Lancaster Catholic High School Crusader Connection August 27, 2020
1st Week of School
Attention Parents: If your student/s are riding a bus please check with your local school district as to whether they will offer afternoon transportation next week Tuesday, Sept 1 - Friday, Sept 4 due to early dismissals. Morning transportation will NOT change.
How can students access classes remotely? To get a live demonstration on how to log into classes remotely, students will receive a google meet invite from Mr. Marinaro to attend at 9:00AM, on their scheduled class day.
Important Information for Students Learning Remotely Please contact your School Counselor if your child plans to start school remotely. Below is the schedule for remote learners to pick up books and materials: If your LCHS student is choosing to learn remotely, please read carefully the following information to learn how your student will obtain books and/or chromebooks for their classes. There is also information regarding instruction to log into classes remotely. Even students who are learning remotely, we strongly encourage to come on their individual class day to run through COVID procedures (should your student decide to join us in person at some point), and to get class books and/or chromebooks. Each day runs from 8:00AM-12:00PM. Class days are scheduled as follows: • • • •
September 1st-Seniors September 2nd-Juniors September 3rd-Sophomores September 4th-Freshmen
For any student choosing to learn remotely, who will not be in attendance on their class day from 8:00-12:00, students will need to come to the building on their scheduled class day from 12:30-1:30. Please bring your schedule with you. During this time, students will walk to each classroom and get books from teachers. After getting textbooks, students needing a chromebook will proceed to the Computer Lab, Room 111, where Mr. Marinaro will issue the device and assist with setting up student Rediker accounts.
Business Office Update In order for your student to attend school, the Registration Fee must be paid and an Enrollment Agreement signed and received in the Business Office prior to the first day of school!
School Counseling Corner Schedules Student schedules have been available in the Rediker portfolio for the past several weeks; please review your schedule to make sure you have the minimum of 6.5 credits, as well as where and when your classes will meet. We have worked very diligently on student schedules throughout the past 5 months and therefore no changes will be made at this time unless we have made an error or an emergency situation has occurred. We do not make changes to schedules due to teacher preferences. Standardized Testing We know many students and parents are wondering if SATs and ACTs are necessary. Many colleges and universities are loosening up their requirements as we begin a new school year with the continuing threat of COVID-19. Please ask the question when you are looking at a school and follow their guidelines. Be aware that although admissions practices may not require an SAT/ACT, merit scholarships being offered may require a test score. PSAT Testing At this time, Lancaster Catholic is preparing to offer the PSAT for all sophomores and juniors on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Registration will be open on Total Registration beginning August 15, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Due to the pandemic, we will not be able to offer this test to homeschooled or non-LCHS students. AP Classes & Summer Assignments At this time, we hope that all students have completed their summer reading assignments and if applicable, any AP class assignments. Any student taking an AP Class will be instructed when they return to school how and when to register for the AP testing in May. Due to the pandemic, no outside students will be able to test at LCHS.
COVID-19 Attendance Policy By definition, the blended learning environment means that a student will attend classes according to their official LCHS schedule, including Homeroom and Crusader Periods. In accordance with the LCHS Student Handbook, teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each class, including Homeroom and Crusader Periods. Consequences for late and absent students continue to apply. Parent/medical notes will continue to be required per LCHS policies. • ALL students are expected to show up for EACH scheduled class ON TIME. This includes students in the distance learning environment. When learning remotely, the environment should be a quiet place, with as little noise as possible. Students should be properly and completely clothed. No inappropriate references of any kind should be visible on clothing or on camera. All students learning remotely should refer to the “casual dress policy” in the LCHS Handbook. • All students are expected to attend Crusader Periods and use this time for makeup tests, tutoring, counselor visits and club activities. • Eligibility for athletics and extracurricular activities remain unchanged, per the LCHS Student Handbook. • In an effort to limit the total number of people in the building each day, we are instituting “Student Privilege” instead of “Senior Privilege”. Any student, regardless of grade level, who has a first period Study Hall may come to school late, but in time for the Homeroom period. In addition, any student, regardless of grade level, who has a last period Study Hall may leave early. (The exception is if a student athlete has an early dismissal for a game/match. They must remain until the scheduled athletic dismissal.) • To support this new adjustment to the schedule, homeroom will now be AFTER 1st period. Students will begin the day in their first period class. For students learning remotely and are absent for the day, the following procedure must be followed. • Upon returning (remotely) from an absence, a parent note must be emailed to the attendance officer, Mrs. Katie Fritz at kfritz@lchsyes.org within three (3) days of the absence. • The email address must be from a parent email the school has on file. Attendance excuse emails will only be accepted for students who are learning remotely. Attendance excuse emails will NOT be accepted from students who are learning in person. Those students must bring in an excuse note from a parent and turn in to the attendance office.
