Reopening/COVID-19 Updates

After so many months of anticipation and preparation, we are looking forward to the start of the 2020-2021 academic year. As you know, this school year will look different from ones we have experienced in the past, but we want to assure you that our faculty, staff and administrators are “All In.” We are 100% committed to supporting our educational mission in some new and some necessary ways.

To make sure we are successful, we need your commitment as well. You can help by following our safety protocols, by making sure you wash your hands frequently, by practicing social distancing where possible, by wearing your masks, by staying informed, and by treating each and every one with love and respect.

We are asking all students to sign and submit electronically this pledge before returning to school on September 8. By completing this Social Responsibility Pledge, you are acknowledging that with us you are “All In.”

During these challenging times, we pray to be open to the graces we need each day.

Please click here to complete and submit SHA’s Social Responsibility Pledge.

Sincerely,

Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D.

Principal

August 2020 Updates

UPDATE: Monday, August 31, 2020

Sacred Heart Academy Reopening Q&A Meetings

Grades 9 and 10

Grades 11 and 12

UPDATE August 20, 2020 | First Week's Schedule

Click to view the first week's schedule

UPDATE: August 13, 2020

Click to view our Reopening Plan FAQ's

UPDATE: August 12, 2020

Reopening Plan Update (Video)

UPDATE: August 7, 2020:

Click to view SHA's NYS Approved Reopening Plan

Athletics Updates

ATHLETICS UPDATE: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Winter Tentative Start Date: November 30, 2020
Winter Pre-Season Zoom Meeting: November 17, 2020 6:30pm
Basketball Coaches Letter to Players
Winter Track Coaches Letter to Players
Low risk winter sports such as winter track have been approved for November 30, 2020 start date. Determinations on basketball, a high risk sport, are ongoing.

ATHLETICS UPDATE: Thursday, September 3, 2020

Dear Sacred Heart Community:

We are pleased to inform you that the Nassau Suffolk Catholic High School Girls Athletic Association (NSCHSGAA) will be sponsoring athletics this academic year. Please see today's press release from the Executive Directors of the NSCHSGAA.

Although not mentioned in the press release, Sacred Heart Academy will provide an opportunity for Field Hockey, which is not currently a NSCHSGAA sponsored sport. It is unique to Sacred Heart Academy.

Sacred Heart Academy continues to be committed to providing opportunities for participation and engagement in athletics.

We will update you with more specific information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your continues support, patience and cooperation.

ATHLETICS UPDATE: Thursday, August 27, 2020

Dear Sacred Heart Academy Community,

I hope this letter finds you well and eager to return to Sacred Heart Academy!

Interscholastic athletics are extremely important at Sacred Heart Academy. We know the value athletics adds to the overall educational experience.

At this time, the NSCHSGAA (Nassau Suffolk Catholic High School Girls Athletic Association) is actively engaged in discussions with state and local officials and is weighing all options regarding the 2020-2021 interscholastic athletic seasons. More updates will be forthcoming.

The health and safety of our student-athletes is our top priority as we continue to work hard to provide opportunities for participation and engagement in athletics.

As decisions are made, we will be sure to communicate them to you in a timely manner.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding in this evolving situation.

ATHLETICS UPDATE: Friday, July 24, 2020

Dear families,

The New York State Catholic High School Athletics Association (NYSCHSAA) has announced a delayed start to the Fall 2020 Interscholastic Athletics season, pushing back the start date from August 24, 2020, to September 21, 2020.

Please see the press release from the NYSCHSAA.

Our mission for 2020-2021 is to provide opportunities for participation and engagement in athletics. While we await future directives from the Governor regarding both school openings and interscholastic athletics, please continue to prepare yourself in mind, body and spirit!

Spring 2020 Updates

UPDATE: April 17, 2020

Dear Students and Families,

We hope you had a healthy week that allowed students to catch up on school work and all of us to catch our collective breath.

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced extended stay-at-home guidelines for New York State. As a result, Sacred Heart Academy will now continue online learning through at least May 15th. This also means that we will need to implement different plans for upcoming events in April and May. This will be particularly meaningful to our seniors whose last day of classes was scheduled for May 15th. Our hearts continue to be with this special class. As we finalize details on upcoming events, we will be sure to share information as soon as possible. We continue to be grateful for your flexibility and patience. We certainly share the challenges that this uncertainty brings.

Next week, we are looking forward to enhanced online learning next week with the addition of Google Meet. Based on feedback, the Ed Tech team introduced new guidelines that will allow faculty members to host office hours through Google Meet during specific times. The goal is to assist students with work as well as provide much needed personal interaction. We hope it is a helpful addition. We will continue to revise and improve upon our plans as we move through this together.

