Summer Offerings

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to La Salle College High School’s summer community! You are receiving this email because you have a student (or students) registered for La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program for the second session (July 11 - 21).  We are thrilled your family will be a part of our community this summer at La Salle. Welcome once again and thank you for joining us!

Before the second session of the program begins, there is some information to convey to ensure everyone feels confident, ready, and safe for the first day and beyond. The remainder of this message outlines a timeline for communication for the next two weeks. My goal is to keep you informed without opening the firehose too wide.  These messages will be catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer in the tab entitled Pre-7th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program. In fact, the communication from session 1 is already there, in case you want to get a head start. Just be aware that the dates and some information  you will find online (like the Spanish class that does not run during session two) pertain to session one. 

Communication Timeline for Session Two

Tuesday, June 28 – Math diagnostic test – We ask that all students complete an online math diagnostic before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 3. The results will determine his or her math placement. A link to the diagnostic will be sent via email on Tuesday, June 28, along with instructions.

Wednesday, June 29 – Technology accessibility survey – The themed class for the second week is coding. Students will need a laptop computer for this class, and we are asking that – when possible – students bring their own devices. We do have some devices available, but we request that these be used as a last resort given the limited supply. This survey will help us to know how many students we might need to equip.

Thursday, June 30 – Program details – Everything from pick up/drop off, lunch, dress code, medications, cell phones, etc. will be communicated via email on this date.

Tuesday, July 5 – COVID-19 information – The message next Tuesday will briefly review the program’s approach and expectations surrounding Covid.

Wednesday, July 6 – Arrival instructions – This message will include what your students should expect upon arrival for their first day, focusing on where to go and who they will encounter. It’s likely there will be a hand drawn map included.

Friday, July 8 – Transportation – If you are using La Salle’s transportation service, you will be made aware of the details on this date by an email from our director of transportation, Mr. Chuck Cirelli. We appreciate your patience in this process. As a reminder, any family who did not initially sign up for transportation may not now request it.

Thanks for joining our summer community!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your families are having a great week so far. I am following up my email from Monday with information for the math diagnostic. As a reminder, the program communication is catalogued on La Salle’s website at www.lschs.org/summer.  

Math diagnostic

Two data points are used to determine math placements for the summer program. The first is the math course selection on the registration form completed by parents and guardians earlier this spring. The second data point is the result of the math diagnostic. This method allows us to group students of similar abilities and teach closely to their needs. These groupings also inform the sections for English classes. 

To this end we ask that your student complete this diagnostic before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 3, so that we may begin making placements and generating schedules in time for class on Monday, July 11.  I very much appreciate your assistance in helping us prepare our students for the program. 

Instructions and administration

• It will be accessed via the link below.

• It should take between 30 and 60 minutes.  It should be taken only once.
• Because we are using this diagnostic to better understand what your student knows and determine class placement, it is essential that no outside help is given, and that students take the test using only their own abilities.
• Calculators are NOT permitted.
• Students may take the diagnostic any time after receiving the link.  In order to evaluate the results and place students in time for class on Monday, July 11, we ask that students complete the diagnostic by 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 3.

Diagnostic Link

https://forms.gle/vdttiaAKn1PEEMDF8

Again, thank you for your assistance. It goes without saying, but no program such is this is possible without the collective support of family members like yourself.

You will hear from me tomorrow with a survey regarding access to technology so that we might prepare for the coding program.

I am looking forward to meeting your sons and daughters on July 11 and personally welcoming them to the community.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I’m writing with the third of seven messages leading up to the second session of La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th summer enrichment program. Today’s message concerns access to technology.  Before that survey, I wanted to re-outline the timeline for communication below. As a reminder, the program communication is catalogued on La Salle’s website at www.lschs.org/summer under the pre-7th and pre-8th tab.

Communication Timeline

Monday, June 27 – Welcome 

Tuesday, June 28 – Math diagnostic test (please complete before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 3)

Wednesday, June 29 – Survey regarding access to technology

Thursday, June 30 – Program details 

Tuesday, July 5 – COVID-19 information 

Wednesday, July 6 – Arrival instructions 

Friday, July 8 – Transportation 

Students will need a laptop or tablet for the last week of the program to complete the coding activities. While we do have some technology that our students can use, we do not have enough for each student in the program. To assist our planning and make sure all students are properly equipped, please complete the survey to let us know if your student(s) will be able to bring a laptop or tablet to the program on July 18, 19, and 20. Note also that a smartphone would not serve as a stand in for a laptop or tablet for the coding course. I appreciate your assistance and flexibility.

