Lancaster Catholic High School Crusader Connection February 4, 2021
Activities Fair Photo Recap Thank you to all who helped make our Winter Activities Fair a HUGE success! We embraced our sunny winter day to show off what Lancaster Catholic is all about to prospective families.
Main Office Hours Lancaster Catholic’s Main Office will be closing at 12:30 PM on Friday, February 12th.
Upcoming Events at Lancaster Catholic High School Feb. 1-5th Feb. 12th Feb. 15th Feb. 17th Feb. 25th Catholic Schools Week
Faculty In-Service No School
Presidents’ Day No School
Ash Wednesday
Spring Blood Drive
Aevidum Toast to Gratitude Our voices echo today speaking in fresh language for a new year. We hoist the ordinary over our heads like golden trophies. In that raising there is transformation; the extraordinary emerges in glittery mist. I am grateful for the gift of watching the radiant sunrise as the world awakens, for my body which has managed to push through and remain healthy during the pandemic, for the opportunity to learn in school for my senior year, for art which always manages to calm me on stressful days, for music because it provides livable space in a mad world, for volleyball to clear my mind, for procrastination without which some of my best work would’ve never seen daylight, for solitude; without it, I would never find clarity, for teachers who urge me to be the best version of myself, for sunlight because it puts a smile on my face, for God and everything He has done for me, and for this year which has taught me hard lessons but changed me for the better. I rejoice in driving alone for it’s the time I can ease my mind and sing without anyone watching, in the upcoming adventures I know are waiting patiently in my future, in the vast world beyond me with never-ending ocean waves and grand mountain ranges, in life itself, in the woodpeckers in my tree, in my loving family, in knowledge which fills me with endless possibilities, in humanity where we all stand united against hate and ignorance, in heartbreak (or I wouldn’t have learned true love for myself,) in the peers I lead who keep me motivated to challenge myself, for the autumn sunsets when leaves reflect the colors of sun rays, for the cleansing snowstorms of winter, for tulips that lift in technicolor from springtime soil, for the sweet sensation of ice cream melting in my mouth, and for running toward blue waves with sand in my toes. I am grateful for new friends who have pulled me out of loneliness, for those who love, support, and push me with both hands towards dreams that sometimes scare me, for the life that stirs fire in me, for my parents’ sacrifices, my siblings’ laughter, my wise grandparents’ stories, and for my friends’ faces that instantly shift and lift my mood and who manufacture good times without trying, for conversations that bloom between old friends like we never missed a day of talking, for role models I emulate, for faith boldly placed in me, for finding abilities within myself, for the undying hope from people around school, for getting the Google Classroom notification that my teacher graded a paper I felt confident about, for teachers doing the best they can to keep their students safe, and students who speak of love with only their eyes. Continued on Next Page
Aevidum Toast to Gratitude I rejoice in decisions I make that are supported, in opportunities given to me, in the influential people that have stuck with me throughout many hardships, in a family that fights for me when it’s too hard to fight for myself, in the mistakes I’ve made because I was able to learn from them, in the obstacles I had to overcome that pushed me beyond my capabilities, in 2020 as the proof that I can get through anything, in nature for it gives space for people to breathe, in the dark sky on an early morning while driving to an airport, in Chipotle and their fabulous burrito bowls, in the time I spend alone refueling after a long day, in my home because it gives me a place to rest and be comfortable, in the bed waiting for me every night, freshly made with a warm comforter and stuffed animals to cuddle, in the stars and the night sky for reminding me of how small and simple we are compared to the ever-unfolding splendor of the universe. A Collaborative Poem by: Emma Kirchner, Erin Mohr, Barbara Lapp, Caroline Erb, Rachel Sahd, Liz Detz, Ella Deck, Hannah Eckerd, Olivia Reichert, Maria DeTrempe, Cooper Linkey, Vivian Klemmer, Halle Snopek, Natalie Knox, Luke Weaver, Sheridan Riva, Jocelyn Miller, Cecelia Deel, Erica Scott, Alexis Baker, Maddi Lewis, and Dana Kinsey
Christmas Decorations- Time to Go Home Parents, there are still a lot of Christmas decorations that need to go home. If you allowed your student to bring in Christmas decorations for the hallway decorating contest, it is time to take them back. Several announcements have been made. Please have your student remove all decorations from the building by Friday, February 5th. Thank you!
