Dear Parents and Students,
As we conclude the 2019-2020 academic year, the hearts of the faculty and staff are filled with gratitude for your prayers and support. St. Ignatius always made meeting people where they are at and adapting to dynamic circumstances a priority for Jesuits in all of their works. We have been able to participate in that tradition of innovation in some very significant ways this last quarter and that will continue into next year. And in everything we have done and will do, our commitment to our Catholic, Jesuit mission and worldview remains at the heart of who we are and serves as the driving force behind all of our efforts. We are grateful for the many kind and encouraging sentiments you have shared with us, as they give witness to our commitment to the Jesuit principle of cura personalis (care of the whole person), which will be the foundation for our plans for next year.
At this time, our 2020-2021 academic calendar and activities schedule remain unchanged. However, we are acutely aware of the uncertainties and concerns that loom on the horizon and we are planning for a variety of contingencies. The major priorities that will guide us in our discernment include the highest regard for the health, safety, and wellbeing of every member of our community; the personal, religious, and character formation of our students; our commitment to academic excellence; and an understanding that the individual circumstances of different members of our community will necessitate a high level of flexibility and a broad array of services for them to stay safe and be successful. Additionally, we will be given guidelines from the CDC and regulations from the Nebraska Department of Education, all of which we will meet or exceed as we establish schedules and procedures that allow us to adapt to different mandates while maintaining a continuity of learning during any transitions.
Working through all of these logistics will not be easy–this has never been done before and there are no ready-made models for us to rely on. I am grateful that several members of our community have accepted an invitation to serve as consultants for the administration as we move through this planning process. The members of this back-to-school consultative team are:
- Dr. Sharon Stoolman: Associate Professor of Pediatrics - UNMC, Pediatric Hospitalist - Children's Hospital, Director of Pediatrics at Madonna Rehab Hospital, and Prep mom
- Dr. Dan Johnson: Associate Professor at UNMC, Division Chief of Critical Care, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular ICU, Associate Medical Director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, and Prep grad class of 1996
- Mrs. Lisa Gravelle - outgoing president of Prep Families Association (Prep Moms)
- Mrs. Beth Kramer - incoming president of Prep Families Association
- Mr. Mike Clark - science faculty
- Mrs. Amy Masek - theology faculty and Prep mom
Drs. Stoolman and Johnson bring unparalleled medical expertise and guidance to us and I am especially grateful for their generosity given how demanding their schedules are under the current circumstances.
We are grateful to all the students who filled out a survey about their online learning experience a few weeks ago. I would like to once again invite all current parents who have not already done so to offer their feedback to us, as well, by taking a few minutes to fill out this survey. Your reflections will be of great help to us as we develop our contingency plans.
We do have a few concrete updates to offer about the summer:
- Camps and classes that were scheduled for June have either been moved to July, moved online, or canceled. You can find more information about summer programming here. If you have any questions about programming for middle school students, you are encouraged to contact our Director of Communications, Mrs. Olivia Poggenpohl. If you have any questions about summer classes for advancement or remediation, you can contact our Academic Principal, Mr. Joe Ryberg.
- There is some limited athletic conditioning taking place on campus. Coaches will be in direct contact with the athletes involved regarding these details.
- For incoming freshmen, the entrance exams for world language and math have moved to an online format. You should have received emails about how to take these exams already. Please note they should be completed by May 25.
- Also for incoming freshmen, Big Brothers are creating new plans to keep you engaged with Prep and your new classmates. If your Big Brother has not been in personal contact with you yet, please notify the Director of Admissions, Mr. Josh Luedtke, as soon as possible.
At present, the campus (including the building and all outdoor athletic facilities) remains closed to students and visitors unless they have specific and detailed instructions from a staff member or coach. Anyone who needs to come to the building for any reason should first call the High School Office at 402-393-1190 for guidance.
You can find our final edition of the 2019-2020 Parent Pulse by accessing the desktop version or the mobile version. We will resume regular publications in August.
As we begin to prepare for our return to school in August, I want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding, especially the many questions you have that remain unanswered. We are working diligently and in cooperation with key authorities to monitor and assess conditions as they evolve and to make the school fully prepared to face various contingencies with creativity, commitment, and unwavering care for our students. We will continue to update everyone in a timely manner as our plans evolve. Be assured that we will be prepared to offer all of our students an exceptional Jesuit educational experience next year, no matter the circumstances.
AMDG,
Mr. Jim Bopp
Head of School