COVID-19 SCHOOL UPDATES

In an effort to provide you with important and timely updates concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have initiated this webpage as a single source of information for the SJDCHS community. 

You can expect to receive updates from the school as news of the virus develops.

In the event of more urgent news, we will distribute information immediately.

Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2020  9:45 AM 

Dear SJD Community,

Thank you for an excellent first week of distance learning!  

While teachers were busy preparing for online instruction, you helped by picking up chromebooks and supplies to set your students up to be successful in this new educational effort.  All of you - parents, teachers, staff and students are doing a great job.  

Texas Governor Abbott recently announced that all schools in the state will remain closed through Monday, May 4. San Juan Diego Catholic High School will follow the executive order and will remain closed until that date.  

While today’s announcement means the educational setting will continue to look different for several more weeks, we want our students, families and staff to know learning will continue. Across the world, every school is taking a different approach. We believe that allowing our students some flexibility during this stressful time is the most compassionate approach. However, we are all committed to partnering with you to provide a learning  environment where our students thrive and excel. 

SJD is blessed with a community of amazing students, parents, teachers and staff who are dedicated to our mission. Please continue to make sure students are logging in daily for attendance.  It is important we maintain four hours of daily instruction to meet requirements for students to advance to the next grade level and for seniors to graduate.  

We will provide updates as new information is received.  Please feel free to email the school if you have any questions or need assistance.  

May God continue to keep you and your families safe and healthy. 

Pam Jupe

Querida comunidad de SJD,

¡Gracias por una excelente primera semana de clases en línea!  

Mientras los maestros estaban ocupados preparándose para la instrucción en línea, ustedes ayudaron recogiendo chromebooks y suministros para que sus estudiantes tuvieran éxito en este nuevo esfuerzo educativo.  Todos ustedes - padres, maestros, personal y estudiantes están haciendo un gran trabajo.  

El gobernador de Texas Abbott anunció recientemente que todas las escuelas del estado permanecerán cerradas hasta el lunes 4 de mayo. La Preparatoria Católica de San Juan Diego seguirá la orden ejecutiva y permanecerá cerrada hasta esa fecha.  

Mientras que el anuncio de hoy significa que el ambiente educativo seguirá siendo diferente por varias semanas más, queremos que nuestros estudiantes, familias y personal sepan que el aprendizaje continuará. En todo el mundo, cada escuela está tomando un enfoque diferente. Creemos que permitir a nuestros estudiantes algo de flexibilidad durante este tiempo estresante es el enfoque más compasivo. Sin embargo, todos estamos comprometidos a asociarnos con ustedes para proveer un ambiente de aprendizaje donde nuestros estudiantes prosperen y sobresalgan.

SJD está bendecido con una comunidad de estudiantes, padres de familia, maestros y personal increíble que están dedicados a nuestra misión. Por favor continúe asegurándose de que los estudiantes se registren diariamente para asistencia.  Es importante que mantengamos cuatro horas de instrucción diaria para cumplir con los requisitos para que los estudiantes avancen al siguiente nivel de grado y para que los estudiantes de último año se gradúen.  

Proporcionaremos actualizaciones a medida que recibamos nueva información.  Por favor, no dude en enviar un correo electrónico a la escuela si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita ayuda.  

Que Dios continúe manteniéndolos a ustedes y a sus familias seguros y saludables. 

Pam Jupe

Tuesday, Mar. 24 2020 12:09PM

Saints,

I hope you and your families are well and staying safe. Things are changing rapidly and if we stay united, we will get through this. I am available to you for online counseling appointments as needed. Simply email me aprater@sjdchs.org and we will set a time to speak on the phone or through Google Hangouts Meet. I continue to urge you to talk with someone whom you trust about the realities of your life. 

Monitor Yourself and Practice Self-Care Things are uncertain and it can be difficult to know how people are feeling, including yourself. Take a few minutes everyday to be quiet and listen to yourself and take your needs seriously. If you need support, or just want to see how others are feeling, reach out to someone you trust and talk. In my opinion, exercise routines are the best way to break up the day. It’s important to let your body know where the sun is at least a couple of times and Vitamin D helps boost immunity!

Continue to Treat Each Other with Respect Refrain from teasing or jumping to conclusions about another student who may have some of the symptoms or may have Covid-19.

Manage Your Stress Levels I recommend setting limits on how much time you spend reading about or watching news about the outbreak. I understand the need to stay up to date with the latest on the outbreak, but please limit your exposure to news you have already heard. Stay away from gossip and only trust credible sources. 

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.who.int/en

For Parents and Guardians Adults can show children and youth how to take care of themselves. It is important to model the behavior and perspectives that we want our students to practice. I recommend setting routines, eating healthy meals together without devices, regularly exercising, and taking long, calming breaths to handle stress. Take care of yourselves, if the adults who care for our students are in good physical and emotional health, they will be better prepared to support the students you care about.

This will pass, and we must continue forward with schoolwork. 

