Dear School Families,

We all are adjusting to the changes in our lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we have tried our best to transition as quickly as possible to creative ways to continue your child’s education despite the closure of schools. 

Our goals during closure include: keeping students engaged in high-quality learning; ensuring they can interact virtually with school friends; creating opportunities for their faith to grow; and maintaining a sense of community. 

Across the Archdiocese, school leaders and teachers have been working very hard. We all thank you for your patience as we adapt and try out a variety of approaches, seeking to find the right balance as we educate your children and address their social-emotional needs while trying to avoid making any of this too burdensome on parents. Thank you for supporting this effort at home — we know that it has not been easy.

This newsletter, which I will send weekly, includes highlights of digital instruction from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston from throughout the week; educational and faith-based resources; and useful links.

In Christ,

Tom

Thomas W. Carroll

Superintendent of Schools

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston

Cardinal Seán released a video message this week for the Archdiocese of Boston

The message in English: https://vimeo.com/398384772

The message in Spanish: https://vimeo.com/398510550

The message in Portuguese: https://vimeo.com/398510164

Resources for Speaking with Your Children 

• PBS: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
• Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families During COVID-19
• New York Times: 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
• New York Times: Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus

Meals for Students In Need 

The below document specifies locations where students in need may receive a free lunch, and in some cases, breakfast. Questions? Contact Associate Superintendent of Government Programs Mary Goslin at [email protected].

GRAB AND GO LUNCH BY DISTRICT

Here are some educational and faith-based resources that you can use at home with your scholars. We hope these are fun and informative!

Educational Resources 

• From St. Columbkille Partnership School, Brighton: Remote Learning Resources from Families

• Science Bob, for at-home science experiments! The website has video tutorials, clear directions, and explanations of why the experiments work

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: At-Home Learning Resources

• Kid Lit Authors Step Up To Help Educators, Students, and Parents

• PBS: It's Ok to Be Smart

• A list of education companies offering free subscriptions

• Free Comcast internet for two months

• Scholastic Learn At Home for PreK- Grade 6+

Faith-based Resources 

• A great youtube video from a Seminarian named Colin who teaches Middle School Religion Classes at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield
• Pray the coronavirus novena to end this pandemic
• The Augustine Institute has given all of us in the Archdiocese of Boston free access to FORMED.org for 40 days. Select "I belong to a parish or organization" and then type in "Archdiocese of Boston" to access your free account
• Catch a livestream of Eucharistic Adoration on www.savior.org 
• The Hallow app is offering three months free (typically $8.99/month)
• Sign up for daily virtual evangelization resources from the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship by visiting www.flocknote.com/boston.