May 7,  2020

Good morning!

I can hardly believe that we are already into May!!  Our SJB school year is marching on - although in quite a different fashion this spring.  I am hoping you are all doing well and have adjusted to your online lessons.  Some adjustments needed to be done by administration but it seems to be making the 4th quarter flow more smoothly.  And now that we are well into the 4th quarter, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this academic year.  It has been hard this spring as there are certain hallmarks that mark the advancing of the academic year but many of these stopped in early March.  It's as if our calendar froze on March 13th!!  But life has gone on and we have gone on..together.      

Last Saturday was truly an emotional day for me as well as every administrator, faculty or staff member that was able to come home to SJB to greet the Class of 2020 in their "SJB Drive By".  We hope the cheers and tears plus the graduation lawn signs you received tell you how much you are truly missed and love.   For seniors are the heart of a school.  We have watched you grow over the past 4 years from timid freshmen to young men and women ready to embark on the next phase of your life's journey.  Yes, there were championship matches and games not played, spring seasons never attempted and a College Acceptance Shirt Day never held.  Your last hallway walk through, Bon Voyage, Prom and Graduation are still ahead of you and we hope to honor them in some way.  The road has not been easy but you have hung tight, riding every wave with determination and spirit that is so indicative of the spirit of your class.  I am confident that whatever hurdles life might hold for you in the future, what you learned during this second half of your senior year in high school will get you through.  

For our underclassmen, your year, too, has had many ups and downs.  Championship moments from the winter season will remain only dreams as well as a spring season that never became a reality.  Dance, instrumental and choral concerts, the spring musical and spring art exhibit were not heard or seen.  Class retreats, field trips, and mission projects were not to be.  For the juniors, your class pins and rings remain in the school vault, dancing at the Junior Banquet remains a dream, and for those eligible scholars, induction into NHS is on hold.  And we all long to bite into a spicy chicken sandwich!!!  But like the seniors, you have also shown your class and school spirit.  You took the challenge of on-line learning to heart and are showing us that it can be done.  Just think back - within two weeks of leaving traditional classroom learning, we switched to full on-line learning.  You, as well as your dedicated teachers, made it happen.  You did not lose the spring semester.  You have stayed on track.  You are winning the race.  

And one thing that will not change is this; once the diplomas have been given to the Class of 2020, you, our current juniors will become our new seniors, Class of 2021. It will be your turn to guide the lower classes in the honor and traditions of SJB.  And, in turn, the freshmen and sophomores will rise to sophomores and juniors.  And in September, all of you will welcome our new freshmen, the Class of 2024.

To our faculty, guidance counselors and staff - this could not have happened without the dedication that each of you have shown.  You made this work!!!  Almost overnight, you switched your teaching methods and ways of working; you learned new skills.  Because of you, our students are learning, they are advancing and they will be ready for the next academic year.  The guidance counselors and staff have been there working with you in handling various student issues from chrome book that malfunctioned to books left in lockers to student and family illnesses and unfortunately family deaths.  The Campus Ministry team has kept us "spiritually charged" through liturgies, food collections, prayer reflection nights and house blessings, the librarians have provided helpful resources and and our nurses have been there providing medical information and support.  And our maintenance team has been deep cleaning our building making it safe for when we return.  Together you have been and continue to be SJB at its best!!!  

But this time of adjustment, transition and being "on pause" does not come without some issues and if left alone can even cause damage whether physical or emotional.   We all love our families, but being with the same people  in the same 4 walls for almost the past two months can be more than challenging.  It can be overwhelming!!!  So I am suggesting the following two sources as possible means for you to find information and alternative ways to handle being "on pause". 

Roger Von Braun, Class of 2004, shared with us a mental health support and resources guide he has created which can be found on his website:https://www.mrvonbraun.com. The guide is on the lower left side of the opening page.  The site also focuses on other mental health issues so feel free to browse the site.

The Wellness Society also has a free workbook that can be downloaded focusing on the anxiety that is arising due to the corona virus: https://thewellnesssociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf.

Axel Scheffler has illustrated a free digital information book for primary school age children to help explain the corona virus and ways to control the virus: https://axelscheffler.com/books-for-older-children/coronavirus. This might seem too simplistic in its information for you but it might help you in explaining what we are all living through to younger brothers, sisters, cousins and neighbors and for the faculty and staff for your own children and grandchildren. 

And last, a word of caution.  We have been home now almost 2 months.  Spring is here and summer is around the corner.  We long to do all tat this time of year usually holds for us. And the #1 thing for us "islanders" is to hit the beach.  I know I long for that and have been down there a few times already.  For me, it has always been a place to just be, where I can totally relax.  So on that note it is a great place to go.  But in the midst of a pandemic and even though the curve is flattening, we still need to practice social distancing.  You can be with friends if you maintain the minimum 6 feet distance - and wear a mask.  I can hear students and even some teachers saying "tan lines!" So once you are on your beach towel, take the mask off.  But if you are up walking and talking with others, it needs to be on.  By wearing a mask you are saying to your family and friends, I care enough about you to protect you.  For none of us knows if we are positive from one day to another.  I want all of you to be back at SJB in September.  So continue to flatten the curve - wear a mask and keep social distancing!!   

So the light is coming - the tunnel is getting shorter - stay safe - be well!!

S. Beth, op