Dear Members of the Kennedy Catholic Family:
As we begin the fourth marking period, I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation as we moved from the classroom setting to our virtual instruction platform. As always, everything was put in place in a timely and efficient manner by our very committed and professional Kennedy team. Our school will continue to make adjustments on instruction time and testing requirements as we go forward. As for standardized tests such as the Regents and Advanced Placement exams, we will continue to follow the instructions of such administering agencies as NYSED and the College Board, and pass the information we receive from them promptly along to you.
Kennedy will Continue to Educate
Our school is prepared to offer remote instruction indefinitely, even until the end of the year — let’s hope that is not necessary. We will continue to follow the school calendar with one exception: Easter recess will begin Monday April 6th instead of Wednesday April 8th, and we will return on Monday April 20th. Our return will be to the remote instruction platform and not the building. Our school will continue virtual learning until further notice.
We are still a school united in our Catholic faith preparing our students for a college career. So congratulations to our seniors, the class of 2020, for all they have accomplished. It is our intention to celebrate that success as much as we can — stay tuned for more information about senior celebrations.
Although the building may be closed, our school still continues to do its business:
Academically:
We continue to give a quality education remotely to our students using our Canvas online learning management system wedded with iPad Apple technology. Whether through Canvas Conferencing or Explain Everything videos, our school is working hard to bring our classroom into your living room.
Spiritually:
We continue to pray as one family by live streaming daily Mass at 8:00 am from our St. Mary’s chapel and meditating on the Lives of the Saints in our Today series.
Athletically:
Although varsity sports have been suspended for the spring season, our athletic department has been sending workout regimens to all our students — let’s try to stay fit as we “social distance.”
Let us always remember that charity and a mutual understanding for each other’s individual situation should govern all our actions and social interactions — especially with our families and close relations. We should all work to help those in need, especially people most affected by this illness. Why not reach out to an elderly relative or a friend and ask them how they are doing? Or maybe just give them some time to talk, and then listen as you let them know you care. I believe our school virtues of courage and compassion are needed now more than ever, and I pray that all our students will be model examples of them in the communities in which they live.
We here at Kennedy Catholic are praying that God and His Blessed Mother keep all our families safe. And as we commemorate the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus this Holy Week, let us ask the Good Lord for an extra outpouring of Easter joy after so long a season of Lenten fast.
Prayerfully Yours in Christ:
Fr. Mark G. Vaillancourt