Did you miss our annual State of the School Address on June 8? A recording is now posted at www.vjmhs.org/address! Villa administration gave updates on everything from curriculum and extracurriculars to admissions, advancement, and facilities.

Current families, Incoming families, Alumnae, and Friends: This is your opportunity to get caught up on all aspects our beloved school.

• 1 additional ticket is allowed per family. (Every graduate may have 3 guests at graduation.)
• We will not issue an additional physical ticket.
• Family should be seated together in a pew on one side of the center divider. (Two families per pew)
• No reserved seating is available, except for the graduates and readers (closest to the altar).
• A photographer will be at the Basilica taking photos throughout graduation.
• Mask-wearing is still required in the Basilica. However, students will be permitted to remove masks on the altar while cantoring, reading, giving a speech, or receiving their diplomas. 
• Reminder that only one vehicle per family is permitted in the Basilica's lot.
• Graduates (dressed and ready) may enter at the chapel-side at 8:00 a.m. Families may also enter at the same time.
• Graduation will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.
• Please direct any questions to Mrs. Carr at lcarr@vjmhs.org or Mrs. Brown at mbrown@vjmhs.org.

• Friday, April 23: Prom (see details below)
• Saturday, May 8: Guardian Gala (see details below)
• Thursday, May 20:  Last full day of instruction for seniors
• Friday, May 21: Make-up work day & Spirit Day
  • Senior locker clean out begins today
  • Spirit Day Senior Preview at 11:00 a.m.
  • Spirit Day begins at 12:30 p.m. for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors
• Monday, May 24: Make-up work day
  • "Be the Light" Car Parade (see details below)
• Tuesday, May 25: Make-up work day
• Wednesday, May 26: Make-up work day
  • Lockers must be cleaned out and inspected by your Homeroom Teacher by May 26. Clean them out any time from May 21–May 26.
  • Graduation Practice at 10:00 a.m. in the PAC (Caps and Gowns not needed)
  • Baccalaureate & Senior Awards (see details below)
• Wednesday, June 2: Graduation Practice, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Phila, PA
  • VJM will provide school bus transportation to this practice. Driving or train are also options but will be at student's cost.
  • Bus departure time from VJM is at 8:00 a.m.
  • Girls will return to VJM immediately following practice.
• Saturday, June 5: Graduation (see details below)

• The following COVID questionnaire must be completed by both you and your guest (if applicable) by 3:00 tomorrow — Friday, April 23.
  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QTmYBCyv-4Kk1DfXLd3yj6ih5X6nCW15U1WOKY8AdlE/
  (This link was also sent to all seniors via Canvas today.)
• Maria Hall will be available for pictures from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Parents are invited to come for Maria Hall pictures from 6:00–7:00 p.m. 
• Prom attendees should park in the Senior and Upper lots (Maria and Regina Hall) upon arrival. Father volunteers will be here to assist with parking and traffic control. 
• Parents are asked to park in the Main Lot (Gym).
• If you are coming by limo and it is staying for the evening, please ask that the limo park in the Lower Lot (St. Joseph's).  
• You will enter the Prom through the tent entrance closest to the Senior Lot.
• Please note: You will be required to wear your mask throughout the evening. You are also responsible for making sure that your guest, if applicable, is wearing theirs, as well. 

• $20/person, including the graduate
• Each member of the Class of 2021 may bring up to 2 people to attend with them.
• Please RSVP at www.vjmhs.org/gala by Thursday, April 29. Note that vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free options are available.
• Please note: All guests will be required to to wear masks throughout the evening.

• Please limit one vehicle per senior student.
• Decorating of cars is encouraged!
• No individuals are permitted to congregate outside of their vehicles. Opened windows and sunroofs are permitted.
• The parade will begin at 8:21 p.m. (20:21). Vehicles can arrive on campus at 8:00 p.m. and will be directed to the appropriate location. The parade will last approximately 20 minutes.

• $28/person, including the graduate
• Each member of the Class of 2021 may bring up to 2 people to attend with them.
• Please RSVP at www.vjmhs.org/parents/parentsguild/baccalaureate by Friday, May 14. Note that vegetarian and gluten free options are available.
• Please note: All guests will be required to to wear masks throughout the evening.

• Must arrive by 8:00 a.m.
• Location: Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Phila, PA
• Graduation is historically 2 1/2 hours.
• Graduates are asked to wear white or very light colored dresses and white/nude shoes.
• Graduates are encouraged to "dress & drive" or dress in the parking lot. You must be ready by 8:10 a.m.
• Please note: All guests will be required to to wear masks throughout the event.
• General Graduation information:
  • 10 Graduation announcements will be distributed to each girl in Mid-April. If you require more than 10 announcements, please contact Lehman Graduate Supply (215) 245-8660. These are only announcements, not tickets to the graduation ceremony.
  • Graduation gowns will be distributed in early May. All tuition must be paid in advance of this date. Any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Harkrader, Villa Business Manager, at 215-357-8810 ext. 165.
  • Graduation gowns are rentals and will be returned immediately following the graduation ceremony. Cap, stole, tassel and honor society cords (if applicable) are the property of the graduate.
• Graduation Tickets:
  • Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are currently only able to distribute 2 tickets per graduate. These will be distributed at the Baccalaureate Dinner. Every effort will be made to match families that have a unique parent/guardian scenario. Please email Mrs. Brown (mbrown@vjmhs.org) with your request. If protocols change, we will let you know how this affects the number of tickets allowed per graduate.
• Graduation Parking:
  • 1 parking spot will be reserved at the Basilica. You will be provided with a "parking pass" to enter the lot; there will be no admittance without this pass. Additional parking information has been included with your parking pass and graduation tickets. There are limited handicap parking spaces available in the Basilica parking lot and will be on a first come, first serve basis. (You must have a government issued parking tag to utilize a designated space.) 

• All books, security badges (replacement cost $25), athletic uniforms, library fines, cafeteria debt, fees, etc. must be turned in by June 4, or you will not receive your diploma at graduation.
• Please do not bring these items to the graduation ceremony on June 5; they will not be accepted.

Click here to view the Powerpoint presentation that Mrs. Carr used during the zoom meeting with Junior and Senior families. Please review and feel free to follow up with her at lcarr@vjmhs.org if you have additional questions about any of the noted points.

Dear Villa Families,

This Thursday and Friday, our student body will be participating in our Real World and Student Life Days. During these two days, students will participate in a variety of sessions and activities meant to educate, inspire, and activate thoughts and opinions within oneself, as well as appreciate the opinions of others. We want to make all of our families aware that the activities cover a variety of topics, including:

• Course Selection- Freshman, sophomore, and junior students will be given opportunities to hear about course offerings for both summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 school year; members of each department, as well as guidance and administration, will be present to help offer insight into course prerequisites, sequences, and answer any questions. Juniors will also receive information regarding letters of recommendation and the college process.
• No Place For Hate Pledge Signing- The No Place For Hate organization will introduce the entire student body to the club's purpose, allow for a climate survey to be taken, offer the pledge signing opportunity to all individuals, plus some follow-up activities.
• Inclusion Discussions- Grade levels will be given opportunities in individual, small group, and open forum style environments where tough topics — including race, religion, identity, and more — will be up for discussion. This session is student-led with participation being driven by peer to peer conversations.
• Social Media- Dialogues and reminders about the pros and cons of social media will be addressed.
• Growth Mindset- Introductions for Freshmen and continuations for the other grade levels will afford ample time for students to self-reflect on what Growth Mindset can and does mean for each individual. Activities include Improv, Yoga/Mediation, Art, Quiet Space, Chapel, Emmaus Walks, Games, Study Skills, and Classwork Time. A free-flowing schedule of these activities allows for students to experience as many as they wish during their allotted time frames.
• Meaningful Mission- The Theology Department will have a Mission-centered session with our Freshman class to better gage their first semester experience.
• PFEW- Sophomores and Juniors will hear from representatives of the Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week Association.
• Real World Days- Seniors spend one of the two days in all of the following sessions: Automotive, Home Repair, Financial Literacy, Self Defense, First Aid/CPR, Kitchen/Laundry, and Sewing.
• Decompression- As there is a lot of information being shared over the two days, some “downtime” is built into the schedule. Students can stay in a classroom and catch up on work or they can walk around the campus both indoor and outdoor (weather pending).

During both days, students are permitted to DRESS DOWN. They also are required to bring a BROWN BAGGED LUNCH each day. Following each day, we hope your daughters can share some of their experiences with you and continue the conversations at home. 

As a reminder, our Quarter 2 ends on Monday, January 25. Grades and Report cards will be emailed to your daughters' Microsoft email accounts on or about February 5.

As always, we continue to appreciate the support you have provided our staff and our school during the past 6 months (and always).  We look forward to a healthy Semester 2. 

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

• All students and staff will wear their masks throughout the school day.
• Temperature checks are required for all upon arrival each morning.
• Desks and tables are spaced out 6 feet or more.
• Sanitization continues to occur in all classrooms and high traffic areas a minimum of two times during the school day, as well as a full school cleaning each night.
• Any students or staff who have traveled outside of the state are required to have a negative Covid test before being back in the building.
• Uniforms are worn on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Dress Down days are on Tuesday, Thursday, and special event days.
• We continue to follow a state-approved safety plan for both the school and our Athletic programs.

