St. Augustine High School
Covid-19 update – 3/30/2020
From the Principal – Mr. James Horne
Saintsmen and families,
Just last night the guidelines for stay at home protocols were extended through April … That said, school will continue to operate online and activities/athletics/events are cancelled or postponed until at least May 4. At this time, we are still hopeful that we may get a chance to re-convene in time for final examinations and graduation.
We continue to pray for your sons and families at our weekly mass and are encouraging our faculty and staff to meet your varying needs. We know that this health crisis has created new routines, challenges and frustrations for all of us.
This pandemic is a disruptor on the largest of scales. It has disrupted our daily routines on every level, but we will return to normal …. sometime. Until then, thanks for your support and continue to flex with us while we ALL (faculty, students and parents) transition through this historic time at St. Augustine High School
“You have made us for yourself O’ Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
From the Assistant Principal for Academics – Mr. Gregory Hecht
As we enter week three of our online learning, please be sure to note the following:
- To all our Saintsmen – please heed the requests of all our medical professionals and government representatives to practice good hygiene habits (vigorous hand washing with soap and water, utilizing hand sanitizer, etc.) and social distancing protocols (keeping six feet apart from others, avoiding crowds, etc.). Each Saintsman has a moral obligation to do his part to tamp down the spread of the Corona Virus and prevent others from becoming infected. While the ‘stay-at-home’ order has limited access to parks, beaches, and other recreational opportunities, it should not reduce your attention to your physical fitness. There are a host of ways to stay active during this time. Do not forget that your physical well-being is just as important as your focus on learning. Below are a few links to investigate that provide exercises you can do while at home during this time:
https://www.worldathletics.org/be-active/lifestyle/lockdown-exercises
https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1
- To all Advanced Placement Students -The College Board has established a COVID-19 Update Page that is frequently updated with the latest information on the changes to the upcoming AP exams. Please visit this page often and pay attention to this link as the formatting details and exam-specific information is scheduled to be released on April 3 https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates
The College Board has also made free AP Review Classes available on their Advanced Placement YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/advancedplacement This is an excellent resource and is targeted to specific units within each AP course.
- To all Juniors and Seniors – Mrs. Oliwa has made your current transcript available on your SOTW account, in the same place as your Report Card. Remember that when you print out or email this copy of the transcript that it is an “unofficial copy” that can be used for planning purposes or for sending to college reps or coaches that are willing to take an unofficial copy from you. If you need an “official transcript” you must contact your counselor or Mrs. Oliwa to request that it be sent.
- St. Augustine High School will continue to offer Mass every Wednesday… online! Simply click on the Facebook link on the upper right-hand corner of the school’s website (www.sahs.org) and join our online parish for Mass via Facebook Live every Wednesday morning.
- St. Augustine Spring Break will be April 9 through April 19.
From the Assistant Principal for Student Services – Mr. John O’Beirne
- For those parents who paid for an event online and that event is canceled, we will be processing a refund. The refund will be made to the card or account used to book the event. There is no need to contact the school for the refund.
- Although we are in the process of remote learning it is important that we remember the work we turn in is our own. There have been instances where the work that was turned in as the students was actually from an internet source, came from another students IP address, or copied from another student. We would like to remind you of our Academic Integrity Policy, our Saintsman’s Pledge and your own personal integrity to do the right thing in these challenging times.
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating
Copying any part of someone else’s homework, quiz, test, or any assignment designated as individual work and/or knowingly allowing another student/s to copy answers on a quiz, test, or homework assignment.
- Using any sources, materials, or equipment not authorized by the teacher.
- Allowing another student to submit your work in their name.
- Stealing tests, quizzes, answer keys, or any other assignment belonging to a student and/or teacher.
- Attempted cheating (e.g. intent to use unauthorized notes on a test or quiz).
- Violating a teacher’s stated policy, instruction, or expectation on an assignment, quiz, or exam.
- Allowing yourself and/or another person to achieve an academic advantage by, but not limited to, the following means: talking, gestures, signs, texting, notes, photos, etc.
- Collaborating on an assignment without prior permission from your teacher.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism means using someone else’s ideas or words as if they are your own. A passage, an interpretation, or a finding in research that is not your own must be properly documented.
Plagiarism can be any of the following:
- Copying another’s work verbatim (word for word without acknowledgement).
- Paraphrasing another’s work without acknowledgement.
- Patching together a paper using different sources without acknowledgement of all those sources.
- Using someone else’s idea or information that is not public domain or commonly known as your own idea.
- Presenting as one’s own photographs and/or artwork and not giving proper credit to the original artist.
- Submitting work previously done (or simultaneously done) for another course for credit without prior permission from your teacher.
From the Assistant Principal for Auxiliary Services and the Athletic Director – Mr. Michael Haupt and Mr. Matthew Linville
On Monday, March 17 the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Office and the 10 Section Commissioners held their annual scheduled spring meeting. While the time may come when we have to cancel post-season events, today is not that day. In anticipation of further guidance and directives issued by federal, state and local government agencies regarding COVID-19, the CIF has not determined the future of spring sports events at this time and intends to reconvene with the 10 Section Commissioners on April 3 to revisit this issue.
From the Director of Counseling Services – Dr. Jerry Rey
We hope you are all safe and well and coping effectively with the economic and social limitations currently in place. This email is an update on some academic and college issues.
For Seniors and Juniors: Mrs. Oliwa has made your current transcript available in your SOTW account, in the same place as your Report Card. Remember that when you print out or email this copy of the transcript that it is an “unofficial copy” that can be used for planning purposes or for sending to college reps or coaches that are willing to take an unofficial copy from you. If you need an “official transcript” sent somewhere you must contact your counselor or Mrs. Oliwa to provide that.
For All: Remember that counselors are available to speak to you or meet with you via email, phone, or video conferences. Please do not hesitate to get your questions answered or your concerns communicated. And Junior Families, if you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your counselor for the Family College Meeting with your son.
For Juniors: Regarding SAT and ACT testing, we recommend that you register for the June 6 SAT and/or the June 13 ACT exams. With the cancellation of the March, April, and May testing dates we expect these June exams to fill rapidly, and you may not be able to find an available testing center near your home if you wait too long to register. If the June dates are filled or are cancelled, there are dates scheduled for the summer, in July (ACT) and in August (SAT).
I am including a link to a short article with advice from a local family therapist regarding “Coping with Corona-geddon!” She offers practical advice on dealing with the emotional fallout and ways to reframe our current situation. Please remember that “social distancing” is not “social isolation”. Stay in touch with your friends and family and encourage your sons to use technology effectively to form a support network for their academic coursework, and to maintain the Saints Brotherhood. Here is the link to the advice article from the family therapist –
Events Update
The following is a list of events that, as of March 16, have been cancelled or postponed:
March 31 – Kairos-CANCELLED
April 2 – Spring Play-CANCELLED
April 3 – Saints/OLP Art Show-CANCELLED; Spring Play-CANCELLED
April 4 – Hogar Infantil -CANCELLED; Spring Play-CANCELLED
April 5 – Mother Son Brunch-POSTPONED– more information to follow.
April 7 – Border Days-CANCELLED
April 8 – Stations of the Cross-CANCELLED
April 23 – Spring Concert-CANCELLED
April 28 – Sophomore Retreat-CANCELLED
We will continue to be diligent in communicating facts and changes to school plans/activities and push notifications to the community using CANVAS, social media sites, and the website.
Thanks … pray for us and know we are praying for you.
