After consulting with the Diocese of Jackson Department of Catholic Education and reviewing the most recent recommendations by many different professional groups, we feel it is in the best interest of our students and faculty/staff to delay our first day of school until August 17th. With the addition of the Distance Learning Option, we need a little more time to prepare for the best environment possible for academic achievement whether that be in-person or virtually. This week will also give opportunities for teachers to go over new routines and expectations as well as assess students. In addition to a delayed start, we will be on a hybrid schedule for the first week of school. Hybrid Group 1 will report to school on Monday and Tuesday and Hybrid Group 2 will report to school on Wednesday and Thursday. Your student will not participate in distance learning on the days they do not attend school during the hybrid week. Wednesday, August 19th, will be a 3:00 dismissal to assure that both groups receive equal instructional time.

Those registered for the Distance Learning Option are not assigned to a hybrid group. The Distance Learning Option will begin on August 24th. As soon as the Distance Learning Option Plan and agreement is finalized you will receive via email.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the safest possible environment for an after hours program at this time. We will reevaluate and make a decision regarding offering after hours by September 1st.

Starkville bus information will be sent out Monday, August 3rd.

Lunch orders will begin the week of August 31st.

Here are some changes that will be made to our current calendar. Four additional instructional days will have to be added to the calendar. That information will be sent out as soon as possible.

August 3rd - New Faculty/Staff Orientation

August 6th – 14th Faculty/Staff report to campus for professional development and training

August 12th – Come and Go 3:00 – 6:00 for Hybrid Group 1

August 13th – Come and Go 3:00 – 6:00 for Hybrid Group 2; New Parent Orientation 6:30 via Zoom

August 17th and August 18th – Hybrid Group 1 report to school from 8:00 – 3:00

August 17th Back to School Night – 6:00 via Zoom

August 19th and August 20th – Hybrid Group 2 report to school from 8:00 – 3:00

August 21st – No School for Students / Staff Work Day

August 24th Resume Normal School Schedule - Monday – Friday
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Dear Parents,

We, at Annunciation Catholic School, are preparing to re-open school and receive students on August 11th as published in our 2020-21 school calendar. We are working in consultation with the diocesan Office of Education and a diocesan task force established to create guidelines for Catholic Schools that adhere to CDC and state requirements. We will create guidelines for ACS based on the diocesan guidelines. We will publish those guidelines once developed. Please be assured that developing a plan for the safe return of students and staff is the first priority for us this summer as we navigate the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you for your support.
Joni House, Principal
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Good Morning ACS Parents/Guardians,

It is so hard to believe that we are ending our 2019-2020 school year this way. Thank you all so much for going above and beyond as we made the transition to distance learning for our final quarter of this school year. We know how hard you have all worked, and we know that the efforts you have put in have helped ensure that our students continued learning and growing even though they were not physically in our schools.

Below you will find calendar information to end the school year as well as the schedule for drop off/pick up of any items that need to be returned/picked up to/from school [textbooks, library books, Catholic Relief Service (CSR rice bowls), harnesses, time capsules (3rd grade Prewitt), office paperwork, payments for outstanding balances, enrollment forms, etc.] Also, please follow the specific guidelines below to ensure safety of all.

May 11 - 15 Make up assignments as needed. Any assignments not completed by May 15th will be a zero. To reassure that your child(ren) does not have assignments to complete you are welcome to contact his or her teacher.

May 15 Virtual Field Day posted on our YouTube channel and Facebook. I will also send a text with link.

May 18 - May 22 Drop Off/Pick Up supplies following schedule below and guidelines

Monday, May 18 12:00 - 6:00 (Last Name A-C)

Tuesday, May 19 12:00 - 6:00 (Last Name D-H)

Wednesday, May 20 12:00 - 6:00 (Last Name I-P)

Thursday, May 21 12:00 - 6:00 (Last Name R-Z)

Friday, May 22 12:00 - 3:00 make up

Guidelines for drop off/pick up to ensure safety of all.