Please complete the following survey before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 3. 

https://forms.gle/LgjaShonxckqb9fb7

Many thanks for your help!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

By this time next week, your student(s) will be settling into their new routine at La Salle. Our counselors, teachers, and staff are currently preparing to ensure that their time at La Salle is filled with opportunities for growth. Thank you for assisting us in our preparations by way of the math diagnostic and technology survey.

I am writing with the fifth of seven messages ramping up to the summer program. Below is a summary of the messages, followed by the information for COVID. Remember that all communication is catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer under the Pre-7th and Pre-8^th tab.

 

Communication Timeline

Monday, June 27 – Welcome 

Tuesday, June 28 – Math diagnostic test (please complete before 11:59 on Sunday, July 3)

Wednesday, June 29 – Survey regarding access to technology (please complete before 11:59 on Sunday, July 3)

Thursday, June 30 – Program details 

Tuesday, July 5 – COVID-19 information 

Wednesday, July 6 – Arrival instructions 

Friday, July 8 – Transportation (selected families only)

 

Information regarding COVID-19

Around this time last year, I sent a message pertaining to COVID that was lengthy and detailed with several subheadings. This year’s message is decidedly shorter, but no less pertinent for the health and safety of our community. Below are a few key guidelines for the community.

• If your student is sick, please keep him or her at home.
• Follow best practices when it comes to hand washing.
• Masks are optional. Any student, staff, or community member who wishes to wear a mask is more than welcome to do so.
• If your student has a confirmed case of COVID, please contact me via email and follow the CDC’s guidelines for a safe return to normal activity.

As we have learned as a result of the pandemic, being able to join together physically strengthens communities and builds a sense of well-being. We are thrilled to have this opportunity with you and your student(s) this summer. As always, thank you for choosing La Salle. 

Have a great rest of the day. I will be in touch tomorrow with specific instructions for arrival on Monday, July 11.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I very much appreciate your attention and collaboration over the past week as we prepare for the summer program. With today’s message about arrival instructions and Friday’s message to select families about transportation, we are nearing the end of our preparatory journey. On Monday, July 11, your students will begin their own journey through the program. Thanks for your help with both.

To make sure students have a positive start to the day on July 11, I’m writing today to communicate arrival instructions. This message will remove some of the guess work that is sometimes associated with showing up to new experiences, and it might be more helpful to some students than others. My aim with both the instructions and the map is that you and your student(s) know what to expect during the first few moments of camp, from drop off until morning meeting. From there, I trust their curiosity – and their schedule, the counselors, and the teachers – will guide them.

Arrival instructions

Please drop your student(s) at the blue fire hydrant at the end of the walkway no earlier than 8:00 am. Doing so requires that you pass the main entrance on your right and continue about 50 yards until the hydrant (see the attached map and image of the hydrant). My previous instructions requested that no drop offs be made prior to 8:10 am but being a little early on the first day is certainly understandable.

Students will gather in the McShain Center (old library) every morning. Upon entering they will retrieve their class schedule from their individually labeled mailbox (file folder) and relax before the morning meeting at 8:20. Please share the attached map (also below) with your student(s). They should follow the highlighted route to check in and meet me (at the check in table) before continuing to the McShain Center. With several different camps beginning on the same day at La Salle, it is important no one ends up in the wrong place. Our counselors will be on hand to assist them on their way.

Bonus information – the pool

The outdoor pool will be available for students to use after the program ends, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. There will be a certified lifeguard on duty during that hour, after which he will escort the students to the front of the school for pick up. The pool is not available for students using La Salle’s transportation service.

This message is the final one you will receive from me regarding preparation for camp. Families who have registered for transportation will receive information directly from their drivers this Friday, July 8. As a reminder, all of the communication leading up to this point is catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer under the pre-7th and pre-8^th tab. 

Thanks again for all your assistance in preparing for the start of the program. 

Until next week!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing with the third message leading up to the first and full sessions of La Salle Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program. As a reminder, yesterday’s message contained instructions for completing the math diagnostic, which we are asking students to complete before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 10. If you are having trouble finding it or are concerned it may not have made its way to your inbox, please be aware that all of the lead up communication is catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer under the Pre-7th and Pre-8^th tab. Thanks for your help!

Today’s message is less “actionable” but still important. Below you will find program details. If one of your questions is not answered in this list, do not hesitate to reach out. 

La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program

Program Details

Where should I pick up and drop off my student?

You may drop off your student starting at 8:10 am at the curb of the main entrance of the school.  Counselors will greet and escort him or her to the tent in the grotto.  Your student will be waiting for you between 1:00 and 1:05  pm outside the main entrance in the same location as drop off. 

