Updates from DCS

March 29, 2020

Spring break is over and our Catholic schools are back into full swing with virtual and distance learning! Thank you, everyone, for your collaboration and steadfast support of one another! Our Catholic schools are committed to a faith-filled, academically excellent program more than ever. As we share the experience of care for one another through this crisis in the United States and worldwide, let us remember that God is always at our side. 

Please know that the Department of Catholic Schools is here to support you and walk this journey with you in solidarity. We appreciate everyone who has blessed us with faith, expertise, and support. You continue to be in our daily prayers.

March 25, 2020
Administrators, Teachers, and Parents-
Thank you for the great care and concern that you have all exhibited for your students, children, and communities. You have truly risen to the occasion to continue to serve students academically and spiritually during this time of crisis. May we all draw on the strength and wisdom of our faith to remain steadfast in our collaboration and support of one another.

Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Please join Pope Francis in prayer at Noon today. Following, join Archbishop Sample in praying the rosary from his chapel.

As we follow the most recent order from the governor to “Stay Home and Save Lives”, know that we are here and can be reached by email or phone if you need assistance. 

May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts! 

Jeannie Ray-Timoney, Ed.D., Superintendent of Catholic Schools

March 20, 2020

Thank you all for your care and concern for your students, parents, and communities this week. I am blessed and honored to be part of the community of Catholic educators here in Portland.

As I was working on morning meditation, this piece from Richard Rohr was poignant, yet hopeful:

We are in the midst of a highly teachable moment. There’s no doubt that this period will be referred to for the rest of our lifetimes. We have a chance to go deep, and to go broad. Globally, we’re in this together. Depth is being forced on us by great suffering, which as I like to say, always leads to great love. Love alone overcomes fear and is the true foundation that lasts (1 Corinthians 13:13). 

May we continue to hold one another up in love.

March 19, 2020
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and faith through this stressful time. Please know that we appreciate everything that you are doing to support learning and to support one another. We know that you are also fielding phone calls from parents. We are here to help you positively respond in some tough situations.  Remember to take some time for your own well-being. May God bless you all!
 
As public schools close for the next month, that means no learning in the classroom or online.  Schools in the Archdiocese of Portland will continue to provide instruction through distance learning models.  There will be mistakes and hiccups along the way, so we need to remember to extend a little grace to one another.  There is no doubt that we can provide a quality instructional program, rooted in our Gospel message, from a distance.  We just need a shift in the culture of how teaching and learning occur.  Remember to check the Principal Portal each day for further updates and curriculum and instruction support. 
 
A question to ponder today…
How will your school help prepare students and families for Holy Week and the Easter Season?

"The Church is not, has not and will not abandon you in these times" —Archbishop Sample
The Archdiocese has live-streamed Masses across the archdiocese available for daily and Sunday Mass.  Here is a great resource for you to continue participating in daily and Sunday Mass. www.archdpdx.org/live-masses

March 18, 2020
We find ourselves in unusual times where recommendations are changing frequently. In consultation with the Archbishop, and in line with information from the CDC, OHA, and the Oregon governor's office, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Portland will remain closed through April 28th. 
 
We will continue the great work of providing distance learning and digital learning to our students. It is important to remain hopeful and provide faith-based high-quality instruction via alternative tools. The Department of Catholic Schools remains open and will be here to support the work of our teachers, principals, and families.


March 17, 2020
Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
(390-461 A.D.)  The Prayer of St. Patrick

Coronavirus Update: The Department of Catholic Schools is aware of the letter that went out to parishes from Archbishop Sample. At this time the school closure remains until at least March 31^st. We will continue to update you with new school closure dates moving forward in consultation with the Archbishop, and in line with information from the CDC, OHA, and the Oregon governor's office. We are in a time when situations are changing daily. Thank you for your patience and collaboration! Please continue the good work you are supporting in distance learning and digital learning. You are all truly an inspiration to educators across the state. 

March 16, 2020
Dear Presidents and Principals,
Thank you for your patience and collaboration last week as we were working through the information from the CDC, the OHA, the state of Oregon, and the following protocols here at the Archdiocese. I know that there was a lot of pressure from different individuals and groups to move independently. It is important that we work together to present a united voice and to avoid chaos. Daily, we are receiving updates on how to move forward and what to expect in the future. Please check your emails daily to look for this information coming from the Department of Catholic Schools.

Again, I want to thank you for your collaboration. This is a time of anxiety for many people. Many people will be affected in a variety of ways. I offer prayers to you and your communities. Let us turn to our faith as a source of comfort and grace to help one another and to remain hopeful that all will be well in Christ.

Christ's Peace-
Jeannie Ray-Timoney, Ed.D.

March 13, 2020
The Department of Catholic Schools has been following the CDC and the OHA closely. The DCS is joining with the rest of the state of Oregon in closing our schools to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. With the COVID-19 pandemic at hand, we will close schools beginning March 16th. We will be closed through March 31st like the rest of the state but will post an update if the closure is extended. 

We know that many families are facing hardships during this unusual time. It is affecting everyone in different ways. We pray that each of you will experience God's grace to guide you through. 

Schools have plans in place for distance/digital learning to keep the educational process of our children moving forward. Each school will communicate its plan to students and parents.

March 5, 2020

February 28, 2020