Villa families,

As we approach Thanksgiving 2020, it is evident what I am most thankful for this year: Our Villa community. Our staff has shown adaptability, creativity, and true tenacity over the past eight months. Our administration has shown that reinventing school traditions due to guidelines can truly produce amazing events (Ring Day, Graduation, Spirit Day, and more). Our students have shown a resilience that will be spoken about for generations. Our families have shown patience, and above all, support for our plans in continuing your daughters' education while still maintaining the safest environment we can provide.

Our plans have changed more times these past few months than we could ever imagine. This letter is updating you on the newest schedule adjustment. Villa will continue with in-person instruction this week — Tuesday (17th), Wednesday (18th), and Thursday (19th). We will be implementing our VIRTUAL SCHOOLING model for Friday (20th), Monday (23rd), and Tuesday (24th). This decision was made for a few key reasons. The first is related to a recent announcement made regarding Montgomery County schools, requiring them to be virtual starting November 23. This change will cause transportation and home care issues for our students and our staff. There is a potential for additional counties to follow suit. The second reason we plan to move to the virtual model three days early is from feedback from you, our Villa families. Many families were hoping to have one full week away from school prior to Thanksgiving to ensure the safest holiday for all. We know our students and our staff have had a tremendous 2020. Regardless of how you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want all of you to feel safe and to be able to enjoy the holidays this year. If leaving school 3 days earlier than expected brings some joy into your life in 2020, then we will do just that.

I want to emphasize with the above information that, as of today, Bucks County has NOT recommended our school, or in any the county, to move to virtual learning. They have been instrumental in supporting that the in-person learning model is safe when following the Health and Safety Plan guidelines. Data is showing that Student-to-Student transmission of the virus is occurring outside the school day. We have been lucky. While we knew cases would occur, all of our students who have had the virus, or been exposed, have had mild symptoms.

Some updates with the shift to virtual learning that you need to know:

1. There are a few events that take place next weekend, including our musical and sporting events. These are STILL PERMITTED TO OCCUR.
   >> Any sports that were planned to practice/compete beginning November 23 are still permitted to do so at this time. If anything should change, Mrs. Flynn Hensel would update the teams as necessary. Winter sports tryouts and seasons are still scheduled as of this time, as well.
2. We will review the Virtual Learning Guidelines this week with all of our students to ensure they have no issues conferencing with their teachers.
3. We will continue classes virtually in the same way we have done so in person: 40 minute blocks of class, with 10 minutes in between. This will allow students some screen rest during the day consistently, as well as their lunch period. We will also follow the day rotations as they are listed on the calendar. All students will be provided the schedule before leaving the building this Thursday. Teachers will also communicate their plans with the classes via Canvas once the full shift to virtual learning occurs.
4. We are permitting Christmas and/or Thanksgiving socks and fun attire this week. All students are welcome to be as festive as they wish!
5. On Tuesday November 24, we will NOT have our Feast in person. We will have the FEAST once we return in person.
6. On Tuesday November 24, we will HAVE our Thanksgiving prayer service on ZOOM at 12:30 p.m. with a special schedule that day to allow for the service to happen between 6th and 7th periods. We will distribute the meeting ID and password. We invite all of our students, alum, and families to join us for this prayer service and celebrate as a community.
7. We encourage students to begin bringing their books and other items home starting Tuesday.
8. Campus Store Special Order pickups are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.
9. For any families who ordered pies from the National Honor Society Pie Sale, they will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 24. Information regarding pickup location and times will be communicated this week.
10. First Quarter Report card distribution began last week. You daughter should check her Villa Microsoft email account for her report card. All students should see it in their email by Wednesday of this week at the latest. If they can not access their Microsoft account, or if you wish to have it emailed to another address, please email me directly and I will forward it to you.
11. We will have a Townhall on Zoom in December to keep our students and families informed of any updates.

Lastly, I cannot begin to thank you all for supporting Villa and assisting the school in keeping our students safe, educated, social, and happy these past three months. We have worked so hard, and I TRULY hope you all are able to relax over the Thanksgiving break and the Christmas holiday. From our Villa staff to your families, we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Villa families,

We've received a number of phone calls and emails this week with questions concerning Villa's current school plans. I've recorded a short video answering some of the most popular questions that I've been asked. I hope that this helps put your mind at ease as we move forward with this school year. The video is available for viewing on the Villa YouTube by clicking here.

Topics covered:

• Information regarding recent Covid+ cases at Villa
• What is a Covid-19 "close contact," as defined by the Health Department?
• What is "modified quarantine"?
• No Villa staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.
• Guidelines from Bucks County vs. Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, and South Jersey
• Virtual options for our students at Villa
• Do we live stream every class at Villa?
• Good News: "Always Villa Fund" kickoff week results and incentive for a day off (Important: Monday, November 16 is now a day of for everyone. We hope our students take this day to de-stress and take some time away from schoolwork and the computer; they earned it!) *Interested in learning more about the "Always Villa Fund" and kickoff week? This video was put together for our students on Monday, followed by a fun game of Kahoot! with baby photos of our Villa staff.
• Continued mitigation protocols

We hope that you'll join us for our production of Legally Blonde: The Musical  this weekend and next, as our students and staff have been working hard to put together a fabulous show for you.

Thank you for your continued support.

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Dear Villa families,

We would like to inform you that we have recently received confirmation of positive COVID-19 tests from two of our students. The Bucks County Health Department has been made aware, and contact tracing has begun. Any students that may have had close contact with this student are in the process of being notified by the Health Department, student and/or myself. If you are not contacted, then your daughter is not on the list for possible exposure, as deemed so by guidelines from the Health Department. Those guidelines state that close contacts are defined as "those who were closer than 6 feet to the positive individual for at least 15 consecutive minutes. Both time and distance criteria must be met to qualify." We are simply notifying the entire Villa community as a courtesy and to practice an abundance of caution. 

We can tell you that  both cases were traced back to separate positive sources outside of the Villa community from Halloween, and the Villa students that tested positive are not experiencing any extreme symptoms that merited hospitalization. Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the students with COVID-19. 

With just two weeks left until our planned virtual learning period, we are thankful for the diligence of our students and staff to continue following the mitigation guidelines that we've put in place. We will continue to clean and disinfect multiple times daily, as well as promote frequent hand washing and the mandatory wearing of masks, among other protocols during the school day. We appreciate your continued awareness for taking these precautions outside of school hours.

We will continue to communicate updates with you, and we promise to do everything possible to keep your daughters safe while on campus, as we know that you are committed to doing the same at home. 

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Thank you to the Villa families that joined us for a Townhall meeting via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28. Mr. Kardish and Mrs. Carr discussed the upcoming shift to virtual learning, midterms, overall athletic and COVID updates, plus recent and upcoming events. The meeting was recorded and is available for viewing on the Villa YouTube by clicking here. 

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this school year in the safest and most successful way possible for our students and staff. Your patience and flexibility throughout 2020 is much appreciated as we continue to work through this "new normal" together.

Dear Villa Families,

Last week, we shared the news of the death of Maria Middleton '21. A beautiful but emotional prayer service was held Friday on campus. Maria's family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, as well as from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, October 15. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

This Thursday, we will have an abbreviated class schedule for the day. Classes will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 11:10 a.m. Following the end of classes at 11:10 a.m., there will be a universal lunch time for all students. Any student remaining on campus should bring a brown bag lunch on Thursday. At noon, we will livestream the Mass from our Performing Arts Center and classrooms. Students and staff not comfortable watching the livestream may sit in the cafeteria,  chapel, or designated classrooms. Busing will be available at 2:45 p.m. for regular dismissal for anyone remaining on campus. All after school activities for Thursday have been postponed to a later date. Thursday is a school uniform day.  

Any student wishing to attend any of the services on Thursday will be excused. Students attending may choose to leave from their homes (not attend classes for the day) or depart from Villa at a preferred time. (Just communicate what time they will depart and if they have permission to drive with another student or parent.) Students attending the services in person may wear their school uniform or "Mass attire." 

As we move forward this week, we want to assure you that we have support staff available. Our counselors are on site every day. If your daughter needs support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Please watch for changes in your daughter's personality and demeanor. Our teachers will also communicate if they see a student in distress. The grief process will vary from individual to individual. 

We are blessed to be in a community that can grieve together, pray together, and celebrate life together. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of our Villa staff. Please continue to pray for the Middleton family and our entire Villa community.

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Dear Class of 2021 and families,

Senior retreat is an invaluable experience that all students should have the opportunity to fully participate in.  Following the news of Maria's passing, multiple students and families have reached out regarding the imminent timing of this year's senior retreat.  After consideration, we will be adjusting our retreat schedule to ensure our students not only have the full retreat experience but also adequate time to process the passing of their dear friend and classmate. 

Seniors will still be participating in a senior gathering this Tuesday beginning at 3:00pm on our campus.  During this event, students will individually and collectively process this loss.  We know this can be a sensitive topic, and everyone grieves in their own way, so this opportunity is optional.  We will have staff on site to assist with this event.  While senior retreat is more focused around student-led talks, Tuesday's event will be more staff driven.  We plan for the event to last through dinner and we will provide the meal.  While we have no set end time, we anticipate students arriving back home by 8:00pm.  Wednesday, October 14, is now a day off for the seniors, as the underclassmen take their PSATs on that day. 

The full senior retreat experience will now take place Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22.  The format for this retreat will match the previously planned retreat.  If students have any conflicts with the new dates, they can email Mrs. McCarthy. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. McCarthy or Mrs. Carr.

We hold all of our students, especially the Class of 2021, in our hearts and minds during this difficult time.  Know that we love each and every one of your daughters, and we are here to support all of you.      

