Saint Ursula Community,
Lelia and I continue to monitor
COVID-19 through Governor DeWine’s daily briefings. Unfortunately, the spread of the virus in Ohio and beyond does not seem to be slowing down, and the State of Ohio has been placed under a Shelter in Place Executive Order. The Order is in effect until 11:59 PM Monday, April 6. The timing of this Order expiration creates a complicated reality for Saint Ursula Academy. Our current calendar has Easter Break beginning on Thursday, April 9. As such, Lelia and I have made the decision to keep the SUA campus closed, and distance learning in place all the way up to Easter Break (April 9). Easter Break will remain a break. Pending Governor DeWine’s permission to re-open schools, Saint Ursula Academy will re-open our campus and return to face-to-face instruction Monday, April 20.
Travel Information
Saint Ursula Academy will not make recommendations regarding travel. However, if you travel, the WHO, CDC, Ohio Department of Health, and Cincinnati Health Department encourage organizations to collect travel information from their community members.
We will ask every family/student to complete a re-entry form prior to the girls returning to school.
COVID-19 FAMILY VIDEO SERIES, EXCLUSIVE FOR SUA FAMILIES
Starting Friday, March 27, SUA will be launching our COVID-19 Family Video Series. We have enlisted some of the leading experts in their field to share valuable information with you. They are preparing information just for our SUA community. You’ll want to watch these. We will share links to watch these special speakers on the dates listed below. Our video series will include the following topics:
March 27 - Dr. Dean Whitfield, M.Ed., Ed.D., SUA Instructional Technology Coordinator
Topic: COVID-19 and work school balance
April 1 - Dr. Lisa Damour, Psychologist, best-selling author, monthly New York Times columnist, and regular CBS News contributor
Topic: COVID-19 and anxiety
April 3 - Ms. Sara Hyzdu, Owner Why Grey Matters, Neuroscience Trainer, Leadership Coach
Topic: COVID-19 and concentration
April 8 - Dr. Julie Wigton, Pediatrician
Topic: COVID-19 and vaping
SUA will continue to upload updates on a special section of our website dedicated to COVID-19 information. You can find the Coronavirus Planning and Information section on the
homepage or under the Family Resources section of the site.
Technology, Broadband, and WiFi Access
Students experiencing technology issues should create a
helpdesk ticket. Mr. Wilking and his team will respond to helpdesk tickets as soon as possible.
As always, please remain vigilant regarding emails, social media, etc. There has been some recent activity with people attempting to impersonate me, Dr. Thomas. Fortunately, the communications were challenged appropriately and no problems occurred. In the past, we have thwarted similar activity by scammers attempting to impersonate Ms. Kramer or others, trying to scam money.
Things to look for:
• Poor spelling or grammar
• Check the email address and name
• Check the signature - does it look different?
• Hover over any links (to see what web site it actually takes you to)
• Unusual urgent requests for money, gift cards, etc.
Spectrum is offering
free broadband and WiFi for the next 60 days.
Audible is offering free services, too. “At
stories.audible.com, you will find hundreds of our titles available completely free. The collection has been handpicked by our editors and is a mix of stories to entertain, engage, and inform young people, ages 0–18. These stories offer a screen-free option that we hope may help break up the day for families with students home from school.”
The Times is providing free access to coronavirus coverage, and Coronavirus Briefing newsletter.
Below are some online etiquette tips for your daughter:
• Work space appropriate (eg. Not in bed)
• School appropriate dress
• Join on time if possible
• Use video if possible
AP exams
Please read the
latest update from the College Board regarding AP testing. Given the new AP plans, and the unprecedented shift from face to face instruction to distance learning at SUA, all students enrolled in AP courses will be given the
OPTION to test, or not test. We believe that this shift to optional AP Testing is the right and ethical decision for our faculty and students. Ms. Wilker and Mr. Moran will send out more information in the near future.
Educational Services
Educational Services teachers are making every effort to provide online instructional support to students. During the first several days, ES teachers have held group and individual sessions to listen, support, and guide. Please direct questions to your daughter’s ES advisor via email.
Counseling
Our school counseling team is committed to the continual care and support of each of our students. School counselors have communicated with all SUA students that they are available through email or Google Chat video between the hours of 10am to 3pm. If your daughter wishes to set up a chat video with us, please have her email her counselor to set up a time! We will do our best to respond in a timely manner.
Academic advising will start this week. Please make sure that your daughter is watching her email from more details. Lastly, take time to respond to the Student Check-in survey linked in the weekly Parent Bulletin.
School Nurse
If you need to pick up your daughter’s medication, please contact Sara Utecht to arrange a pick-up time.
[email protected] or (513) 961-3410 ext. 160.
Sports, Extracurricular Activities, After-School Programs
Sports, extracurricular activities, after-school clubs, and programs are canceled through April 6, 2020.
Sports
1) Spring coaches can have electronic contact with athletes. With that, coaches can feel free to share individual workouts or conditioning that will be helpful.
2) With that said, though, we have to support and practice social distancing. This means that there will not be a team or group for conditioning or workouts. SUA athletes should not attend a workout sponsored by a non-school organization. I know this is difficult, but we need to support each other with this.
Do you part to keep up team spirit:
1) Take turns finding a workout and sharing it with the team.
2) Encourage teammates to stay active each day. Messages of support and positive motivation go a long way!
3) Be the "fitness" leader in your family. Have your mom, dad, and siblings join you for your workout. They will love it.
SUAVE
Kings Island "Music in the Parks" Competition scheduled for May 2nd has been canceled.
Student and Faculty Travel
French Trip
Language and Friendship program scheduled from June 1-11 is canceled.
EF Trips
SUA students traveling with EF after May 1 will be asked to weigh-in on trip preferences after April 1. Please look for more information from your daughter's SUA trip leader.
On-site Staffing
SUA will ensure continuity of services despite the campus being closed to all but essential staff. As long as Governor DeWine’s office permits, Dr. Thomas or Mrs. Kramer will be on campus during the mandated distance learning period. If you have needs during this time, please call Mrs. Kramer’s Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Patrice Eby, at 961-3410 ext. 132. We are all in this together!
Cleaning and Disinfection
Despite the SUA campus being closed, our custodial crew is deep cleaning and disinfecting our buildings daily.
Keeping the SUA Community Healthy
Here are some healthy habits to practice during this time:
DO THE FIVE. Stop the coronavirus.
HANDS. Wash them often.
ELBOW. Cough into it.
FACE. Don't touch it.
FEET. Stay more than 3ft apart.
FEEL. Sick? Stay home.
Watch for Updates
We will continue to send our weekly Parent Bulletin Fridays at 3:00 PM. COVID-19 updates will be sent as needed. Given the rapid pace of change, and the critically sensitive nature of the updates, please take time each day to check your email in the event we need to communicate COVID-19 updates and essential information.
Saint Ursula Academy is blessed with students committed to faith, integrity, and courage. Now more than ever, we are challenged to live the mission of Saint Ursula to build a better world. Please take steps to ensure your own health, the health of those close to you, and your larger community. During this time, please join us in prayer for the world and our community.
Dr. Thomas