The Borromeo Bulletin - #11

The emails I receive during the course of a week run the gammet in terms of ideas, questions, concerns etc. That being said there has been a noticeable uptick not only in parents expressing concern about their children's anxiety but in observable "anxious" behaviors in our students.

While this comes as no surprise, we are very aware that it is far more difficult to focus on learning when feeling nervous or anxious. More often then not young children and even adolescents cannot identify the source of their anxiety and so land on a variety of causes ranging from peer interactions, work loads, classroom expectations, schedules etc.

When kids are feeling anxious it can also present itself in a number of ways. It could look like:

• Reassurance-seeking (Are we going to be okay? Is Grandpa going to be okay?)
• Reluctance to separate from parents
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches
• Moodiness and irritability
• Tantrums or meltdowns
• Trouble sleeping

I feel fairly confident in saying that our children are not alone in their anxiety at this time. Nonstop news, social media and changes in schedule only add to the uncertainty. The good news is that one of the best ways to help our children through their anxiety is to also address ours thus making it a joint family effort.

Just like with any other "difficult" feeling the more we can allow our children to "feel the feelings" and guide them through the more they learn to develop appropriate and healthy coping tools and strategies. In other words, our goal should not be to make the anxiety go away but to identify the feeling and talk through their thoughts and emotions.

Our current "normal" comes with a lot of what-if's. It is important to manage those what-if's by not allowing ourselves or our children to get carried away. Dealing with our current reality and focusing on what is within our control helps alleviate added fears.

Children and adults also thrive on routines. Establishing a routine that involves physical activity, regular meals and healthy amounts of sleep is also crucial to regulating our moods and our worries.

We should also be mindful of not always calming fears and reassuring our children too much. While this may seem difficult if we are ALWAYS offering the assurance that everything is ALWAYS going to be okay our children come to rely on this and need more and more reassurance. In the end we may actually increase their anxiety.

Finally, look for the positive. 2020 has certainly been filled with its share of memes and has been the source of countless jokes there are silver linings, you might just have to look harder for them.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO REMAIN MINDFUL OF THE FOLLOWING...

• If anyone in the household is being tested every member of the household should remain at home until results have been obtained.
• Please to continue to keep children at home if they are exhibiting symptoms.
  
• While the governor's office shared new directives, the diocese has continued to reiterate that we are still under the guidelines of the CDC and the local St. Charles County Health Authority. We will continue to update you as we learn more. Saint Charles County Health is taking the week to further review data, information and policies and will share additional updates next week. Thank you for your patience!
  

While it is NOT our intent or desire at this time to move to a virtual format we do want everyone to be prepared should we have to make this transition. Some items to consider, do you have...

• a workstation / desk with ample space and appropriate lighting and seating
• necessary school supplies including sharpened pencils and/or a pencil sharpener
• plain paper, lined paper, and possibly graph paper
• printing capabilities
• whiteboard and dry erase markers (teachers have found these to be very helpful when calculating math problems and sharing answers)
• an alarm clock :-), students will be expected to begin their virtual day at the regular start time
• a visible calendar or planner to keep track of due dates, assignments etc.

THANK YOU to all who served during our recent soccer and volleyball seasons including members of the board and ALL OF THE coaches, assistant coaches etc. The Athletic Association is looking to fill two positions on their board. These roles include Registration Coordinator and Ref Coordinator. If you are interested in serving or would like additional information please contact Mike Murray at murraymp2@yahoo.com.

As a reminder we have moved a lot of the consistent newsletter items to our FACTS homepage.

Where can I find the link for Spiritwear? On the FACTS homepage

Where can I find the Sign Up Genius for BASK? On the FACTS homepage

Where can I find more info about SCRIP? On the FACTS homepage

Where can I find the Teacher Wish List? On the FACTS homepage

Where can I find more info about Box Tops? On the FACTS homepage

Where can I see changes in the calendar? At the end of this newsletter.

Where can I find websites??? There are so many at the end of this newsletter... check them out! And follow us on Facebook- we are pretty fun!

Where can I find upcoming events? At the end of this newsletter. We will bold the new items for you each week

If your child is sick, please notify Mrs. Quarando at nurse@borromeoschool.com

We have found that the "gators" are used for many things, not just covering the mouth. They have become a distraction rather than a barrier for Covid. We ask that you kindly do not purchase any more for school after Thanksgiving. If your child needs multiple reminders we will offer them a standard mask. Thanks for your help!

We have also found that many people know we have extra masks here at school and tell their kids to just get them from us. We are running low on our supply. If you are at Sams/Costco/anywhere and see some kids sized masks and wish to purchase them for a donation we would gladly accept!

If your child has allergies, please get a note from your doctor. Allergy symptoms mirror Covid-like symptoms. If we do not have a note from your doctor stating they have allergies, your child we be sent home.