Stephanie McCarthy, Director of Mission and Ministry 
Lauren Carr '00, Principal 

Dear Villa families,

Today, we mourn the tragic loss of one of our students, Maria Middleton '21, after her courageous battle with illness. School staff and students were informed of Maria's death at 11:00 a.m. this morning, with a global phone call sent to parents at that time also.

The school building will be open until 7:00 p.m. today for any students that wish to remain on campus for support. Tomorrow, Friday, October 9, campus will be open until 5:00 p.m. with counselors on site. There will be no classes, so students may choose to stay home.

We will hold a prayer service in honor of Maria at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow on campus for the entire Villa community. If you plan to attend, please remember to keep social distancing and health guidelines in mind. In the midst of mourning, we must continue to keep our students, families, and staff safe and healthy.

Members of our C.A.R.E., Crisis and Response to Emergency Team, have been working with our counselors and other staff members to help students and faculty deal with their feelings and emotions.

Please recognize that reactions to death (and stress) are varied and can depend upon such factors as age, personality, previous losses, and relationship to Maria. If you feel your child has been or will be affected by this situation, you can assist your child by doing the following:

• Take time to listen to and talk with your child about what has happened
• Reassure your child that you will be available to help her through this difficult time
• Help your child verbalize some of the feelings she might be feeling but is unable to express
• Pray with your daughter and remind her that God is ever present in our lives
• Utilize your local parish's pastoral programs
• Reassure your child that you will do all you can to keep her safe. Providing specific examples may help reduce some fear and anxiety.
• Discuss some of the things you and your child might do to express your concern for Maria's family.
• If you are planning to allow your child to attend the Masses and services, it is best that someone accompany her. The school will provide additional information regarding memorial services in the near future.

Any changes in your child's behavior, which seem extreme and/or do not seem to go away, should be brought to the attention of the school counselors or someone in the parish or community of your choosing, who can assist your child. We will continue to have staff available at school to assist our students in coping with this loss.

We ask that you, along with the Sisters of St. Casimir, pray for the Middleton family and the entire Villa community. Thank you for your support and assistance.

Continued Prayers,

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Dear Villa families,

We would like to inform you that we have recently received confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test from one of our students. The Bucks County Health Department has been made aware, and contact tracing has begun. Any students that may have had close contact with this student have already been notified by the Health Department, student and/or myself. If you have not been contacted, then your daughter is not on the list for possible exposure. We are simply notifying the entire Villa community as a courtesy and to practice an abundance of caution. 

We can tell you that the case was traced back to a positive source outside of the Villa community, and the Villa student that tested positive is not experiencing any extreme symptoms. Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the name of the student with COVID-19. 

With the help of Villa's mandatory seating charts for every class, meeting, lunch and study periods, additional cleaning and disinfecting of the exposed locations on campus have been completed. With your participation, we believe that we can continue to create a safe environment for your daughters here at Villa. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your daughter is not experiencing symptoms. The most important things that you and your daughter can do are: wear a mask in public, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, stay home if you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, and contact your primary care provider if you or your daughter has symptoms of COVID-19.

We will continue to communicate updates with you, and we promise to do everything possible to keep your daughters safe while on campus, as we know that you are doing the same at home. 

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Dear Villa families,

We are just shy of one week away from the start of our 2020-2021 school year. I look forward to seeing our students and staff together again. Here are some back to school updates and reminders:

Click here to view Villa's Re-Opening Plan Presentation. This has been updated to include any changes that occurred since the beginning of August. The most significant changes revolve around our mask-wearing protocol and PIAA tryout dates, as well as follow ups to the Thanksgiving break and uniform policies. 

MASK WEARING: If you attended one of the first presentations, mask wearing was required in entries, hallways, during any interactions, and when entering classrooms. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education updated the requirement. All students and staff must wear masks throughout the duration of the school day. They are permitted to remove them while eating/drinking at lunch and during designated "rest breaks."

ATHLETICS: The AACA, Athletic Association of the Catholic Academies, in conjunction with the PIAA guidelines, will move forward with fall athletics. Member schools have agreed to play a league-only schedule. Additionally, they have agreed to begin tryouts on September 21, 2020. League competitions for cross country, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball will begin the week of October 12. With accommodations in place, competitions for golf may start on September 24 and tennis may start on September 28. 

UNIFORMS: Students will be required to be in uniform on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of most weeks, unless otherwise specified for special events. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students may dress down, again, unless otherwise specified. We are encouraging students to wear Villa gear on the non-uniform days. We will have some adjustments to this rotation.  For the Month of September, uniforms should be worn on the following dates: September 1, 2, 3 (not freshmen), 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 28, and 30.  Non-Uniform/Dress Down Days are the following dates: September 3 (freshmen only), 9, 11, 15, 17, 22, 24, 25, and 29.  We will communicate the uniform/non uniform days in advance of each month and reevaluate the uniform policy throughout the year.

THANKSGIVING BREAK: Villa Joseph Marie will move forward with virtual learning December 1-18, 2020, since this is the period of time when many college students return home and additional family gatherings take place. We believe that this will minimize the potential for bringing any new illnesses into the building. Events scheduled during this timeframe will be evaluated for feasibility. If an event needs to be rescheduled, we will announce the new date in the near future.

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL:

• All freshmen report in uniform September 1 from 8:00-12:30pm and September 2 (picture day) from 8:00-2:45pm. 
• Freshmen may dress down on September 3.    
• Freshmen should bring their devices with them, fully charged, on both September 2 and 3.
• Freshmen should bring a brown bagged lunch on both September 2 and 3.
• Campus store will be open from 12:30pm-2:45pm on Wednesday, September 2. Freshmen who wish to purchase the "LockerWorks" hanging organizer can do so. New LockerWorks are $25. Gently used are $10. The Campus store will not be open again until the week of September 14.
   
• All seniors, juniors, and sophomores report on September 3 (picture day) in uniform.
• All seniors, juniors, and sophomores should bring their devices with them, fully charged.
• All seniors, juniors, and sophomores should bring their own lunch on September 3.  No food will be available for purchase in the cafeteria until Tuesday, September 8.
• All seniors, please be sure your immunizations are up to date and have been submitted to the main office or nurse.
• All students wishing to change the communication phone numbers for either phone broadcast or text messages, please submit the form you received in the August 3rd mailer.

CAFETERIA: If your daughter will be purchasing food from our cafeteria at any point this year, we recommend you set up your account at this time. Click here for a flyer with instructions about how to set up your account.

ARRIVAL: On September 1-3, we ask all students to enter the building either through the main entrance or the bus porch entrance. Beginning September 8, students may also use the St. Joe's entryway.

SCHEDULES/LOCKERS/HOMEROOMS: We will give students their updated schedules with homerooms on their first day of school (either September 1 or 3, depending on grade level). Upon arrival, students may go to their homerooms where they will receive information regarding the schedule for that day, as well as locker information.

FAMILY ID: All students are required to be registered for the school year in FamilyID. If you have not filled out this registration, we ask that you to complete it as soon as possible. Please note, this is a different registration than you would have filled out if your daughter is participating in a fall sport. Mrs. Brown has emailed all families with a missing registration; we would encourage you to please check you junk folder as we have been notified by some families that her email was found there. Click this link to be directed to FamilyID: www.familyid.com/villa-joseph-marie-admissions/villa-joseph-marie-registration-2020-2021.

Lastly, we want to welcome everyone back to our Villa Joseph Marie Campus. We know this school year will look and feel different. We know that students, staff, and families have a variety of emotions and concerns. We will do everything to support the staff and students during the school day, and we know you will do everything to support your families on nights and weekends. If we all work together and make smart choices, we can return in the safest way possible. 

We look forward to a great school year. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Click here to read a letter from our league's President about the delayed start to Fall sports.

REOPENING PRESENTATIONS: We invite our students and parents to attend a Reopening Plan Presentation. We are offering multiple days and times with both in person and virtual opportunities. We request at least one member of each household to attend any ONE session before the school year begins. Our hope is to educate and reiterate our procedures and answers any questions that may arise. The signup for presentation dates/times is www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BA5AB2EA6F49-villa. 

Dear Villa families,

While I know this communication is long, I wanted to provide as much information as possible to make you feel confident in the plans we have been creating.

As of today, Villa Joseph Marie High School is planning for a full in-person reopening for the 2020-2021 school year.

I would like to highlight the major plans below, with the understanding that anything could change between now and September 1. The term fluid has been used over and over, and this plan below is no exception. We would like to invite our families to hear a detailed version of this plan in person, or virtually, during the month of August. Next week, a signup genius link will be sent out, and posted to our website, with a variety of dates and times. Our goal is to not only allow our families time to read through our full Health and Safety Plan in advance, but also to be able to answer any questions directly following the formal presentations.

