This week's to-do list:

• NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!
• Make a SCRIPNow! purchase by tonight at 11:59PM - doing so gives you an entry into our October contest!  
• Make sure to send warm outdoor and SNOW gear to school...we go out for recess every day if the temperature (real feel or windchill) is more than 10 degrees! 
• Picture Re-Takes Monday, November 4. If you missed picture day or need a re-take, bring your original package back in. Students having their picture taken may dress up. 

Winter Weather
In the event of any of the following scenarios provided below by the Cedar Rapids Schools communication, St. Matthew Elementary will send both an email and a text message to let you know of the update to our schedule due to weather.  We always follow the Cedar Rapids announcements regarding weather delays and/or cancellations.

Message from Cedar Rapids Public Schools Regarding Winter Weather
Winter weather is upon us and we'd like to remind you that, in the interest of the safety of our students and staff, the decision may be made to alter the school day in one of the following ways:

• Delay (Monday through Friday): The start of classes is delayed (typically by 2 hours) and school bus transportation pick-up times are also delayed by the equivalent time.
• Delay (Friday): * In the event that classes are delayed on a Friday, our early release schedule will be suspended for that day and classes will dismiss at the regular Monday through Thursday dismissal times. Bus transportation times are adjusted to align with the new delay and dismissal times.
• Cancel classes: No classes are held, though district offices/buildings remain open.
• Early Dismissal of students: School bus transportation times are altered to align with dismissal times.
• District Closure: All District offices/buildings are closed (essential staff report to work).

Families and Staff are notified of these weather-related decisions via a School Messenger phone call, our CRCSD Facebook/Twitter/Instagram platforms, and local media outlets.
Additional details regarding Weather-Related Decisions can be found on our website HERE.

We appreciate your understanding that these decisions to alter the school day are not made lightly. Dozens of factors are taken into consideration to ensure the best decision is made for our entire student and staff population. If you're curious about what goes into these weather-related decisions, read on:

A long list of factors are considered to make a most informed decision—and one which our Superintendent believes will be the right decision for our 17,000 students and their families.
Those factors and criteria include the following: 

• the timing of the weather event (when it’s predicted to begin and end); 
• what amount and type/s of precipitation – ice, snow, fog, etc. – are predicted;
• the current temperatures (including wind chill) and those that are being predicted (understanding that a few degrees difference can be a big difference in experience);
• the timing of the changes in temperature as it relates to school start and end times;
• any potential for a compounding event (for example, more snow on top of recent ice and snow, or something similar);
• feedback from the Transportation Director about the current state of the roads, as well as custodial/buildings and grounds staff on the logistical capacity to clear parking lots and sidewalks of our 4 high schools, 6 middle schools, and 21 elementary schools on a schedule that would allow for safety for all;
• the fact that we have a number of students who will be driving and they are less experienced drivers than our staff members and parents/guardians.

Based on all of these factors, and many more, our Superintendent does her/his best to have a decision in place before 5:30AM for a late start or cancellation, and by 10:00AM for an early dismissal.

Safety is always the primary consideration in the overall thought process—and considerations of how to manage the logistics of transportation, child care, academic days, etc, are folded into that conversation. Superintendent Noreen Bush will be making the weather-related decisions which are then communicated to families and staff by our Community Relations team.

Every once in a while, a decision is made that leaves a parent, guardian, or community member wondering what in the world we were thinking. We understand that! But as they say, hindsight is always 20/20, and as we head into this winter season, please know that when we make the call -- the decision and the call -- it’s with best intent for the safety of our students and staff.

Thank you,
CRCSD Community Relations

From the Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Dubuque takes seriously its call to provide the safest possible environment for all of our young people.  As part of that call, we provide information to parents to help them and all of us to be more informed of the issues and topics related to the abuse of children. It is our sincere hope that by partnering together we can continually provide the safest possible environment for all our young people to grow into healthy, Christ-filled adults.  

We invite you to view the Catholic Mutual Group Training “Safe Haven - It's Up to You”   videos that all employees and volunteers in the Archdiocese are required to complete.

As a parent you are invited to access these videos by following these steps:

1. Go to https://dubuque.cmgconnect.org
2. Register for a new account
3. Select your school or parish location
4. Select Role of “Volunteer”
5. Select Participation as “Parent”
6. Start the Training, “Safe Haven Training for Parents - Dubuque” 
7. Register you account

Parents who view the videos through the “Parent” section will not be required to have a background check.  Parents who wish to be a parish/school volunteer, averaging over an hour a week, are asked to participate as “Volunteer” (step 5 above) as this will automatically prompt you through the initial background check process.

Regis Middle School News

Position Opening at Regis Middle School: Director of Maintenance
Regis Middle School is in search of a full-time Director of Maintenance.  Benefits are available with this position. A pre-employment physical and exam are required prior to job offer.  Qualifications include, but are not limited to: high school diploma (associates or bachelor’s recommended); effective leadership, communication and problem-solving skills; knowledge of electrical, plumbing, basic carpentry, and HVAC (including steam boiler); basic computer skills.  Experience in maintenance preferred. Those interested should forward a resume and letter of interest to Dianne at dclarke@regisroyals.org or Regis Middle School, 735 Prairie Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, 52402.  Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31st.    

Xavier High School News

X-Men Wrestling Club (PK-8):  We'd love to have your families join us. There is still time to sign up. Practices start Mon., Nov. 11th. Contact Ben Hoover bhoover@holmesmurphy.com or 319-929-5575 for more information. or check us out at https://www.facebook.com/groups/XMenWrestling/