Plagiarism vs Collaboration As we move to online platforms, each teacher will have a different set of expectations for turning in work and taking quizzes or exams. On individual assignments, all students must complete their own work and only their own work. For group projects, make sure to do your part, and not to do other students’ work for them. Be very careful not to let other students copy your work, both students are given the same consequence, including a note on your permanent transcript indicating your academic dishonesty infraction. Students will continue to be held to the same plagiarism policy which can be found in the student handbook. 

Academic Probation Any student who received two or more failing grades for quarter 3 will automatically be placed on academic probation. These students will receive an email from me with details and other information.

Academic Questions Any questions you or your families about academics, transcripts, report cards, or grading policies should be directed to me.

Be well, and please reach out with any questions about any of this, communication is key!

Alan Prater, MSSW
College and Career Counselor
Academic Dean

Sunday, Mar. 22 2020 6:20PM

Dear SJD Community,

As we navigate through this challenging time, we want to support you, your students and our staff.  We are committed to continue teaching and learning and plan to work together with you to provide a supportive learning environment.  

Faculty, staff and administration are busy preparing a distance learning plan and will include you in all communication regarding this plan. Activities and content for each class will vary.   Methods of communication will include email, Renweb and Google GSuite.  

The Texas Catholic Education Conference Office is requiring that students engage in instruction for a minimum of four hours per day.  Continuation of learning is necessary for students to advance to the next grade level and for graduation at the end of the year. We want to minimize the possibility of disruption to your summer schedules by ensuring the required amount of instruction is maintained throughout the remainder of the semester.  

At home, we ask that parents establish routines and expectations for academics, provide a quiet space for study, monitor communications from SJD and teachers and perform daily check-ins with your students to help them plan for learning.  Students will need to check their emails daily and complete all assignments as required by each teacher. This is an opportunity to experience new ways of teaching and learning together and we are here to help.   

Administration, finance, admission and development departments can be reached by email.  
Every effort will be made to answer your questions and assist you with your needs.    

We look forward to seeing all of you in person soon!
Please keep us in your prayers as you are in ours.  

Sincerely in Christ,

Friday, March 13

COVID-19 Additional Precautionary Measures
 
As your shepherd, I offer the following precautionary measures for the Diocese of Austin, effective March 13.  In addition to what I outline below for the faithful, today I am sending additional guidance for parishes to respond to the coronavirus. Our attentiveness to community health is an act of charity and I call on all to cooperate in efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. I also ask the faithful to pray during this time of uncertainty for the intercession of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of this diocese, and St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church.
 
Liturgical Celebrations
 
Until further notice, Mass and Reconciliation schedules remain unchanged in our parishes.  Also, parishes will keep their normal hours so the faithful are able to pray in the church. During times such as these, it is of utmost value to provide the sacraments and the assuring presence of God to all people.
 
Parishioners who are concerned about attending Mass due to their own health condition, or that of others, are excused from the Sunday obligation. Parishioners with a high risk of contracting a virus due to illness, age, chronic health conditions or a compromised immune system should remain at home and join the parish in prayer through a spiritual communion. This may also apply to caregivers.
 
Parishes are asked to develop methods for making Mass available via social media, either livestreamed or recorded. Check your parish website for more information. Visit our website for information on broadcasts of Mass.  You may make a spiritual communion at any time.  Through a spiritual communion, we unite ourselves to God and the Church in prayer when unable to physically receive the holy Eucharist. Distribution of holy Eucharist should only occur within the celebration of Mass or a Communion Service.
 
Recently, I sent an instruction to all parishes temporarily modifying the manner in which we receive holy Eucharist (e.g. receiving the Body of Christ in the hand and suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood).  This instruction remains in place.

Homebound Ministry of Holy Communion  
 
I anticipate requests for homebound visits with holy Communion to increase. If you are unable to attend Mass and are in need of holy Communion, consult your parish. If your parish is unable to bring you Communion, make every effort to make a spiritual communion.
 
Other Planned Gatherings & Events
 
I have asked pastors to use prudential judgment when postponing or canceling parish events where large numbers are gathered, such as retreats, off-campus activities, overnight events, parish food events, festivals and others. Consult your local parish for the status of these events.
 
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
 
Until further notice, Religious Education programs will continue as scheduled.
 
Catholic Schools and Early Childhood Development Centers
 
The Superintendent of Catholic Schools will continue to consult with the principals and pastors of Catholic Schools on their schedules. Consult your school for updates.
 
For Early Childhood Development Centers, contact the center or the parish for updates. 
 
Going Forward
 
I continue to monitor the situation in consultation with diocesan leadership, our parishes, and public health experts. I ask you to join me in prayer for those who are sick, those who care for them and those who are in distress during this time.  Let us entrust ourselves to God who will never leave us to face our challenges alone. As an act of charity, let us work for the common good by observing these precautionary measures in our parishes, schools and throughout central Texas.
 
Sincerely,
 


Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez
Bishop of Austin