• Self-symptom checking at home each morning.
• Temperature checks upon entry with a no touch thermometer for all students and staff.
• Mask wearing upon arrival, in hallways, and in classrooms. Masks can be removed in classrooms when in your seat and socially distanced from others. Masks may also be removed when eating or drinking in the cafeteria.
• Classroom desks spaced 6 feet apart or more in each room.
• Outside classroom space for all courses (weather and content permitting).
• Staggered lockers (to permit more space between students).
• Additional homerooms (to allow for fewer students in a homeroom at one time).
• Book bags to be utilized throughout the day (to promote less frequent locker stops).
• Encouraging each student to bring their own water bottle and use the filtered water bottle stations, as opposed to the water fountains.
• Individual whiteboard markers distributed to all students (to promote non sharing of items).
• Hand sanitizer, gloves, cleaning supplies, and extra face masks in all areas of the school, including at the entrance to classrooms.
• Promote walking on the right side of the hallways. (I smile about this, because this was a rule when I was a student at Villa; our Sisters of Saint Casimir would be so proud.)
• Cafeteria will be open with the ability to pre-purchase. Students/Families can place their orders in advance via the website portal. Meals will be boxed and ready for pickup at the specified lunch period. Day-of purchases will still be available, but choices may be decreased from online options. Parents may also preload funds onto a card within the portal.
• Seating staggered and spread out in the cafeteria, as well as additional seating on the outside patio (weather permitting).
• Cleaning supplies/wipes located at all vending machines and microwaves for before/after use.
• Seating charts for all classrooms, cafeteria, PAC, Chapel, etc. Students/Teachers may choose the seats for designated periods of time. Seating charts are required to assist the Board of Health in the event of any contact tracing.
• Special events will be evaluated based on the specific circumstances. Examples: Spirit Day can be moved outside instead of in the gym to promote social distancing. Masses can be run simultaneously in the PAC and in the Chapel to permit full-school Masses while still practicing social distancing.
• Athletics are following PIAA and AACA procedures to allow for maximum training and competition while still promoting safety (masks while on sidelines or in discussions with coaches/players, no masks while on the field or in play).
• Bus companies are providing their individual plans to us. Most have assigned, spaced out seating and updated cleaning procedures.
• Our nurses' suite has protocols and procedures for handling students/staff with Covid versus non-Covid related symptoms.
• An adjusted daily bell schedule that permits extended time between classes to stagger the number of students in the hallway between the change-of-class (freshmen move first, then sophomores, etc.).
• A staggered dismissal process to decrease the number of students at their lockers at any given time (2:30 bus riders are dismissed, 2:35 our drivers are dismissed, 2:40 our parent pickups are dismissed, and 2:45 our after school activities are dismissed).
• Teachers will post a weekly plan/overview by Sunday evening letting students know what will be covered each day in class. This is not only for time management purposes but also to encourage students to remain home when feeling poorly. Our hope is that they will feel less anxious about missing class if they already know what is being discussed.
• Frequent use of our Canvas and Microsoft email accounts (firstname.lastname@vjmhs.com) for dissemination of updates, letters, and report cards (as opposed to snail mail).
• No "classroom sets" of textbooks. Students will either have their own individual copy of a text or the info will be uploaded to Canvas for use.
• Daily evening cleaning of: bathrooms, doorways, entryways, water bottle fountains, hallways, cafeterias, doorknobs, and light switches.
• Twice daily cleanings of all classroom desks and chairs.
• Weekly deep cleanings of each classroom.
• Face shields provided to all staff and students through Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

The above is an overview of the variety of precautions and guidelines we will have in place. I am sure these will change. As they do, we will continue to update the document we will be placing on our website for our families.

There are a few items I want to highlight now in advance of our August presentations to the families:

HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS- There is no doubt that we have high-risk individuals within our community. They may be staff members, students, or family members. If a family has an individual that is deemed high risk and would like to speak with us, please contact me. We want to assist you in any way in making the individual feel as safe and protected as possible. In some scenarios, we may ask a class to keep their masks on during an entire class period, even when socially distanced, out of respect for the anonymous individual.

ABSENCES- In years past, it was evident that students would come to school when sick for fear of missing out on content, finishing a presentation, or even striving for that perfect attendance award. This year, we truly want to encourage our students and staff to STAY HOME when they have any symptoms of not feeling well. After seeing how CANVAS and our online conferencing tools worked this past Spring, we know that students have the capability of watching a class live if requested or chatting with their teacher during a time frame to catch up when needed. I also want to recognize that we as a school community need to be caring and non-assuming when an individual is not in school. Just because a student or staff member is not in the building does not mean they have the virus. Many families are still making normal appointments for the dentist and routine visits, in addition to local college tours and more.

COVID POSITIVE SCENARIOS- While I would love to say that we will be Covid free this entire year, I need to also be realistic about "what happens if…" If we have a confirmed Covid positive individual, we will follow the guidelines that the Bucks County Department of Health has provided us. These guidelines include proper sanitizing, assistance in contact tracing, dissemination of appropriate information to potentially exposed individuals, and return-to-school protocols. This information is mapped out in our presentation to all families. If an outbreak occurs in the school or in our community, we will follow the directives of the Department of Health.

ONLINE LEARNING- As a school, we would move to an online learning model if [1.] The Government required a shutdown similar to the Spring or [2.] we had a surge internally within the school of Covid positive cases. In either scenario, if that should happen, we would disseminate information regarding how long the online learning would take place and what each daily rotation would look like. Should we move to online learning, a separate addendum to our handbook will be provided to students. This addendum includes policies for keeping your camera on during class conferencing, checking in for attendance, time stamps on work submissions, etc.

There are a few items we are still investigating. We have not made a definitive decision on whether midterms/finals will be held this year. If we remain in the building, with little to no online learning, then we would keep our standard exam policy. If we see any kind of shift with in-person instruction, we would revisit our exam procedures. The second item we are still discussing is the potential for an extended holiday break following Thanksgiving. One of the scheduling options we have considered is remaining in person until Thanksgiving and moving to online instruction until after the New Year. This is being considered as many families have other children, who potentially have been in contact with more individuals, returning home from college at Thanksgiving, as well as the multiple gatherings families tend to have at this time. We will let you know before the academic year begins if we will utilize this model. The last item we will be sending a survey out about is uniforms. We want our students to wear their Villa uniforms. We also recognize that many families only purchase ONE kilt. Our hope would be that each student is coming into school daily with a freshly washed uniform to help protect the health of everyone else. If we find that families only have minimal number of uniform pieces that may not be able to be cleaned daily, we may move to uniforms on certain days and dress downs on others. These three items above will be readdressed at the presentations in August.

Throughout the past few months, we have all been juggling a new variety of challenges: working from home, learning virtually from our living rooms, taking care of family members, weighing the risks of going to the grocery store, deciding whether to take that trip to the beach or not, etc. It has not been a "normal" summer for any of us. What is normal though is the support and positivity that our Villa staff and community have been offering. Over the past 8 weeks, we have received numerous emails, phone calls, and social media posts complementing our teachers on the profound job they did to keep the academics at Villa alive. Notes of gratitude and recognition, while not needed, have kept the spirit blooming throughout this ever-changing dialogue of Covid guidelines and protocols.

Our hope is for a school year with our Villa community together — healthy and learning and living the Villa experiences. I will be back in touch soon with updates and information regarding the start of school. If you have any questions, please contact me. I am happy to discuss all concerns.

Dear Villa families,

It's the first week of July, and we are in full planning mode for our Fall reopening.  We have been provided with numerous guidelines to adhere to for the safety of our students and our staff.  We have been diligently adjusting classroom layouts to spread our students' desks apart and have been ordering ample supplies to keep us disinfected and ahead of the curve upon reopening.

Our plan at this time is a full opening for our students.  Studies show that students need in-person schooling, not only for academic purposes but also for socialization and mental health.  We want you to be sure that Villa will do everything in our power to keep our families up to date on changes in protocols and guidelines.  We value the feelings of our families and have created a survey for you.  Please fill this survey out on or before July 12: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z5CJWVJ (We ask that only current parents of the Classes of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 participate in this survey.)

A few items that you can count on in the Fall:

• continuing small class sizes to maximize the distance between desks in each room
• independent symptom screenings at home
• temperature checks upon arrival for students and staff
• mask wearing on district buses and upon arrival, but not mandated within the classroom setting
• backpacks permitted to reduce gathering at the lockers
• pre-ordering (using a website/app) of cafeteria food with boxed style meals
• enhanced cleaning and sanitation of the entire building
• adjusted daily bell schedule to permit staggered dismissal times both in between classes and at the end of day

Please keep in mind everything mentioned above is where we are thinking right now.  This situation has remained fluid since day one and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.  If studies or mandates are provided that guide us to adjust some of the recommendations, we absolutely will do so.   

I invite all of our community to attend an in-person or online update of our plans.  Multiple dates and times will be sent out later this month. An exact replica of the presentation, as well as our Health and Safety Plan, will be posted to our website.  We want all of our families to have the opportunity to hear the many ways we will educate your daughters this upcoming school year amidst this global crisis. 

For those students taking an Advanced Placement course, summer assignments have been posted to your Canvas page.  Freshman families, you will have additional communication from us with the appropriate login information.  Any student needing a textbook for an assignment is welcome to pick it up Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or if you are on campus for a camp, course, or sport. 

As you know, many of our Spring events had to be altered and, in some cases, postponed or cancelled.  The students scheduled to participate in our summer Haiti trip will have the opportunity to attend our next one in its place.  Our prom was postponed to June, and then postponed again.  At this time, we are not able to find a venue that could feasibly and safely welcome our students and their guests, either with or without mask wearing as part of both the attire and the meal portion of the night.  Our goal is to continue to reimagine this event and plan for a large gathering when possible.  Our Legally Blonde: The Musical performance that was scheduled for this past Spring will now be the feature production this Fall in our Performing Arts Center.  If there was an event that you had questions about, please feel free to contact myself or the moderator of the specific event.

While the past few months may have looked and felt a little different, please know that we are still Villa.  We still have our traditions — both old, like Spirit Days and the Feast, and new, like our "Be the Light" car parade — that make being in person at Villa that much more special.  We are beyond excited to see our Jems back in the building, cheering each other on, celebrating accomplishments, and supporting one another always.   

