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“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
St. Catherine of Siena
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Wednesday, April 29 is the feast day of our patroness St. Catherine of Siena.
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Remote Learning Video
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Principal Announcement
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Counseling Available
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Black & White Ball
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St. Cat’s Construction
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Art Club
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Siena Tech Team
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Greetings Siena friends and families!
While we are communicating weekly, I hope that this newsletter offers some great information and smiles while we are Safer A Home. I am so happy to see the photos and videos popping up online, showing creative ways of engagement and connection.
It is important to think about the positives during times that can seem bleak. Here’s my Top-10 List of Positives during this pandemic:
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Students. Their resilience has lead to learning and achieving in new ways.
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Faculty and staff. Talk about dedication. We started distance learning immediately and didn’t skip a beat.
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Our priests. These men bring school Masses and engagement home when Churches are closed, making sure that our faith remains strong.
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Parents and families. Your engagement, advocacy, and feedback on behalf of your children make us work harder.
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Spring! Thank goodness the weather is starting to cooperate, meaning we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
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Families are spending more time together. I love seeing families walking, biking, and spending time together.
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Zoom. Yes, I’m thankful for Zoom. This software allows us to engage with people even while we have to socially distance ourselves.
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Brainstorming. I’m glad that I get to work with creative, imaginative people who look for new ways to solve problems.
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Time. All of those things that we said we didn’t have time for? Now we’re making the time to work in advance and think big.
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My faith. I find that now, more than ever, I lean on God, I talk to him through prayer, and I seek out the gifts and positives he’s given us.
Spend a moment writing down your Top-10 and share it with family members, friends, and coworkers. I’m praying for all of you during this time. Please keep Siena Catholic Schools in your prayers, too!
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President, Siena Catholic Schools
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EDUCATION CONTINUES DURING COVID-19 SAFER AT HOME ORDER
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In a letter to our families on April 4, 2020 Brenda White stated, ‘The past month has tested us and we immediately responded to the ever-changing challenges. I’m so proud of our teachers, principals, families, and staff for answering the call to lead our students. We are led by the simple mission of putting children first. Period.’
Remote learning has been challenging but as this video shows we have embraced our current situation. We’ll get through this…together.
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ST. CATHERINE’S NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL
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Siena is absolutely thrilled that Mr. Riedl will be serving as the next principal for St. Cat’s. Watching his leadership style over the past 10 months has highlighted his dedication to our students and faculty. Mr. Riedl’s desire to work in a high-performing, faith-filled environment is exciting and we look forward to watching the school flourish under his guidance.
Mr. Riedl earned his Ed.M. from Harvard University and his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to his time at St. Catherine’s, he has worked at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque, Iowa, and Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Mr. Riedl has also spent time coaching track and field, volleyball, and basketball.
As you know, Mr. Mike Arendt, who did an amazing job as interim principal during the 2019-20 academic year, wished to return to his role as full-time athletic director. Current Assistant Principal Ms. Heather Collum will remain in her role and search for an additional assistant principal will begin immediately.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Tim Riedl!
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A NOTE FROM SCHOOL COUNSELING
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On Thursday, April 16 we received news of Wisconsin’s Safer At Home Order extension. Within this order, it was announced that schools would remain closed to in person learning for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. Even though we all understand that this recommendation is made with the intention to protect everyone’s health, it still sparks many emotions and raises questions as we all go forward.
We believe in the strength and perseverance of our Siena families to get through these unprecedented times. Here are some suggestions for handling the coming weeks:
- Listen to your children, no matter their age, and answer their questions honestly.
- Monitor television time and time spent on social media, where children may observe frightening news they are unable to understand.
- Reassure children with the knowledge that everyone is working to keep them safe.
- Establish and maintain a regular routine. On school days, have a set time to wake up and go to bed.
- Schedule a regular, consistent time to complete and engage with school work and a time to relax and play.
- Take time as a family to play games, to get outside for a walk, to cook a meal together, or to watch a movie.
- Take cues from your children, and take a break when necessary.
- Practice mindfulness to manage strong emotions when children are feeling overwhelmed. (Take 5ive is a wonderful resource.)
- Set time for silent reading so you can have a moment.
- Let older children be a part of the home routine by helping out with chores.
Please know that our school counselors are available as resources to help you and your children. Continue to communicate any concerns with school principals; they can put you in touch with the appropriate counselor.
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BLACK & WHITE BALL UPDATE
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The 10th annual St. Catherine’s auction went online this year and was a complete success. Between direct donations, online bidding wars, and Bid for a Purpose, there was an outpouring of support for the Angels of Today.
The Development Office will be sharing the final results in the coming weeks.
Donations can still be made online to support the STEM lab and makerspace.
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ST. CATHERINE’S CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
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After the flurry of bidding and raising the paddle for the Black and White Ball, it is exciting to check out the progress on the third floor. Asbestos abatement, unbolting furniture, and taking down walls have exposed some great St. Catherine’s history. Architectural elements and stained glass can now be a part of our future, too!
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Construction on the $1.2 million 3rd floor STEM lab began with demolition in late March. Renovations continue and are on schedule to be completed prior to the
2020-2021 school year.
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The St. Cat’s Art Club is featuring past and present student artwork on their Instagram page. Give them a follow and you’ll find we have some amazingly talented Angels.
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SIENA’S TECH TEAM STEPS UP
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Like everyone else, Siena’s Technology Team had to act fast to adjust to a Safer at Home world. Designing and implementing a distance learning technology program takes time. In what normally takes six months, they managed to roll out within two days!
Additionally, the team was simultaneously developing policies, training teachers and determining which programs were needed in the remote learning world. In a seemingly impossible time frame the Siena Technology team answered questions, troubleshooted PowerSchool learning, and introduced us to the world of Zoom meetings. Some heroes don’t wear capes.
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Left to right: Zac Pawlowski, Director of Technology; Tony Commodore, Instructional Technology; Dan Rodgers, Technology Support Specialist
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Ten Parishes • Six Schools • One Community
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