St. Therese School

Succasunna, NJ

#theSTSdifference: Faith. Family. Foundation.

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Archived Communications:
Principal’s Alert: 12.19.21 4:54PM: Due to an increase in positive COVID cases among students and faculty, St. Therese School will be closed Monday, December 20. Virtual instruction will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday and school will be closed on Thursday, December 23. The building will be open tomorrow, Monday 12.20 at 8:00AM for students to pick up any materials they may need for virtual instruction. School will reopen for in-school instruction on January 3rd.
STS will utilize two UV Light Systems for daily disinfecting
Return-To-School Plan: 08.28.20
Addendum: Monday, 08.03.20

Governor Phil Murphy has ordered all students to wear masks, so in order to open for in-school instruction all students, faculty and staff, visitors, volunteers, will have to wear masks in the building. When outside of the building, they will not.
Return To School Plan as of 07.30.20

PDF Document of Plan
Principal’s Blog: Friday, July 24, 2020
“Blessed are they who have kept the Word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” ~Luke 8:15

Dear St. Therese Parents,
As we enter the final week of July 2020, we are busy preparing for the opening of school on Wednesday, September 2. The principals, the assistant superintendent and the superintendent of the Paterson Diocese have put a document together with the proper protocols for the reopening of school. The document is very detailed. Once I receive the final copy I will share it with the St. Therese School Community and the faculty.

Plan A will be in-school instruction for students. Plan B would be a hybrid model if the CDC guidelines limit the amount of students that are permitted in the classroom. Plan B would have us scheduling A and B days, something I am not in favor of, but if it is dictated that I must use that model we need to be prepared for it, and we will be. Plan C will be entirely remote teaching and learning. Hopefully we won't have to use this model.

As of now we will be utilizing Plan A. For those parents who do not feel safe sending their students to school remote instruction will be provided from the classroom. Students can tune into the class as it is being taught in school through Google Meet or Zoom. I am not encouraging that students stay home and learn remotely. I believe they need to be in school. More and more of the data shows that school age children do not get sick from COVID 19, and there is no data showing that school age children have ever passed it onto a teacher.

I realize that COVID 19 has caused a lot of anxiety about bringing students back to school, but I also wonder what harm is being done keeping students out of school, perhaps more. It is my opinion that students and teachers need to be in school and parents need to be able to go to work.

As mentioned in my previous message, we are purchasing PPEs and two UV lights that will sanitize the entire school on a daily basis. The CARES Act has provided us with enough money to purchase two of them. One light can do up to 6,000 square feet in 30 minutes. It only takes 5 minutes in our classrooms. The lights are only 24 lbs. and on wheels so they can be easily moved from classroom to classroom.

The document for reopening of school is very detailed and comprehensive. Some of the requirements that will put in place are parents taking their children's temperature before leaving home, temperature checks by school personnel before entering, wearing of masks, signage in school, entering and leaving the building, who will be permitted to enter the building, before care, aftercare and more. Once I review the document with the faculty next week, I will meet with the Executive Board of the HSA, and then present the document to parents via a live streamed meeting, or Zoom Meeting. We will post the document on the website for all parents to view.

I believe it is extremely important for students to be in school, but it is more important that they remain safe and healthy. COVID 19 guidelines change from day to day. The guidelines that are in place today permit us to open school for in-school instruction in September, but a lot can happen in the next 5 weeks. Just know that our faculty and staff are prepared for the 3 options that I have mentioned and we will continue to bring quality instruction to your sons and daughters whether it be Plan A, B or C.

God bless and may the peace of the risen Christ be with you.
Tim Dunnigan
Principal STS

Subject: Easter Break

Tim Dunnigan Friday, Apr 3 at 2:59 PM St. Therese School

Our calendar has been amended: Holy Thursday, April 9 was originally scheduled as a half-day. The Easter Break will begin on Holy Thursday and there will be no remote teaching or learning on that day. Remote learning will resume on Monday, April 20. I am asking parents not to contact teachers over the Easter Break and that if you have a question wait until the break is over. We all need a break away from the technology. Have a joyous and Blessed Easter! God bless.
In Christ,
Tim Dunnigan, Principal STS
Subject: Return to School

Tim Dunnigan Sunday, Mar 29 at 5:06 PM St. Therese School

As anticipated, the diocese has closed all school buildings until April 20. This could be extended. Online instruction will continue and please check teachers' blogs for the latest information. I will communicate as often as I can to keep you updated. Easter break will begin on Holy Thursday and go through April 17. There will be no instruction during the Easter break. Stay healthy St. Therese. We will get through this.
In Christ,
Tim Dunnigan, Principal STS