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

• Our end-of-the year Class Awards for Underclassmen will happen via ZOOM on Friday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m.
• The Meeting ID and Password are posted in your class Canvas announcements, as well as being included in the weekly Calendar email sent on Friday, May 29. Please share the info with family who may wish to watch as well. 
• We look forward to seeing all of you virtually and hope you are all staying well!  

On Wednesday, May 20, we will host our Class of 2020 Senior Baccalaureate Tribute at 7:00 p.m. on the online platform, ZOOM. Senior parents received the ZOOM Meeting ID and password in an email sent on Tuesday, May 19. This information can also be found on Canvas in a Senior announcement posted on Tuesday, May 19. 

We apologize for the inconvenience. There was an issue with the recording of this conference. Please refer to the notes below if you were unable to attend live, and contact us with any questions.

Topics discussed during the conference on May 19: 

• Show up to your last few conferences this week, and get in those final assignments!
• Spirit Week details - Freshmen are leading the pack! Let’s go, Jems! 
• Locker Cleanout - Tuesday-Thursday next week: Mrs. Brown will send you a SignUp Genius for you to select a time slot.
  • Must wear a mask and be free of any symptoms in the last 14 days. We'd be happy to set up a time slot later for you if you are sick now.
  • Bring back your textbooks. There will be tables in the gym set up for books.
  • Bring something to put the items in your locker in to take home. Trash cans are available throughout the building for you to throw anything out.
  • Bring back: Books, Athletic Uniforms, Library books
  • You do need to return your swipe cards, unless you are in a summer course.
  • We will distribute any items that we have at that point for you -- including athletic letters, awards, plus a special surprise -- just a small token of love from Villa! We hope that we will also be able to give you your schedules for next year at this time. If they aren't complete when you arrive, we will send them to you later. They are very close to being done now.
  • Remember social distancing.
  • Juniors & Sophomores: Please park in the front lot (where Mr. Kardish typically welcomes you).
  • Freshmen: Please park in St. Joe's wing.
  • No one can come into the building with you.
• Obligations: Contact Mr. Labencki or Mr. Kardish.
• Big Sister/Little Sister videos due soon! Look for an email from Ms. Gorman soon.
• Virtual Awards ceremony on Friday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m., same as if we were in person
• Students enrolled in a summer class: You’ll be hearing from Mrs. Carr soon.
• Summer camps are still open! Not sure if in person or online. More details coming soon. There are still no fees associated with signing up! Visit www.vjmhs.org/summer.
• Ascension Thursday Prayer Service: this Thursday at 2:45 p.m.
• Prom: Still planned for June 12, will reschedule if needed, waiting to hear restrictions
• State of the School: Sometime in June. Details coming soon.
• Question regarding AP summer work: AP summer courses will be set up as clubs on Canvas, and any assignments will be posted there. We will coordinate the distribution of text books. 
• Question regarding Class Rings and Kampus Clothes order: Waiting to hear back with details from them
• Question regarding Financial Obligations: What are they? Anything you have still due, not Prom fee.
• Questions regarding NYC trip and Spring Sports Fee refunds: Forms are available on the school website for NYC (www.vjmhs.org/campuslife/studentactivities) and Spring Sports fees (www.vjmhs.org/athletics/becoming-a-jem)
• Question regarding rising Senior pictures: Waiting to hear back with details from the studio
• Question regarding the availability of administration over the summer: We're here! Just email us.
• Question regarding "Legally Blonde": It is still in our plan to have the play as soon as the restrictions are lifted!
• Question regarding length of locker clean out: 20 minutes
• Question regarding Swipe Cards: Turn them in, unless you are in a summer course
• Question regarding medication in the nurse’s office: Pick it up during locker cleanout next week.
• Question regarding Summer Courses: More info coming soon from Mrs. Carr.
• Question regarding Haiti: We are still going, just not sure when. Airline gave us full credit already. We are waiting until restrictions are lifted. Hopefully August -- if not, then everyone that was scheduled to go this summer would have a spot on the December trip.

• Locker Cleanout - Monday-Wednesday next week: A SignUp Genius in the Senior Canvas page will be posted immediately following this conference.
  • Very important that you only sign up on the link designated for your homeroom
  • Must wear a mask
  • Bring back your textbooks. There will be tables in the gym set up for books.
  • Bring something to put the items in your locker in to take home.
  • Bring back: Books, Athletic Uniforms, Library books
  • You do not need to return your swipe cards.
  • We will distribute any items that we have at that point for you.
  • Remember social distancing.
  • Use the main entrance at the front of the building. There will only be 10 of you here at a time.
• Obligations: Contact Mr. Labencki or Mr. Kardish.
• Baccalaureate
  • Not at Spring Mill
  • Virtual event
  • We will be doing this through Zoom, so that you can all see each other on screen and invite others in your family to watch.
  • On Tuesday, you’ll receive the Meeting ID and password.
  • Speaking Mr. Kardish, Mrs. Carr, Mrs. Whalen, Senior class officers, then Awards, Senior poem from the newspaper will be read, and the evening will end with the Senior slideshow (This slideshow is different than the “Be the Light” montage.)
  • No dress code, but get dressed up if you’d like!
• Graduation
  • Please reserve May 30
  • You will be receiving a phone call from Mrs. Carr next week, beginning Monday, with the details for Graduation.
  • There will be a virtual graduation practice. Time TBD.
• Question regarding book drive: Cancelled, because of the number of people that need to have their hands on the books. Too much of a risk this year.
• Question regarding Prom: Still planned forJune 12, will reassess closer to that date if necessary, cannot be held at Villa
• Question regarding Service Hours: Not required this year

Topics discussed during the conference on May 5:

• A sincere thank you to everyone that made “Become the Light” such a special event last night. Photos and video will be available on social media and at vjmhs.smugmug.com.
• Mr. Kardish and Mrs. Carr will hold another live conference just for the senior class on Wednesday, May 13, time TBD (to work around AP exams). Plans for baccalaureate, class picture, graduation, etc. will be discussed. **Time updated: 4pm.
• Underclassmen, we didn't forget about you. We're planning some fun things for you too. Stay tuned!
• Reminder: May 14 - last day of instruction for seniors
• Reminder: May 21 - last day of instruction for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
• More info to come about the last week of school (May 26-29)
• Homework (optional) from Mr. Kardish: We want to hear about a surprise or something good that you've encountered over the last few weeks. Share your good news! Email Mr. Kardish at tkardish@vjmhs.org.
• Auction details: Bid online now until Saturday, May 9! So many fun items and experiences are available. Highlights of certain items and categories were shared. Bid high and often FOR THE GIRLS!

Villa’s “Be the light” senior event is postponed until Monday, May 4, due to high wind and thunder/lightning warnings. Monday is sunny and 70 as of today, so we look forward to seeing our senior class then! 

Seniors: Here is the playlist your teachers have created for the event: 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QX9QjfXwBTFNZF3BmrnHO?si=2Bxkkx9PT2-g56EgZMKpFA&fbclid=IwAR303z9erWzoL9qIgxkao4RgirxVUegtPzH_yaZA1cu55cBwUbQEvlrkrWQ

Dear Senior Families,

We will host a "Become the Light" event for our Seniors on Thursday, April 30, at Villa. If you are not familiar with this event, "Become the Light" recognizes Seniors at 8:20 p.m. (which in military time is 20:20, a shout out to the Class of 2020).  During the event, schools turn on their campus lights (in our case, the school hallways, Maria Hall, Regina Hall, garages, and field lights), which can then be seen throughout the community as a symbol of strength, solidarity, recognition, and celebration for our Class of 2020.  The attendees will “parade” around the campus in their cars.  We have planned some fun surprises along their drive at Villa, as well.

While this event is optional for the seniors, we do hope they participate. Bottom line, we miss the girls tremendously and thought this would be a great way for the staff to see their real faces and not screen faces (even if it is through a car window). Because we are still under Government mandates, we have coordinated with the local authorities and set the following guidelines to make this a successful and safe event:

• We are permitted ONE vehicle PER Senior Student on campus for this event. 
• Individuals within the vehicle should be members of the same household.
• Decorating of cars is encouraged.
• Vehicles can arrive on campus at 8:00 p.m. and will be directed to the appropriate location.  The parade loop will begin at 8:20 p.m. and will last approximately 20 minutes.
• No individuals are permitted to congregate outside of their vehicles. Opened windows and sunroofs are permitted.
• Once the event has concluded, we have been asked to remind seniors and families to return home.
• This event will be rain or shine.

We miss our Seniors so much.  We know this is not the final quarter of their Senior year that we, or you, envisioned.  We continue to work hard brainstorming new ways to make the end of the year as memorable as possible for the girls in light of the circumstances that are impacting the world. Please be patient, as we want to be sure that our plans are safe and follow all Government mandates before sharing details with you. Information will be forthcoming about May events for our Class of 2020. Additionally, we will be hosting an upcoming broadcast just for senior parents in the near future. Stay tuned!

We look forward to seeing the Seniors next week at our “Become the Light” event, as well as on Canvas for their virtual classes, prayer services, club meetings, and during Wednesday’s senior lunch.

For reference, any school sponsored event or school communication will always be sent via email, appear on our website (www.vjmhs.org/careplan), be highlighted on our social media, and in most cases, also sent out via a phone call.  We utilize the Canvas page as well for individual grade announcements. In the meantime, please contact us if you have any questions.

