As with most, if not all, schools in California, St. Kathrine Drexel Academy has temporarily closed to help do our part in flattening the curve of COVID-19. However, we want to still prepare for the future of SKDA.
With the Bishop’s announcement of all Catholic school temporary closures in our diocese on March 13, SKDA was able to transform our curriculum to remote learning overnight, which is something we are very proud of. While we know nothing can replicate the social and physical experience of school (which we miss dearly), we are still able to continue to offer our students a robust and innovative curriculum where face-to-face conversations are still happening and the social emotional needs of our students are still being addressed.
Starting on March 16, students have been utilizing products from Google to stay active in their education, such as Google Classroom and Google Hangouts. Teachers have been able to check in with students as a class and one-on-one through daily “office hours” and scheduled conferences. Counseling services are also still being offered through Zoom to have our wonderful USD counselors check in with students who might be struggling with this current reality. The school has also lent out devices to any family in need.
We’ve received such positive feedback from parents so far, and I wanted to share a comment from an SKDA parent of a third grade student”
“I have so many friends that haven’t even heard from their schools and have no idea what the plan is. I know it has been a huge effort on your part and you will get some many questions but really such an amazing job and have never felt so justified in my school decision.”
While tours and shadow days are temporarily on hold, our enrollment for next school year is still open. We are able to email applications and our office is open if you would like to drop off any completed applications you have, as long as we all practice social distancing.
We know this is a challenging time for all families, but we still want you to know we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or would like to set up a one on one Zoom session or phone call to talk more about our school.
—Kelly Bonde is principal of St. Kathrine Drexel Academy.