Subject: Return to School

Tim Dunnigan Tuesday, Mar 24 at 5:38 PM St. Therese School

I met today online with with the Superintendent of the Diocese and other Diocesan principals. I anticipated on getting a definitive date when school may resume, but that was not the case. Official word will be made by the end of the week. Anticipate St. Therese not reopening until April 20 as the Roxbury School District is closed until then. That is the earliest Roxbury will be returning. I am trying to keep you updated with the most recent announcements from the state and local authorities as well as the diocese, and I will continue to do so. Our Easter Break will begin one day earlier on Holy Thursday, April 9 and that day will be added onto the end of the school year. There will be no instruction during the Easter Break. The students, parents and faculty will need the break.
I know everyone is looking for some normalcy during this trying time, but there is nothing normal about it. I believe God has given us a message to slow down, and pay attention to Him. He is in control, not us. Trust in Him and He will take care of you.
God bless,
Tim Dunnigan, Principal STS

Subject: Return to School

Tim Dunnigan Monday, Mar 23 at 5:30 PM St. Therese School

As some of you already know Roxbury School District will not be returning to school until April 20. That will most likely be the case with St. Therese School as well. I will confirm tomorrow after my online meeting with the Catholic Schools Office at 2:15 pm. At that time I will have other information to share. Please stay safe and healthy.
In Christ,
Tim Dunnigan, Principal STS

Subject: E-Learning

Tim Dunnigan Wednesday, Mar 18 at 5:46 PM St. Therese School

I hope all is going well, or as best it can. Our teachers are working behind the scenes as best they can so the continuity of education goes forward. Please be patient as this is new to many schools. From what I have gathered from my faculty and some parents, things seem to be going well. Parents if you are having any major issues, please email your teacher and me and we will work with you as best you can. Finally, please know that there are multiple resources that parents can find on line for almost any subject and grade. Some of these are: YouTube, Khan Academy and Brainpop to name a few. I hope this helps and know we are only an email away.
God bless and St. Therese pray for us.
March 13, 2020
Dear St. Therese Community,
As per directive of the local health department and consultation with local public and private school officials, St. Therese School will be closed effective Monday, March 16 through Friday March 27. The remote and virtual learning plans for students will be posted on the Teachers’ Blogs, and will begin Monday. Click HERE for the BLOG page and grade-level links for daily instruction.

During the past few weeks myself and the faculty have been promoting healthy hygiene habits, obtaining information from reputable websites and news outlets and communicating with other school officials about COVID-19. None of us want to close school, but we do not have a choice. The decision was made in consultation with other school officials and the health department. The building will be closed to all functions and thoroughly cleaned during this time.
Below is what we have planned for today and the two weeks ahead:
1. Teachers will be reviewing with students how assignments will be assigned in packets and virtually.
2. Assignments, links and websites will be posted on the Teachers’ Blogs.
3. Schedules will be posted on blogs for students to logon onto Google Classroom, Google Meet and Google Hangout and any other means they choose to communicate their lessons so your child continues to be educated.
4. Students will bring home chromebooks, textbooks and any materials that they will need to continue instruction.
5. Teachers and myself will be available to answer questions during school hours via email.

Please know that this was not an easy decision. It was made in consultation with local health officials, the Department of Education, other local public and private school officials and diocesan superintendent. Also, know that the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty and St. Therese School Community was at the forefront of making this decision.

Our tentative, anticipated return to school is Monday, March 30. If there is a need to extend the closure you will receive notification by Thursday, March 26. As we enter into these uncharted waters of virtual learning, we understand the difficulty and chaos that it may present. We hope and pray as parents you are able to navigate your schedules with your children learning at home. Please be sure to email your teachers or me should you need assistance with anything that is presented to you.
In Christ,
Timothy Dunnigan, Principal
View STS Family letter HERE.
View the NJ Department of Health HERE.
View the US CDC Link HERE.
View the International World Health Organization Link HERE.
Principal’s Blog: Friday, July 31, 2020
“The Word of the Lord remains forever; this is the Word that has been proclaimed to you.” ~1 Peter 1:25

I hope all is well with our St. Therese families on this final day of July. Up to this point it has been a very busy summer. We have many new families registering and enrolling in our school. This is good news.

In between family tours and meetings with new families this month I have been working with principals, teachers and the Diocese on a Return to School Plan for September. The plan is finished, and we will open our doors to our students for in school instruction on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. I will present the plan in a video taped message that will be found on our web page so parents can view and listen to the guidelines at a time that is most convenient for them. I realize everyone has different schedules and I believe this is the best way for everyone to have an opportunity to view or read the message.

I hope to post the plan on our website by Tuesday, August 4. I ask that all parents either view the presentation or read the document. After listening to the presentation or reading the document, you can email me at principal@stthereseroxbury.org with any questions and I will get back to you.

For our Hopatcong, Netcong and Stanhope students I am happy to report that we will have busing for those students attending St. Therese School in the Fall.

Have a wonderful weekend and may the Risen Christ bless you,
Tim Dunnigan
Principal STS