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All Saints Catholic School Welcomes Students Back to Class By Gabe Moreno, ASCS Director of Advancement and Mission
new year. Very few things compare to the hope and promise of the beginning of something new. Each year in August, All Saints begins a new school year with lots of smiles, laughs, hugs and high fives. Students and families arrive early to socialize and see friends many haven’t seen in three months. It is always a joyous occasion. This year, All Saints begins a new school year differently. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change many of our traditions. This year, there were no large gatherings, no hugs, no high fives, and all the smiles were covered by masks. Nonetheless, it was a joyous occasion. Staff members with hidden smiles and an infrared thermometer welcomed students learning on campus. After a health screening, students were allowed into the building where they immediately washed their hands, headed to their classroom, and found their seats and personal supplies behind a clear acrylic desk shield. The health and well-being of our students at All Saints are paramount. We have spent the last five months working on a plan to safely welcome families back to campus. It has been nice to see the fruit of all that labor come to fruition in the form of students learning in their classrooms. Under the leadership of Fr. Alfonse, Principal Shana Druffner, and Nurse Jamie Nystrom, All Saints developed
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a comprehensive safety plan that is the model for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas. This safety plan has been published in the bulletin and on the ASCS website for people to view. It has also received praise from inside and outside of our community. Many people have commented that we are going above and beyond to ensure safety. We are doing everything possible to keep our community safe and healthy. Some of the safety protocols put in place rely on people and behavior, but others necessitated spending additional funds. The acrylic desk shields, electrostatic disinfecting machine, new nurse office to separate well and unwell students, and the necessary technology upgrades to ensure students participating in the remote learning program receive the same level of excellent instruction All Saints is known for all came with additional costs. This year, All Saints is once again participating in North Texas Giving Day on Sept. 17. This annual day of giving is an opportunity to come together and support our community. I hope that you will participate in this event and help our community offset some of the additional costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled giving begins on Sept. 1 and ends on Sept. 17 at midnight. To show your support of All Saints, visit www.northtexasgivingday.org/all-saints-catholic-school-dallas, and donate what you are able. Any amount helps, and together we can ensure the health and well-being of our community.
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT CYBERBULLYING
o matter the online platform or how much or little kids or teens engage in social media, establishing an openness to talk about what they are doing online, who they are interacting with, and what sites and apps they are using is key to setting the tone for potentially more difficult conversations. It is OK to express support for their technology use and acknowledge the value in it for them. As we all know, technology is here to stay. Set age-appropriate limits and discuss expectations. Allow them to negotiate and collaborate on an agreement. By doing this, they will be more likely to take ownership of their behavior and you will have a more solid foundation upon which to hold them accountable. Let them
know that you, as their parents, reserve the right to look at their devices, if you feel there is a concern about their safety or if they demonstrate an inability to use technology safely. Connect expectations to your family values. Use language that reflects facts (something that was said or something you heard or observed), statements of consequence (certain actions are helpful or hurtful, effective or ineffective), or personal preferences (“I didn’t like seeing that”). Refrain from judgmental language (e.g., good/bad, stupid, nice, etc.). These kinds of evaluative words can heighten emotions and shut down open communication. Please visit StopBullying.gov for more information.
