Update on Educate Student Information System

Parent Access Closed

On Friday April 24th Mr. Woods was informed by TADS that there was a problem with the system in a recent update. 

Report cards were linked with wrong student accounts and some parents were given total school access.

As of this afternoon TADS access for parents has been shut down until it can be assessed by the technology department of the Archdiocese.

Parents wishing to keep up to date with their child's progress during their on-line learning should request information from the teacher during their weekly call.

Mr. Woods will let parents know when the system is ready to be opened up again.

SuccessMaker

Mr. Woods reviewed the recent usage report on student progress for SuccessMaker.

He noticed a number of students who login to stay on for 2 or 3 minutes. 

 Other students have not logged in since January.

The teachers will be addressing the students during their interactions with them in the next week.

Mr. Woods will be sending out an IRIS alert to parents whose child is not up to date with their SuccessMaker work.

Teachers have been assigning SuccessMaker as part of homework/classwork and announcements about that may be found on the child's Google Classroom in Math/Reading or on the teacher's school blog.

Please remember DO NOT GOOGLE SuccessMaker. The school has a specific web address that teachers will have posted on their blog or on Google classroom.

 The teachers will also be to assist parents whose child consistently and persistently "loose" their login and password. 

Letter from Superintendent of Schools Office for PreK For All Parents

Dear Parents of Children in PreK for All and 3K for All Programs in our Catholic Schools,

I hope that this email finds you and your family well.   As we work together to support our children’s learning and well-being in these difficult times,  please know that the Office of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools keeps  you in our thoughts and prayers.   The Principals, , Teachers and Staff of your PKFA/3K programs are here to support you throughout the remainder of the school year, and we encourage you to reach out to your program staff with needs, concerns and suggestions.

You may have received a message yesterday from Mr. Michael Deegan,  Superintendent of Catholic Schools,  that provided the K-8 update for the Catholic School system.   Included in that email was a link to the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Schools website.  https://catholicschoolsny.org    You will find resources and links on this page.   As you are important members of our greater school community,  many of these resources are available for your use.

As part of our obligation as providers of PreK for All and 3K for All programs,  we are sending this email to provide you with information that is specific to the NYC DOE programs in our schools.  

Attached  is a letter from Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza.   Please know that we will be continuing to provide remote instruction and social emotional support for your children and families through the end of our school year.

We are also sharing the following information and links:

Remote Learning Survey for Families      All parents/guardians of students in PreK for All and 3K for All  are invited to participate in the survey. 
To access the survey, visit  schools.nyc.gov/RLsurvey. If parents/guardians do not have access to the internet to complete the survey online, they can call 311 for more information about how to take the survey via phone. 

Electronic Devices Available for Loan:   The DOE has devices available to lend families to support their child’s remote learning. Priority will be given to students most in need, and students in upper grades. 

Families who wish to request a device should fill out this Remote Learning Device Request form.  

 If a family does not know their child’s OSIS number needed to complete the form, they should input ‘9’ then their child’s birthdate instead. 

For example, for a child born on January 1, 2016, the family should enter “901012016”.   (If you already completed this survey,  there is no need to complete it again.)

Family and Child Participation in Remote Learning:   Your teachers are providing  pre-recorded and interactive sessions and other learning opportunities for your children using a variety of electronic delivery platforms.   As the remote learning situation continues,  we are continuing to provide training for teachers on new programs.    

At this time,  the NYC DOE has instructed all programs to transition away from the Zoom meetings and look into other forms of live instruction.   This shift will take time and will require more training for both teachers and parents.  

During this transition,  teachers who have successfully used the Zoom program will continue to do so.

Please know that the most important focus for you and your family at this time is on the well-being of your child and your family.  

 We ask that you participate as much and as often as is in the best interest of your family.  There is no pressure to do more than that.

Teachers will continue to check in with you and value your feedback and suggestions.  

If your contact information changes, or you have a need that we may be able to help you meet,  please reach out to your child’s teacher or the Director/Principal of your program.

Sincerely,

Joanne Walsh

Associate Superintendent, Office of Early Childhood

Letter from Mr. Deegan, Superintendent of Schools

April 20, 2020

Dear Catholic School Community,

Joy is what the Easter season is all about! Given the context of the COVID-19 crisis, we are assured the Light of the Risen Christ erases the gloom of sadness. This Light has never been more tangible in our lifetime. After four decades as a Catholic educator, I have never been prouder of our extended Catholic school community. We are bound by our shared faith and commitment to our mission of educating each child. Together we have adapted and will continue to overcome the obstacles placed in front of us by this global pandemic.

As we return from Easter break and resume home-based learning, I am providing several important updates below:

• Following recommendations of the Health and Safety Task Force of the Office of the Superintendent, Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of New York will remain closed through Friday, May 22, 2020, since the well-being of our children and teachers is our preeminent responsibility.

