BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES TO CONTINUE IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens, has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, in spite of the decision made to close New York City public schools indefinitely starting tomorrow.

“I am frustrated that the Mayor’s announcement was made as Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens were dismissing our students. I want to make it clear to parents, teachers, staff, and students that the Mayor’s announcement only pertains to New York City public schools, and our schools will be open tomorrow. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our school community remains safe for everyone, and we will continue to ensure strict compliance with all health and safety protocols,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent, along with the Superintendent of the Archdiocese of New York, has received confirmation from the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools that they will maintain entitled services for Catholic school students, including school nurses, transportation, and food.

         Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

         For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

By now you have all heard the Mayor’s statements regarding the closing of the public schools in New York City. While the Mayor is focusing on the New York City Schools, we are confident at this time that our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn will  remain open. We are already working to ensure that the essential services of transportation, food and nursing are in place in the event that the public schools close.

We continue to work to ensure that the health and safety of everyone in our communities is a priority and we will continue to provide a safe and caring environment.

Please know that we will never compromise the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students.

We will update you as new information is made available to us.

We take time to reflect this Veterans Day

As the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, we anticipate all that comes with changing seasons, particularly the holiday season spent with family and friends. Our days are busy ones with getting children ready for school, running them to practice, daily errands and keeping a home. Days inevitably run into each other and some days are simply overlooked. The day set aside to remember our Veteran’s was originally named Armistice Day. It was a national holiday meant to honor and recognize American veterans of all wars. We all should each try to do something different today, to make it the important day that it was from the beginning meant to be…and not just like any other day.

You may or may not personally know someone who has risked their life to serve our Country and fight for the rights that we are blessed to have today; it does not matter. As you start your week (maybe with a day off) take time to think about those in your family, community and beyond that serve or have served our country in both war, or in peacetime.

Take a moment to reflect on the reality that there will be soldiers who will not be able to see their children this coming Thanksgiving or Christmas, because they are somewhere fighting for you. Think about our Veterans who have to live with the injuries of the wars they fought for you. Acknowledge how fortunate you may be to be able to spend the holidays with your family and that there are husbands, wives and children that our deceased Veterans leave behind that are not as fortunate and will celebrate without them.

Maybe today as you are at the traffic light heading to the grocery store or to work or to a movie with the kids, take a moment to reflect on all the freedoms just in today alone that you have been afforded. And remember, that it is because of these selfless unbelievable men and women that have enabled us to continue to live our life freely in this great land.

Thank you to all our Veterans for taking on a fight, which in winning for your Country could also mean a great personal loss to you and your family. It is a battle not all of us are equipped to fight.

Reminder: To help prepare parents for childcare, the school will be closed for PKA through grade 8 students on the following days:

November 6^th-Professional Development Day for teachers

November 11^th-Veteran’s Day (National Holiday)

November 25^th-November 27^th-Thanksgiving Recess

December 8^th– Holy Day of Obligation-The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

December 21^st-January 4^th-Christmas Recess.

You can always watch online at https://netny.tv/

Virtual Rosary Rally – October 2020 from Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office on Vimeo.

COVID-19 and the FLU SEASON

Join us for a parent meeting with Dr. Ko from the Charles Wang Community Center.

Wednesday, October 28^th at 7:30pm

Topic: COVID-19 Zoom Meeting

Time: Oct 28, 2020 07:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9555007662?pwd=V0ZCbjErMmFqS2lWc053cmh2VlIwZz09

Meeting ID: 955 500 7662

Passcode: 889468

October 8, 2020

Dear Parents,

            Yesterday a Call to Action letter was posted on our website and on Facebook concerning decisions made by the city and state. These decisions disrespect our school as they are not based on data from St. Michael’s School. We are disappointed that by our school address ONLY have we been identified as in the yellow zone. A yellow zone has precautionary measures at this time.

            We have been in compliance with all protocols set forth by the city and state Board of Health. Daily monitoring and reporting are submitted each day. At a meeting this week with the Board of Health, the representative and I had lengthy conversations and he was more than pleased with our protocols.

            It is very important that you contact Mayor DiBlasio, Governor Cuomo, and Senator Grade Meng to express your disappointment in the way these decisions are being made.  We are open and will continue to educate our children.

            I will be keeping you informed of all updated news.  Please continue to check in on Facebook or the school webpage.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs. Maureen Rogone
Principal

Grace Meng
40-13 159th Street
Suite A
Flushing, NY 11358
718 358-6304

Councilman Peter Koo
135-27 38th Avenue
Suite 388
Flushing, NY 11354
718 888-8747

NYS Assembly Ron Kim
136-20 38th Avenue
Suite 10A
Flushing, NY 11354
718 939-0195

Mrs. Rogone accepts a donation from Mr. Alex Lam, Vice President and Branch Manager from Cathay Bank on Main Street, Flushing. This funding will help develop adult education classes for parents to learn how to navigate Google Classroom for their children. Classes will be held in English/Spanish and English/Mandarin. Present for this award is Msgr. John Vesey, pastor of St. Michaels Parish.

Some children and teachers in the After School Program met Mr. Lam when he visited our school.

Call_To_Action_Arch of NY_Brooklyn-Queens_10-06-20