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Principal Points, August 7th
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August 8, 2020Dear St. Theresa's Catholic School Families,
It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that the faculty, staff, and administration present the St. Theresa's Catholic School Return to School (RTS) Plan. Our Superintendent has given our plan high praise. I would like to thank our school RTS committee: Mr. Jay Arellano (chair), Mrs. Sharon Taylor, Nurse Mary Umstattd, Ms. Melissa Estes, Mrs. Erin Reaves, Mrs. Debbie Spurlin, Dr. Lindsay Neal, Mrs. Debbie Stapper, and Deacon Peter Barger. Their commitment and teamwork throughout this summer have been extraordinary. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated professionals on our faculty and staff. We are also immensely grateful to our RTS Medical and Parent committees for their time and valuable feedback.
The RTS Plan is a living document and will be updated as circumstances and information require. Please read this document carefully. It has been designed to keep everyone at our school safe and healthy as we reopen our Catholic school. If you need a clarification of any protocol or policy within the document, write it down and share it with us at administration@st-theresa.org and a member of the Admin Team will get back to you this week.
Rolling Return to School Plan Continues
Even though AISD has moved their start of school back to September 8, 2020, and their teachers have requested a November start for in-person classes, we will continue to open our Catholic school with the rolling return to school dates I shared last week:- August 18 - 21: Remote Learning only for all students in Grades 1-8 (7:55 - 12:00); please note we will not offer Remote Learning for PK3-Kindergarten this week
- August 24 - 28: In-person Learning option for PK3, PK4, & Kindergarten (7:55 - 12:00); Remote Learning only for all students in Grades 1-8 (7:55 - 12:00)
- August 31 - September 4: In-person Learning option for ALL GRADES (7:55 - 12:00); Remote Learning option available for students in grades PK3-8
- September 8: In-person Learning option for PK3 - grade 8 (7:55 - 3:25); Remote Learning option available for students in grades PK3-8
It was so wonderful to have our faculty return to campus yesterday and get started on preparing our classrooms for instruction. Among this distinguished group are five new teachers! We are so happy they have responded to the call to Catholic education with a joyful and confident, "Yes!" Please join us in welcoming these new teachers and offering prayers for a successful first year of teaching at St. Theresa's.- Ms. Lexie Alexander (Latin): I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in the Spring of 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Classical Languages (Latin and Greek) and Linguistics. I am of the belief that Latin is my one true love in life, and I could not be more excited to be teaching it. I am originally from Dallas, Texas, where I attended Bishop Lynch high school. My interests include Latin, soccer, tennis, Harry Potter, and coffee. I think that Latin holds great value for everyone in several facets, but most importantly, by fostering a deeper understanding of English and human language as a whole, and as a wonderful connection to the Catholic faith.
- Ms. Katie Grady (2nd Grade): I am so excited to be joining the St.Theresa’s Catholic School Family. I graduated in May of 2020 from Texas Tech University. While at Texas Tech I was a part of the Catholic Student Association, Tech Swim Club, and Kappa Delta Pi (International Education Honor Society). During college I took a gap year to accept a position as a Cast Member at Walt Disney World. This was the coolest and most amazing experience of my life. I look forward to sharing my magic with the awesome second graders and St.Theresa’s Family. Wreck’em Tech!
- Mrs. Amy Gatke (3rd Grade): I am one of the new 3rd grade teachers and I can’t wait to start this school year off with you at St. Theresa’s. Having had 10 years working in education, I bring my experience in early childhood, my team-player focus, and my ability to connect with my young students. My husband, two daughters, and I have lived in Austin for four years. We enjoy hiking in the hill country, enjoying Austin’s delicious food, and swimming in the local springs. Go Tigers!
- Ms. Katie Desikan (3rd Grade): After 10 years in education, I am enthusiastically joining STCS! I am a native Oregonian, and former Californian. I moved to Austin nearly 14 years ago. I am a mother of two beautiful children: Brandt is entering 7th grade and Scarlett will be a 3rd grader. I enjoy music, writing, traveling, teaching yoga, and trying out new things. I am excited to meet my 3rd grade students soon!
- Sra. Bertha Pastrana (MS Spanish): I am delighted to be joining St. Theresa Catholic School as the Middle School Spanish Teacher. I feel confident that I can make a significant contribution to the to the school, and I am grateful for this opportunity to join the St. Theresa's family. I look forward to working with my future students and their families. I am graduate of Texas A&M University and have been teaching Spanish for 5 years.
Next Steps- Search continues for Middle School ELA and Religion teachers
- Continuing to build and installation of PPE desk shields
- Create half-day schedules for August 18 - September 4 classes
- Create and distribute new remote learning expectations and contract
- Continue to build a strong, positive, and intentionally Catholic school culture
St. Theresa, pray for us.
In Christ,
Brian R. Wheeler
Principal
bwheeler@st-theresa.org