Dear Parents and Guardians,

During this time of social distancing and the stay at home order, I pray that you are reaching out to one another and checking in on family and friends.  The St. Ignatius community is strong and resilient during these unprecedented times, and my hope is that we continue to show our care and concern for each other. While we must be physically distant, we do not need to be totally socially and emotionally isolated.  Encourage each other, pray for each other, email, phone, and send a special gift to let people know you are thinking of them. I continue to pray the for the health and well-being of every student, parent, guardian and staff member of this remarkable school. As a community that cares for its members, I know we will get through this together.  

Over the last two weeks, learning and instruction has drastically changed at St. I's, but it continues. As of today, we know that school will remain in the remote learning mode until Wednesday, April 15. This remains to be our plan unless Governor Dewine extends it past that date. As we become aware of any changes, I will inform you. We have seven days of instruction left in March and the beginning of April before springbreak.  
 
As I stated in my end of the day announcements in Google Classroom yesterday, I am very proud of our students who have embraced a new model of learning and instruction. The reports I have received is that the students are engaged and completing their assignments. I also want to thank all of our parents who are supporting their children at home in their learning and in their play. It is a huge undertaking to be parent and teacher, but we are grateful for everything you are doing to provide some normalcy in this difficult time. Also, a huge thanks to the staff who has transformed their model of instruction. They have diligently embraced new technology and teaching methods in order to provide meaningful activities so that our students achieve the necessary essential skills needed to complete the current school year. I hope you will join me in showing some form of appreciation to the staff.    

Please know that you continue to be in my prayers and if the parish and school can do anything to support you, please let us know.

In Christ’s Peace,
Kevin Vance
Principal

Announcements:
1.  A gentle reminder to students to continue to complete your assignments and turn them in on time. Attend as many of the live sessions as you can so you can say hello to your teachers and your classmates. If you can’t attend the live session, make sure to watch the recorded session to complete your work or be introduced to a new concept.
 

2. Tuition payments can be sent to the attention of Barb Campbell in the parish office at 5222 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH. 45247. During this time of uncertainty, the Finance Council has extended the payment window for this school year to July 1 for those families who need an extension.  

3. Here is a nice website For some ideas of things to do with your children during this time  Activities with our children

4. From Northwest Local School District
NWLSD is Offering Drive-Thru Meals to Students on April 2, 2020.

NWLSD is proud to offer our families the opportunity to pick up a weeks’ worth of drive-thru meals for their students on Thursday, April 2 from 11:00am-1:00pm from the following schools: Pleasant Run Elementary, Taylor Elementary, and Struble Elementary. This is open to all children age 18 and under who reside within the district area, including non-NWLSD students.

Because your health & the health of our employees is of utmost importance, we respectfully request that you remain in your vehicle during meal pickup. PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE.

Meals will range from pre-packaged breakfast and lunch kits to granola bars, cereal, pop tarts, deli sandwiches, subs etc. All meals will include milk and fruit, fruit juice, and/or a vegetable.

NWLSD takes the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Therefore, every employee who comes in contact with food will document their temperature prior to entering the facility and will not be permitted to enter if they have an elevated temperature, have come in contact with or had a household member come in contact with COVID-19. We will have no more than 8 employees at a time in the facility and all employees will remain at least 6 feet apart. 

5.  If you need a resource on how to support your child during this crisis, please use this link.

6.  The CDC has also provided a nice resource outlining common reactions to stress and what to watch for in your children as the crisis continues.  Please use this link.