John F. Kennedy Catholic School stays connected with students
WARREN — Administration, faculty and staff at John F. Kennedy Catholic School, Upper and Lower campuses, have worked to meet the academic needs of students while creating a virtual environment to address their "minds, bodies and spirit" in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Beginning March 11, the staff was informed of the evolving situation and were told to prepare for online instruction. Kennedy immediately developed a connectivity survey and sent it to families to gather internet access availability. By March 13, the first day the campuses were closed after Gov. Mike DeWine's directive, remote instructional plans were discussed and finalized, and a remote learning website was established. All remote learning plans went live on March 16.
Faculty members have daily Zoom meetings to establish which students need further outreach and how to best serve students and families. Learning is constant and evolving. All grade levels are communicating with faculty members and classmates, and assignments are innovative and interactive. The faculty stays in constant communication with students' families via email, text, social media and a COVID-19 website that is updated with each new development. Daily meals are being provided for students in need.
'Mind, Body & Spirit'
Kennedy has created a virtual environment for families to share their journeys, celebrate each other and provide some normalcy through a comprehensive website to connect resources based on specific needs under the umbrella of "Mind, Body & Spirit."
Under the leadership of Upper Campus Principal Alyse Consiglio, the school has developed not only traditional learning options but outside-the-box opportunities for students, such as a virtual Washington, D.C. field trip that was developed by junior high faculty in response to the eighth-graders missing the annual visit. Students also are connecting with residents at local nursing homes as pen pals. The school will have a virtual signing day to honor senior athletes participating in collegiate athletics, and theology students provide daily reflections to be shared with the entire school community.
Jackie Venzeio, Lower Campus principal, has provided families with the opportunity to share acts of kindness being done at home by awarding virtual Kindness Badges. She created a video for students to follow along each morning with daily prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and she organized multiple educational resources for families to utilize as they navigate education at home.
The Mind, Body & Spirit website is a way to help nurture families.
Under the "Body" section, Kennedy coaches and physical education teachers provide drills and skills for families, nutritional resources and volunteer opportunities to address the critical need for masks in the community. "Spirit" provides reflection and prayer, weekly Mass and a thoughtful project by Upper Campus theology students to allow the community to follow in Stations of the Cross next week. "Mind" provides all academic resources and schedules as well as a focus on mindfulness with the "Mindfulness Monday" series, playlists for stressful times and emotional well-being resources.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 1:56 PM with the headline "John F. Kennedy Catholic School stays connected with students."