Welcome back to the 2020-2021 school
year. I hope everyone had a relaxing and restful summer vacation with family,
friends, and loved ones, despite our country’s encounter with the COVID-19
pandemic. It has been six months since we were last in school, so I am sure you
were all anxiously awaiting the start of a new school year.
I would like to first reiterate that
at St. Raphael, we are committed to the safety of our students and staff.
We are monitoring the new information about COVID-19 and working with our board
and TPH to keep our schools safe. We want to share that we are taking the
necessary precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and
other germs, and are cleaning off high-contact areas, such as paper towel
dispensers, light switches, doorknobs, keyboards and desks. The status of this
situation is extremely fluid, and we are monitoring the progress of this matter
thoroughly and consistently; we encourage parents and students to continue
following safety safeguards, such as washing hands with soap and using
sanitizers; covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues; wearing
face masks when in the building and avoiding others who are sick, and staying
home - if ill.
In light of the
events of 2020 thus far, we face unique challenges this September and we will
need to draw on the strength and cooperation of our entire community in order
to meet them. Our students and teachers will be adapting to a new way of
learning and teaching online, and I would encourage everyone to show patience
and understanding. The mental health of our students is a perennial concern and
we must be especially supportive of them during these extraordinary times. And
at every opportunity, we must reaffirm our commitment to inclusiveness, diversity,
and open inquiry.
Each year brings
positive change. This includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted
to welcome Ms. A. Valente to Grade 1, Ms. C. Andriano to Grade 5/6, Ms. A.
Ciafrini to ESL, we welcome back Ms. A. Grieco to Grade 5 (filling in for Ms.
Lannan). We also have an additional ELP class and we welcome Ms. V. Ribeiro as
the ECE and Ms. R. Duah as the temporary ELP teacher. We also welcome Ms. A.
Correia ECE working with Ms. Minichiello.
In
closing, I’d like to ask all of you to bear in mind the importance of
maintaining personal distance among teachers and students. A call, an
email, or a little recognition can make a big difference for their well-being
and your own. For your own health, as well as the health of those around you,
please remember that wearing masks or face coverings is required in common
spaces in the building, practice physical distancing, wash your hands often,
and self-isolate if you’re not feeling well. These are simple safeguards that
will contribute to the health and well-being of our community as we weather
this storm.
Despite the
many challenges we have faced over the past months, it has been heartening to
witness our close-knit community exhibit such resilience and support for one
another. Thank you for your continued efforts in this regard and for helping us
maintain a unique sense of togetherness, despite being physically apart.
God Bless you,
R. Zaccak-Di
Felice, Principal
N. Montanari, Vice Principal