• There has been a lot of information in the news about Zoom, a tool we use to teach your children digitally. Before we adopted any tool, the Office of the Superintendent of Schools worked with our Safe Environment Office and the Office of Legal Affairs. We had proactively recommended many if not all of the education security measures which were then adopted by Zoom for educator accounts. We strongly encourage you to also review the internet safety materials posted on our website, continue to monitor your children’s online activities and have an open dialogue with them about internet safety. Click here to view updated and additional information about Zoom on our website.

• For all of us, these times remain challenging, please know that our counselors and mental health professionals are an email or phone call away. I have linked my letter from March 25, 2020 which has all of the contact information. I have also posted new resources on our website.

• Last week, Cardinal Dolan and I participated in a call with Senator Charles Schumer (NY) to thank the senator for his support as well as to advocate for additional relief for our families and our schools. We remain engaged in working to ensure local, city, state and federal government deliver all the support and services our students are entitled to and deserve.

• Our website CatholicSchoolsNY.org continues to be the best source for timely updates and information about home-based learning, as well as parent and family resources including additional materials helpful to your loved ones going forward.
With prayers for your continued health and happiness,

Mr. Michael J. Deegan Superintendent of Schools Archdiocese of New York
WWW.CATHOLICSCHOOLSNY.ORG

On Line Learning Resumes 

Monday April 20, 2020

Mr. Woods would like to remind parents that on-line learning resumes on Monday at the regular scheduled times.

Parents are reminded that students are to be present on time for class whether it is Google Classroom or zoom.
Mr. Woods will be quarantined in the building and parents may call from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM should they have questions.
Parents may also send an email to olqm1@aol.com. Please be patient about response as there are a number of things going on that Mr. Woods is addressing daily.

Hot Lunch Will Return
After 3 years and 3 months the gas 
has been turned back on in the school kitchen.
Mr. Woods is grateful to Fr. Cruz who has kept on this endeavor since his arrival at OLQM.
He was present on Friday as Con Edison finished the last steps and then turned on the gas.
When school resumes, hopefully soon,
 hot lunch will resume after a long hiatus.

Report Cards Grades K-8

Mr. Woods would like parents to know that report cards were mailed out today Tuesday April 14th.

Parents who requested that report cards be e-mailed to them -- they will be sent on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

The Educate Student Information System will be open on Thursday for parents who have been using it regularly. 

 The report card will also be available there.

No new logins or passwords will be issued until school resumes as there is no staff in school to work with parents.

Once school resumes a Parent Teacher Conference Day 

will be set up so that parents may meet with their child's teacher regarding the 3rd quarter report card.

As a reminder on-line school resumes on Monday April 20th.

Chrome Book Distribution

April 7, 2020

Dear Catholic School Families,
As you know the Superintendent of Schools Office and the Inner City Scholarship Fund are working to secure every possible benefit for our families during these challenging times.

As you visit WWW.CATHOLICSCHOOLSNY.ORG you will see additional resources and benefits updated on a regular basis. In particular, with this communication, we wanted to share that we are advocating for every child who may need a computer/chromebook whose family is unable to secure one. Thanks to generous donors and government funds we are hopeful that we may be able to assist those who need it most. We have already loaned out some devices from our schools to families to meet the immediate needs.

Later today you will receive a phone call to your home number and if there is no answer today we will call your cell phone tomorrow asking you about access to computers/chromebook in your home for your son(s) or daughter(s). Please respond to the automated telephone survey; there is no other way to participate in this survey.
Below is that script that will be used so you have a copy in advance of the call.

Wishing you all a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter!
Sincerely,
Michael J. Deegan
Superintendent of Schools Archdiocese of New York

Archdiocese of New York Phone Survey

Hello, I’m calling on behalf of the Catholic Schools Superintendent Michael Deegan. We hope you and your family are well. I am calling you today to ask you to please respond to these few questions so we can make sure every student is having the best home-based learning experience possible. Your responses are very important because we are advocating to government officials and donors to help where there is a need.

Q1. Does your catholic school elementary or middle school child or children each have a dedicated computer/chromebook for their schoolwork that they DO NOT share with anyone else in the household? Press 1 for yes, Press 2 for no.
1. Yes [Go to Q2]
2. No [Go to Q 3]

Q2. Did your child or children receive this from their catholic school on loan? Press 1 for Yes, Press 2 for No
1. Yes [Go to Q4]
2. No [Go to Q3]

Q3. How many children do not have their own computer/Chromebook? Press 1 for one child, Press 2 for 2
children, Press 3 for three children, Press 4 for more than 3 children. [All Go to Q4]
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. More than 3

Q4. Do you have internet access at home? Press 1 for yes,Press 2 for no. [All Go to Close]
1. Yes
2. No

Close: Thank You for participating. The Superintendent of Schools Office has many updated resources for our families listed on our website: CatholicSchoolsNY.Org. Wishing you and your family a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter!

