All Saints Catholic School

Urgent Fundraising Appeal

May 1, 2020
 
Hello, All Saints Catholic School families and friends:
 
We are facing unprecedented times in our world today. The harsh reality of COVID-19 is far-reaching. In the greater Bangor area, many individuals, businesses and institutions are experiencing extreme financial hardship. 
 
All Saints Catholic School is experiencing repercussions as well. We have lost significant revenue sources due to the coronavirus, including The Attic thrift store and our daycare program at St. Mary’s campus. Currently, we are unable to meet our payroll obligations. 
 
We have been meeting regularly to discuss the ongoing financial challenges for our school. Due to the severity of these challenges, we are reaching out to you with a financial request. Will you prayerfully consider making a one-time donation of $200 to All Saints Catholic School?  Now more than ever, we realize the importance of Catholic education, and want our families to be able to complete the current school year through our new online learning platform.
 
If 75 of us donate, we will have $15,000 to cover lost revenue. Fr. Murray and I have each donated the first and second $200, and we hope 73 of you will join us. All charitable donations are tax-deductible. Checks made payable to “All Saints Catholic School” may be mailed to: All Saints Catholic School, P.O. Box 1749, Bangor, ME 04402-1749.
 
We appreciate the many unknowns all of us are facing and we look forward to celebrating together with you when this pandemic is over. Thank you in advance for your support of All Saints Catholic School. May you find peace in God’s protection and mercy.
 
You are all in our prayers, and please keep us in yours.
 
God bless you,                                      

Matthew K. Houghton, Principal
Fr. Frank J. Murray, Pastor

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES

Letter to School Families re: Coronavirus Pandemic

March 20, 2020

Dear Parents,

I wanted to update you on our school closure.  Today we received notice that all schools in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties have extended closures till April 27th.  School leaders have reviewed the Governor and Commissioner’s recommendations to cease classroom-based instruction in school buildings for at least the next 30 days.  School leaders believe it is best for all to have a consistency of dates as we continue to monitor this situation.  After speaking with Father Murray, and our Catholic school's Superintendent, Marianne Pelletier, All Saints Catholic School will follow these recommendations and extend closure till April 27th.

Teachers will continue to provide high quality, online distance learning programing to All Saints Students.  We will no longer be able to prepare and send families paper work packets at any grade level at this time. Please contact your student's teacher if you have any questions about student work, assignments or online learning opportunities.

If you would like any additional information, please feel free to contact me directly at 485-5336.  I am happy to offer any assistance that I can during this time.  I will continue to send email, weekly newsletter and pertinent updates via QuickSchools.  I have attached "work from home tips" for your information as more parents are now working from home. 

We are hoping that you will take a picture of your student's home learning space and send to me electronically.  I would like to post them on our Facebook page and newsletter over the coming weeks.  I am asking teachers to do the same.  This is sure to be a fun way to reconnect our school families.

Please continue prayers for our school, community and those sick with the coronavirus.  

Matthew Houghton,
Principal
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March 14, 2020

Dear All Saints Catholic School Families,

Thank you for all of your concern and information, as we work together to understand the coronavirus/CoVlD-l9 outbreak and create next steps to educate our students at All Saints.

All Saints Catholic School will be closed effective immediately. Our current plan is to rernain closed through March 27th at a minimum. Bangor School Department and John Bapst High School will be closing on Monday as well.

Parents of Grade 4-8 students should come to school this Monday, March 16th, to pick up textbooks and workbooks in their classrooms and/or lockers. In addition, any students Grade PreK--8 who have personal belongings at school should also come to their campus on Monday and pick them up. We ask parents who come to school on Monday to stay for no longer than 15 minutes. Please do not stay to socialize and congregate.

The decision to close the school was made by Superintendent Pelletier, Father Murray, the School Board and me. We have considered up-to-date information provided by the Maine CDC and Department of Education. We feel it is our civic duty to help "flatten the curve" by curtailing public activities that could increase the community spread of the virus.

Last week, our school took initial steps to prepare teachers for online instruction. We will hold additional staff planning meetings Monday through Wednesday of the coming week. A combination of packets, projects, online teaching and other distance learning approaches will begin on Wednesday, March 18, according to a schedule that your classroom teacher will send home.

We understand that this decision will prompt questions. The teachers and I will continue to communicate with you and do our very best to answer your questions and provide support. Below are some specific measures we will implement:
 

• Continuity of Teaching and Learning: Our intention is that student learning continue through the closure, although in a modified form. This will include our specials: art, music, Physical Education and Spanish. We have some laptops that may be signed out by Grade 3-8 students who do not have a computer at home. Please contact your classroom teacher if you need to sign out a laptop. We can mail materials home for families without stable internet service. During official closure of the schools on 768 Ohio Street and 166 State Street, teachers and staff will have access to the buildings. With minimal foot traffic, our maintenance staff will increase cleaning and disinfecting the schools.

 

• Continuity of Extra-Curricular Programs: For Maine middle schools, the Maine Principals' Association announced yesterday that the anticipated first day for spring sports practices for baseball, softball and cross country will be Monday, April 27. Our other extra-curricular programs, clubs and activities (such as chess, cheering, robotics, and MathCounts, etc.) are also suspended until that date.

 

• Major School Activities Scheduled for Later in the School Year: Many have asked if All Saints Catholic School will be able to hold such important activities as the Spring Concert, Super Supper and 8th Grade Graduation. It is too early to know at this time, and we will communicate these decisions as soon as possible.

As I write this letter, there are still only a few COVID-I9 cases in Maine. However, that may change in the near future. It is our hope that closing our campuses, as other schools throughout the state and region are doing, will contribute to community health and safety and end this pandemic as quickly as possible.

I have received many calls today from parents and staff who shared that they were praying for All Saints Catholic School and all those affected by the virus. They shared that they would continue to pray until we are back to normal. This made me proud to be part of our school and proud of our Catholic faith. Prayer will make a positive impact on those who are sick, our school, community and world. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Please remain safe and prayerful.

God's blessing to you and your families,

Matthew Houghton, Principal
 

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES