September 14, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians of Catholic Academy and Parish School Students,
The past seven months have been like no other in all my years in Catholic education and probably like no other in the history of American education. Despite the many challenges, I have been inspired by the heartfelt actions of our principals, teachers, and parents throughout this pandemic. I am also sincerely appreciative of what our parents, teachers and school leaders are continuing to do, to support our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, as we begin the 2020-2021 school year.
Catholic schools are faith communities and while our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools did an outstanding job moving to online learning, we missed having the students in class and couldn’t wait to pray, learn and play together again. Most families over the summer, indicated they felt the same way. Some families chose to return to the 2020-2021 school year remotely, with their decision to enroll in the Saint Thomas Aquinas Distance Learning Program, with online instruction. Saint Thomas Aquinas will begin on September 16, 2020.
Our re-opening days last week, were well-planned, focused on the details and addressed the health and safety concerns of everyone. Having your children return allowed each school community to see their students in person, welcoming their children back with a smile and a socially distant wave and engage the students in learning from the classroom setting. Whoever thought this would be the way learning would occur in 2020? However, by everyone working together, we are all back stronger and ready to tackle what lies ahead.
We once again wanted to remind you of basic tenets to support a heathy and safe environment:
We thank you again for partnering with us, allowing us to develop and educate the children you have entrusted in our care.
In closing, I share the prayer below:
Back to School Blessing
Dear Heavenly Father,
You sent us your Son,
how great is your goodness,
how great is your love.
Now as we send our children back to school,
we trust again in your care for them,
let them see clearly that which is good and reject all evil.
Bless their teachers—guide their hearts.
May our children learn and grown, always in your
sight and under your protection. Let us teach them how
to stand firm, upon convictions yet be merciful and kind.
Guide them, oh Lord. Bless them. Pour out your
loving grace. Let your glory shine in their lives.
And when they suffer, let us understand how to comfort them
without hindering your character-building process.
You are the architect of a holy life. Build our
children up according to your will.
Oh loving Lord, our children are yours, since
the beginning of time. Thank you for their lives.
Bless and protect their souls.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services
