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 the first session or the full session of La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program.  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!

As local communities slowly and steadily emerge from the fog of the COVID-19 pandemic, we at La Salle are ready and eager to offer an in-person enrichment opportunity for your sons and daughters. While we acknowledge the difficulties of the past year, we enthusiastically anticipate the chance to reconnect and renew our communities, especially the one that convenes on June 21 at 8605 Cheltenham Avenue.  

Before our summer community comes together in person, however, 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. Starting Thursday of this week, these communications will be catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer in the tab entitled Pre-7th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program.

Thursday, June 10 – Program details – Everything from pick up and drop off to lunch and dress code and all the details in-between will be communicated via email on this date.

Thursday, June 10 – Math diagnostic test – We ask that all students complete an online math diagnostic by Monday, June 14, before 11:59 PM. The results will be helpful in determining his or her math placement. A link to the diagnostic will be sent via email on Thursday, June 10 along with instructions.

Tuesday, June 15 – COVID-19 plans, procedures, and policies – The program is indeed “all-in,” but we as a community still need to be vigilant to make sure it can remain so. The email on June 15 will outline the steps we can take as a community to continue La Salle’s sterling safety record relating to COVID-19.

Friday, June 18 – 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.

During the next two days, on June 7 and 8, I will be with rising La Salle juniors as they serve communities in need throughout Philadelphia. I look forward to this experience, as it renews my own commitment to service to my students, the city of Philadelphia, and to you, the families of La Salle’s summer community. 

Welcome to La Salle.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your families are having a great week so far. I am following up my email from Sunday night with 1) information for the math diagnostic and 2) program details.  Information on the diagnostic is below. The program details are at the end of this email. As a reminder, the program communication is catalogued on La Salle’s website at www.lschs.org/summer.  COVID policies and protocols will appear in your inbox sometime on Tuesday, June 15.

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 Monday, June 14, so that we may begin making placements and generating schedules in time for class on Monday, June 21.  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, June 21, we ask that students complete the diagnostic by 11:59 PM on Monday, June 14.

 

Diagnostic Link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3Y6yRyGrZDMBGceVFetsFSZrpqqkdlScifX_m-AqOX6RYeQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

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.

The next time you will hear from me will be on Tuesday, June 15, with information regarding our COVID policies and protocols.

I am looking forward to meeting your sons and daughters on June 21 and personally welcoming them to the community.

In the meantime, enjoy the weekend!

 

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 at 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 18.  Your van driver will then be in touch with you on Friday, June 18, or Saturday, June 19, regarding pick up and drop off locations and times.  If you haven’t signed up for transportation, we encourage you to carpool with nearby families. 

 

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 Public Speaking, 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 24, 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, July 1, is when all the first session students take the HSPT. The full session students, who take the HSPT on Thursday, July 22, will go on a field trip on Thursday, July 1.

 

June 21 All school meeting AM: English + Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 22 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 23 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Photography	June 24 AM: Field Day PM: Math and English + All School Meeting
June 28 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Public Speaking	June 29 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Public Speaking	June 30 All school meeting AM: English and Math PM: Art or Science Theme: Public Speaking	July 1 All school meeting Full scale HSPT for Full Session students go on a Field Trip

 

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.

I know from the completed math diagnostics (thank you!) that complimentary preparations are being made at home. I’m writing this morning with information to assist this effort, this time as it pertains to COVID-19 protocols and procedures. Given La Salle’s track record in the pandemic (not one confirmed case of on-campus transmission this past year) and the decreasing incidence of positive test cases in Montgomery County, we can happily return to a fully in-person enrichment experience with confidence. The information below details our COVID-19 policies and procedures for the summer. I appreciate your assistance, especially when it comes to screening your children on a daily basis and keeping them at home if necessary.

In addition to the policies and protocols, allow me to communicate two other items.

• La Salle’s outdoor pool will be available every day after the program from 1:00 – 2:00. Students using La Salle’s transportation will leave at 1:00.
• You will receive information regarding access to La Salle’s online learning system, Open LMS, such as instructions and credentials, later this week. Please keep an eye out for this information.

Thanks for your help in preparing for a successful program! We’re looking forward to meeting your sons and daughters next Monday!

 

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

COVID-19 Policies and Protocols

La Salle College High School emerged as a leader in pandemic education during the past fifteen months. Our hybrid system that began in the fall semester of 2020 switched to a fully in-person model in March of 2021. During the entire 2020-2021 school year there was not one confirmed case of on-campus transmission. This statistic, from La Salle’s COVID-19 tracking database, demonstrates the seriousness with which we approach these matters, the effectiveness of our plans, and the buy-in from the community. The policies and protocols below will ensure that our campus remains safe for students, teachers, staff, and parents so that we may get on with the business of learning, growing, and having fun. Again, safety in the age of COVID-19 is a community effort requiring common sense, vigilance, communication, and – when necessary – action. Your support in this effort is essential and appreciated.

Daily Health Screenings

We ask that parents conduct daily health screenings with their student(s) in the morning before school each day.  If you are ever unsure about your child’s health or if they seem “iffy,” then the safest course of action is to keep them at home.

