April 2, 2020
Dear CCA students and families,
I hope and pray that you are continuing vibrant and healthy in every way.
Here are a few updates as we engage in the third week of remote instruction:
As noted on our one-page academic calendar last August, the official last day to complete work assigned to be graded for the third marking period (quarter) is Maundy Thursday, April 9. Please mark your calendar for the following time slots on Drop Off & Pick Up Day Monday, April 20, to drop off completed third marking period student work packets you obtained previously from CCA and to pick up fourth marking period student work packets:
- Monday, April 20, 7-11 AM
- Monday, April 20, 5-9 PM
Further details will be forthcoming regarding which grades need to pick up materials and the procedure for delivery and pickup on Monday, April 20, which is also the first day of instruction for the fourth marking period. Due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic, we are anticipating continuing remote learning beyond April 20.
Though the learning taking place in the last few weeks via “CCA Online” has been different, faculty and staff have continued to serve our students with excellence whether it be academics, free/reduced breakfasts/lunches, or spiritual encouragement, through virtual Zoom/Facetime/Google (etc) meetings, morning emails and weekly chapels. The teachers and I have been deliberate in communicating with parents and closely monitoring/supporting student progress/needs, so that the end of the quarter on April 9 shouldn’t pose a problem to drop off students’ completed work after Easter on April 20.
Although New York State has cancelled the following tests for this spring:
- New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test
- New York State Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test
- New York State Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
- New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
The skills and standards addressed in these subjects and grades remain critical for future learning. Accordingly, it is our intent to continue to engage students in these content areas so as to provide the solid foundation your student needs for future learning. The student packets of hardcopy materials needed for fourth quarter learning, to be picked up on April 20, will be designed with this intent in mind.
Most parent-teacher conferences previously scheduled for Friday, April 24, will be rescheduled to Friday, May 1. More details will be forthcoming.
Future communication will address Regents and AP Course exams.
Please stay tuned for separate communications from Bible Chair Mrs. Tammy Baldwin regarding Chapels and associated devotionals (e.g., daily Facebook Live events!) and suggested family activities for next week, which is Holy Week, leading up to the most sacred day in the entire Christian Faith, Resurrection Sunday!
We all continue to hope that the physical school facility will reopen as soon as safely possible, we miss the students and parents, and we miss the CCA community being physically together. We rely on one another in different ways now and continue thankful for how Christ binds us together even when we are physically apart. Please continue to pray for God to extend his kingdom through CCA.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” (I. Cor. 10:31)
Please let me know if you have any questions or needs.
With you on the journey,
Stuart S. Chen, Ph.D., P.E.
Interim Head of School