Stay safe and stay healthy,

Lauren Carr '00, Principal 
Thomas Kardish, President

We officially opened our virtual doors on Thursday for our Spring Open House. Even though we wanted to meet all of our future Jems in person, it was necessary for us to continue social distancing at this time. Please share our virtual Open House at www.vjmhs.org/openhouse with anyone that may be interested in Villa.

Topics discussed during the conference on April 16:

• Gov. Wolf closing schools through the end of the school year
• Events cancelled since the first conference (not under our control): PIAA spring sports and winter championships, Senior Disney trip, Europe trip
• Academic updates: What is Office Hour Wednesday? Time needed for screen rest and time for communication with teachers, counselors, etc.
• AP testing: Optional, but recommended. Definitive answer as to whether or not each student will be taking her AP tests are due by April 24. On days that students take AP tests, they are not required to attend any other classes -- same as if we we're doing this in person at school. Teachers are aware.
• Report cards: Digitally sent to each student's Microsoft account (firstname.lastname@vjmhs.com). Email Mrs. Carr if you prefer that the report card be sent to a different email or if you have any questions regarding any grades. No comment numbers are included with this, as the teachers were not able to input their own grades into the system during this time. (All grade inputting was done by Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Hurlbert during the closure.) 
• Grading: No exams, so the 2nd semester grade will be calculated by averaging the 3rd quarter & 4th quarter grades equally. (This is typically calculated by 40% 3rd quarter, 40% 4th quarter, 20% finals.)
• Parent question regarding why we aren't switching to Pass/Fail grading: We didn't lose any instructional time (like some other schools that lost 4 weeks of learning). Pass/Fail would not add to their GPA. Report Cards will have a designation noting that this period of time included online learning during the Covid pandemic.
• Course selection: Inputting begins on Monday, April 20. Mrs. Carr will contact you if something that you chose doesn't work. Typically takes about 3-4 weeks to complete this process.
• Seniors last day for online instruction is May 14 -- same as in school.
• Summer school is still running. Online or in person will be determined by local mandates, TBD. Mrs. Carr will contact you in the next couple weeks about your syllabus, books, etc.
• Parents' Guild Executive Board elections happening at www.vjmhs.org/parents/parentsguild (until June 1).
• Parent question regarding students accessing the building: Not at this time, but if there is anything in your locker that you need/want, just email Mrs. Carr to let her know that information plus your locker number. We'll find a way to get it to you. (This is not locker cleanout or book return. That will be done at a later time.)
• Things not yet cancelled at this time: Haiti trip (airlines did refund, so currently planning another time to go, TBD); Graduation (hopeful for Basilica on our date, additional dates/locations being planned, more info to come); Spirit Day (Currently brainstorming ideas! When we're able to have this on the property, we will do this when we're allowed, even if that's after school ends.)
• Parent question regarding Senior photos (for juniors): Mrs. Brown will be in contact. They are not typically done on campus, so we're waiting for information from the studio.
• Parent question regarding Vespers: Still happening! Mrs. McCarthy will be in touch.
• Parent question regarding Prom: Yes, it is still on June 12.
• Lots of positive feedback over the last few weeks -- Thank you! (Families making masks, students penpal-ing nursing home residents and Sister of St. Casimir, many donations to Sarnelli House, car drive-by celebrations, Mr. Gentile will be using Villa's 3D printer to make vital PPE to donate)
• Parent question regarding Baccalaureate: Waiting to hear from Spring Mill, TBD
• Parent question regarding Senior Skip Day: (All Laughing) "Go for it. Presidential pardon."
• Parent question regarding the last day of instruction for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: Thursday before Memorial Day, May 21 (Seniors is May 14.)
• Parent question regarding "Legally Blonde": Waiting on the local stay-at-home mandates to lift. We will be rescheduling this, TBD.
• Parent question regarding the week originally planned for finals (last week of May): Information coming soon regarding final awards, May Crowning, etc.
• Parent question regarding senior caps/gowns and the large group photo: As soon as they arrive, we will get them to you -- currently on a truck in Chicago! We will set a new date for the senior group photo.
• Parent question regarding Prom on June 12: If we are unable to have it on that date because of the stay-at-home mandates, we will continue to push it back. The same applies to Graduation.

Dear Villa Community,

I hope your Easter break and holiday was a time to disconnect (even for a brief moment) and share some new traditions, or recreate some existing ones. Here are some recent updates:

1. We will not be mailing home Third Quarter report cards this year. Rather, we will send them electronically to your daughters' Microsoft email account (firstname.lastname@vjmhs.com) . If your daughter does not receive this by Friday April 17, 2020, please email me directly. If you prefer this be emailed to your personal email address, please also contact me directly.
2. Course selection sheets were due this week. If you have still not submitted it, please forward it at this time. If you have questions regarding course selection, please contact myself or a guidance counselor for assistance. Scheduling for next year will begin next week. We anticipate mailing (or emailing) 2020-2021 schedules within the next four weeks.
3. Starting next week and for the remainder of this academic year, we will now have OFFICE HOURS days every Wednesday. These days are non-instructional days. Students may use them for screen rest, for meetings with instructors or counselors, or for play and relaxation.
4. Mr. Kardish and I will host another live conference this Thursday at 3:00 p.m. If you wish to watch, simply login into your daughter's Canvas account. Click Conferences on the left hand side. Then Join the conference labeled Administrative Update April 16, 2020. If you are unable to attend, it will be recorded for future viewing.

Lastly, we know that on Thursday Governor Wolf announced the closure of all schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This was not the news anyone hoped for. Be assured though, our staff and community are hear for you. Our online learning is continuing. Our events are being rescheduled. While our new normal does not feel the same, know that the Villa spirit is alive and well. We are here to support all of you: students, parents, families, and staff. Please contact us with any questions. We will continue be transparent as information is updated.

Stay safe and Stay Healthy,

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Easter greetings Villa families,

Here I sit, another week in my office, another week of no students, and another week of wondering what is yet to come for this school year. While this is not the 2020 Spring break I expected, it is one I am being OPEN to. I am hopeful we will see our students soon in the halls, on the fields, in the classrooms, and walking across the altar of the Basilica in a few weeks.

Thank you for offering your feedback using the online survey we sent out over a week ago. We have evaluated your comments and have resolved to make a few changes to the online learning. Remember, this is new to everyone, so making changes for the benefit of our students is our highest priority.

1. We will implement a universal OFFICE HOURS DAY every Wednesday beginning the week of April 20 (and continuing every week we have five days). This means on Wednesdays (we wear pink…Mean Girls, anybody?) there will be no lessons or new assignments. On Wednesdays, students may use that time to continue working on assignments previously assigned (or get ahead); to take a day of screen rest and step away from their devices; to contact guidance, teachers, or administrators and conduct virtual office visits if needed; to get outside and enjoy the fresh air (in your yard…not in parks or public places). Staff will still respond to emails in the normal timely fashion throughout the week, but on Wednesdays you can “reserve” a time to chat with them virtually if needed. Simply email your teachers a day or two before and set up a time. Classes will run like normal the other four days each week. A schedule for the remaining weeks of school (should we not return to the building) are listed below. 
    

2. AP Exams this year will be OPTIONAL. Villa Joseph Marie highly encourages students to take the AP exams, as they have worked diligently all year, preparing for these tests. We will update you as new information is released. For now, here is what we know: 

   a. Exams will be administered between May 11-22
   b. Exams will be taken at home or in schools (if reopened by then)
   c. Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide. (Eastern time zone exams are at noon, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm on each date depending on which subject you are taking).
   d. Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question will be timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question. 
   e. For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, plus an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
   f. AP Art will use portfolio submissions and will NOT have an online exam.
   g. Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions 3 and 4 on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. Additional details will be provided in the upcoming weeks to help students prepare.
   h. Collegeboard is confident that the vast majority of Higher Ed institutions will award credit as they have in the past. They’ve spoken with hundreds of institutions across the country that support the solution for this year’s AP Exams.
   i. Scores will be released in July.
   j. AP exams are open-note format this year.
   k. More information for students can be found here: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/students/taking-ap-exams
   l. We will request a final decision as to which exams you are going to take and which you will not by April 24, 2020.
   m. Payment and refund instructions will be provided in a separate email in the upcoming weeks.

3. Final Exams have been cancelled for this year. Third quarter report cards will be mailed home in approximately another week. For the fourth quarter, students will be receiving the letter grade earned in each class. For the Semester 2 grade, we will average 3rd and 4th quarters, and assign the corresponding letter to that course. For example, Quarter 3 is a 90% (B+) and Quarter 4 is a 95% (A). The Semester 2 grade is a 92.5%/A- (90+ 95 = 185, divided by 2 = 92.5)

I wish more than anything we could be celebrating the start of spring by watching a performance of Legally Blonde, or enjoying a softball game on the fields, or even laughing at the girls run around campus finding Easter eggs. While we are not together under one roof, we are always connected in spirit. I wish you Easter blessings. Rejoice as we anticipate the resurrection of our Lord. Stay safe and stay healthy.

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, my husband and I are blessed to have three children. When they were young and facing a challenge, we were delighted to have them come to us for our thoughts and for support. We would listen, sometimes offering a new way to look at the situation or sharing a similar personal circumstance, always offering comfort. As these discussions would near their close, our children always knew they would be given the same task: "Quick, give me three things!" They knew we wanted them to find three things for which they were grateful at that moment. It would take a second or two for them to switch gears and to focus on the positive but, inevitably, their moods would change, even for a short time.

