Crusader Connection: April 2, 2020

Lancaster Catholic’s

Crusader Connection Virtual Spirit Week This week Lancaster Catholic kicked off its very 1st Virtual Spirit Week!

We challenged our Catholic High Crusaders in a series of activities to help them stay connected with each other and to insert a little fun into their day.

Selfie Monday

Attendance Update Due to the COVID 19 virus, ALL absences (if your child/student will miss the ENTIRE instructional day) should be reported to Mrs Fritz at kfritz@lchsyes.org.

This is NOT the protocol for a normal school day, however, with virtual learning/ online classes it will provide us with a better means of keeping track of attendance.

Virtual Spirit Week Tik Tok Tuesday We challenged our students to take some time out of their day and create a fun Lancaster Catholic inspired Tik Tok. These short videos can be viewed on the Tik Tok app.

Workout Wednesday Workout tips from Gym Teacher, Mrs. Stanley 1. Be outside and take a walk around your neighborhood 2. Explore the local rec centers social media pages and websites for at home workouts 3. Play with your pets (if you have them)!

Throwback Thursday We asked our students (and teachers) to submit a childhood photo of themselves on Instagram to see if their classmates can guess who they are.

Dance Dance Friday We hope you have your dancing shoes ready for Dance Dance Friday!

AP Test Update Mrs. Grosh sent preliminary information out last week to all students who have registered to take an AP exam. Collegeboard is presenting a webinar this evening and we will send out more information next week regarding exam dates and times.

Students may cancel any of their AP exams without penalty and Mrs. Grosh will set up TotalRegistration dates to complete refunds.

Teachers at Home

A Message from the Business Office The business office has started releasing enrollment agreements via email.

We anticipate having them all completed by April 17th.

We thank you for your patience as we complete this progress.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Garner at lgarner@lchsyes.org.

Easter Break Reminder Just a reminder that ALL of next week (Monday, April 6th- Friday, April 10th) Lancaster Catholic High School will be closed for Easter.

This means that no school assignments are due.

We hope that you have a Happy Easter surrounded by your family!

Campus Ministry Update Prayer Request If you have any prayer requests, please complete this form.

Opportunities for Community Prayer Rosary daily at 9AM on Lancaster Catholic’s Facebook Page.

Stations of the Cross on Friday at 1:30PM on Lancaster Catholic’s Facebook Page Retreats As of March 24, 2020, the following retreats are officially canceled.

4th Day Adore Kairos 42 Theme Retreat Day

Good Samaritan Update Due to the current circumstances, all students will receive a passing grade from the Good Samaritan Program.

Students are still encouraged to complete their service hours and hours will be accepted via MobileServe for helping a younger sibling with chores or homework, doing yard work, sending a thank you card/email to a healthcare worker, teacher and time spent praying.

If you have any questions, please contact Noelle Cybulski at ncybulski@lchsyes.org

Self-Care Hallmarks during the COVID-19 In a time of crisis, there are proven steps that can help us work through the uncertainties and distress we are experiencing as provided by WellSpan Employee and Family Resources: • Acknowledge and verbalize when you are stressed.

Research has shown that talking about your concerns helps remove them and is far better than trying to ignore, deny, or suppress the natural feelings we all share. No matter who you are, the common denominator is that we are all human, and we will feel heightened stress during this time. Acknowledging it opens the gate for us to do something about it.

• Rely on a few trusted resources for information.

Think: CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Limit searches on Google.

• But limit your exposure to information.

Over-consumption of social media, national media and local media coverage of COVID-19 can consume you and create depleted energy and even more distress.

• Stay connected with others.

You may have to work harder at this as you adhere to the Pennsylvania Department of Health restrictions and social distancing, but this one is huge. Virtual interactions count!

• Take care of your own basic needs.

You need fuel for the mind and body. Eat nutritious food, hydrate and try to get enough sleep.

• Keep up your daily routine as much as you can.

Routine is key – whether your usual one or a new one you create! Routine helps you maintain a sense of normalcy that can dramatically reduce stress. It might require some creative thinking, but this is vital for you in your work and for your family at home.