Machine Message:
Hello: I’m calling on behalf of the Catholic Schools Superintendent Michael J. Deegan. We hope you and your family are well. I was calling you today so we can make sure every student is having the best home- based learning experience possible. We are sorry we missed you. The Archdiocese has many updated resources for our families listed on our website: CatholicSchoolsNY.Org.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Holy Week
and Happy Easter!
WWW.CATHOLICSCHOOLSNY.ORG

Report Cards and Easter Recess

Grades K-8

The end of the third quarter is Wednesday April 8th.

Students in the upper grades should be reminded to complete all assignments due before the end of the day on April 8th.

Report cards will be mailed to parents beginning the week of April 13th.

Should parents want a copy e-mailed to them they are requested to send an e-mail to Mr. Woods at olqm1@aol.com

Mr. Woods will scan the report card and send it.

The Educate portal will also be opened on Monday for those parents who may have previously set up access during the months of September to March.

 The report card will be visible through the portal. 

Staff are not available for updating the Educate logins and passwords as Easter Recess begins on Wednesday afternoon.

Should parents want access after April 20th they are asked to send an email to Mr. Woods at olqm1@aol.com and Mr. Guzman will send them an email after April 20th.

Instructional Packets Available  

PreK packets are available for all the PreK classes.

They will be available until 

Wednesday, April 8th at 2:00 PM.

Parents are requested to bring a shopping bag with them for the materials.

Parent Survey

Manhattan Region Survey

Mr. Tweed, the regional superintendent, has asked that parents complete a parent survey regarding the on-line learning.

Dear families,

Our Catholic Schools have been providing home-based learning since March 23, 2020 and your feedback is important to us. Please take a few minutes to click on the link below and complete a short survey. We are so grateful for your partnership and support as we work together during this difficult time. We hope that your family remains in good health and stays safe during the days and weeks ahead.

Wishing you many Blessings,

Joseph M. Tweed

Regional Superintendent of Schools - Manhattan

 Parent Survey

Dear Parents, 

I pray that this e-mail finds you well and safe. 

Our lives have changed very dramatically over the last few weeks and I know that parents in particular have been impacted by trying to figure out how to manage remote learning and balancing the financial needs of the entire family.  Please know that we are all committed to working together with you to make the experience better for everyone, especially our students.

As we navigate a new playing field, we need to recognize that it is not level.  But together we must recognize our positives:  we have highly qualified and devoted teachers, wonderful children and truly supportive parents. I have been privileged to witness some outstanding examples of our teacher’s creativity and ingenuity and student’s eagerness to learn in our continuing online instruction. I am grateful to them and to you for your cooperation in this new process of teaching and learning. Embracing this challenge makes growth and success possible for all of our students.

Today, even in the midst of this new learning environment, we continue to depend on your tuition payments to provide the funds to pay our teachers and staff.  In order for our school community to continue to thrive, it has never been more important that everyone fulfill their tuition obligation. But we also recognize that some of you are facing your own financial challenges as a result of this pandemic. If your family is experiencing a financial crisis, please let me know by e-mailing me at olqm1@aol.com 

We have already ceased charging late fees so as not to add to any family’s tuition obligation.  Please know that delayed or partial payments will not be penalized in any way.  If the current crisis has created new challenges for you, please be assured that we will consider carefully any request to defer your tuition payments.  

In addition, there are a variety of resources that are available to you and your family through the Archdiocese, as well as other organizations that have responded to this crisis. 

The links to those services can be found on our website.  https://catholicschoolsny.org/covid-19/

Finally, be assured of my daily prayers for you and your family that you may be blessed with peace, trust in God’s care, strong health, and every good gift.

Sincerely yours,

Andrew G. Woods, principal 

Calendar Changes and Updates

Good afternoon. In making this message short and sweet Mr. Woods is numbering the details.  I do hope that everyone is well. As most parents know 

Mr. Woods has self quarantined at 71 Arden to make sure that all the animals are taken care during this time. Please make sure you and your child are following the recommendations of the 

CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Hopefully everyone has read that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading scientist for our country, is a graduate of

 Catholic Schools specifically Regis High School on the East Side. 

1. On line learning will continue next week 

April 6, 7 and 8th. Students must be present for classes to receive credit for the class as mentioned previously on this blog - either in Google Classroom or Zoom meetings with teachers.

These days are to make up for 

March 16, 17th and 18th when school was not in session. March 20th will be counted as a conference day for teachers as they learned how to use online teaching platforms.

 Others days will be made up when 

Mr. Woods has further details.  

2. Easter Recess will be 

April 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

3. On line learning resumes on Monday April 20th.

4. Governor  Cuomo has closed all school in 

New York State until April 30th as of today. 

5. Report Cards will be mailed as teachers complete them. The option to have them e-mailed to parents will be given after all report cards have been mailed.