LESSSON PLANS

The dedicated teachers and principals of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Albany continue to offer as much normalcy, albeit virtually, as they can for their students, from structured lesson plans to morning prayer and school lunches.

Here are four examples, in the words of the principals.

MATER CHRISTI SCHOOL: DISTANCE LEARNING

Principal Sister Debbie Timmis, CSJ: What is distance learning like at MCS? Our program includes 30 minutes of online teaching from elementary teachers each day, either live or recorded for a total of one-hour video conferencing. All live classes are recorded so if students are unable to attend, they can watch the video at another time. For grades 5-8, classes continue as normal but are shortened by 10 minutes. These classes alternate, as well, between live and recorded classes. Other online content that is taught happens through videos, online textbooks, worksheets, iReady, IXL, Khan Academy and more. The schedule is communicated daily through Seesaw for grades pre-K-4 and through Google Classroom for grades 5-8. Our goal is to keep the students engaged and learning. We provide five hours of learning each day.

This is a typical distance learning schedule for a seventh grader: 7 a.m.: Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast and log in. 8 a.m.: Connect to Google Zoom for the first live class of the day. For example, use an online textbook through Pearson Realize to read a narrative written by Helen Keller about facing adversity. 8:30 a.m.: Switch over to BrainPop to complete an assignment on adjectives and adverbs. 9:30 a.m.: Watch recorded math class and complete assignment in IXL 10 a.m.: Snack time and a walk. 11 a.m.: Connect to Zoom for a live math class. 11:30: Lunch 12 p.m.: Watch recorded Spanish class and complete an assignment in BrainPop. 1 p.m.: Connect to Zoom for live religion class. 1:30 p.m.: Work on social studies assignment in Google Classroom. 2:30 p.m.: Connect to Zoom for an office hour with their teacher. 3:30 p.m.: Done with live and recorded sessions. Later, log into I-Ready for some ELA and math practice.

ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE SCHOOL: MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS/DAILY PRAYER

Principal Danielle Cox: It has been the norm at SJS that I address our students (and any parents wishing to join us) each day in the gymnasium as they arrive at school, even before heading to their classroom. This allows us to pray together, review our day and week ahead, say the Pledge of Allegiance, celebrate birthdays (each Wednesday) and sing a patriotic song. In trying to keep some normalcy, I have continued this tradition with daily posted morning announcements and prayers at 8 a.m. I start each day with a Gospel reading and prayer and we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

I give them a joke or riddle of the day (answer revealed the following day), we celebrate birthdays weekly and lately I’ve been giving them a daily challenge (send me a picture or you playing outside, building something, with your furry friend, family pet or stuffed animal). Parents and families have truly been enjoying these daily postings and many have said that it is a perfect way to start their “school day.” One parent commented to me that just hearing my familiar voice each morning brings them comfort.

ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE SCHOOL: PERSONAL EMAILS

Principal Kelly Sloan: I feel like a big part of my job is to reassure everyone, faculty, staff, families and, especially students, during times of uncertainty. I feel supported knowing that I have Father Jim (Belogi) to help me with the big and the small decisions during this time that is anything but normal. I feel like I can take some of the worry off of families if they know that our incredible faculty and staff are thinking and working to continue to make this new online learning as manageable as possible.

So I started with cards to my faculty and staff to thank them and let them know how much I appreciate them and to let them know that they are the reason this distance learning is working, plain and simple. Without their willingness to be flexible and work so far out of their comfort zone creating videos and turning their houses into classrooms, our students would not be learning. Encouragement and kindness usually breeds more encouragement and kindness so I started with them.

 I know how much my own life has changed during this time, with my daughters and husband home. They are all old enough to understand and have conversations with about what is happening. I can't imagine how hard it is for our parents with younger children; balancing their work, school work, alleviating fear and dealing with their unique situation. I try to be the person that parents can use when they say, "Well, Mrs. Sloan said ..." in order for their children to take the work seriously.

So, I sent a card with an inspirational Scripture verse on it to each family, "Our faith can move mountains," or "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," etc. I wrote a simple message of encouragement inside each, then I enclosed a little "lunchbox joke card" for each student, just to make them laugh. Making sure every family remembers that they have their St. Madeleine Sophie School family to lean on is so important to me, so sending my love and prayers is what I thought I could do. This is who we are right?

ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA SCHOOL: SCHOOL MEALS

Principal Tosha Grimmer: We partner with the North Colonie School District for our meals. They have been preparing breakfasts and lunches since Monday, March 16, and deliver them to our school each day; Sara Nikiforov, who works for North Colonie but is stationed here, organizes the meals and keeps track of which students are receiving meals. Sara personalizes the meals with a note such as, "We miss you," and whenever possible she packs the meals with their favorite foods.  She knows which child likes Fruit Loops or Cheerios, white or chocolate milk. She is incredible!

We have three members of our staff, including parish staff, volunteer daily and use a walkie-talkie system to get meals prepped as families drive up between 10 a.m.-noon., and our new evening hours, 5-6 p.m. Then we bring the appropriate number of meals to the main lobby and bring them to the families' cars. In addition, we bring the children any work packets their teachers have prepared.

Some families couldn't make it during those hours (so) we started a delivery service. We deliver to approximately 18 families around Schenectady and Scotia. We are now doing about 100 meals per day (100 breakfasts and 100 lunches). For both pickup and delivery, we can include any child in the family up to the age of 18; therefore, there are children who are not enrolled at St. Kateri, but are able to participate in this program. This is all done through a volunteer program of staff (school and parish) and the Knights of Columbus.

We are also supported by a program called NiskyNOW (Nutrition on the Weekend) which was developed by a social worker, Jessica Brennan, in the Niskayuna School district. They provide a bag each week to help families get through the weekend. The packages vary week-to-week depending upon what is available through the Northeast Regional Food Pantry. Each week a Stewart’s Shop card for milk and eggs is included. For the last two weeks each family received three rolls of toilet paper along with the food; 25 of our families participate in that program. When they come to school for breakfast/lunch or when we deliver, we distribute their NiskyNOW bag.

Both programs (North Colonie & NiskyNOW) provided food during this past vacation week. Under federal and state guidelines, there is no cost to any family. Therefore, even families who are not typically eligible for the free/reduced lunch program are able to participate in this program without any cost to the family. It is really gratifying to stay in touch with our families during this time. The gratitude expressed by the families is very touching, but more importantly, we know our children are getting their nutritional needs met.