Hornet Herald
Teaching the Way of Jesus Christ.
April 20, 2020
Holy Family Catholic School
Email: awalters@hfsfw.org
Website: hfcsfw.org
Location: 6146 Pershing Avenue, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Phone: (817)737-4201
A Message from the Principal
Dear Holy Family Catholic School Community,
I hope this email finds you well.
Governor Abbott’s Executive Order today stated that schools will not resume this year in the classroom, however, distance learning will continue for the remainder of the school year.
It has been five weeks since COVID-19 has required our HFCS community to engage in distance learning, and we have approximately six more weeks to go. This different style of teaching and learning has been both challenging and rewarding, and has resulted in a different type of progress report than we have had in previous quarters. This quarter the progress reports will be similar to a Parent-Student-Teacher Conference and will be offered via video conferencing the week of April 27th. The teachers will post meeting time slots via Sign Up Genius by next Wednesday, April 22. You, and your child, are highly encouraged to meet with your child's teachers. The mutual feedback that you share will be invaluable in helping us to support your child's learning, and improve the design of our distance learning model.
Next week will be our first full week using RingCentral and I have been getting good reports about this communication platform. Thank you for taking the time to learn how to navigate this system!
Now that we have RingCentral as our academic delivery system we can focus on authentic student assessment and grading practices. Administrators and teachers are alway aiming for authentic and relevant assessments and grading, but now we are not in the immediate feedback loop of a live classroom, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. A pandemic that has changed every aspect of our lives.
It is more important than ever to assess and grade appropriately in a way that acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses of distance learning, and the stressors that come with social distancing. Many school districts have gone to the Pass/Fail model of grading, the Fort Worth Diocesan schools have not. HFCS will finalize our COVID-19 assessment and grading policies immediately following the Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences.
Parents and students do not need to worry about students' promotion to the next grade based on this quarter. If students are demonstrating evidence of effort and engagement, as well as, understanding and learning during this quarter, they will be promoted. Numerical grades will be given according to the new assessment and grading policies that will be published within two weeks. As Jesus said, "Do not be afraid," in following Jesus' message, I do not want anyone to be afraid of not being promoted because of this quarter. The teachers will support the students' success now, as they always have.
Every day and every week seems to bring changes and challenges; I am grateful that our faith and sense of community keeps us grounded and focused, moving forward in our care for the students and each other.
God bless you during this Easter season,
Ann Walters
Principal
Happy Birthday to You!
And, many birthday wishes to Kaitlyn Szostek, Cade Swan, Evan Blandford and Caleb Marks who celebrate their birthdays this week!
To commemorate the day, do something to help our environment - pick up trash, recycle, walk instead of driving, plant a flower, hang a bird feeder - the list goes on and on.
And, don't forget to send your pictures of what good you are doing in your part of the world!
School Away From School
Please keep sending them to share with our community!
How Does Your Garden Grow?
If you will remember, this is March 3.
Look at the garden today! April 20.
Watch the Hornet Herald for more details on how to participate and earning 20% for HFCS.
A reminder to order your yearbook! Place your order online at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com. Please use code: 13681620. If you have any questions contact myself or Mrs. Griffith.
Keep the pictures coming!
I hope this finds you healthy!!!
Go Hornets,
Mrs. Hiett