THE CRUSADER TIMES

News from The Atonement Academy --- Vol. 2019-2020. No. 42, June 18, 2020

IT'S SUMMERTIME!

Let everything in creation draw you toGod. Refresh your mind with someinnocent recreation and needful rest, ifit were only to saunter through thegarden or the fields, listening to thesermon preached by the flowers, thetrees, the meadows, the sun, the sky,and the whole universe. --St. Paul ofthe Cross

Together with a culture of work, theremust be a culture of leisure asgratification. To put it another way:people who work must take the time torelax, to be with their families, to enjoythemselves, read, listen to music, playa sport. --Pope Francis

Leisure implies an attitude of totalreceptivity toward, and willingimmersion in, reality; an openness ofthe soul, through which alone maycome about those great and blessedinsights that no amount of “mentallabor” can ever achieve. --Josef Pieper

Encouragement for leisure time comesfrom popes, philosophers, and saints.Enjoy your summer, Crusaders!

Young Crusader Ty Slayden and his littlesister Ryann enjoy some cool water on a hotsummer day!

WEEKLY LETTER FROM MR. WATSON

June 18, 2020

Dear Atonement Family,

Welcome to the Crusader Times - Fourth Quarter Awards Edition!Congratulations to all those students who persevered amidst imperfectcircumstances this past quarter. You not only lived through history-in-the-making,but you were faithful to play your part as a student.

As a school, the best way for us to meet the challenges of uncertain times is tohave a plan. Conditions can change and government directives can intervene, butby having a plan, we will be in the best position to respond calmly and creativelyto these changes. Therefore, I hope you have had a chance to look over our initial“Safe Return” statement, sent to families and posted to our website on May 28.An updated, more detailed Safe Return update will be published in early July.

Of course, any school’s strategy for next year must answer the question of how itwill continue to educate students in case of a campus closure. While we havecertainly developed some unanticipated expertise in remote learning over thepast few months, we wanted to make sure we heard from you as a part of ourdebriefing and reflection process. Thank you to the 110 families who shared theirremote learning experience on the survey we sent out in late May. Here are somekey findings:

- 61% found the Academy’s Remote Learning Plan challenging or “just right”

- 39% indicated they wanted greater rigor

- 75% of families would like to see more integration of online tools in version “2.0,”and 86% hope classes will adjust to allow for more online video interactionbetween students and teachers

- Nearly half of families were interested or “possibly” interested in optional remotelearning for the first quarter

- If, short of ordering campuses closed, government authorities mandate moreextreme physical distancing than we can accomplish with all students on campus,72% of you would prefer bringing your students to campus every other day overbringing them every other week

Know that we will draw on this feedback as we prepare “Remote Learning 2.0” inanticipation of possible closures during the 2020-2021 school year. We arealready laying the groundwork for Lower School teachers to cover all coresubjects, greater rigor at the Middle and Upper School level, and an increase inour teachers’ capacity to post prerecorded videos and host live remote classsessions.

Let us continue to pray for one another. There is little doubt that 2020-2021 willchallenge us all in some way. In God’s hands, though, trials and tribulations areoccasions for our growth and his glory.

Your servant,

Matthew David WatsonHead of School

SUMMER EVENTS

July 2Crusader Times (Midsummer Edition)

July 31Senior Sunrise Rosary (Piazza, 6:00 a.m.)Rosary, Mass, and Breakfast; ends at approximately 8:30 a.m.

July 31PreK and Kinder Picnic (Piazza, 6:30-7:30 p.m.)A longstanding Academy tradition for our youngest Crusaders

August 5Lower School Parent-Only Orientation (St. Anthony Hall, 7:00-8:30 p.m.)Get the latest information on the upcoming school year

August 6Middle and Upper School Parent-Only Orientation (St. Anthony Hall, 7:00-8:30p.m.)Get the latest information on the upcoming school year

August 7Meet the Teacher & Supplies Drop-Off (Campus, 1:00-4:00 p.m.)Families A-G 1:00-2:00 p.m.Families H-P 2:00-3:00 p.m.Families Q-Z 3:00-4:00 p.m.* Middle and Upper locker assignments will also be available.