UPDATE: March 27, 2020
Dear Parents and Students:

Sacred Heart Academy will not reopen on April 2 as originally scheduled. Online instruction will continue for students. As soon as we hear from Governor Cuomo and the NY State Department of Education about a reopening date, we will let you know.

In the meantime, have a healthy and safe weekend. Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication during these difficult days. Let us continue to pray for one another and our world.

Sincerely,
Kristin Lynch Graham, President
Jean Amore, Principal

UPDATE: March 17, 2020

Dear Parents and Students:

Please be advised that Sacred Heart Academy will follow the Executive Order of Governor Cuomo on school openings. This means that School will be closed until Wednesday, April 1st instead of Monday, March 30th as previously communicated. At that time, the state will reassess whether to extend the school closure further. All changes will be communicated as we learn them.

Now that we have moved to a virtual learning format, we will make every effort to keep our community connected. Below is an outline of how SHA will stay in communication with you during this time:

Daily Communication
Campus minister, Mrs. Veronica Ticas, will post morning prayers each day in the portals. Social worker, Mrs. Beth Kennedy, will also post reflections. Of course, students and teachers will be in daily communication via Google classroom.

Weekly Communication
A regularly scheduled E-mail update will be sent every Tuesday. This will include any updates for the coming week.

We will use our social media channels for lighter announcements, good news, and messages and stories of how you are managing through this time.

If you have things you would like to share, please E-mail Ms. Meghan Von Elm at mvonelm@sacredheartacademyli.org.

Emergency Communication
Any unexpected changes will be communicated in real-time using Email, voicemail and text messaging via AP Notify.

Staying Connected

Teaching and Learning
We thank our students and our teachers for their cooperation in continuing instruction through online learning. Please continue to refer to previously sent guidelines.

If you have any questions or challenges, please post them in your teacher’s Google classroom or be in direct touch with your teacher via E-mail.

Guidance

School Counselors are available by E-mail. Phone appointments can be made during school hours (8 a.m.-3 p.m.). Mrs. Kathleen O’Neill, director of college placement, will continue to conduct scheduled Junior parent conferences by phone. She will be in touch with details.

Social Worker
We recognize that these unprecedented times are stressful for everybody, particularly students. Our full-time social worker, Mrs. Beth Kennedy, will be available to students through E-mail and through Google Hangouts, a one-on-one chat room. Students who wish to make an appointment for Google Hangouts may do so by emailing Mrs. Kennedy at ekennedy@sacredheartacademyli.org. Students can also visit her daily Mindful Moments posts at Google Classes. Access code is 4oso2vu.

We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayer. Continue to stay healthy.

Sincerely,
Kristin Lynch Graham, President
S. Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D., Principal

UPDATE: Sunday, March 15, 2020

Dear Parents and Students:

Based on the new directives of Nassau County, Sacred Heart Academy will extend its online learning plans through March 27th. Please click here for online learning details.

On Monday, March 16th, the Academy building will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. for any student who needs to go to her locker for books and other materials.

Gratefully, there are still no known COVID-19 cases within the community as of today.

Thank you again for your cooperation and support. We continue to pray for you and your families and ask for your prayers as well as we work together for the safety of each other.

Sincerely,

Kristin Lynch Graham, President

S. Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D., Principal

UPDATE: Friday, March 13, 2020

Dear Parents and Students:

To create a safe and calm environment that supports good learning in these unprecedented and anxious times, Sacred Heart Academy will move to an online learning model for the week of March 16-20. Please click here for details.

On Monday, March 16th, the Academy building will be open from 8am-2pm for any student who needs to go to her locker for books and other materials.

Sacred Heart Academy has confirmed that there are no known COVID-19 cases within the community as of today. The student for whom we were concerned last night does not have COVID-19. We have and will continue to follow up on any information that may pose a risk to the SHA community.

We thank you for your cooperation and support. Let us hold one another in our hearts and pray for the wisdom to make good decisions.

Sincerely,

Kristin Lynch Graham, President

Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D., Principal

UPDATE: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Given new information, Sacred Heart Academy will not open Friday, March 13, 2020. We have been alerted about an unconfirmed COVID-19 case relating to a student. Until we know more, we have made the decision to not open school Friday. We will provide you with updates as they become available.

UPDATE:Thursday March 12, 2020

Dear Sacred Heart Academy Community:

Once again, we are writing with another update on COVID-19. Every day brings us more information to consider and evaluate. As this situation is changing rapidly, we are communicating any known decisions at this time.

As of this correspondence, School will re-open tomorrow, Friday, March 13th. It will be a dress down day. Students, faculty and staff are invited to wear sweats, comfortable clothes, and fun socks. As planned, students are encouraged to bring new socks to donate to the INN in Hempstead.

Currently, Sacred Heart Academy plans to maintain regular school and after-school activities unless otherwise notified. Any updates will be communicated through the Emergency Notification System that was used to communicate today’s closing.