• Take breaks, breathe, slow down with intention, and set limits.

We must remember to step away from our work. Take time out even if it’s for a minute or two. To slow down, and be present, will help slow what may seem like a chaotic, stressful experience.

• Do some physical movement.

Move, stand up and be active, and exercise in whatever way you can, even in small increments. Get outside and take a walk, get some fresh air, look at the clouds, breathe deeply.

• Focus on what you can control.

Be present and in the moment. Avoid the “What ifs.” Psychologists call this catastrophizing or running worst-case scenarios in our heads. This behavior will only create more distress.

• Laugh!

Watch a funny movie, YouTube video or anything that tickles your funny bone. Laughter is good food for the soul. Laughter is an essential part of the coping equation during an emotionally charged time.

School Counseling Corner Student Classwork

Students who have not been completing their assignments, please contact your teachers and/or School Counselors immediately. We are all here to help. If you are ill or you are dealing with a family crisis, we cannot help you if we do not know this information.

Resources for Parents and Students

While we continue to experience the new normal, many of us are wondering, where do I go if I need help?

One of our LCHS parents is an Employee Assistance Psychologist at Wellspan, he can direct you to more services via Wellspan (mdiller@wellspan.org). Also, I’ve been in touch with COBYs and they are offering new patients virtual visits and they will work with whatever an individual family’s financial/insurance needs are: Contact Abby--here is her information Abby L. Keiser, MS , Director of Family Life Services, COBYS Family Services, 171 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, (717) 435-8139, (717) 413-6483 (cell) abby@cobys.org Lynn Lyons, a psychotherapist and author, has a huge following and offers some great tips to parents about how to lower your child’s (and your own) anxiety especially now. You can see her most recent recordings on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/lynnlyonsanxiety/ Check out Dr. Brene Brown, a sociologist who recently appeared on 60 Minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o as she speaks about vulnerability and how that is a strength, not a weakness.

To all of our LCHS Family, the School Counselors wish everyone a safe and healthy Easter!

Online Purple & Gold Gala With the cancellations of large parties across the state and a Stay-At-Home order in place, Lancaster Catholic’s Purple & Gold Gala will be held as an online auction!

The auction will be held from Friday, April 24th to Sunday, April 26th.

This Purple & Gold Online Auction will be open to the public. Individuals who purchased tickets to attend the in-person gala will have special access to before it is open to the public.

Items that will be available to bid on include a trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade complete with prime seating and a hotel in the heart of New York City.

Notre Dame Football and Philadelphia Flyers tickets will also be available.

The link to view all of the silent and live auction items will be available on Lancaster Catholic’s website.

Referral Credit Know a friend or neighbor who might be interested in learning more about Lancaster Catholic for their child?

Now’s the time to refer them!

Families who “refer a friend” that enrolls at Lancaster Catholic for the 2020-21 school year will receive a $1,000 credit towards tuition for next year!

Tell your friends to email Kyla and drop your name as their referral!

A Prayer with 5 Words This prayer was written by a student using the 5 words that they were feeling.

Stressed | Crazy | United | Empathetic | Grateful Dear Lord, Thank you for letting my family stay strong in this time of loss.

Please bless all of the sick and suffering. We are grateful that we are blessed with health and wellness. Please help us stay that way with social distancing.

Help us to show empathy to the healthcare workers helping those who have the virus or people who have lost something or someone because of this virus.

My family has been feeling stressed and crazy being stuck inside, but it has also united us because it is the most time we have all spent together in a very long time.

We are thankful that we are able to spend so much quality time together, but please don’t let it be for too much longer. We are starting to get on edge with each other, and we soon need my dad to go back to work full time.

Please bless my family, and guide us with the Holy Spirit to make good decisions that will keep us safe. Thank you for everything you have given to us.

Amen.

Suggestions After the recent parent satisfaction survey, we have implemented a virtual suggestion box where you can submit your suggestions/feedback.

Parents are encouraged to report concerns regarding excessive student workload or any other suggestion to suggestions@lchsyes.org.