catholic schools get the funding they need.

In addition to the PPP that our diocese applied for the other day, the CARES ACT also provides funds for Catholic schools in two other educational buckets:

Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund – We anticipate that MA will receive between $50-$60M of discretionary funding; and

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – We estimate that MA will receive $210M.

As you are aware, the Lynch Foundation has been and continues to work directly with Governor Baker, Secretary Peyser, and Commissioner Riley to assist our Catholic schools with accessing their fair share of these funds. They anticipate that MA will receive the application for the above mentioned funds on April 27, 2020.

To ensure that Catholic schools receive equitable services and consideration for both of these funds, I ask that you complete and submit the Private School Support in CARES Act petition- see link below.

https://forms.gle/SbQLsZx9fLxRcTXM7

We thank all of the members of our school community that are working on the front lines during these times:  doctors, nurses, EMTs, First Responders, and many others.  We ask God to bless them and protect them, and we thank them for all they are doing to help those who are sick and those in the hospital or in need.

Thank you and God bless all of our St. Stanislaus School families!

The following is a message from our Diocese of Springfield Superintendent’s Office for our parents:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHp0HAGnXR5QVoCUTWxv-Nw

A message of hope from our Diocesan Schools Superintendent:

A link to information on the City’s distribution of meals for children:

https://www.westernmassnews.com/news/chicopee-schools-adjusting-distribution-of-student-grab-and-go-meals/article_62e5b9e8-72c0-11ea-9deb-9bca94f6487a.html

April 28, 2020

Good evening St. Stanislaus School Families,

Governor Baker announced last week that schools in Massachusetts would be closed for the remainder of the school year. Since that announcement we have met with the Diocesan Schools Superintendent and with our school staff to make a plan for the next several weeks of remote learning to finish the school year as planned the second week of June, 2020. 

St. Stanislaus School has been providing remote learning for students at all grade levels from the start of the shut down, the third week of March. Teachers sent home packets at the start of this time and then added on line resources, with weekly email instructions, to all families enrolled at St. Stan’s including preschool.  Teachers have been sending videos with books and lessons to help engage the students in active learning from home.  We will now also increase the direct instruction from the teacher to your children, with additional video, zoom, class dojo, or google classroom lessons depending on your child’s grade level.  They are receiving grade and age appropriate information for their tablets, iPad, or chrome book devices to provide the appropriate access to websites, textbook materials, and teacher presented lessons. 

This week teachers are preparing additional written and hard copy materials for all students.  Wednesday, May 6th, from 7:30 to 1:00 p.m. families of students from preschool three through eighth grade should plan to come to the back parking lot for a drop off/pickup at the curb.  Students should gather all work that has been completed during this remote learning time until May 6th and bring it back to drop off for the teachers to be able to review and correct the assignments in order to effectively prepare progress reports for the fourth quarter.  Please include work for all teachers, return any school library books, and any books that students borrowed for reading with the Battle of the Books club.  Please gather all these items into one bag or package to hand to the school personnel at the curb.  Please include the student’s name and grade. You will hand us the completed work and we will hand you a bag with new work for all subject areas and additional materials needed such as workbooks, and personal items like art boxes, etc, from the student desks. It is important that all families plan to participate in the May 6th drop off/Pick up event.  There will not be another opportunity, as we are trying to following the restrictions in place everyone’s safety.

 Progress reports will then be prepared and mailed the third week of May and should be received no later than May 25th.  We have also planned for a final turn in drop off day on Thursday, June 11th.  This final drop off will be a time to return all completed work from the week of May 6th through June 11th and any textbooks, chromebooks, iPads, and any other school owned materials.  A final report card will then be prepared after teachers have had time to grade the final assignments.  Families should expect to receive the final report card the last week of June. 

We will be in communication with the eighth grade class and the kindergarten class in regard to some type of graduation, commencement celebration when it is safe to do so.  Fr. Joe will make a determination about First Communion when it is safe to do so.  Further information will be provided when it is appropriate and within recommended safety guidelines.  We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in helping us to provide continued learning in these next five weeks or so as we do our best to prepare all students for the next grade level in the fall.

We are grateful to our teachers and our parents for their tireless efforts helping the children.  We appreciate the cooperation and support from families, and we pray for your continued health and safety.  

 

April 15, 2020

Dear Families,

The following is a link to the most recent letter from our Diocesan Schools Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent along with Guidelines for continuity of instruction:

COVID-19 letter to families 4.15.20 from diocese

COVID-19 letter to families 3.30.20

Continuity of Instruction PDF

Wishing your families health and peace!

 

March 19, 2020

Good Evening and Happy St. Joseph’s Day to all of you!

Hoping everyone is staying safe and taking care of yourselves.  We are all doing our best to follow the directives for staying safe.  We are systematically cleaning and disinfecting all areas of the school building.  The carpets have already been cleaned.  

We would like to thank all of you for your cooperation in picking up the resource packets on Tuesday.  Every family had picked them up by the afternoon on Tuesday.  You all get an A+ for your effort and assistance in providing for the children during these challenging times.  We thank you for working with your children to complete assignments a little work each day is good.  The packets sent home were intended for the next three to four weeks as needed.  Teachers will be sending out weekly directions, instruction information, guidance and communication.  All we ask is that the children try their best.  If you can help the children to develop a routine in these days at home it will help them to stay settled and comfortable knowing what to expect each day.

We realize that many parents are still working from home or at the workplace.  This can present challenges of its own as the children are home every day and wanting your time and attention.  Please know that you are in charge and can manage school work as best meets your needs. 

We here at St. Stan’s continue praying for your families and everyone impacted by COVID19.  We remember in particular all those working in the medical field, the first responders and all essential members of the work force such as grocery store and pharmacy personnel, all of whom are working to provide for our needs in these new and ever changing times.

We are entering into the fourth week of Lent this weekend.  May we continue to listen to the still small voice within and pray for patience and hope. 

We wish you peace and faith as we continue our journey toward Easter.

March 15, 2020 

Good Afternoon St. Stan’s families, 

Just a reminder that school is closed for the next three weeks through April 6th at this time.  We will have learning supplies ready for all students by Tuesday, March 17th.  Parents may come and pick up the educational resources between 8:00 and Noon on Tuesday morning.  Teachers will be communicating assignments via email for students to work on.  Students will receive credit for all work completed and returned to the teacher.

We will continue to communicate with all families as more information becomes available.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in these challenging times. 

May we continue this Lenten Journey together in prayer asking for the guidance and protection of our all loving God. 

PRIOR UPDATES