August 8Campus Beautification (Campus, 7:30-11:00 a.m.)Stay tuned for more information as we get closer

August 11Back-to-School Picnic (St. Anthony Hall and Piazza, 12:30-3:00 p.m.)Celebrate the start of school!

SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS NOW POSTEDON THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE

Assignments to accompany summer reading are now available on the school’swebsite (link). For most grades, these are journaling assignments designed tohelp your child engage more fully with the book they have been assigned to readover the summer. Assignments are due on the first day of school, so be sureto retrieve them soon so your child is ready to submit the assignment whenschool resumes in August.

2020-21 BOOK LISTS AND SUPPLY LISTS

The 2020-21 lists for supplies and textbooks are posted on the website, under"Documents and Forms" (www.theatonementacademy.org).

TEXTBOOKSHere is a link for the Lower School Textbook List, along with this one for the

Middle and Upper School.

SUPPLIESHere is a link that will take you to the Middle & Upper School list, and this link willtake you to the list for the Lower School. In addition, there is a separatelist here for the PreK-3 and PreK-4.

REPORT CARDS

The fourth quarter report cards are electronically available on your RenWebaccount today, Thursday, June 18th. You will receive an email with completedirections for accessing your child's final grade report.

SUMMER HOURS

Remember, through Tuesday, June 30th, the Academy administration and officestaff will be following "summer hours." During this period, the front office will beopen from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The school office will be closed during themonth of July.