1.one adult only per family (no children)
2.a mask must be worn
3.enter using glass doors to the left of the main office doors, the doors that lead to the brick pathway to the gym (a sign will be posted)
4.use hand sanitizer upon entering
5.a safe distance of six feet needs to be kept at all times
6.drop office items in designated baskets and/or complete enrollment form
7.go to cafeteria and locate bag for pick up (tables are labeled with grade/teacher names and bags with last name)
8.drop off items in designated areas and/or tables where student bag was located
9.use hand sanitizer by exit doors located towards elementary building (previous office area) then exit through the gate

We miss all of you but to ensure the safety of all refrain from socializing. Thank you in advance for your cooperation to drop off/pick up materials in a timely and safe manner.

May 20 Talent Showcase, look for posts on Instagram and Facebook

May 21 8:30 Virtual Awards Day, I will email link out to video, Mrs. Ford will be emailing those of you whose child(ren) are receiving an award

May 22 8th grade slide show on YouTube, Facebook and annunciationcatholicschool.org, report cards emailed

You all remain in our thoughts and prayers, especially those essential, front line workers who continue to risk their own health for the health of others. We have so many helping professionals in our ACS family, and we are blessed to have you on this planet to do God's work. ACS family, stay safe, stay home, stay healthy and stay positive.

God is in Control!

Joni House

Principal Annunciation Catholic School
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Dear Catholic School Parents,

First, thank you, for your ongoing support of the Catholic school your child(ren) attends. Your support allows us to partner with you in a new way to provide Catholic education to our 3661 students across the Diocese. Please know that we recognize the added burden the Distance Learning has placed upon you as parents. We know that across the Diocese we have families that represent those that are struggling financially due to lay- offs, juggling working from home while supervising your children, and others working in essential businesses and professions that require you to go to work each day facing the coronavirus head-on. We know this “new partnership in education” has added to the stress this pandemic has placed upon us all. Each school has kept learning going forward for their students. I have been pleased to see the daily prayer, faith formation lessons, and Lenten prayer experiences provided to your children. We believe the learning experiences infused with faith formation is what sets Catholic school education apart. Our hope is that during this difficult time, the added prayers and reflections provided to your families through student lessons and social media have been a source of spiritual support for your family.

Since March 13th with the first directive to schools regarding what is now the COVID-19 pandemic, Diocesan Office of Education staff and Catholic School Administrators across the Diocese have met weekly as schools have navigated the new reality of Distance Learning at each of our schools. Our teachers have worked hard to keep learning moving forward for your children. Thank you, teachers. As you know, what began as a 2-day closure to prepare after spring break quickly changed to extend the closure of schools through Friday, April 17. Along the way, we have monitored the announcements of the medical and governmental leadership. It became clear that we would likely not return to school to finish this school year. And, as you know the Governor announced yesterday that public schools would not return to the school building but would continue to provide distance learning. Because Bishop Kopacz and I, in consultation with diocesan and local school administrators, agree that it is in the best interest of our students, your families, our staff, or the community in which you live, the Diocese of Jackson Catholic School buildings will remain closed for instruction and will continue with distance learning to complete this academic school term.

In order to bring the school term to a successful end the following schedule will be followed:

▪ April 15 – May 8 ~ Daily distance learning instruction continues
▪ May 11 – May 15 ~ Students complete and submit assignments and assessments
▪ May 18 – May 21 ~ Books, technology, team uniforms, etc. will be collected in a manner determined and communicated by the local School Administrator.
▪ May 22 ~ Final report cards issued.

Local school administrators will continue to communicate with you as the school year continues.

Please be assured of the support of Bishop Kopacz, diocesan leadership, and especially the Office of Education staff. We continue to pray for you. May God bless your family during the Easter season,

Sincerely,

Catherine D. Cook, Ed. S Superintendent of Education
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