Mark C. DeMareo, Ed.D. PRINCIPAL

Holy Cross Academy

40 Rumson Road Rumson, NJ 07760 Tel: 732-842-0348

March 11, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Have you heard of the expression “food for thought”? Well, it turns out to be, quite literally, the truth. Good nutrition really does feed the brain. And it starts with breakfast. Research shows that eating breakfast helps students stay on task and recall information. Eating breakfast regularly is even linked to improved overall school performance. What can you do? Keep low-sugar, whole grain cereals and fruit on hand. And be prepared for a rushed morning with a healthy breakfast that your child can eat on the way out the door. Whether you’re packing lunch or your child is eating a school lunch, encourage him to avoid high-calorie and high-fat foods. When children eat a meal that is high in fat and sugar, their bodies tend to become very tired—which makes it difficult to concentrate. Children are typically hungry when they get home from school, so be sure to keep a variety of healthy snacks on hand—fruits, veggies, cheese, yogurt and whole grain crackers. Remember: When you’re grocery shopping, buy only the food you want your child to eat. Your child can’t eat unhealthy food if it is not in the house.

Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 8th

Pictured above are Alison Mitchell, Tom Dooley and Sue Symington

The largest turn out representing faculty, students, staff and parents of Holy Cross Academy were on hand to participate in the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade held this past Sunday afternoon. Faculty and staff members included Father Michael Manning, Michell Tomaino, Marcie Forsyth, Mike Feerst, Alice Kantor, Amy Evans, Tom Dooley, Sue Symington and Lori LaPlante. It was a huge turnout on a beautiful, sunny day.

A peaceful home environment promotes a sense of well-being

It’s nearly impossible to lead a stress-free life these days, but you can work to make home a haven away from the daily grind. To help your entire family feel mentally and emotionally well: Encourage laughter. Laughter should be a part of each day. Have everyone share favorite funny shows, movies, jokes and stories. Share stress-relief strategies. Teach your child to take deep breaths, go for a walk or turn on some relaxing music whenever she feels stressed. Remember the big three: good nutrition, adequate sleep and exercise. These are the keys to wellness. Share good things. Every day, have each family member report at least one good thing (no matter how small) that happened. Try to do this during a family meal. You could even write down the responses in a family gratitude journal. Stay organized. An organized, clutter-free home creates a more peaceful environment for everyone. It also teaches your child how to take care of her belongings. Pitch in. Chores go so much more quickly when everyone works together. Have a family chore time and then reward yourselves by doing something fun as a family. Source: A. Marks, M.D. and B. Rothbart, M.S.W., Healthy Teens, Body and Soul: A Parent’s Complete Guide, Fireside.

Mass attendance for the weekend of March 7th and 8th by grade level

Notes from Nurse Jane

Coronavirus Update Rest assured, we are monitoring this developing situation closely, staying in regular contact with the Diocese, federal agencies, health organizations, and other experts. As part of the attachments in today’s folder, you will find an Emergency Back Up Plan in the event we have to close school due to the Coronavirus.

Thank you for your patience and trust. We are prepared to navigate through these challenging circumstances with your child’s safety at the forefront of everything we do.

Updates from the Elementary School Spanish Program ( Prekinder-5th grades)

by Sra. Yolanda Roeder

Grades PK-1st

Our students are so eager to learn a new language and have shown great progress in our weekly classes. They have learned to use polite words, greetings and leave taking phrases. They can understand and identify basic objects using some colors and numbers 1 through 12. They can identify days of the week, months and weather. Our acquired learning experience has been reinforced with songs and fun projects. We have been integrating basic prayers and phrases into our daily routines to enrich our Spanish in fun and spiritual ways.

Second Grade

Our second grade is so enthusiastic, what a joy it is teach them! We have reviewed basic terms and phrases, days of the week, months of the year, numbers up to 50, colors, basic polite words, greetings, leave taking phrases, basic questions and responses. This class is easily engaged and has done a fantastic job with all the above. We have just finished our weather and clothing theme in which they excel dressing up Olaf and labeling his face and body with the appropriate words. We also started our guardian angel prayers as our monthly prayer, and we reinforced with a beautiful display of art that students created.

