FALL 2020
THE MUSTANG ROUNDUP CONNECTING GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS WITH MAYFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL
A Note from Head of School, Joe Sciuto I continue to keep all of you in my prayers in the hope that you are all healthy and safe. I also hope that you are finding creative ways to have fun, stay cool, and spend time with your family as summer comes to an end and we begin the 2020-21 school year. Like many other schools across the nation, Mayfield Junior School is placing an emphasis on safety and starting the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning. Our community thrives on the joyful spirit and supportive interaction of being together and we hope to bring our students back to campus as soon as possible, but it is simply not safe for children to return to school campuses at this time.
Head of School, Joe Sciuto
Welcome! Grandparents and special friends play a vital role in our community, as loving supporters of our students and their education. We hope you enjoy reading about what's new at Mayfield Junior School and the many ways you can stay involved!
We know Holy Child education is important now more than ever, and we have focused since June on designing a comprehensive back to school plan that is responsible, flexible, and most importantly, mission-driven. All summer administrators have met with a mix of parents and faculty members in four designated task forces covering everything from the big picture of Scenario Planning, preparing the campus with Health and Safety enhancements and protocols, the Academic Program and Finance, and Budget.
Our goal has been to continually provide families with timely updates and to be as open and transparent as possible. As always, everything we do is dictated upon the local, county, state, and federal guidelines. Our Ever Forward Back-to-School planning page on our school website provides further information on the reopening of school, campus health and safety for students and school personnel, and our three Task Forces under the Scenario Planning Team’s leadership. Please continue to refer to this page for updates. Our faculty and staff have been amazing throughout this process. I am proud to put our plans for the 2020-21 school year up against any other school in the area. The plans are Holy Child and whole child student-centered. I am in awe of the work our school administrators, faculty and staff members, and parent and Board of Trustees volunteers have done to plan for this year. I am confident we have left no stone unturned and know you will feel the same. Thank you for your support and positivity. Our community is stronger together, and I join all of you in praying for the days ahead when we are all physically together, and our country and the world have successfully dealt with COVID-19.
Announcing Interim Lower School Director, Beth Dorr Mrs. Dorr was announced as Interim Lower School Director on July 2nd MJS is delighted to welcome Mrs. Beth Dorr as Interim Lower School Director for the 2020-21 school year. Mrs. Dorr is the epitome of a Holy Child educator, and thanks to her understanding of our Mission and the relationships she has with our students, faculty, and parents, will provide us with a strong sense of continuity, familiarity, and joyfulness during these uncertain times. Mrs. Dorr has been a 2nd and 4th grade teacher at MJS since 2002, and she has held a number of leadership positions at our school. Mrs. Dorr has been working with the Leadership Team since early July in her new role as Interim Lower School Director, preparing for the start of the 2020-21 school year. We are blessed to have Mrs. Dorr joining us in this leadership position and grateful for her dedication and loyalty to Mayfield. Interim Lower School Director, Beth Dorr
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THE MUSTANG ROUNDUP
FALL 2020
OPENING MASS
EVENTS
Celebrating the Start of a New School Year Upcoming Events Join us for virtual Opening Mass on Sunday, September 13th and Performances Celebrating the start of each school year at MJS with our Opening Mass and Reception is a cherished and longstanding tradition. Typically held in the Greg Smith Memorial Gymnasium, the gathering is an opportunity to welcome new families to the Mayfield Junior School community. Each new family is gifted an orchid, a symbol of all that will be cultivated and tended to with love and care during their years at MJS.
and guidance they offer. To honor this special day, we will include a blessing for the grandparents in our community during this year’s Opening Mass.
September 13, 2020 Opening Mass
We hope you will join us to celebrate Opening Mass on Sunday, September 13 at 9:00am at mayfieldjs.org/live
December 3, 2020 1st/2nd Grade Christmas Concert December 11, 2020 Christmas Concert
Although in-person gatherings are not possible at this time, we will still be able to come together virtually for this special event on the morning of Sunday, September 13. We are grateful for the ability to connect across space and screens during this time of physical distancing. To our delight, this year’s Opening Mass falls on National Grandparents’ Day – a holiday meant to honor grandparents and help children become aware of the strength, information,
*Dates listed above reflect preliminary plans for school events and performances. Please regularly check the school calendar at www.mayfieldjs.org/calendar for the most upto-date schedule information. Opening Mass can be found on the MJS website at mayfieldjs.org/live on Sunday, September 13 at 9:00am.
VOLUNTEER
Become a Volunteer! There are many ways to participate in the daily life of our school, even as we are physically distant from one another. Remote volunteers may be needed throughout the 2020-21 school year to fill a variety of roles, such as Library story time readers and audience members for student presentations. If you are interested in virtual volunteering or would like to learn more about the various opportunities available, please contact Assistant Director of Advancement, Amanda Manker, at amanker@mayfieldjs.org
ANNUAL FUND
Support MJS The Annual Fund supports the programs and experiences that make a Mayfield education special. We are proud of our community’s strong commitment to the Annual Fund! Each year grandparents contribute nearly $100,000 to the Mayfield Annual Fund, supporting the school’s current operating budget and providing resources to enrich teaching, inspire learning, and fortify the strong educational experience offered at MJS. To make a gift to the Mayfield Annual Fund, please visit www.mayfieldjs.org/support or contact Associate Director of Advancement, Jessica Jones, at jjones@mayfieldjs.org
Mayfield Junior School ï 405 South Euclid Avenue ï Pasadena, California 91101 626.796.2774 ï www.mayfieldjs.org
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