‘Hand in Hand Through Christ’ – Catholic Education in Queens Village in the Tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame DeNamur Since 1924.
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Help reduce the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19 by practicing the “Core Four”:
Social Distance
Face Coverings
Stay Home if Sick
Healthy Hand Hygiene
October 5, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have just completed the first month of the new academic year. It has been a totally different beginning for so many. There are some children that have fully returned to the classroom setting, other children that have opted for remote learning and still others that have been afforded a hybrid model. No matter what type of classroom setting your son or daughter is participating in, they have returned to their Catholic Academy or Parish School.
As you know, the re-opening of the Catholic Academy and Parish School was not an easy feat. One thing for sure, the Pastors, Principals, Board of Directors, Faculty, and Staff worked tirelessly during the summer months of July and August, in preparation for school opening. On September 9, 2020, you witnessed first-hand all of the extraordinary efforts, put into place, to keep your child(ren) safe.
Efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment are essential, as we now move into the month of October. In is imperative that everyone work together to ensure that the Core 4 remain in place, in each and every Catholic Academy and Parish School, within the Diocese of Brooklyn.
In addition, we ask that you also be mindful of the following:
It is very important for you to keep your child(ren) home, if they are sick, or if you answer “yes” to any of the questions on the daily health questionnaire. This action will continue to keep everyone within the Catholic Academy/Parish School communities safe and healthy.
As we begin the month of October, one which is dedicated to the Rosary and our Blessed Mother, let us together pray for peace, health and safety:
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.
Let us continue to pray for each other and for all of our children.
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services
Dear Parents/Guardians of Grades 7 and 8,
You are invited to a Meet the Teacher Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, 9/22/20 @ 6:30 PM.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88039544062?pwd=T1JmUnp6ZTRUT29XbFI2TEdBVWN3UT09
Meeting ID: 880 3954 4062
Passcode: 527115
Blessings,
Mrs. Freebes
Meet the Teacher Night for Grades 4, 5 and 6
Monday, September 21, 2020 @ 6:30 PM
Agenda
Opening Prayer
Welcome Back – Mrs. Freebes
Introduction of Teachers
Presentations:
Closing Prayer
September 18, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Diocesan Policy requires all students who do not attend school because of allergies, colds, nausea or any other symptoms, must submit a health provider’s note of clearance in order to return to face to face instruction.
This is mandated. Thank you for your cooperation.
Blessings,
Mrs. Linda Freebes, Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians of Catholic Academy and Parish School Students,
The past seven months have been like no other in all my years in Catholic education and probably like no other in the history of American education. Despite the many challenges, I have been inspired by the heartfelt actions of our principals, teachers, and parents throughout this pandemic. I am also sincerely appreciative of what our parents, teachers and school leaders are continuing to do, to support our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, as we begin the 2020-2021 school year.
Catholic schools are faith communities and while our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools did an outstanding job moving to online learning, we missed having the students in class and couldn’t wait to pray, learn and play together again. Most families over the summer, indicated they felt the same way. Some families chose to return to the 2020-2021 school year remotely, with their decision to enroll in the Saint Thomas Aquinas Distance Learning Program, with online instruction. Saint Thomas Aquinas will begin on September 16, 2020.
Our re-opening days last week, were well-planned, focused on the details and addressed the health and safety concerns of everyone. Having your children return allowed each school community to see their students in person, welcoming their children back with a smile and a socially distant wave and engage the students in learning from the classroom setting. Whoever thought this would be the way learning would occur in 2020? However, by everyone working together, we are all back stronger and ready to tackle what lies ahead.
We once again wanted to remind you of basic tenets to support a heathy and safe environment: 
We thank you again for partnering with us, allowing us to develop and educate the children you have entrusted in our care.
In closing, I share the prayer below:
Back to School Blessing
Dear Heavenly Father,
You sent us your Son,
how great is your goodness,
how great is your love.
Now as we send our children back to school,
we trust again in your care for them,
let them see clearly that which is good and reject all evil.
Bless their teachers—guide their hearts.
May our children learn and grown, always in your
sight and under your protection. Let us teach them how
to stand firm, upon convictions yet be merciful and kind.
Guide them, oh Lord. Bless them. Pour out your
loving grace. Let your glory shine in their lives.
And when they suffer, let us understand how to comfort them
without hindering your character-building process.
You are the architect of a holy life. Build our
children up according to your will.
Oh loving Lord, our children are yours, since
the beginning of time. Thank you for their lives.
Bless and protect their souls.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services
September 2, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians
We hope you and your children are doing well and preparing for the reopening of our Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Academies and Parish Schools next week on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
I am sure that many of you are wondering how Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement yesterday, delaying the opening date of New York City public schools until September 21, might impact us. We want to assure you that our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools will NOT be affected by this decision. We are proceeding with our plan to reopen on September 9 in either of two ways: 100 % in-person or hybrid. Our St. Thomas Aquinas Distance Learning Program will begin orientation on Wednesday, September 16, 2020
We expect that the New York City – Department of Education will fulfill its obligations to our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools. By New York City Education Law, the Department of Education must provide essential services like nurses, transportation, meals, and special education and related services. Other services like security guards and crossing guards are provided to us through other agencies.
It is also our expectation that the NYC Pre-K For All Programs will start as previously determined by your Catholic Academy or Parish School.
Again, we look forward to welcoming your children back to school, as scheduled, next Wednesday, September 9th. Principals, board members, teachers, and the entire school staff at our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have worked tirelessly this summer to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment is in place for all our students, faculty, staff and parents. Our re-opening plans are in compliance with updated mandates and guidance from New York City, New York State, Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control. Please make sure that you review your Catholic Academy/Parish School Re-Opening Plan available on their website
May everyone be healthy, safe, and well as you enjoy these last few days of summer.
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services