Remote Instruction: When is a student allowed to learn remotely? What are the rules if they do? As we move into the third semester of a very challenging year, there are some things we have learned. One of the most obvious, is that most students perform better academically when they are physically in the classroom. In this ever changing environment, we know there are many valid reasons why a student may choose to learn remotely. There could be compromised individuals in the home. A student may be ill, waiting for a test result, or told to quarantine. In the beginning of the year, we asked students to commit to at least two weeks of a particular method of instruction because we understood this was new for everyone. Unfortunately, the “trial period” has led to students changing their preferred method of instruction from day to day. Teachers are as prepared as possible each day when they know which students will be physically in the classroom, and those who will be remote. Not knowing this ahead of time creates many challenges and difficulties. Administration is imploring parents to allow your student to utilize remote instruction ONLY for the reasons listed above. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact your student’s counselor. Remote instruction is NOT intended for students to choose daily how they would like to attend school. Please choose a method and stick with it. If something needs to change due to a true emergency, please continue to make attendance and teachers aware. In addition, there are rules for attending school remotely. They are listed on the school’s website, under the parent tab. Students are required to abide by these rules in order to attend remotely. Please make sure your student knows the rules.
Re-Enrollment at LCHS If your Crusader will be entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, the following information is critical for you as it pertains to re-enrolling at LCHS. Why is re-enrolling now critical? LCHS Administration needs to be able to determine how many science classes, gym classes, electives, etc. are needed for next year and knowing who will be returning is an integral part of this planning process. This process also allows for student schedules to be produced more efficiently. PLEASE check your spam if you have not received this email. They were sent last Friday. If you did not receive it, contact Lancaster Catholic’s Business Office at 717-509-0307.
Fast FACTS
FACTS Priority Deadline- February 15 Completed applications are due February 15, 2021 for priority financial aid. (Note that deadline is one month earlier than last year.) You may apply after that deadline, but you run the risk of funds being exhausted. Funds will be available on a first-come, firstserve basis. You may use your 2019 Federal Tax Return with your 2020 W-2’s to apply for financial aid for the 2021-2022 School Year. Help is available at the Business Office by appointment. Fast FACTS Tips When filing for financial aid, please use the Financial Aid application on our website as it is tailored to Lancaster Catholic High School. Click here to apply for Financial Aid.
Gala Auction Baskets - We need your help! Dear Crusader Families, We are preparing for our 7 th Annual Purple & Gold Gala to be held the weekend of April 24th, 2021. The Gala is our premiere fundraising event with proceeds directly benefiting each and every student at LCHS. Money raised funds academics, athletics, Fine & Performing arts, Campus Ministry and tuition assistance for ALL students. As we continue to experience the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current restrictions regarding large gatherings, we feel the need to, once again, hold our annual Purple & Gold Gala virtually. In recent years we have asked for your participation in creating themed Class Baskets for an online raffle which contributed to the Gala proceeds. In light of the difficulty we face securing auction items for the Gala this year, we are asking for 100% participation in creating themed Class Baskets to be used as auction items. Class basket items can be purchase directly from our Amazon Wishlist or a donation can be made directly to LCHS to the attention of 2021 Gala donation. Please include your name, your student’s name and grade, and the item or donation you have submitted. Please submit all donations by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. All participating Freshman & Sophomores will be entered to win a free 2020-2021 yearbook, and participating Juniors & Seniors will be entered to win a set of free Prom tickets. All participating parents will be entered to win one of our $150 Gala-To-Go Bags filled with exciting goodies to be delivered to you the week of the Gala. Please contact Lori Haney Wagner ‘83, LCHS Special Events Coordinator, at 717-509-0313 x134, or email lwagner@lchsyes.org with any questions.
Thank you for your support ! Sincerely, Lori Haney Wagner’83
Senior Class Sign-Up
Junior Class Sign-Up
Sophomore Class Sign-Up
Freshman Class Sign-Up
Be someone else’s valentine this year!
Donate Blood Thursday, February 25th 8am - 2pm
Blood Drive
Lancaster Catholic High School In the Old Gym
Sign up in the Library 16 year old donors must have a signed written consent form. • We strongly suggest you schedule an appointment to donate blood. Appointments help us improve your donation experience. • Walk-Ins are welcome; however, donors with appointments will be taken first and this may result in a significant wait time. • Masks are required. If you aren’t wearing a mask, we will provide one for you.