FOURTH QUARTER AWARDS

Third Grade SilverLuke Brehm

Dominic CreechDevin Deschenes

Logan FarberJozsef FerencziIreland GarveyEverett Macom

Wyatt MartinJory Martinez

Tristen Noriega-BarretoBertie Scott

Maximilian Vander Sys

Third Grade GoldAlyssa Alcantara

Diego ConradGenevieve Galvez

Elise HalpinGabriela Hernandez

Emerson HortonJulia Moselina

Gabriel Puente MolinaSantiago Sanchez

Ty SlaydenAna Maria Spiller

Anna TomasKira Thomson

Fourth Grade SilverArmando GarzaIñigo Tort LarisFabiola Truque

Fourth Grade GoldColt Cockrell

Benedict CreechTheodora Galvez

Lillian GarciaBenicio GarzaDavid GorospeAlexander Groh

Hank HalpinMatthew John

Elizabeth Ann KellerGianna Ku

Emma LaneTyler Markey

Marcos MedranoAndrew MefrigePerri Mishreky

Nathan MoralesCaroline Nyberg

Ella QuarlesSteven Sander

Isabelle Simpson

Fifth Grade SilverCarlo Gaya

Jonah MacFaddenEva Piner

Julian Schott

Fifth Grade GoldAngela Aquino

Sheldon BerlangaSophia CantuZachary CantuJulia Conrad

Valeria FloresGabriela Garcia-Tovar

Briony GarzaClare Giltner

Nicholas GulickThomas Kisgen

JohnPaul KuGabriela MedranoAshley MeyeringMatthew MusquizAlexander Nyberg

Mia RobersonTomas Spiller

Maya ThomsonSophia Vander Sys

Evie Wick

Sixth Grade SilverEthan Cochetti

Lilia GentelHrehaan GeorgeGianna HivnorTyler Johnston

Benjamin MartinLucas Sanchez

Sixth Grade GoldMaria AlvarezLuke Farber

Gabriel GarciaHreanna George

Asha JanakiKatherine Joyner

Ethan Michael KellerEvan LandryRiley Markey

Mary Helen McKeeRoman Pena

Rachel Puente MolinaAlejandro Santillan

Leah ThayilHenry Watson

Seventh Grade SilverRebekah BarronSabella Berlanga

Lucia DiezIsabela GabinoSofia Gabino

Bonnie GiltnerJosemaria Henriquez

Mariana LaneBrian Schott

Seventh Grade GoldSean BrosnanAbigail Casey

Adrian Garcia-TovarMegan Guerra

Dominic LeDylan Markey

Sophia MusquizIsabela Nelson

Napoleon Puente MolinaEmma SauerJoshua Wick

Eighth Grade SilverCarlos AlvarezPaolo BooneCarlos Flores

Karolina GarzaNathan Groh

Madelline Magallanes

Eighth Grade GoldLauren Dietert-Deschenes

Noah GulickHannah JohnWilliam JonesSurrena Luna

Isabella MacFaddenIsabel Spiller

Hunter Van Delden

Ninth Grade SilverHannah CruzJohn Giltner

Hannah Logsdon

Ninth Grade GoldJoseph Barron

Daria CosnowskiAndrea Diaz

Adianna GarciaMadelyn Landry

Richard Mark LaneIan Pro

Andres SanchezAnaMarie Santos

Madison ValeVictoria Watson

Tenth Grade SilverXavier Magallanes

Sian Wendtland

Tenth Grade GoldLuciana Alvarado

Diana BorgesKatherine Cerda

Cody CluteAnnmarie Groh

Isabella McHughElizabeth McKee

John Christopher MooreMatthew PetroffAlfredo Santillan

Faith Weems

Eleventh Grade SilverDavid Henriquez

Katherine MonroeAnna SadornasSarah Treviño

Eleventh Grade GoldAiyanah Chavez

Anais GarzaNatalie Pecha

Twelfth Grade SilverJimena Alvarez

Daniel Walmsley

Twelfth Grade GoldMoira Brosnan

Nicholas EscobarJuan Pedro Garza

Maria GarzaOlivia Kisgen

Lily MooreFranco Navarrete Bojalil

Nicholas NybergSofia Ortega

Christopher RosedaleEmiliano SanchezGabriella Santillan

Mary Sommer

WE'RE ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT APPLICATIONS

Our Admissions Director, Mrs. Joiner, has been busy this summer touringinterested families around our campus. If you have friends or family members whodesire to provide their children with an excellent Catholic classical education, it isnot too late to consider The Atonement Academy!

We continue to receive and process student applications, and Mrs. Joiner is readyto assist families looking to join our community. Connect with herat yjoiner@atonementonline.com. Thank you for making us the school of choicefor families seeking a Catholic classical education.

YEARBOOK UPDATE

The yearbook company, Balfour, recently reopenedtheir production plant and our yearbook delivery dateis June 29th. Each Crusader family receives onecopy of the yearbook, and you will receive detailsregarding distribution as soon as we receive theannuals.

ACADEMIC OUTFITTERS UPDATE

In the interest of serving our Atonement families as safely and expeditiously aspossible, our uniform supplier is putting additional procedures in place. Theirguidelines are posted on our school website under "Documents andForms/Uniforms" (under the "Resources" tab).

Also, the company informed us that they have a new appointment site, and theywant you to be sure to use the correct website to sign up for your appointment. Lastly, they have a 10% discount until the 30th of June, so don't miss theopportunity to replace some of your needed items at a discount!

ACCELERATED READERS PRESS ONTHROUGHOUT QUARANTINE

We would like to acknowledge all of the Atonement scholars and families whocontinued to read during the COVID-19 quarantine season. There was noAccelerated Reader (AR) requirement during the fourth academic quarter, butmany of our students chose to keep their reading skills sharp. Below are studentswho were especially determined to achieve reading success by scoring in the topof their classes for AR quiz completion.

KinderLaney CampbellPaul CreechElijah MartinezAdriana Perez First GradeKathryn CarlinSantiago De HoyosParker FisherAnaahat KaurJacob MonaghanCaden PadillaShaan Singh Second GradeOlivia AlvaradoIsaiah CaseyElla GorospeLayla HamoodPatrick HenriquezQuinn MonaghanVictoria SemradNoah SimpsonFatima Tort Third GradeAlyssa AlcantaraGabriela Hernandez

Fourth GradeColt CockrellLillian GarciaMatthew JohnElizabeth KellerTyler MarkeySteven SanderInigo TortFabiola Truque Fifth GradeAngela Grace AquinoJulia ConradValeria FloresBriony GarzaJohn Paul KuMatthew MusquizMaya ThomsonSophia Vander Sys Sixth GradeMaria AlvarezGabriel GarciaEvan LandryRiley MarkeyRaquel Puente MolinaLeah ThayilHenry Watson

Everett MacomJory MartinezJulia Moselina

Seventh GradeSean BrosnanNapoleon Puente Molina Eighth GradeLauren Dietert-DeschenesHannah JohnWilliam JonesSurrena LunaMason Wendtland

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL TOILETRY DRIVE

In these uncertain times, many families are in dire need of bare necessities.Here’s how you can help. Please drop off toiletries in the bin in front of theAtonement school doors from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The collection will takeplace through June 22nd. The suggested donations are: deodorant, smallshampoo, small bars of soap, chap stick, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors,sunblock, small bottles of hand sanitizer, and feminine hygiene products. Thankyou for your help!