Teachers are prepared to move to an online learning platform in order to continue instruction and learning in the event of any necessary future disruptions.

The Nassau Suffolk Catholic High School Athletics Association (NSCHSAA) has made the unanimous decision to suspend contests including games, scrimmages, and meets until March 30, 2020. However, spring tryouts and practices are at the discretion of individual schools. As such, SHA will hold tryouts and practices on the days school is in session. SHA will follow the NSCHSAA League’s decisions regarding contests. Any athletics activities held in outside facilities are subject to the decisions of the venue. Please reference the general Athletics page on the portal for updated tryout and practice information.

We continue to encourage students and staff who are not well to stay at home. Please be advised that New York State requirements for attendance remain in place. Attendance policies are outlined in the Handbook on pages 9-12. Please review the COVID protocols for reporting requirements.

While Sacred Heart Academy has suspended requirements for perfect attendance for the remainder of this year, the NYS attendance requirements remain in place. The practice of requiring cumulative make-up exams due to absence is suspended.

These are very difficult decisions. We particularly appreciate the disappointment for students who will not be able to complete all the play performances after months of hard work, and the seniors who will not have a chance to experience the trip with their class. As school leaders, our responsibility is to make decisions that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.

We promise to share any updates, and ask for your continued prayers as we discern and decide on the next right thing for Sacred Heart Academy. May the wisdom and love of our God inspire us now and as we move into uncertain days.

Sincerely,
Kristin Lynch Graham, President
S. Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D, Principal

UPDATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2020

To the Sacred Heart Academy Community,

We want to continue to update you regarding the COVID-19 situation:

As of Wednesday, March 11, 2020, no Sacred Heart Academy student or employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

To the best of our knowledge, no Sacred Heart Academy student or employee has been tested for COVID-19.

We continue to monitor this situation regularly and will notify the community if we become aware that anyone has undergone testing and/or tested positive for COVID-19.

We have enhanced routine disinfecting practices and are coaching the community on practicing social distancing.

We are encouraging students and staff who are sick to stay home and seek the appropriate medical attention. A reminder: students are not permitted to be in school with a fever at any time.

We have revised our perfect attendance policy as discussed in a previous communication.

We have developed the following protocols to assist with reporting and school closings. Please click here to review.

We hope this information is helpful to you. We thank you for your continued cooperation as we navigate this challenge together.

Kristin Lynch Graham, President
Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D, Principal

UPDATE: Monday, March 9, 2020

Dear Families, Faculty, & Staff,

We want to share with you some updates on preparedness planning regarding COVID-19.

The Decision to Close School if Necessary

If Sacred Heart needs to close for any period of time due to a change in circumstances that elevates the risk to our community, we will do so in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health. This could happen either by our bringing something to their attention or their bringing something to our attention. It is indeed a two-way dialogue, and one that includes other schools on Long Island and throughout New York.

In speaking with the Commissioner of Health for Nassau County, we were offered a telephone number for any questions regarding the virus: 516-227 9570.

We are using the following website for guidance and information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

If School is to close, you will notified via text, email and voicemail though our emergency messaging system.

Preparing for Remote Learning

The teachers and administration have been working on specific contingency plans to minimize disruption to learning in the unlikely scenario that we move to online/remote learning. Specific instructions will come from individual classroom teachers. Many have begun trials in order to be work out details in advance.

Community Events

All community events and group gatherings, including athletic events, will be evaluated with relevant and timely information. Updates will be communicated with as much advanced notice as possible. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Attendance

We cannot emphasis enough the importance of staying home when sick. Even the spread of non-COVID-19 illnesses such as the seasonal flu will cause additional stress and confusion at this time.

Perfect Attendance

Sacred Heart Academy presents a perfect attendance award at graduation each year. At the recommendation of the CDC, we are revising the criteria for the perfect attendance award. Any student who has perfect attendance as of Monday, March 9, 2020, will maintain their perfect attendance for this year. Any absences after this date will not be counted against their perfect attendance record.

Whether or not the award will be reinstated next year, is still under review.

Food Service

CulinArt, SHA’s food service provider, gives us every confidence that their routine and enhanced sanitary practices provide continued excellent and healthy food service to our students and faculty.

Student Support

We empathize with the varying degrees of stress and anxiety that global situations like this can bring. The unknown and the preparedness itself can be stress producing. As always, SHA's full-time social worker, Mrs. Beth Kennedy, is available to assist students. Please encourage your daughters to reach out to her, the nurse or any member of the faculty or staff for needed help and support.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we navigate together the health and safety challenges of COVID-19.

Kristin Lynch Graham, President

S. Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D, Principal

UPDATE: Thursday, March 5, 2020

As you are aware, the situation with the COVID-19 coronavirus is rapidly evolving. Like all schools throughout the country, Sacred Heart Academy has been monitoring the situation and will follow the lead of local, state, and federal agencies – such as the New York State Department of Education, the New York Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control for the latest information on this virus.