Today, even as our three are now young adults, I find that we continue to take this same approach with their trials, but now I also challenge myself with this same small task. Anxious about aging parents and their care?  I remember that they are safe in their homes, that loved ones are physically closer to them to ensure that they have what food and medical care they need, and that I can contact them at any time by phone, email, or video conferencing. Bearing the stresses of our "new normal," both at school and at home?  I remind myself what a blessing it is to work with amazing faculty, staff, students, Alumnae, and parent volunteers; that we are all in this together; that I have work that allows me to share my God-given talents with others; and that, at the end of the day, I live with people who love me just because I am me, which sometimes means they will challenge me to be my best self. (Yes, I know that is more than three things for which I am grateful on this one, but consider yourself lucky that I stopped at only four!) Sad for the state of the world in this uncertain time?  I give thanks for the healthcare workers and first responders that are on the front lines of this crisis, for the toilet paper that was finally found (after looking in four other stores!) at Walmart, and for the time I now have with my immediate family to talk, play a game, or watch a movie together.

This situation is scary. This situation is stressful. This situation is sad. These are ALL normal and appropriate emotions, at this time. But, even in the seeming enormity of this crisis, I believe that this, too, will pass. Will things be changed? Of course, they will. But I trust in Him who is mightier than me. And I pray — a lot!

Please know that you are missed and that we look forward to the day when our Villa Family is together again. In the meantime, I challenge you — what are your "three"?

Peace and all God's blessings on you and your families during this coming Easter Week, and always!

Mrs. McDonald 
Director of Institutional Advancement

For the email sent to the Class of 2023, click here.

For the email sent to the Class of 2021 & Class of 2022, click here.

Due to the recent national and local Bucks County mandates regarding social distancing, Villa will continue with online learning through May 1, with a hopeful return to the building on Monday, May 4. Be on the lookout this week for some updates in your emails and here at vjmhs.org/careplan. These updates include items related to course selection, as well as the itemized list of topics covered during this past weekend’s live conference with Mr. Kardish and Mrs. Carr.

A recording of Saturday’s conference is available on Canvas in the 2019-2020 student body module under conferences and then choose "March 28, 2020 Administrative Update" and click “presentation” underneath. (Note: You must be logged in as a current student.)

Open Conference

We invite all our students and families to view a live conference with Mr. Kardish and I this Saturday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m. The conference will allow us to address many of the questions you communicated to us either through email or through the survey that was sent out earlier this week. There is a "public chat" forum available during the broadcast. Feel free to submit additional questions. We will address them either at the end of the broadcast or in a later communication. Joining is easy:

1. Have your daughter login to HER Canvas account.
2. Click on the 1920 Student Body course.
3. On the left hand side, click Conferences.
4. Under the New Conference tab, JOIN the one labeled March 28, 2020 Administrative Update.

You can join the conference anytime beginning at 9:50 a.m., and throughout the duration of the broadcast. We will be recording the meeting, so if you are unable to attend or have connection issues, you can watch it at a later time. The purpose for this conference is to simply communicate what we have in place already and provide any updates for past or future events that we have at this time.

Upcoming Schedule

• There will be no virtual conferences tomorrow, March 27, 2020.
• Online learning will continue next week, March 30-April 3, 2020.
• Villa's scheduled Easter break will be April 6-13, 2020.

Self-Guided Online Lenten Retreat

Dear Villa Families,

We made it through a full week (and some)  of online learning. Let's be honest: this is hard. It is hard to not see our students and staff every day. It is hard to have to switch a lifetime of routine around in pretty much a week. It is hard to get creative and develop lessons that meet all of our students' needs, while accurately reflecting the curriculum, and still make class engaging — all while doing it from behind a computer screen. It is hard not having athletics and clubs and activities to de-stress and decompress. It is hard trying to record social media videos with a toddler and an infant in the background. It is hard having to attend Mass from my living room sofa, and not be in MY pew next to my "regular" parishioners. It is hard having to question which events need to be cancelled, postponed, or left on the calendar as is, because of all the "what ifs" that still exist. It is hard being home with so many distractions. For some, it is hard NOT being home with our loved ones during this unknown time. It is hard to be a student, a teacher, a parent, a senior, a medical professional, a "front line" employee, or any "essential" personnel.

What is easy though? It is easy to see we are lucky to have a roof over our heads. It is easy to appreciate technology, that for a lot of us, was previously a privilege, but now is a necessity in many ways. It is easy to smile when we get that screen share of our students during our class period. It is easy to get creative with our lessons when we realize some students work better online. It is easy to witness the student who manages their time well and hear they finished all their assignments before noon. It is easy to help the student who doesn't manage their time well by sending a weekly planner with specific deadlines, checklists, and details all in one file. It is easy to "reinvent the wheel" of what education should look like when there are no true instruction manuals to rely on. It is easy to take that walk, run round the yard with a sibling, plant a garden, or chalk on the sidewalk on that sunny day now. It is easy to appreciate ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD when the clubs, the sports, and the activities have to be paused momentarily. It is easy to record social media videos with a toddler and infant in the background (especially when they get us more comments than a standard social media post). It is easy to virtually attend Mass all over the world from the comfort of your own home (all while wearing your "Sunday best"…sweatpants!)  It is easy to recognize that events are what create lasting memories. It is easy to weigh the risks of hosting an event now versus hosting it in two months. It is easy to appreciate the distractions at home. Whether those distractions are potty training a three-year-old (because why not…we have nowhere to go), finally painting that spare room that you have been putting off for months, or actually finishing the laundry (dried, folded, and …gasp…put away in the drawers), they are now being completed. It is easy to appreciate your loved ones. It is easy to do a puzzle, play a board game, or do charades. It is easy to Facetime with grandparents, cousins, and even friends who you may not have seen in a while because everyone's schedules were too filled. It is easy to look at certain professions in a whole night light.

I sit here at my computer desk in my school office writing to all of you today. I have been here every day since March 13. It is hard not being home with my boys every day, but it is easy to recognize that I had a maternity leave just two short months ago. Whether you are feeling the hard aspects of this global crisis or are reflecting on the easy ones, I encourage all of you to find that perspective balance.

As of right now, we are anticipating a return to school on April 14, 2020. I truly hope that happens. I do not have a crystal ball, or an inside source, but I do have faith that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. For experiences that get rescheduled, the memories will still be created. For events that get cancelled this year, we promise that next year's events will be bigger and better. We're confident that our Villa family will emerge from this more connected and stronger than ever.

We miss you all. Stay safe, stay healthy, and "Let it be".

Lauren Carr '00, Principal

Dear Villa Joseph Marie Students and Families,

Dear Villa Family,

The past several weeks have certainly been unthinkable as news reports from afar have become our unimaginable present here at home. Believe it or not, this week was supposed to be one of my favorite weeks of the year, as I planned to travel with students to visit the more than 40 Sisters of St. Casimir in Chicago. Instead, we are facing very understandable questions concerning the future, which can cause anxious laughter at best as we try to communicate that which we just don't know.

These days are definitely a time when we all KNOW that God is in charge — not us — and that this is an opportunity to rely on Him who loves us, especially in times of uncertainty and stress.

Mother Maria's words can inspire us: "What will sustain us in these dark hours and encourage us to do the right? It is Faith in God's Providence, the Hope of a better, brighter future, and a complete Trust in the help of The Most High."

There are some certainties that I CAN report on though — there was a beautiful sunrise on my drive in today to school. We had nearly 100% attendance as students have begun their studies on the online portion of Canvas. And, I have witnessed the most committed faculty and staff respond incredibly well to the challenge of our times.

Our faculty has been trained; most technology challenges have been overcome; and our entire community has rallied around each other as we have entered this new world of the present. I know we have had a few light-hearted hiccups (Cameos of younger family members being the most common!)  but I would like to especially acknowledge our IT "Department," Ms. Karla Hurlbert, as she ensured that each member of the faculty was ready to teach and each student was ready to learn.

Another certainty we all knew already, but has been on display every day recently, is the leadership provided by our principal, Mrs. Lauren Carr. Our school was prepared, as we were in our third year utilizing the Canvas learning management system, and when it became apparent that we had to adjust quickly, she led us with decisiveness and clarity. I know I am grateful that she is a key member of our community, and no matter what the future brings, I am confident the students of Villa Joseph Marie will always be afforded the best education that is available.

As I am sure is the case at your home, the world at the Kardish household was turned upside down in the last week. Christine and I had to move out two children with college dorms closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday. We also brought home two of their classmates, as they did not readily have places to go. So our two-person family is now back to six, and we definitely do not have enough WiFi! Our normal procedures have totally been altered (Do we hold hands to pray grace?), so I suppose the best thing to do is simply live as best we can and try to be considerate as we can to others. We are calling and dropping off meals to the grandparents and trying to do our best to stay healthy ourselves and keep others safe as well.

Finally, I'd like to suggest a few things to think about as we attempt to make the best out of our circumstances. With the change in our schedules and daily routines, I believe this is a chance to experience a bit of a different type of Lent. Perhaps there is a book or prayer practice that you "just never could get to"; perhaps there is a new hobby or craft you would like to try. For me, I am finally going to work on that often neglected chore list — including cleaning out my office files — and maybe de-clutter the garage! Now is the perfect time to get outside your normal "box" and think differently about your future goals and plans. It is also a good time to go back to the future with some old-fashioned family activities. For us, that's a puzzle and watching The Godfather;  believe it or not, it's the first time for the college kids.

