Lumen News – May 7, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

Finals Week Schedule:

• Monday, May 18th: Friday “B” Schedule
• Tuesday, May 19th: Friday “A” Schedule
• Wednesday, May 20th: Friday “B” Schedule
• Thursday, May 21st: 9a Mass, 10a Advisory Check in, Last day of classes
• Friday, May 22nd: Last Day for Teachers (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• Tuesday, August 4th: Back to School Registration and BBQ
• Thursday, August 13th: Junior High Orientation
• Monday, August 17th: School Begins (Grades 7 & 8 only)
• Tuesday, August 18th: School Begins (Grades 9-12)

Principal’s Update:

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  Hats off to Danielle Rybicki and Tracy Ross who showered our teachers and staff with thanks and good will by hand delivering gifts and a cool yard sign to each of them.  We also appreciate the Goodwin, Butcher, Ross, Renfro, Vargas, Thomson, Rybicki, Locke, Moriarty and Everard families who helped make a special “Thank You” picture collage for our teachers!  I know your love and appreciation was widely felt and helped motivate our teachers in the final days of the school year.

Happy Commencement Week as well!  From our 20+ vehicle “Senior Sunset Parade” caravan on Tuesday night around Anchorage to virtual Baccalaureate Mass and our Graduation video – debuting on Facebook and YouTube at 7p tonight – we honored the ten members of our Class of 2020 in style.  We wish them fair winds and following seas as they go out to shine Christ’s light in the world.

Many thanks to all who logged into Monday’s Principal-Parent Forum.  We enjoyed hearing your perspectives.  After discussions with you, the students, and the staff, I have made a final decision regarding uniforms next year.  As discussed, we will be modifying our uniform to allow Lumen-logoed blue polo shirts and khaki pants/skirts to be worn on all non-Mass days (M, Tu, W, and Fri).  On Mass days (Thursdays) or when out in the community representing our school, students will continue to “dress up” with white oxford dress shirt, Lumen tie, khaki pants/skirt, and dress shoes.  Ladies can still wear the Lumen plaid skirt.

Current students can continue to wear blue pants, blue skirt, and the blue oxford dress shirt until they graduate, or the clothes are no longer suitable for wear.  New students will only need to buy khaki pants (skirts); blue polo shirts for non-Mass days and a white oxford dress shirt (short or long sleeve) and Lumen tie for Mass days.  While both Lands End and Tommy Hilfiger carry the blue polo shirt with our logo, we are coordinating with a local vendor to carry this and other approved tops (e.g., blue fleece and sweaters for cooler winter days).  Students who like the existing daily uniform (dress shirt with tie) are welcome to continue to wearing these, but it is no longer required except on Mass days and when students are out in public representing the school. As soon as a local vendor is secured, I’ll provide more detailed guidance but wanted you to know that the dress code will be “relaxed” a bit next year.

Finally, please set aside time during the last week in school for turn-in of textbooks and other materials, and to be able to retrieve any remaining items in the school (mainly junior high PE lockers).  We will send out more detailed instructions next week, but please plan for the drop off to be organized by last name and occurring from 4-6pm on Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20.

And on behalf of our school staff, have a blessed Happy Mothers Day!

Campus Ministry:

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, stay connected through Christ.

Congratulations to our seniors as they are graduated this week! Thank you Sophia Dupras for reading at our Baccalaureate Mass, beautiful job.

Our small video meet up groups have taken a week off and will be back on nexts week for all students who would like to continue or join. Group leaders will be sending out follow emails this week.

Please contact Mrs. Loeffler if we can give support to students, parents and/or families.  Social Distancing is becoming somewhat normal, but still has a real effect on all of us.

You are all invited to our virtual school Masses everyThursday at 9. Jon via Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/stbenedictsak/

Prayer Spot

Please pray for

• Students, teachers and families who are working from home

• Medical professionals and first responders

• Those most vulnerable to illness

If you would like special intentions listed in Lumen News and Prayer Book of Intentions send them directly to Mrs. Loeffler. eloeffler@lumenchristiak.org

School Announcements:

End of Year Class/Day Schedule: 

Tomorrow, May 8th will be a Friday “B” schedule with Periods 2, 4 & 6.

Next week will be a “normal” week with:

Advisory on Monday;

Periods 1, 3 & 5 on Tuesday;

Periods 2, 4 & 6 on Wednesday;

Mass at 9a on Thursday;

The week will end on a Friday “A” schedule of Periods 1, 3 & 5.

The last week of school will be:

Monday, May 18th: “B” Schedule – Periods 2, 4, 6

Tuesday, May 19th: “A” Schedule – Periods 1, 3, 5

Wednesday, May 20th: “B” Schedule – Periods 2, 4, 6

Thursday, May 21st: 9a end of year Mass then 10a Advisory check in to wrap up last details and say goodbye.

Summer Tutoring

Mrs. Gore has contact information for a West High graduate currently in his 3rd year at Yale who is offering tutoring over the summer via Zoom. He can tutor in the following subjects: Essay writing and argumentation; Critical thinking and logic; SAT prep strategies; College application advising; Elementary/Middle School Math and Science (some High School, depending on the subject); Elementary/Middle/High School reading and literature. Contact Mrs. Gore at lchs@lumenchristiak.org or text her cell at 907.227.9584 for more info.

End of Year Administrative Wrap Up and Fall 2020 Registration Prep!

Keep your eyes peeled for an email (hopefully by next week) from the Front Office with loads of End-of-Year & Next-Year info in it. It’ll be exciting for sure – not one to be missed : )

St. Benedict’s & Other Community Events:

St. Benedict’s Youth Group

Even though the school year is winding down, the St. Benedict’s Youth Group meets all summer.  Stay in touch with Elise at emartinez@stbenedictsak.com to know what events are being planned!

Did you know….. 

……that Catholic Social Services provides Supportive Services for Veteran Families? If you or someone you know is a veteran or has served at least one day of active duty in the military and is in need of rental assistance, CSS may be able to help. Learn more at their website: https://www.cssalaska.org/our-programs/homeless-family-services/veteran-services/?fbclid=IwAR1oqbnFfrNysUdaWwS-71E6tBgG_I78gTc46JkslP-eTuYt9Oeut4Utdl8

Do good, feel good: 

Saint Francis House Food Pantry

• SFH is in need of:

  • Breakfast items (oatmeal, breakfast bars)

• SFH is so grateful for the continued support of our community. We are starting to open up limited volunteering opportunities: packing food boxes for clients. If you are interested in packing food boxes, hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30a – 1:00p – 3 people max per day. Email Bronwen Nicholls at bnicholls@cssalaska.org with questions or to volunteer

Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services

• RAIS is in need of:

  • Raised gardening beds

  • Home Depot, Lowes, or Walmart gift cards to buy soil and supplies for raised beds. Contact Keenan at kplate@cssalaska.org for more information on how to donate.