Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that all TK-12 schools in California will be held to new requirements for resuming in-person instruction. As a result, the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will open the 2020-21 school year with distance learning.
I pray this correspondence finds you and your families safe and well. Across the country we are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. Particularly for us, we celebrate the gift of our teacher ministers – people driven by their faith to impart Gospel values to the next generation of servant leaders. Our teachers, like Jesus, walk with our students through a journey of discovery, knowledge and spiritual formation. We are grateful for their vocation, now more than ever. Thank you to all of our Catholic educators who are going above and beyond for our students at this critical time.
It is with a humble heart that I write this letter to you as the newly appointed Interim Principal of St. Hilary School. I am excited to continue working with the many students and families I have grown to know during the past two years as the Assistant Principal and 4th grade teacher.
The past few weeks have been demanding for us all. Difficult times have a way of bringing out the best in people and inspiring leaders that rise to the occasion. Ms. Alissa Sedano has demonstrated such leadership during these challenging times. Given the current environment, I have asked Ms. Sedano to serve as Interim Principal for the rest of the school year.
I want to thank our whole school community: students, parents, teachers, and staff for your continued flexibility, patience, and perseverance during this unprecedented state of emergency. We all have been asked to take on new and additional roles in order to overcome the challenges this crisis has brought forth. Everyone’s efforts in adapting is truly appreciated.
4.3.20- As we prepare for Holy Week and Easter, I pray you and your families are safe and well. At this time of prayer, reflection and joy as we anticipate the glory of our risen Lord, we find ourselves faced with the burdens of uncertainty and the pain of loss. It’s at this moment that we must rely on our family, neighbors and faith for strength and courage to sustain us through this time.
I hope you and your loved ones find yourselves in good health and spirit. Our top priority is to keep our students, parents, and staff healthy and safe. We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. As you know, the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve.
The past two weeks have represented the very best of our Catholic schools. Never has so much been asked by so many and done by so few in such a short period of time. A coalition of parents, teachers, pastors, school leaders and archdiocesan staff have been on the front lines every day working together under seemingly impossible circumstances to ensure students are cared for and educated remotely. You’ve shown that impossible can be overcome with love, patience, and compassion toward one another.
For families who do not have technology or internet access at home the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has given approval for students to take home devices. Please fill out the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Parent & Students Technology Take-home Agreement.
St. Hilary School is taking necessary steps to ensure our students, personnel, and families remain safe and healthy. It is important that we do not act out of fear, but rather focus on treating everyone in our community with kindness and respect. We encourage you to stay informed with accurate information provided through the Department of Public Health.
California has now entered a critical new phase in the fight to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles will close our schools and move to remote learning effective Tuesday, March 17.