School Payment Portal - Lunch Account LCHS has a School Payment Portal to offer a safe, secure and convenient way for parents/guardians to manage school payments online. The portal can be used to add funds to a student’s lunch account and see what your student is buying for lunch. You may also use it to make payments for Registration Fees, Technology Fees, Tuition, Campus Ministry Retreats and Gym Uniforms by clicking on “Items/ Fees” in the banner at the top of the page. To set up your account visit www.schoolpaymentportal.com • Click on Create Account • Enter your name, email address and create a password • The screens will prompt you to find your student. Enter your students first and last name and ID# (located on your Enrollment Agreement) • The next screen will display your student and you click “add student” • You may use your bank routing and account numbers or a debit or credit card. Small fees apply to both and will display when you open the cart. Any questions regarding the set up can be directed to the Business Office at BusinessOffice@lchsyes.org or 717-509-0307.
Summer Reading Lists Into the Deep • Pride and Prejudice • When Crickets Cry • Long Way Down • The Book Thief • Trouble
Last minute reading? The English and Theology Department’s Summer Reading Lists can be found on the student tab on Lancaster Catholic’s website or by clicking here!
Senior Portraits Seniors portraits will take place on: • Saturday, September 26th from 9AM to 3 PM • Saturday, October 3rd from 9AM to 3 PM • Saturday, October 10th from 9AM to 3 PM Appointment cards will be mailed and the senior students are asked to log onto the PrestigePortraits.com website to “self-schedule” their appointment using their unique ID number (located on the appointment card) to select a date/time convenient for them. To help with the “No-Touch” policy, Lifetouch is asking that sitting fee payment be made online, but they are accepting payments on site as well. If you have any questions, please contact Lifetouch’s Customer Care Line at 410-644-7700 or email Answers@Lifetouch.com.
Face Coverings Mandatory A mask OR face shield is required for all students, faculty, and staff for the start of the 2020-2021 school year until further notice. Students must purchase their own mask/shield. Disposal masks will be available for students who forget. There is no particular mask or shield students are required to buy, however, all masks/shields must be appropriate, with no drug, alcohol, political, or violent images. Administration has full discretion. If you feel ill or believe you may have been in contact with someone exposed to COVID-19, please stay home.
New Website Homepage Lancaster Catholic has updated the look and functionality of its website home page as well as the Parent and Student tabs. Please take a few minutes to check out the changes as things have been moved! You’ll now find the COVID-19 Headquarters on the main page along with the Crusader Connection.
Good Samaritan Hour Update At Lancaster Catholic High School, we find service as a fundamental part of our academics and spiritual life and want to continue the Good Samaritan program into the 2020-2021 school year. Due to COVID-19 the requirement for service hours will be reduced from 20 hours to 10 service hours per student beginning June 1, 2020 until May 31, 2021. We encourage students to do as many possible. If you have any concerns or issues, please contact Miss. Cybulski at ncybulski@lchsyes.org for more information. Please continue to log your hours through the MobileServe app or website!
Campus Ministry- Holy Hour Event Campus Ministry will be sponsoring a Holy Hour on Monday August 31, 2020 in the Lancaster Catholic High School Main parking lot. Please join us from 7-8 PM as we gather to pray for our school and our community at the start of the new school year. Bring a chair (and kneeling pad if you have one) and a rosary as we gather outside to offer thanks and praise to our Savior. All are welcome.