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About Mr. Michael Smith, SJHA Elementary School Athletic Director and Religion Teacher

Michael Smith has a BA in Sports Management and a minor in business from St. John’s University and obtained his MBA in General and Special Education from Touro College. Ever since he can remember, he has always wanted to be involved with sports as a career. Born and raised in Staten Island, NY, Mr. Smith is naturally competitive, motivated to succeed on any level of sports. His passion has always been sports, so when he was appointed athletic director at SJHA he was thrilled for the opportunity to bring his knowledge to the table and help the children develop.

Sports is, and continues to be, a way of life for Mr. Smith. He has over 20 years of experience playing soccer, at Holy Child, Staten Island United, St. Joseph by the Sea and a men’s soccer league. Baseball, however, is his truest passion. He played for Great Kills Little League, the Staten Island Padres and St. Joseph by the Sea. He continues to play in a men’s softball league and he hopes to show no signs of slowing down as he gets older! If Mr. Smith is not playing sports, he's teaching his son Mikey to play baseball or watching the Raiders, Rangers and of course

JUNIOR HIGH RELIGION

Grade 6 Religion

My classroom mission is to expand on the foundation of our Catholic Faith to enable our students to become individuals who value and live their Faith everyday – in all that they think, do and say. In the 6th grade, students will be introduced to the Revelation of God the Father, Creation and Scientific Information, The building of the Covenant Nation, Jesus as Teacher and Healer, Redeemer and Savior, The Beginning of the Church, and the Church in Our World. Our students will discover and investigate the Bible and refer to Sacred Scripture in all 4 Units of Study. Incorporating interactive activities and projects, on-line videos, web-sites, classroom discussions and traditional learning, it is my goal to create an environment which will help our children grow academically, emotionally, and Spiritually, providing opportunities for these youngsters to apply real-life applications to their Faith and moral decision-making.

Our 6th graders are introduced to Stewardship, and their important role in caring for our planet and all of God’s creations. Through the examples of significant adult role models and interaction with one another, they will be challenged to accept the responsibility of Stewardship and their role in caring for everyone and everything around them. They will become our Faith leaders of future generations.

Grade 7 Religion

In Grade 7 we expand our Christian Catholic teachings to include family, community, and the world. Through Discipleship and Evangelization, the children are called to participate in spreading the “Good News” of Jesus Christ, the Promise of Salvation, Jesus as the Healer, Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ Alive in our Church Today, and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

It is my objective that through classroom activities, individualized instruction and interdisciplinary assignments, we will continue to build on the strong foundation of our Catholic Faith already developed in our students. I also strive to create a warm, welcoming, caring and Christ-like environment as the children work and grow. I hope to achieve my goals by gathering sound Faith content, demonstrating my belief and living our Faith, and responding and acting on what we learn.

Grade 8 Religion

My 8th Grade mission is to help develop in our young men and women, a sense of appreciation, understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their Catholic Christian beliefs. Included in all content areas that will be covered this school year, is the total development of these young adults – Spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Our course of study will include: God and God’s Gift of Faith, Our Ancestors in Faith and Church History from A.D. 30 through the Present, The Church Gives Us Hope for Future Generations, Living Out the Commandments, and Our Catholic Christian Identity.

My goal is to incorporate the verbal, logical, visual, written, and interpersonal strategies of our students, to encourage them to appreciate and live by our Catholic Social Teachings. Through Sacred Scripture, our text, and web-based media, our students will focus on peer pressure and popular culture, free will, conscience, and moral decision-making, as they continue to embrace the Spiritual, morally responsible and adult-like practices of Catholic Christian Faith.

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Catholic Schools Week 2023

COVID Protocol Letter

As we prepare to begin the 2022-2023 school year, our first commitment is always to the health and
safety of our students and staff. Certain health and safety precautions taken during the pandemic will
remain in place such as proper ventilation including HEPA filters, floor units, and exhaust fans to ensure
airflow from the outside air. We will continue using touchless soap and paper towel dispensers. Hand
sanitizing stations will remain available. Students will be able to carry water bottles to class.
At this time, we will be requiring the submission of screening forms. Parents/legal guardians should
screen students every morning before they send them to school for possible symptoms or illness. These
can be found in the Sunday IRIS alerts. Students will be given two home tests at orientation this week
(although the expiration date is in September, tests are good for 3 months beyond the expiration date
shown), and will be given more home tests throughout the year for use if they do not feel well. Testing is
critical to stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

Masking is not required in school, except in cases where students/employees have been exposed or are
returning to school after a positive COVID-19 test (read below). Students/employees without exposure or
a positive test may wear masks if they choose; that is a personal preference.
Please note that there will be no remote learning unless the school is closed due to an emergency
situation imposed by federal, state, or city authorities.
Per Hill’s policy, students will be permitted to attend school trips regardless of vaccination status,
however, for the safety of all, the school may ask that prior to such trips, all students test (home test kits
will be provided by the school). As was the case last year, certain venues or
locations for extracurricular activities or trips may require vaccination; we have no control over
policies implemented by those locations. If we are aware of any vaccination restrictions, we will
notify you about them promptly.

The following NYC Department of Health rules must be followed regardless of vaccination status.
If a student/employee is experiencing symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such
as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea:
(a) You should stay home and take a COVID-19 home test.
(b) If the COVID-19 home test is negative and symptoms continue, you should take a second test at
least 24 hours after the first one and it is STRONGLY recommended that you wear a mask to
school until you get the second negative test.
(c) If the COVID-19 at-home test is positive, parents/guardians must email the School Nurse and
employees must email the Principal. You must be isolated for 5 days.
Example: The day a person tests positive or is exposed is counted as Day 0.
If a student/staff member tests positive on Monday, Monday is Day 0. The student should isolate
Monday (Day 0), Tuesday (Day 1), Wednesday (Day 2), Thursday (Day 3), Friday (Day 4) and
Saturday (Day 5).
I
f you are not experiencing any symptoms, the student/employee may return to school and must
wear a mask for another 5 days (e.g., Days 6 to 10).

If there are symptoms, but the individual has remained fever free for 24 hours (without fever
reducing medication), and symptoms are improving, isolation may end after 5 days, and the
student/employee may return to work wearing a mask for the next 5 days.

If you are experiencing symptoms, but they are improving, and you have remained fever free for
24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), isolation may end after 5 days, and the
student/employee may return to school wearing a mask for the next 5 days.
If the student/employee has been exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19 (for 15
minutes or more within 6 feet of that individual):
(a) Parents/guardians must email the School Nurse and employees must email the Principal.
(b) You must wear a mask at school, and take an at-home test as soon as symptoms appear, or on
Day 5 after exposure and please remember the day of exposure is Day 0 (see example
above).
(c) You may stop wearing a mask to school for 10 days if they receive two negative
COVID-19 tests-- 48 hours apart, after day 5 (e.g. on Days 6 & 8).

We reiterate, that anyone having symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever,
sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home and test. Staying home when sick can lower the risk
of spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to other people.

Thursday Google Form Link
https://forms.gle/mtuhopk7pr7cUdU46

Friday Google Form Link
https://forms.gle/dLBuaGvfLC6m1NSr8

Please complete both Google Form Links for this week

Name: Mr. Michael Smith
Position: 7th and 8th Grade Religion Teacher, 7th Grade Public Speaking Teacher, and Athletic Director