Third graders

Third graders are hard workers and are always willing to give a bit more than expected. This group has been learning all basic concepts in weather, days of the week, months and numbers, hobbies, occupations, seasons (fall and winter), cultural events (Dia de los muertos, La Sagrada Familia-Navidad) applying familiar and spoken words and phrases.

They are writing simple sentences and will soon present information orally integrating technology (Google slides). Parents will be invited to view their child’s presentation. We have also integrated a new website called Rockalingua. Rockalingua is a very fun and interactive way to acquire Spanish language and reinforce concepts taught in class. Children love it. Please allow your child to login at home if they choose too.

Fourth and Fifth

Fourth and fifth have been applying and reviewing concepts learned in previous years while they are learning new concepts, vocabulary, grammar and culture in our 2 day weekly classes. It has been challenging, but I am so happy to say that they are making more connections. They are presenting information using the appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Prayers are also integrated into our classes.

They can answer some basic concepts in Spanish about weather, months of the year, days of the week, seasons and understand basic weather expressions. They have compared, contrasted and reflected on ways to celebrate and honor holidays and special people in their lives.

They made great progress and are now writing basic sentences with correct use of grammar and spelling and using the vocabulary given. Our next step will be to deliver an oral presentation together meeting the rubric given. This presentation will also be integrating technology and other media. I will be sending and invitation to your child’s presentation. We are looking forward to seeing it all come together.

Week of March 7th and 8th - Virtue of Docility

Docility Meaning: Willingness to be taught

~ Dear Jesus,

You are my teacher in every situation! Before acting on

important matters, please give me the humility to seek Your

wisdom and the wisdom of others, in order to make the best decision. Give me the gift of counsel, so that

I may do Your holy will in each situation.

On Monday, March 9th, Dr. DeMareo read from Scripture 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Friday, March 13: Open House at 9:30 a.m. and Report Cards issued

Friday, March 20: Professional Day for Teachers – No School for students Friday, March 20: Pickle Ball Open 6:00 p.m.

Friday, March 27 – Seussical Jr. 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28: Seussical Jr. 2:00 p.m.

Our morning 9:00 a.m. Masses for March are as follows:

Friday, March 13 (Grade 3) Including Confession Monday, March 16 (Grade 4) Including Confession

Wednesday, March 18 (Grade 5) Including Confession Thursday, March 19 – School-wide Mass – Feast of St. Joseph

Monday, March 23 (Grade 6) Including Confession Wednesday, March 25 (Grade 1)

Father Manning’s Classroom Visits

Friday, March 13: Grade 7.2 at 12:20 p.m. Monday, March 16: Grade 3 at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 23: Grade 4 at 1:00 p.m. Monday March 30: Grade 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Wednesday, March 18: Grade 3 at 10:55 a.m. and Grade 4 at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday, March 25: Grade 6 at 12:25 p.m. and Grade 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Today is the Day…To Commit Yourself to Grow

Orville and Wilbur Wright dreamed of flying even as young boys. They studied and experimented and learned everything they could about flying. Today you can fly anywhere because two brothers were dedicated to the task they had resolved to accomplish. They were open to learn and willing to grow in their understanding. Anything worthwhile requires learning, practice, and being on the growing edge before proficiency comes. Commit yourself to personal growth as you seek to reach your goals. God will be there to guide you to triumph.

Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle, and a victory.

-Author Unknown

Remember…

God Bless,

Dr. Mark DeMareo Principal

Holy Cross Academy Emergency Closing Plan

As H.C.A. continues to assess the evolving situation related to the Coronavirus, please be assured that we are working actively to ensure the safety of students, staff members, and other stakeholders. We are continuously monitoring and following guidance from the CDC, NJ Department of Health, and NJ Department of Education. The NJ Department of Health has shared information on the Coronavirus on their website and has included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions. The school’s immediate concern is to keep all school community safe and students actively learning each day. For reliable and timely updates, please contact the Monmouth County website at co.monmouth.nj.us and look under “Health Department”.

In the event that a health-related emergency school closing is required, the district has been instructed by the NJ Department of Education to implement a virtual home instruction plan in order to maintain continuity of instruction and services for all students.