PLEASE go to FACTS and fill out the medical portion of each child. It is very important for us to know about your child. Please let us know any medication they may take in the morning- ADHD, Allergy, etc

THANK YOU to Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Murphy for helping with popping popcorn and distributing to our kids for the Feast Day of St. Charles Borromeo.

THANK YOU to ALL of the parents who have continued to share special snacks, treats etc. with our teachers. It is never expected and ALWAYS appreciated!

If you have some free time, we would love your help! Volunteers have always been such a huge blessing to us. We have found a way for you to help

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f45aaaf23a3ff2-recess

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:19

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." Helen Keller

Please pray for the father in-law of Vernon, a member of our maintenance staff. He is currently recovering from pneumonia and covid.

Please pray for all the families that are being affected by Covid.

Please pray for Mrs. Dickherber and family for the reposed sole of her Uncle Bill Thompson.

We would like to collect food for our Mini Vinnie Program. This program helps feed many families in the Orchard Farm school district. Please help as much as you can!

Oct 5: Give A Hoot, Donate Fruit: 15 oz. Peaches, Pears, Mandarin Oranges, Fruit Cocktail in Juice YOU CAN STILL BRING CANS IN

Nov 2: PB&J: 16 oz Peanut Butter & Jelly in Plastic Jar YOU CAN STILL BRING CANS IN

Dec 7: It's Chilly Out There: 15 oz. Chilli

Jan 11: Soup-er Bowl: Condensed Chicken Noodle, Condensed Tomato, Non-Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup, Non-Condensed Beef & Vegetable

Feb 1: Snack Attack: Rice Krispie Treats, Ind. Cheez-its, 6 pack Cracker sandwiches, Pudding, Ind. Cookie Packages, Pudding Cups

Mar 1: Be Cheesy: Mac N Cheese boxes

Apr 19: Grains For Brains: NutriGrain Breakfast Bars, Granola Bars

May 3: It's What For Breakfast: Full Size Boxes of Cereal

New info is Bold.. this is just to help keep you updated.... please look at our google calendar as well.

2020-2021

* Nov 9: Spirit Dress down day

* Nov 16: Spirit Dress down day

* Nov 23: Spirit Dress down day

* Nov 25: NO SCHOOL!!!!!!!

* Nov 26-27: Thanksgiving break

* Nov 30: Spirit Dress down day

* Dec 2: First Reconciliation

* Dec 4: Dismiss at noon- CHANGE-FULL DAY OFF

* Dec 7: Spirit Dress Down Day- It's Chilly Out There: 15 oz. Chilli

* Dec 14: Spirit Dress Down Day

* Dec 21: Spirit Dress Down Day

* Dec 22- CHANGE- DISMISS AT NOON

* Dec 23- Jan 4: Christmas Break- No School

* Jan 11: Spirit Dress Down Day-Soup-er Bowl: Condensed Chicken Noodle, Condensed Tomato, Non-Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup, Non-Condensed Beef & Vegetable

* Jan 18: No School MLK Day

* Jan 25: Spirit Dress Down Day

* Feb 1: Spirit Dress Down Day- Snack Attack: Rice Krispie Treats, Ind. Cheez-its, 6 pack Cracker sandwiches, Pudding, Ind. Cookie Packages, Pudding Cups

* Feb 8: Spirit Dress Down Day

* Feb 12- Dismiss at Noon

* Feb 13-14: LUKE 18 - In person retreat

* Feb 15- No School- Presidents Day

* Feb 16- Spirit Dress Down Day

* Feb 22: Spirit Dress Down Day

* Feb 26 -27: LUKE 18 - Virtual option

* March 1--Spirit Dress Down Day- Be Cheesy: Mac N Cheese boxes

* March 5: Dismiss at noon

* March 8: Spirit Dress Down Day

* March 15--Spirit Dress Down Day

* March 22--Spirit Dress Down Day

* March 29--Spirit Dress Down Day

* April 1: Dismiss at noon- NO BASK

* April 2-12: Spring Break

* April 19--Spirit Dress Down Day

* April 22: Confirmation 7PM

* April 24: 1st Communion

* April 19--Spirit Dress Down Day

* April 26--Spirit Dress Down Day

* May 3--Spirit Dress Down Day

* May 3-5: 8th Grade Camp

* May 5-7: 6th Grade Camp

* May 7: May Crowning

* May 10--Spirit Dress Down Day

* May 14: Field Day

* May 17--Spirit Dress Down Day

* May 24--Spirit Dress Down Day

* May 21: 8th Grade Graduation 7:00 PM

* May 28- Last day- Dismiss at 11!!!!

·

Email: jackievoelkl@borromeoschool.com
Website: www.borromeoschool.org
Location: 431 Decatur Street, Saint Charles, MO, USA
Phone: 636-946-2713
Facebook: facebook.com/St.CharlesBorromeoSchool