Thank you for your commitment to the education of our Villa Jems and to our amazing community! I find great comfort in these uncertain times to have this wonderful institution to call my home. It is times like this — when my own children (and a few others)  are home — that make me realize at the end of the day, our kids are the only future that counts.

You'll be hearing from us often, and we commit to thinking of new ways to bring our community together — even when we are supposed to stay apart. Please reach out to me at any time if we can assist your families. We will get through this together, as a community!

Love and prayers (for good health for us all),

Tom Kardish
President

Good afternoon, Villa families. The following are reminders for the Villa community.

• Tomorrow, Monday, March 16: The building will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for any students who need to get items from their lockers. This is the only day the building will be open.
• Students will begin online learning this Wednesday, March 18. Teachers will be updating Canvas by mid-afternoon on Tuesday — at the latest — with the individual course plan and online office hours.
• Administration will be checking their emails between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily throughout the closure. If you need to reach anyone in the building, email will be your best means of communication during the closure.
• All Athletics and extracurricular activities are postponed through March 29. See additional information below.

The following events are postponed. We realize the importance of these events to our students, and we will make every effort to reschedule them.

• March 20: Retreat
• March 21: Practice Test (www.vjmhs.org/admissions/67)
• March 26: Vespers
• March 28: Auction *rescheduled for May 9 (www.vjmhs.org/auction)
• April 1: Jazz Concert
• April 3-5: Spring Musical “Legally Blonde” (www.vjmhs.org/musical)

At this time, it is our hope that the Villa Prom, Career Day, Open House, and events following these in April and May can continue as scheduled.

• April 17: Prom
• April 23: Career Day and Open House 

We will provide additional updates on these and future events in the coming weeks. We thank you for your flexibility. Prayers to all during this scenario and please be safe and healthy. 

Tom Kardish 
President

Lauren Carr 
Principal

Villa is taking precautions and following the guidelines from the Department of Health and the CDC to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Due to heightened concerns about public gatherings, Villa has decided to shift to online learning beginning this week and continuing through March 29, when we will reevaluate the academic situation with the hope of returning to school on Monday, March 30. What students should expect next week:

Monday, March 16:

• No School - Teacher Prep Day
• The school building will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm if any students would like to stop by to pick up anything from their lockers. You must enter through the main entrance; your swipes will not work.
• Mrs. Hurlbert will be available for computer troubleshooting from 11:00am to 8:00pm. 
• User Guide and Instructions for online learning will be posted to Canvas by Monday morning for students to review in preparation for classes to resume on Wednesday.

Tuesday, March 17:

• No School - Teacher Prep Day

Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 27:

• Online learning via Canvas begins. Students will follow a Schedule A and continue with the set rotations each day virtually:
  • Wednesday, March 18: Day 3
  • Thursday, March 19: Day 4
  • Friday, March 20: Day 5
  • Monday, March 23: Day 6-5
  • Tuesday, March 24: Day 1
  • Wednesday, March 25: Day 2
  • Thursday, March 26: Day 3
  • Friday, March 27: Day 4

Click here to download a document with additional details about the next two weeks, including virtual conferences, lockers, BYOD, quarter grades, class plans, teacher office hours, course selection, overall professionalism, and the block and period rotation schedules. (If anyone had trouble originally downloading and viewing the Word doc, the file above is now updated to a PDF.)

Click here to view the instructions for how a student joins a conference on Canvas.

We thank you for your understanding and flexibility during these unique circumstances.  We pray that all members of our Villa Joseph Marie community remain healthy and safe during the closure.  We look forward to seeing you March 30, 2020 in the classroom.

Tom Kardish 
President

Lauren Carr 
Principal

Hello Villa Community,

We write this note on an interesting and fast moving day in a week that has been anything but usual. Nevertheless we wanted to express to all of you a note of thanksgiving. We feel blessed that we get to be a part of this amazing community. On Thursday, we witnessed our faculty and staff work in calm solidarity and a true spirit of collaboration as we ensure that we educators are ready to assist the Villa students continue their education no matter what the future brings. The investment we made three years ago in the Canvas learning management system has brought our school a tool with amazing capabilities that will be well used in the coming weeks. We have the technology, and more importantly, the trained educational professionals, to continue evolving into an institution that provides the most effective mission-centric education possible in the 21st century.

We commit to keeping in close communication with you in the near term, and we will keep you all in our prayers and ask that you keep us in yours.

Always more, Always better, Always with love,

Thomas Kardish
President

Lauren Carr '00 
Principal

Dear Villa Joseph Marie Students and Families, 

We wanted to reach out to you personally to inform you of the preventative actions that Villa is currently employing to stay ahead of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As of today, NO confirmed cases or exposures exist at Villa. However, as of Tuesday night, we are aware that there have been confirmed cases in the Bucks County community. We will continue to work closely with the Bucks County Health Department, along with the PA Health Department, in order to be prepared for any situation that may arise due to this disease or any future viral outbreak.

To prepare our staff to stay ahead of this process, students will not report to school tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, for classes. The school building will be open, and athletics and extracurricular activities will occur as usual. During school hours, faculty and staff will participate in additional training utilizing CANVAS's new online learning abilities. Giving our teachers ample time to be fully trained in the extended capabilities of this system, as well as prepare additional lesson plans that coordinate with these online features, will allow our school community to seamlessly transition to an online learning environment using CANVAS should that be a necessary initiative. Utilizing CANVAS to the fullest of its capabilities – with the ability for students and staff to share an online workspace, virtual classrooms, and shared note-taking – will ensure that our students are able to stay engaged in meaningful learning opportunities during any future unexpected school closures.

At this time, Villa does NOT plan to move to this type of learning and the Department of Health continues to recommend that schools remain open with no cancellation of events or community gatherings. Local extracurricular activities at Villa will continue as normal. Decisions may change as this situation evolves, but we are committed to providing you with timely and accurate updates with the safety of our students, faculty, and staff as the number one priority.

What you can do now:

• Make sure that your contact information is up to date in Family ID.
• Continue to practice good health habits with thorough hand-washing and cleaning.
• Stay home if you aren't feeling well, noting that you should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school or work.

What Villa is doing now:

• Wednesday, March 11: Ask all students, faculty, and staff to confirm that they have access to CANVAS with working logins and passwords. If not, encourage them to contact Ms. Hurlbert at khurlbert@vjmhs.org to resolve the issue.
• Thursday, March 12: Villa's faculty and staff will participate in additional training utilizing CANVAS. Specific instructions for staff and students about how to use these extended features are being compiled. Students are asked to stay home as Villa's staff is trained. Athletics and extracurricular activities continue as usual.
• Friday, March 13: (Planned day off for all) Deep cleaning will take place, in addition to the standard daily cleaning, paying special attention to high traffic areas.
• Monday, March 16: School will resume, as usual. Students will be taught how to use CANVAS's additional features for online learning in their regularly scheduled classes.
• Every day: We will stay in constant communication with local health organizations, schools, bus companies, and district organizations in order to make the best possible decisions for Villa and the local community. We will keep you informed of that information as it is made available to us.

We continue to share our prayers with those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak, and we look forward to moving past this heightened state of concern in our community. Looking forward, all email communications and instructions pertaining to Villa's CARE PLAN will be made available by visiting www.vjmhs.org/careplan. This page will be updated regularly and be considered a resource for ongoing preventative planning. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact Erica Franzzo '03, Communications & Public Relations Manager, at efranzzo@vjmhs.org or ext. 115.

Lauren Carr '00 
Principal

Thomas Kardish
President

Dear Villa Joseph Marie Students and Families, 

Although there have been NO confirmed cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Villa community or in Pennsylvania at large, we have been monitoring the situation in the United States and around the world. We are working closely with the Bucks County Health Department, along with the PA Health Department, in order to be prepared. We will follow any directives or protocols they put in place. Please know that nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged communities to plan for the possible future spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Villa's contingency planning is developed and up to date. With the use of CANVAS, we have the ability to go to an online school day if needed. If necessary, information regarding what an online school day looks like would be made available at that time. 

I want to encourage you to take care of yourselves and to take these basic steps to help protect yourself from viral illness. If anyone is not feeling well, it is better if the individual stays home until they are well and fever free for at least 24 hours, without the use of analgesics.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Don't share water bottles, glasses or eating utensils.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

We know that many of you are making plans for spring and summer travel, and you may be concerned about how COVID-19 developments affect your plans. If you plan on traveling outside the country, we ask that you follow the directives and protocol the CDC has put in place. If you are returning from a location where COVID-19 is a concern, we encourage you to utilize self-isolation for the recommended 14-day window. Students registered for any of our abroad trips this summer, information will be sent to you separately based on your trip location.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a series of anti-stigma guidelines related to COVID-19, which I hope you will review. Part of our mission at Villa Joseph Marie is a belief in a life of faith, love, and service. Tolerance and respect help ensure our entire community, and beyond, is treated with dignity and understanding.   

Should the Villa community begin to show any sign of a virus or flu outbreak, we will take proper steps to notify all, move to our online school day, and continue to sanitize the school. Our cleaning crew uses products daily that have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to COVID-19 on hard, non-porous surfaces (desks, chairs, countertops, doorknobs, bathrooms, etc.). 

Let us share our prayers with those who are impacted both medically and socially because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Thank you,
Lauren Carr '00 
Principal 
215-357-8810 ext. 195 
lcarr@vjmhs.org