What if I need to pick up my student early?

If you need to pick up early, please send a handwritten note to school with your student.  Please address it to me (Mr. Horvath), letting me know what time you will pick up your student so we can gather him/her to the main office by the time you arrive.   

What should my student bring? 

A backpack with a notebook, pens, pencils, and folders will take care of your child’s academic needs.  Having a refillable water bottle and sunscreen will be handy for the recreation period.  

Will my student receive a schedule?

Yes! Each student will receive a paper copy of a personalized schedule on the first day of the program. It will tell them where to be, when to be there, and which adult will be leading the classroom experience. The schedule will be waiting in their mailbox, which is how we will communicate with students on a daily basis.

What about lunch? 

Students may buy lunch every day in the cafeteria or bring one from home. There are two forty minute lunch periods beginning at 10:05 and 10:50, and the student’s lunch period will alternate daily to avoid an unusually early lunch every day.  In either case, these lunch times highlight the importance of packing a snack should your child get hungry in the early afternoon.  

What should my student wear?  Is there a dress code?

There is no dress code, and students should wear clothing they find comfortable for both the classroom and the ballfield. Because students will engage in physical activity during the recreation period, we ask that they arrive in sneakers instead of flip flops or sandals.  The former provides the support necessary for recreational activities, while the latter increase the likelihood of a foot or ankle injury. We appreciate your support!

When will I know the details for transportation?

If you are taking advantage of La Salle’s transportation service, you will receive an email from Charles Cirelli, the director of transportation on Friday, June 17.  Your van driver will then be in touch with you on Friday, June 17, or Saturday, June 18, regarding pick up and drop off locations and times.  If you haven’t signed up for transportation, please be advised that it is no longer open to new users.

What happens during the day, anyway?

The morning consists of an all school meeting followed by enrichment classes in English and Math with a focus on HSPT preparation. The middle part of the day provides time for eating, socializing, and organized recreation. A rotating selection of art and science then allows students to engage with a hands on learning environment, and the weekly themed class caps off the day.  Keep in mind that homework will not be assigned and that students do not need to purchase any books for the program.  The schedule below provides a snapshot of a typical day.

8:20-8:30	Morning meeting
1) 8:35–9:15	Math / English / HSPT prep
2) 9:20–10:00	Math / English / HSPT prep
3) 10:05–10:45	Lunch / Recreation
4) 10:50 -11:30	Lunch / Recreation
5) 11:35-12:15	Art / Science
6) 12:20–1:00	Theme

 

The weekly themed classes are for the first and second week of the program are Photography and Spanish, respectively.  

Will bad weather ever cancel the program for a day?

In the case of severe and dangerous weather, yes, but this is highly unlikely.  Should school close for a day, you will be notified via email beforehand.  If the weather turns ugly, all outdoor recreational activities will be moved indoors and the day will proceed as planned.  

What if my student will be absent?

No problem! Send an email to Horvaths@lschs.org reporting the absence.

What happens with cell phones?

We’ll ask that students keep their phones silenced and inside their backpacks unless a teacher requests that they use it for a classroom activity.  Laptops and tablets may be brought to school, but their use is at the discretion of the teacher.  Neither La Salle nor its personnel are responsible for lost, missing, or broken electronic devices.  

My student needs to takes medication.  What should I do?

If possible, we ask that you administer meds before your student leaves your care in the morning or once they return home in the afternoon.  If their med schedule requires dosage during the school day, please personally deliver the medication to the school’s main office with written instructions including the student’s name, time of administration, and dosage. Mr. David Crowe, La Salle’s athletic trainer, tends to the medical needs of all athletic and enrichment camps during the summer, and he will be in charge of administering meds to students in the enrichment program.  

What is the program calendar for the first two weeks?

You’ll notice that the calendar changes slightly on Thursdays. Thursday, June 23, features a field day in the morning (when its cooler outside) followed by Math and English classes. The day concludes with an all-school assembly (who won field day?!). Field day ends the week on a high note, giving the students a change in routine, an alternate way to exercise their minds and bodies, and a chance to bond with their classmates. The second Thursday, June 30, is when all the first session students take the HSPT. The full session students, who take the HSPT on Thursday, July 20, will go on a field trip on Thursday, June 30.

