We are having a very good week with very few absences. Morning drop off is improving every day. I am able to get back into my office for prayer and announcements by 8:05, now after a slow start Monday. The teachers took temperatures outside and no one had to go home. A few students needed their temperatures taken a few times to confirm they were not hot but all worked out. The hallways were happy with the footsteps of young people and adults stepping along gracefully once again. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

After feedback around returning to the church for mass, we are going to hold mass on Facebook, virtually, until further notice. This Friday, mass will be at 2:00 on the school's Facebook page.

This is a reminder from the January 7th e-blast about Mass being listed on the calendar as TBD. This Friday afternoon we will have for Grades 1 thru 8 in the church for Mass. Students will sit in their cohort groups so they will be safe. Only the students, their teachers, and Father Andrew will be attending. We will start bringing the students over at 2:00 and take the time needed to sit them properly. The same goes for dismissal from the church. Please open this post to view the complete update.

This is so exciting. We will see you in the morning. Here are some last minute updates to questions posed to me since the Thursday meeting. Remember those of you who were not present must view the recording of the meeting in the Thursday newsletter sent home. You must also review the documents shared above and then email acrowley@sclarem.org informing me you viewed the protocols. Please open this post to view the complete update.

This was a terrific week for us at St. Clare of Montefalco. Attendance was amazing. Most days only one or two students were absent. Teachers taught from their homes quarantining just like the students. We are good to go Monday, January 11, 2021. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

I hope this finds you all doing well. Tomorrow is the 4:00 PM Mandatory Parent Meeting. It will address protocols for the return to face-to-face instruction on Monday, January 11, 2021. A recording will be made of this meeting if you are unable to attend. Those who do not sign in the chat room may view the recording from the school website. You would then send me an email stating you viewed it. You must indicate you attended the meeting in some format to insure that your child will be able to return on Monday.

In order to enable this to happen I am letting you know that no packets will be given out or received on Monday, January 4, 2021. The entire staff will work from home next week including the office staff. This will assure no one being exposed to others who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Progress Notes may be returned January 11th or, you may take photos of signed copies and submit to teachers virtually. Teachers will remain in contact with you and post lessons as they have been doing virtually before we left for break. See the January 1st Newsletter for important dates happening at the school. I will also remain in contact with you during the upcoming week too.

Happy New Year to all. I am sending this out on December 31st but wanted to date my letter for the beginning of 2021. Remember the following information from the last newsletter. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

Christmas Break begins this Friday, December 18, 2020 at the end of the school day. School will be in session virtually Monday, January 4, 2021. After consulting with many around a possible safe time to return for face to face instruction, the conclusion was that if families follow proper protocols, Monday, January 11, 2021 would be a viable date to return for PK thru GD 8 in person instruction. Please open this post to view the complete update.

As always I hope this finds you all doing well. We have one more week of school before our Christmas Break. It is my plan that I will zoom into all the classrooms next week to share in at least one lesson with your children. I was able to visit a few this week and they were my favorite part of the week. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

Please open this post to view some important reminders for this week.

As the educational leader of St. Clare of Montefalco School I am charged with making decisions around the safety of all members belonging to our school community. At this time, I am aware of community members who are in quarantine and are unable to return to school face to face. I am also aware of many families who attended large family gatherings, traveled, and simply went about life in a normal fashion this past Thanksgiving holiday. The COVID-19 positivity rate is now 13% in our region and is expected to climb over the course of the next week, and almost all cities within Wayne County are now at Risk Level E. The Wayne County Health Department strongly continues to recommend all schools be closed during this time. Painfully and sadly I am alerting you that the school will remain virtual up to Christmas Break. It is our intent to return face to face on January 4, 2021. The COVID-19 situation is fluid and will be constantly reassessed. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

St. Clare of Montefalco is honored to have received the Catholic Foundation’s “Spirit of Innovation" grant. St. Clare is an overall diverse community accepting each other where they are. The grant will allow this community to move its identity forward to others who want to model and embrace their uniqueness. Consider joining the Catholic Foundation and Principal Ann K. Crowley tomorrow, December 1, to celebrate #UnleashtheGiving!

Please enjoy your Thanksgiving Break spending time with your families. Take that extra moment to share with each other on Thursday what you are all thankful for currently. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

Thank you families for stepping up to this pandemic challenge we are facing. St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School is making adjustments as you share feedback on how your children are doing. We are trying to make comfort levels exist with the synchronous and asynchronous lessons the young people participate in each day. Your children are to be commended for being present and on time for their classes. The school has actually been contacted this week by two families who wish to enroll even though we are currently virtually teaching. The goal is to provide safety first. We will revisit our status for returning December 7th . Know that other Catholic schools around us are closing for at least two weeks now too. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

Superintendent Kevin Kijewski said the following around closures of elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit. “If a Catholic elementary school must temporarily suspend in person instruction and transition to distance education due to community health concerns, those decisions will be made on a case by case basis in conjunction with the Department of Catholic Schools and medical experts. Further, any such decisions will be guided by the best understanding and evidence for what will protect and best serve our students." Please open this post to view the complete letter.

Due to the multiple contacts we are now having around scenarios of children and staff members being in proximity of exposure to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, it is with an abundance of caution that St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School will implement the Virtual Platform for Instruction of Students beginning Monday, November 16, 2020. This is a precaution to best protect all members of our school community. Know at this time your children are all safe. No one has to be notified that they have been exposed to a positive person here in the school. We want to keep it that way. We will reassess the community situation December 7th but, until then, students will attend school in our Google Classroom/Zoom platforms. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

Thank you so, so much for making our new Morning Drop Off a success. We are working out the kinks. It would help if you have your windows open before pulling into line as that will help prevent students from testing hot. Remember that if you park, your children need to wait in the car with you until the first bell rings so they are not crossing in front of moving vehicles. Please open this post to view the complete newsletter.

It's that time of year again! St. Clare School is hosting the annual sale of live wreaths, poinsettias, and planters. These items would make a perfect addition to your home for the Christmas season. Orders are due by Thursday, November 19, and items will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 24. Masks will be required and social distancing will be strictly adhered to during pickup. To place an order, simply complete the order form. You may print the order form by clicking the link when you open this post, or pick one up from the school office. Please contact Ann Conlan at aconlan@stclarem.org with any questions or to complete your order.

All St. Clare of Montefalco 2019/2020 eligible classroom teachers and school support staff have been identified and provided Form 5734 alerting them to their eligibility for the Teacher and School Support COVID-19 Grant being provided by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Notification was sent November 9, 2020 by Ann K. Crowley