While there are no plans to close Sacred Heart Academy at this time, we want to assure you that our faculty and administration are prepared to move to an online learning format in the unlikely event of a school closing.

This plan includes the transition of all lessons to Google Classroom, allowing faculty and students to connect for class via the internet if necessary. Our Ed Tech coaches have been providing assistance to our faculty this school year to complete the setup of Google Classroom and to test the platform. Attendance will be taken for each class each day via Google classroom. To be marked present, a student will be expected to post something in each subject area’s Google classroom.

This is new territory for all of us - both teachers and students. As with all new things, there are likely to be challenges, but we are confident that we have an effective plan that will be employed. We have worked hard over the past year to employ technology to support excellent teaching and learning and are prepared to utilize it in these circumstances if needed.

We thank you for your continued cooperation, and will provide you with updates on more specific implementation directions if needed.

UPDATE: Monday, March 2, 2020

We want to continue to update you on the precautions Sacred Heart Academy is taking to maintain a healthy environment for the community as we navigate through the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation.

Over the weekend, the Facilities team continued to hand-wipe and sanitize the following items:

Door knobs, handles and push bars
Elevator buttons and panels
Stairwell handrails
Light switches
Telephones and handsets
Vending machines
Refrigerator door handles
Desks and table tops
Chairs
Lavatory partitions

We will be starting the Electrostatic application of the HDQ-C disinfectant. By using an electrostatic applicator the disinfecting process becomes more effective as it allows the disinfectant solution to electrostatically attach to areas hard to reach while also covering the flat surfaces. Additionally, it significantly reduces the amount of time needed to address the entire Academy building and the Corde and Joseph houses.

We have also purchased additional free-standing stations with hand sanitizing gel. They are scheduled to arrive later this week and will be placed strategically throughout the building.

Our medical office is on high alert for students who demonstrate any symptoms associated with the virus. We continue to receive information from the state and local officials on best practices, and are grateful to the medical experts who offer us generous professional advice.

This Friday (3/6/2020), when there are no classes, the facilities team will use the opportunity to fumigate the building by opening windows and increasing use of sanitizers and disinfectants.

Cooperation and good sense are always the best allies in these situations. We are grateful to the community for continuing to share both. Please stay in touch with the medical office with any concerns.

We are doing everything we can to be sure our community is safe and healthy. Please continue to pray for all those affected by the virus as well as those who are working hard to keep us all safe and healthy.

UPDATE: Friday, February 28, 2020

Sacred Heart Academy has been closely monitoring the concerns related to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We are taking every precaution to keep the community safe and wanted to share with you some information.

The way for all communities and organizations to minimize risk is to be aware, knowledgeable, and prepared. Fortunately, this seems to be happening in a widespread, concerted manner.

What do we know?

Health authorities continue to carefully monitor the virus and provide routine updates on necessary precautions. Given that there are limited cases of the virus in the United States, there is no need at this time to cancel school or social events, and there is no need for students or staff to wear masks, for example. As this is still an evolving global situation, we will continue to update you when information is pertinent and could impact the Sacred Heart community.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including the flu:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you haven't done it already, get a Flu shot. The influenza vaccine is still effective during this Flu Season.

Symptoms

Information to date suggests that COVID-19 causes mild to moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. COVID-19 is only transmissible from a positive patient and the current case definition from the CDC has healthcare providers monitoring only those individuals whom have traveled from mainland China within 14 days OR have had close contact with a confirmed positive patient. Please advise the Sacred Heart medical office by calling (516) 483-7383 ext. 246 if you or any member of your household visits one of the countries designated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a contagion area. Currently only the CDC has the ability to test for COVID-19.

How Sacred Heart Academy is Taking Precautions

The Administration receives regular updates from both the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and New York State Department of Health (DOH) regarding the coronavirus and subsequent viruses. We are also receiving professional advice from board members in the medical field. Classrooms and other areas of the school building are being cleaned and sanitized thoroughly and regularly. The administrative team is reviewing precautions, best practices and plans for various scenarios however remote they may be at this point.

Bear in Mind

All student health and personal information is confidential and may only be shared in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Thus, we will not answer questions about specific children.

Resources with additional Information

CDC's Dedicated 2019-nCoV Website

NYSDOH's Dedicated 2019-nCoV Website

New York State Center for School Health

Again, we want to assure you that we are in regular contact with local health officials and are following professional guidance on all health and safety matters. The safety and wellbeing of our School community is always the top priority. We will provide future updates as needed.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Links:

Reopening Plan for Families and Students Updated October 20 2020

Remote Learning ToDo

FINAL Reopening Week 1 Schedule

For a list of prayer intentions, please click here.

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