August 2020
Dear Student and Parent/Guardian of Freshmen Class of 2024:
Welcome to your Freshmen year at Holy Cross. I am pleased to provide information that you will need for the start of your school year. We are planning to reopen this year under a Hybrid Schedule format which will be a combination of face-to-face learning and distance learning to allow for appropriate social distancing according to New York State regulations. All students and faculty will also be required to participate in a Health Monitoring Survey every morning before heading out to school. We will be utilizing the SchoolPass app in order to accomplish this daily requirement. I have included a health monitoring survey with this mailing.
Chromebook and Workbook Pick-up August 24 & 26- By Appointment Only
Our Director of Instructional Technology, Ms. Pirovolikos, will be scheduling appointment times for this event. You will be receiving an email on or around August 14th. After picking up your Chromebook you will be able to purchase your workbooks and gym uniform. Mr. Adams, our Bookstore Manager, has bundled your required books based on your courses.
Bookstore purchases vary between $150.00 and $245.00 depending on discretionary purchases. Bookstore payments can be made directly to the Bookstore by check, money order, Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express, and debit cards are accepted. No cash payments will be accepted.
Freshmen Experience Day – Thursday, August 27th 8 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m. All students are encouraged to attend and the day begins at 8a.m. Our Campus Minister, Mr. Rampulla, will be sending out an invitation so you can sign-up for the event. We will be using the courtyard entrance opposite the athletic field to enter the building . Students will be grouped with appropriate social distancing provisions in place. Dress code for this day is athletic attire to include sneakers.
Parent/Student Communication:
Holy Cross High School uses the following forms of communication because of privacy concerns:
- School assigned Gmail Account
- PowerSchool
- SchoolPass- Visitor Management and Health Monitoring
- SwiftK Alerts- text messages, automated voice phone calls
- Holy Cross Website for school calendar, up to date News and Events https://holycrosshs.org/
(Gmail and PowerSchool accounts will be activated during ChromeBook appointments.)
All official communication between the school and its families will be conducted via the aforementioned methods.
Freshmen September Orientation Days: Hybrid Schedule
Parents will receive an email identifying their scholars group assignment. Don’t forget school dress code is in effect.
Group A – Thursday, September 10th from 8 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m.
Group B – Friday, September 11th from 8 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m.
Monday, September 14, 2020 is the First Day of Classes for all students.
Whether you are attending in person or remote. Remember it is important to establish a good routine for study, sleep and play. In the first cycle of schedule days 1 through 6, students will not be required to wear gym class apparel. Gym classes will review our new Physical Education protocols.
Academic Reminders:
- Math courses require graphing calculators, which are not available for purchase at the Holy Cross Bookstore. Recommended calculators are: TI-83, TI-83 plus, TI-84, TI-84 plus.
- Under the New York State Textbook Law, textbooks are loaned to students without cost. Students are responsible for returning these books at the end of the academic year. Students who do not return their textbook or return a damaged book, will be charged a replacement fee per book.
- Student-Parent Handbook & Acknowledgement Forms will be distributed during Chromebook pick-up and the Acknowledgement Form should be returned no later than Tuesday, September 15th.
- Summer Reading Your child is responsible for the summer reading assignment. Summer reading is available at our website www.holycrosshs.org scroll down to “Additional Resources” Summer Reading. Students will be tested on these books.
Tuition: The Business Office sent out statements in a previous mailing. All payments must be up-to-date for September start. Tuition payments can only be made directly online by credit/debit card or by mail with check/money order (no cash payments). No in person payments can be accepted.
Medical Office: Reminder the following completed medical forms are required for enrollment and are available on-line under the Students tab:
Holy Cross HS Medical Exam Form. This must be completed by a doctor to include the immunization record and submitted to the Medical Office, if you have not done so already.
The Personal History Form. This form should have been submitted to the medical office by
August 1, 2020. If you have any questions regarding this form, see our website.
Student Entrance: All students are required to use the secure designated entrance according to your grade. Freshmen will use the courtyard entrance opposite the athletic field. Access to this entrance will only be through the 169th Street gate. There will be the required wellness and temperature screening prior to entering the building beginning at 7:30 a.m. for all students. All students arriving between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. should report to the auditorium. All students reporting after 8 a.m. will report directly to first period class. Please refer to the student handbook for the complete policy.
We will not be assigning students lockers for the first quarter in order to continue good social distancing practices. We will introduce lockers as the colder weather approaches. All students will be required to carry their belongings with them throughout the day.
The school day ends at 2:30 p.m. If you are going to be picking up your child each day from school, please discuss a pre-planned meeting location in order to reduce congestion around the school property. Please note that 170th Street is reserved for School Bus parking.
May you enjoy the remaining days of summer. I look forward to seeing you in September.
Sincerely,
Edward Burns
Principal
Your Health Monitoring Checklist
According to the CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus,” people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. For the safety and health of all our community members, please answer every question honestly, even if you feel you have a cold, allergies or explainable muscle aches.
Our School Nurse, Mrs. Brandon, is available and ready to provide guidance, direction and support if you do not feel well, however, in order to enter campus, you must be free of symptoms potentially related to COVID-19, or have been medically cleared by a physician. Mrs. Brandon can be reached at nbrandon@myhchs.org.
- In the past 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19?
- In the past 14 days, have you experienced any of the following possible symptoms of COVID-19?
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever over 100.4 degrees
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Rash on hands or feet
- Pain or redness in toes
- In the past 14 days, have you knowingly been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19?
- Have you traveled to a state or country currently on the NYS Travel Advisory list?
- Do you have, and do you agree to wear, a face covering while on Holy Cross property?
Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose. - Do you agree to abide by CDC Social Distancing guidelines while on Holy Cross property?
A distance of at least six feet is to be maintained among individuals at all times.
If you are experiencing any of the above COVID-19 symptoms, please remain home and notify the school of your absence by calling the attendance office at 718-886-7250 ext 518
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms while at school, please report to the school nurse.