 

June 20 All school meeting AM: English + Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 21 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 22 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 23 AM: Field Day PM: Math and English + All School Meeting
June 27 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Spanish	June 28 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Spanish	June 29 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Spanish	June 30 All school meeting Full scale HSPT for Full Session students go on a Field Trip

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing with the last communication of this week, which pertains to the Spanish class that runs the second week of session one. As a reminder, all communication leading up to the camp is catalogued online at www.lschs.org/summerunder the Pre-7th and Pre-8^th tab. Before passing along the Spanish survey, you will see a summary of this week’s communication and what is to come next week. 

Tuesday, June 7 – Math diagnostic test – Please complete before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 10

Wednesday, June 8 – Program details (flip flopped with math, actually)

Thursday, June 9 – Spanish survey – More details below; please complete before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 10

Tuesday, June 14 – COVID-19 information 

Wednesday, June 15 – Arrival instructions 

Friday, June 17 – Transportation 

One of La Salle’s Spanish teachers will lead your student(s) during the Spanish classes on June 27, 28, and 29. While we are not asking that students take a diagnostic for Spanish, as they did for math, we are asking that you provide sense of their prior experience with Spanish (none is required) so that we might group students effectively for the experience. To that end, please spend a moment to take the following survey before 11:59 PM on Friday, June 10. ¡Mil gracias!

Enjoy the weekend!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

By this time next week, your student(s) will be settling into their new routine at La Salle. Our counselors, teachers, and staff are currently preparing to ensure that their time at La Salle is filled with opportunities for growth. Thank you for assisting us in our preparations by way of the math diagnostic and Spanish survey.

I am writing with the fourth of six messages ramping up to the summer program. Below is a summary of the messages, followed be the information for COVID. Remember that all communication is catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer under the Pre-7th and Pre-8^th tab.

Tuesday, June 7 – Math diagnostic test 

Wednesday, June 8 – Program details (flip flopped with math, actually)

Thursday, June 9 – Spanish survey – More details below

Tuesday, June 14 – COVID-19 information 

Wednesday, June 15 – Arrival instructions 

Friday, June 17 – Transportation (select families only)

 

Information regarding COVID-19

Around this time last year, I sent a message pertaining to COVID that was lengthy and detailed with several subheadings. This year’s message is decidedly shorter, but no less pertinent for the health and safety of our community. Below are a few key guidelines for the community.

• If your student is sick, please keep him or her at home.
• Follow best practices when it comes to hand washing.
• Masks are optional. Any student, staff, or community member who wishes to wear a mask is more than welcome to do so.
• If your student has a confirmed case of COVID, please contact me via email and follow the CDC’s guidelines for a safe return to normal activity.

As we have learned as a result of the pandemic, being able to join together physically strengthens communities and builds a sense of well-being. We are thrilled to have this opportunity with you and your student(s) this summer. As always, thank you for choosing La Salle. 

Have a great rest of the day. I will be in touch tomorrow with specific instructions for arrival for the first day of the program.

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I very much appreciate your attention and collaboration over the past week as we prepare for the summer program. With today’s message about arrival instructions and Friday’s message to select families about transportation, we are nearing the end of our preparatory journey. On Monday, June 20, your students will begin their own journey through the program. Thanks for your help with both.

To make sure students have a positive start to the day on June 20, I’m writing today to communicate arrival instructions. This message will remove some of the guess work that is sometimes associated with showing up to new experiences, and it might be more helpful to some students than others. My aim with both the instructions and the map is that you and your student(s) know what to expect during the first few moments of camp, from drop off until morning meeting. From there, I trust their curiosity – and their schedule, the counselors, and the teachers – will guide them.

Arrival instructions

Please drop your student outside the main entrance no earlier than 8:00 am. My previous instructions said no earlier 8:10 am but being a little early on the first day is certainly understandable.

Students will gather in the McShain Center (old library) every morning. Upon entering they will retrieve their class schedule from their individually labeled mailbox (file folder) and relax before the morning meeting at 8:20. Please share the attached map (also below) with your student(s). They should follow the highlighted route to check in and meet me (at the check in table) before continuing to the McShain Center. With several different camps beginning on the same day at La Salle, it is important no one ends up in the wrong place. Our counselors will be on hand to assist them on their way.

Bonus information – the pool

The outdoor pool will be available for students to use after the program ends, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. There will be a certified lifeguard on duty during that hour, after which he will escort the students to the front of the school for pick up. The pool is not available for students using La Salle’s transportation service.

This message is the final one you will receive from me regarding preparation for camp. Families who have registered for transportation will receive information directly from their drivers this Friday, June 17. As a reminder, all of the communication leading up to this point is catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer under the pre-7th and pre-8^th tab.

Thanks again for all your assistance in preparing for the start of the program.

Until next week!