THIRD ANNUAL PARISHCHORISTER CAMP

We are happy to announce thisyear’s Chorister Camp, July 6through July 16. Treble voicestudents going into grades 3-12 inthe fall are eligible to participate. Homeschool students, children in theparish, and students from TheAtonement Academy are welcome.

Due to social distancing, this year’s camp will look different than it has in previousyears. The goal is to offer parish choristers a mix of in-person and on-lineinstruction. Parents should submit preferences via this survey depending on theirschedule (ability to transport students to campus) and comfort level. Pleasesubmit a separate survey for each child. Please see the complete description onthe parish website before submitting your survey! (Click here for Dr. Seighman'sdetailed flyer.)

We will be doing singing/ voice lesson type activities and working with the RoyalSchool of Church Music Voices for Life curriculum. Dr. Seighman will be making aschedule placing students into groups according to the medal level they areworking on, since they are all working out of different books. Social distancingand good hygiene will be followed during the morning sessions with students insmall groups (likely around 5 students at a time) and much of the time spentoutdoors.

There will be NO COST for your child(ren) to participate this year. However,the deadline for submitting surveys is June 25. This way Dr. Seighman will beable to make a schedule and send it to families by the beginning of July for

planning purposes.

Contact Dr. Jennifer Seighman, Parish Music Director, if you have questions orneed more information: jseighman@atonementonline.com

CRUSADER SECOND GRADERS JOIN PARISHIONERS FORFIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION

This past Sunday afternoon, more than65 children and adult parishionersmade their First Holy Communionand/or Confirmation.Bishop Steven Lopes of the Ordinariate

of the Chair of St. Peter was on handto join our pastor, Father Mark Lewis.

Atonement Academy second graderswere prepared by their teacher, Mrs.Kristie Weems (pictured here withGianna Ku) for the sacraments.

SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS

Are you looking for sports camps this summerfor your child?

Atonement will be offering a variety of campsfor lower, middle, and upper school-agedstudents. You don’t have to be enrolled at theschool to register! Basketball, soccer, football,volleyball, even strength and conditioning!!

Take a look at this link for more details aboutcamps and don’t forget to register! Go toour school website and check the Athleticspage for all the details.

CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

Thankfully we had an early start (7 AM) and plenty of volunteers. Everyonebrought rakes and pruning tools which really helped. After a couple of hours ofworking, the team took a breakfast taco break and then resumed. The followingindividuals and families helped in getting it done and we thank them for their hardwork and dedication in keeping our campus beautiful. - Fr. Mark Lewis (He stopped by to thank everyone and bless them)- The Dan and Lisa Morris Family (The wood chipper made the work go quicklyand Mr. Morris’ chainsaw skills also helped us get those oversized branches intothe chipper!)- The Chris and Deborah Wendtland Family- The Semrad Family- Atonement American Heritage Girls

- The Steve and Melissa Vale Family- The Daniel and Angie Padilla Family- The Paul Ku Family- Henry and Sarah Wright (Mr. Wright’s chainsaw skills came in pretty handy)- Veronica Quintana- Xavier Cantu Family- Tom Monaghan- Henry Lowe- Amy Nieto

FAREWELL, FATHER MOORE!

An intimate reception in the library on Wednesday, acommunity-wide piazza gathering on Thursday, aswell as homilies at both the 9:00 a.m. and the 11:00a.m. Sunday Masses gave friends of Father JeffMoore the opportunity to say goodbye. Father Mooreand his wife Ellie and children Emma, Lily, Jack, andOliver will be heading to Indiana for the next chapterof their lives in service of Our Lord.

We will miss the entire family, but we thank God for the 13 years we had FatherMoore here (ten as a priest). We know we will keep in touch and know that Godhas great plans in store for the Moore Family!

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