Page 1 - 5-3-21 Chalk Talk

ST. JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL

May 3, 2021
Reverend G. Scott Shaffer, Director
Madeline A. Kinloch, Principal Newsletter
Juliann James, Vice Principal Volume 17, Issue 7

From the Principal’s Desk:

Happy Spring! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and all
remained healthy. The weather truly cooperated for egg hunts and the like.
We actually had our appetizers outside on the deck on Easter Sunday.
While the students and staff were virtual the week of April 12-16th,
I was able to zoom into many of the lessons while working in my office.
The expression I truly want to reference is “I was blown away” with what the teachers are accessing through technology
and the digital formats the students have learned to use with such ease. I found myself in breakout rooms discussing
heredity and traits and watching the students respond on Jamboard. I hated to leave each zoom class, however, I was just
as excited to transfer into the next class to see what they were doing. If anything good came out of our time on remote
instruction it was the increased use of technology. I am so proud of our classroom and co-curricular teachers for the new
technology they have taught and shared with the students and the students for how quickly and efficiently they picked up
on all the new platforms. Technology is truly being used each day at all grade levels!
The end of the year always brings a flurry of activities packed into a very short time period. Each week going
forward, three grade levels at a time will be attending mass. Our May Crowning will be a lot different this year with
limited participation and classes in attendance. Moving Up ceremonies, end of year awards, and Graduation will all take
place, however, with various components excluded and restrictions in place. All events with the exception of class
masses will be live streamed for parents.
Unfortunately, the end of the year carnival and class trips will not be able to take place this year. However, the
classes will each plan a fun day/picnic for the children toward the end of the year. As of this letter, June 17th is
scheduled as the last day of school for Grades 1-7. June 11th is the last day for Pre K and Kindergarten.
All students should now be in the spring uniform. Being home on

WARM WEATHER DRESS CODE hybrid and in or out for quarantine has caused a more relaxed look to our
BOYS: Green knit golf shirt and khaki appearance. In school all students MUST adhere to the school dress code.
shorts or pants. Predominantly white This includes their overall appearance, proper shoes, and style and length
sneakers of hair. Wearing masks takes away half of the visible face, if the hair is
GIRLS (Grades K-5): Green knit covering the eyes, they cannot be seen by others. I especially love to see
golf shirt and khaki skort. OR their their bright, beautiful eyes.
regular jumper. Predominantly white If the weather is chilly, the children may wear their school issued
sneakers sweater, fleece or a SJGS sweatshirt while in class. No other jackets or
sweatshirts should be worn for class time. Included is a brief reminder of
GIRLS (Grades 5-8 additional option): the spring uniform, please reference the Parent/Student Handbook posted
Can wear the white knit golf shirt with on our website.
the kilt/skirt. We are presently in the last of our three Renaissance testing
periods. All students grades 2-8 will take the tests together on their digital
device at the same time whether in -person or at home. Teachers will provide the testing schedule to the students. Test
results will be sent home as they have for the other two sessions. Our superintendent, Dr. Vincent
DePaul Schmidt produced a very encouraging video to show the students before the testing period.
We are looking forward to the nice weather ahead that may allow us to conduct more outside
activities such as the joint band concert to be held May 21st, in the Donovan Catholic Quad. I invite
all to join us for wonderful entertainment under the stars.
SJGS wishes all the mother’s, grandmother’s, aunts and female caregivers
a very happy, wonderful, and loving Mother’s Day!
Mrs. Kinloch
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