Everyone at this drive may choose to receive a FREE Covid-19 Antibody test with each successful blood donation. Everyone giving at this challenging time will receive a FREE Blood Donor t-shirt! A form of ID is REQUIRED to donate 717giveblood.org
Your State Taxes & LCHS Are you interested in redirecting the state tax dollars that you have to pay from Harrisburg and to the students of Lancaster Catholic High School? Pennsylvania allows individuals (personal state income taxes via SPEs) and businesses both the ability to participate in the PA Educational Tax Credit Programs (EITC & OSTC). SPE Joinder Agreements for the 2021 Tax Year are being accepted NOW! Do not delay as these are limited funds, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Joe Sahd ‘01 in the Office of Advancement today by calling 717-509-0313 or emailing jsahd@lchsyes.org. Click here for more information.
https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/1144/Employment-
*For more information, contact Tammy Agesen, Program Manager, at 717-299-8219 or agesent@co.lancaster.pa.us Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation, 1050 Rockford Road, Lancaster, PA 17602
School Counseling Corner Honor Roll & Distinguished Honor Roll With report cards due to be released this week, many parents may be confused as to how honor roll is calculated. Honor Roll for Quarter 2 is based upon the student’s overall weighted average in their courses of 90% with no grade lower than 80%. Distinguished Honors is based upon the student’s overall weighted average of 93% with no grade lower than 80%. Half credit courses are assigned half the weight of full credit courses. AP Exam Payments All AP students and parents will be sent information regarding payment for the upcoming AP exams on Friday, January 29, 2021. We will once again use TotalRegistration as our vendor and payment is expected February thru March. If you are experiencing difficulty paying for exams, please contact Mrs. Grosh for information on a reduced fee. All students have registered for their AP exams in their classrooms this year, so all exams have been ordered at this time (even second semester AP Government exams). Report Cards & Incompletes Report cards for Quarter 2/Semester 1 will be sent to all families this week. Students who are not passing 4 or more credits will not be eligible to participate in sports and activities for 15 school days. In addition, if students have incomplete grades, they will not be eligible to participate in sports and activities until all incomplete work has been made up.
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Weather Related Flexible Instruction Days (asynchronous) When the Flexible Instruction Day is announced “A” or “B” day will be designated. • If snow is predicted for the next day, teachers will have an assignment posted by 3:30PM before leaving the building. If an unexpected weather event causes the cancellation of school, all assignments will be posted by 10:00AM. • When a weather-related Flexible Instruction Day is called, an alert will be posted on the school website and included in the recorded phone message informing families of the cancellation. Guidelines on weather related Flexible Instruction Days will be included in the weekly Crusader Connection periodically beginning mid-November to parents and students so they are informed prior to the 1st “snow” day. • Lessons and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. • Expectations are to be provided as to how the students are to complete and turnin the assignment(s). • Assignment(s) are to be turned in electronically by the students no later than 8:00PM that day. Turn-in options include electronically on Google Classroom, Google Docs, Rediker or Turn-it In. • The entire lesson and accompanying assignments should take a minimum of 35 minutes and a maximum of 45 minutes. • Teachers will notify students of their availability to answer questions via email. Teacher availability will not exceed a 2-hour block. Teachers will take class “attendance” based on submission of work. This attendance will be forwarded to the Attendance Officer. • If a student is legitimately sick on a Flexible Learning Day, parents will be expected to follow normal procedures for reporting illness; an excuse card for the Flexible Learning Day must be submitted by the student upon returning to school. Students will be expected to make-up the assignment per the teacher’s make-up policy. • Students who have reported no home Internet connection may opt to use a smart phone to complete assignments. If this alternative is not an option, all assignments are to be submitted by 3:00PM the 2nd school day after the return to school. • If there is a loss of power due to the weather, this will be taken into consideration for both students and teachers. This will be monitored and adjusted upon return to school.
Teacher Impact Awards You never forget the teacher who makes a difference… In a year like no other, every teacher deserves an award! Help us celebrate educators who made an extra-special impact. Do you know a math teacher who has a special way of making learning numbers fun for students? Or a science teacher who opened a new world for your child? Nominate an extraordinary teacher for the 2021 Teacher Impact Awards! We all know teachers who have gone the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of their students. This program is designed to recognize and celebrate seven K-12 teachers in public and private schools in the Rotary District’s seven county area which include: • • • • • • •
Adams Cumberland Dauphin Lancaster Lebanon Perry York
A committee of current and former educators, Rotary members and WITF staff will review nominations and select winners. WITF will produce a special compilation television program featuring the outstanding teachers that will air on WITF TV. The top teachers also will be honored at a special awards ceremony on May 26, 2021. Click here to Nominate a Catholic High Teacher!
You never forget the teacher who makes a difference…
Nominate an extraordinary teacher
TODAY!
Learn more at witf.org/teacherimpactawards
NOMINATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28 Presented by
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