Prayer for Discipleship

Lord Jesus,
You called us to follow You and to make disciples of all nations.
Grant me the courage to live out my faith boldly,
the humility to learn from Your Word daily,
and the love to serve others selflessly.
Shape my heart to reflect Your compassion,
my mind to seek Your truth,
and my life to glorify Your name.

Help me to lead others closer to You,
to be a light in the darkness,
and a witness to Your grace and mercy.
Guide me as I walk in Your footsteps,
faithful to Your call,
now and forever.

Amen

Cold and Flu Season

As we combat and monitor the cold and flu season we would like to remind all of our SJDL families that it is important to keep children home if they are showing any sign of illness. We recognize that this, at times, may be inconvenient for working parents, but it is important to remember and adhere to the school’s policies regarding sickness.

It is very important for the well-being of ALL our children, faculty and staff, that we remain compliant to these policies:

According to public health policy and to preserve the health of the school community, students may not be readmitted to school until they have been “fever-free” for 24 hours.
No child is allowed to attend school with any communicable diseases or illness.
Do not send children with symptoms of cold or flu to school. They may return to school only after a physician determines that they are no longer contagious.
The Parent/Guardian of a child who becomes ill will be notified and must pick the child up from school within one (1) hour of being notified.

Given the latest news and updates regarding the increasing severity of this year’s flu season we will be reminding children to follow the preventative steps below:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Thank you for respecting all of the children, families, faculty and staff by adhering to the school’s policies and keeping your child(ren) out of school if they are exhibiting any cold or flu-like symptoms. We will continue to monitor Dioceasen, OC Department of Health and the CDC recommendations regarding steps that they recommend to mitigate the spread of any illness and pass relevant information onto you in a timely manner. Together we will provide the highest levels of health and wellness possible for all of our SJDL Community.

Secure and Shelter Drill Announcement

Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School will conduct a simulated Secure and Shelter Drill on Friday, February 16. This drill will last approximately 10–15 minutes, during which students will remain in their classrooms. The primary purpose of this drill is to test our Emergency Communication System and ensure that all faculty and staff are prepared in the event of an actual emergency.

Before the drill, our teachers will discuss the Secure and Shelter procedure with their students, including what they can expect and what they may do during the drill. We encourage parents to speak with their child(ren) as well, reassuring them that these drills are precautionary measures designed to enhance their safety—much like fire drills and earthquake drills, which are regularly practiced at school.

It is important to note that a Secure and Shelter event is not the same as a Lockdown and Secure event. Secure and Shelter is typically initiated in response to police, fire, or emergency activity near the school, but not necessarily within the school itself. The primary goal of a Secure and Shelter event is to ensure that all children and adults are safely inside a campus building or facility. If this were an actual emergency (rather than a drill), teachers would monitor the Emergency Notification System and, if necessary, move students to appropriate locations away from the source of the incident.

When discussing school safety with young children, we recommend a calm and sensitive approach. Reassure them that school is a safe place where many adults work together to keep everyone secure. Use simple, age-appropriate language tailored to their maturity level. Explain safety measures such as locked doors, security cameras, and emergency drills as ways to protect them and their classmates.

Encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings. Let them know it’s okay to share their concerns and that you are there to support them. Discuss emergency procedures in a way that builds their confidence, such as explaining who they should listen to and where they should go in different situations. Consider practicing drills at home to help them feel prepared. Avoid scare tactics or sharing graphic details that might cause unnecessary fear. Instead, focus on reassurance and open communication.

We also advise limiting your child’s exposure to media coverage of school-related incidents, as this can increase anxiety. Instead, teach them strategies to manage fear, such as deep breathing, saying a prayer, or talking to a trusted adult.

As parents, your calm and confident approach can help your child feel more secure. By having open and honest conversations, you empower them with knowledge and skills to stay safe while providing reassurance and support.

We thank you, our SJDL Parents, for your continued partnership in providing the highest standards of safety and security for our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and we will respond promptly.

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week. Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.