Updated Pick Up/Drop Off Procedures

Central Point of Access:

·         The only door used to enter into the school (students and parents) is labeled in the diagram “Central Point of Access”.

·         Please use the doorbell to gain access through the front door if one of our school staff is not there to let you in.

Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures:

·         Only use the “Car Line Entrance” off of 5 MILE ROAD

·         Follow the drive around the campus and stop in line at “X Car Pick Up/Drop Off”

·         After pick up/drop off, follow the car line to Parnell Road (X Car Exit)

Preschool Pick-Up/Drop-Off:

·         Same as above

Bus Riders:

·         The bus will now turn around in the parking lot across from the Church and will travel south to the sidewalk marked on the map as “Lowell Bus Drop off/Pick Up”

Dear Parents,

 The safety and security of your children is our top priority.  Saint Patrick School has a comprehensive security plan in place.  As a school staff we review the plan annually and conduct all the required safety drills including two lock-down drills each year.  

In light of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, Saint Patrick School will be reviewing and updating our security measures and protocols.  As more accurate information becomes available, we will utilize this information and work with local law enforcement professionals to review and revise, where necessary, our procedures.  

This morning, the school staff met to debrief and plan for handling the situation with the students. Our plan is to go about business as usual.  We are aware that there are children who know what has happened and some who do not.  We will do our best to protect both.  I encourage all parents to have some discussion with your children.  With all the media coverage and people talking, they are bound to hear about it from someone.  I have attached some tips for speaking to children about violence.

It is unbearable to think of what the school community of Sandy Hook is going through.  As a school community we will offer up our prayers for the safety of children and families grieving across the world who have been affected by the loss of loved ones.

I end with a quote from Pope Benedict: "I ask God our father to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love."

In Christ,

Scott Czarnopys

Dear Parents, 

I’m sure that you have heard Friday, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, that a gunman opened fire inside the school killing many children and faculty.  These extremely tragic and unthinkably sad events, of course, call us to our knees in prayer for the children, families, teachers, administrators, first responders, emergency management, clergy, counselors, media and all others that will be called upon in the immediate aftermath of this event. 

Lord God, come to their assistance. Lord, make haste to help them. 

I've become almost angry and frustrated in myself because when I hear of tragic events, I think and talk about it for a while then I simply move on with normal business. I knew about the shooting from earlier in the day and even held a couple conversations about it. At days end, I still went about my normal business by sending a message to our staff about what would be discussed at our Monday meeting and it didn't include anything about those who had lost their lives hours before. It's like I've become numb, and that nothing surprises me anymore...

Tomorrow morning I'll be meeting with the school staff to hold meaningful conversation about this. My intention is for us to address the following questions:

1. How do we address the children about this?
2. What can we do for the families of victims, the school, the community?
3. What safeguards do we have in place and how can we strengthen these?

We are meeting Monday morning in the media center at 7am and any parents are welcome to attend and contribute in any way possible. 

In Christ, 

--

Scott Czarnopys
Principal - Saint Patrick School
(616)691-8833 ext. 17

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Band Concert and Rehearsal Reminders

Reminder: Combined Band Christmas Concert and Rehearsal

Rehearsal at Catholic Central Band room (same building as the gym)
Tuesday, December 4th
5th and 6th grade: 6:00 pm
7th and 8th grade in the Intermediate Band: 6:45 pm
7th and 8th grade in the Advanced Band : 7:30 pm

• Parking may be difficult at Catholic Central because of other events going on at the same time, so please allow plenty of time.

Concert at St. Cecilia’s
Thursday, December 6th
6:30 pm report time
7:00 pm concert starts

• The concert will end when all three bands have played. Please stay for the entire concert and hear the other bands. The concert will be about an hour long.
• Concert uniform is a white top, with blue or black pants.