Keep your student at home if the he or she:

• Has one or more symptoms in Group A OR
• Has two or more symptoms in Group B OR
• Are taking fever reducing medication

 

Group A 1 or more symptoms	Group B 2 or more symptoms
Cough Shortness of breath New olfactory disorder (has lost or diminished sense of smell) New taste disorder (has lost or diminished sense of taste)	Fever (measured or subjective) Chills Rigors Myalagia Sore throat Headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Fatigue Congestion or runny nose

 

Students who are sick or symptomatic while at school will be sent home.

Temperature checks

The temperature of each student will be taken as they enter the school building. A reading of 100.0 or above will require the student to undergo an additional screening in the school infirmary.

Ventilation

Every element of the program takes place in a well-ventilated space.  Weather permitting, the morning meeting and the recreation period take place outside. The academic elements take place in rooms with a ventilation system that was re-engineered during the summer of 2020 to accomplish 100% fresh air exchange, with no recirculated air.

Face coverings

Face coverings for the Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Enrichment Program will be optional for students and staff. Bear in mind that we are not able to honor individual requests to remind specific students to wear their face covering. Our policy is to remind all students at the beginning of the day to follow the directions from their parents and guardians.

There will be a variety of other camps taking place at La Salle this summer, each with their own mask wearing procedures and protocols. The Future Stars Camp, for example, is a program for children ages 11 and under that will require their campers to mask during indoor activities. Though we coexist with other camps and programs at La Salle, our students rarely cross paths or intermingle with them.  I wanted you to be aware of the context in which you will be sending your student(s) to our program. Again, all are welcome to wear masks during the program, but it is not required.

Hand hygiene

Please remind your student(s) to wash his or her hands thoroughly and often. We will do the same during the day. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout campus. Hand sanitizer will be used when hand washing stations are not available.

Policy for Covid-19 Exposure, or positive Covid-19 case

Department of Health determines quarantine guidelines for quarantine due to exposure to a confirmed positive Covid-19 individual or quarantine due to positive Covid-19 cases. Current guidance requires a 10-day quarantine from the date of exposure or 7-day quarantine with a negative Covid-19 test 5 days or later from the date of exposure. Students confirmed to have Covid-19 may return to camp after 10 days have passed (or after 7 days with a negative test result on day 5+) since the symptoms first appeared and being fever-free for 24 hours.

The Program Director, in coordination with the Program’s Health Director, will communicate with parents to help determine safe return to activities.

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine after confirmed exposure to Covid-19 positive case.

Remote learning in the case of quarantine and illness

Students who quarantine or experience illness will be able, but not required, to access Math and English classes via La Salle’s online learning management system, Open LMS.

Contingency plans

It is extraordinarily unlikely, but we are prepared to switch to hybrid learning should the need arise. The hybrid model allows half of the students to attend in person while the other half remain at home. 

 

In this scenario, students will be grouped into two categories, which will be referred to as A and B for the purpose of explanation.

 

On Monday and Tuesday of a given week of the program…

• Group A will attend in person
• Group B will attend online

 

On Wednesday and Thursday of a given week of the program…

• Group A will attend online
• Group B will attend in person

 

In person students will follow the schedule as outlined in the previous section.

 

At home students will attend the morning meeting and take English and Math classes.  They will not attend classes in the afternoon.

 

There will be no program discounts if we switch to a hybrid model.

 

There will be no refunds for transportation if a hybrid model goes into effect, but transportation will still be provided.

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 the second session of La Salle’s Pre-7^th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program beginning on July 12^th.  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!

As local communities slowly and steadily emerge from the fog of the COVID-19 pandemic, we at La Salle are ready and eager to offer an in-person enrichment opportunity for your sons and daughters. While we acknowledge the difficulties of the past year, we enthusiastically anticipate the chance to reconnect and renew our communities, especially the one that convenes starting on July 12^th at La Salle.

But before our summer community comes together in person, 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 communications will be catalogued at www.lschs.org/summer in the tab entitled Pre-7th and Pre-8^th Summer Enrichment Program.

Today, Monday, June 28 – Please complete this survey regarding access to a laptop or tablet. The technological spaces we typically use for the summer program are currently being renovated, so we will not have enough resources to provide each student access to a computer for the coding class. Please let us know if your student has a laptop or tablet they can bring to the program the days of July 19, 20, and 21 using the link to the survey. Thank you!

Thursday, July 1^st – Program details – Everything from pick up/drop off, lunch, dress code, medications, cell phones, etc. will be communicated via email on this date.

Thursday, July 1^st – Math diagnostic test – We ask that all students complete an online math diagnostic by Monday, July 5th, before 11:59 PM. The results will determine his or her math placement. A link to the diagnostic will be sent via email on Thursday, July 1, along with instructions.

Tuesday, July 6^th – COVID-19 plans, procedures, and policies – The program is indeed “all-in,” but we as a community still need to be vigilant to make sure it can remain so. The email on July 6^th will outline our plans.

Friday, July 9^th – 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.

Welcome to La Salle.