Implementation of a virtual home instruction plan will allow for the days that students/staff are not physically in session (at school) to count toward the 180 day state requirement for school attendance.

The Holy Cross Academy Emergency Closing Plan will be subject to revision as new information and guidance is received from various local and state departments.

In the event of a closure during a regularly scheduled school day, teachers in all content areas will provide assignments, modified as necessary, in Google Classrooms or ParentSquare that are rooted in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Students will be required to complete all assignments to their varied teachers. Daily class attendance will be monitored by the completion and submission of those assignments to teachers. Though students may complete daily assignments at any point during the day, their teachers will be available for follow up instruction and remediation, via remote conferencing e.g. Google Hangouts or ParentSquare during regular school hours.

Physical materials and resources are being prepared for students to have at home to aid in their instruction and independent work. Teachers will advise students what important physical materials and resources they need, in the case of a mandated closure that is ordered after regular school hours.

Your cooperation during this developing situation is greatly appreciated.

Learning Expectations

All Grade PreK through 8 certificated staff members will be available during their contractual time via digital devices during regularly scheduled school days. All educators will follow their regular instructional schedule, when appropriate, to interact virtually with students as needed.

Kindergarten through Grade 5 will communicate to parents and students via

ParentSquare and/or Google Classroom if applicable. Grades 6 through 8 will communicate via Google Classroom and email.

Grades K-1 Elementary Virtual Home Instruction via ParentSquare

Grades 2 through 5 Elementary Virtual Home Instruction via Google Classroom or ParentSquare

Assignments posted to Google Classroom by 8:00 a.m. Instructors announce times of/and provide direct instruction via Google

Classroom. Hangout, pre-recorded video, or other app during regular school hours,

8:00 a.m. -2:40 p.m.

Grades 6 through 8

Middle School Virtual Home Instruction Classroom Hours Assignments posted to Google Classroom by 8:00 a.m. Instructors announce times of/and provide direct instruction via Google

Classroom. Hangout, pre-recorded video, or other app during regular school hours,

8:00 a.m. -2:40 p.m.

We ask parents/guardians to develop an educational home routine to hold your child(ren) accountable and assist them to have good work habits.

Students will have until 9:00 p.m. to submit work on the day assigned to credit them for

“attendance”. Teachers may extend this time if the assignment is long-term or requires multiple days to

complete.

If a student requires assistance with an assignment/concept, the student should reach out to the teacher(s) during their regularly scheduled instructional time by way of a formal email.

Assignments that cannot be submitted digitally should be submitted to the teacher(s)

upon return to school.

If a teacher digitally comments on student work, then the student is responsible for following up on those comments.

The Google Classroom is part of our Catholic school learning environment; therefore, discretion should be utilized in all comments submitted.

Best Practices/Reminders

At-home materials and resources shall be sent home, and, if need be, brought to/from school over the next few weeks to aid students in their learning, e.g.

SOAR Binder Leveled readers and core novels Textbooks and workbooks Mathematics manipulatives Writing folders

Teacher should clearly specify due dates for virtual home assignments. The continued use of digital media and textbooks will continue in the middle school.

Summary Teachers will:

Post assignments according to regular school start times Be available to provide virtual direct instruction/discussion with students

during regular school times/daily schedule Provide regular feedback to students on assignments The Guidance Counselor and Nurse shall be available via email during

regular school hours.

Please note that if school is closed, daily and weekly masses will still continue to be held.

Wine will not be served during masses and you should refrain from shaking hands during the “Handshake of Peace.”

~ We encourage you to sanitize your hands as often as possible.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

BREAKTHROUGH MARCH 29, 2020 FOLLOWING 5PM MASS

PIZZA, POPCORN AND SELTZER WILL BE SERVED. BREAKTHROUGH is based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

The movie is especially geared toward middle school children but all children are welcome at parent’s discretion. PG rating is for thematic content and peril.

SERIVICE HOURS FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS WILL BE EARNED BY ATTENDING 5PM MASS AND THE MOVIE.

PLEASE RSVP IN LINK PROVIDED SO THERE IS ENOUGH PIZZA FOR ALL!

14760Holy Cross Academy