Dear IWA Families,

I pray that this letter finds you well as we all continue to adjust to the drastic changes caused by the pandemic. We certainly never expected to be living through this scenario at the school, but I am humbled and honored to be working with our extraordinary teachers and leaders who urgently created and implemented meaningful distance learning for our students. 

Although this teaching method is not what you envisioned for your children either, please be assured that Incarnate Word Academy continues to be dedicated to providing students an educational experience that surpasses community and national standards. While our teachers are working hard to make distance learning positive and productive for the precious students entrusted to our care, it is tuition revenue that makes it possible for the school to continue fulfilling our commitments, including payroll. 

As a private, independent Catholic school, Incarnate Word Academy relies solely on tuition revenue and philanthropy to operate. Unfortunately our signature annual fundraiser, Paradise Island, had to be canceled this year and we anticipate decreases in the significant tuition assistance grants that we typically receive from foundations because of the stock market impact.

IWA will pursue every possible form of government disaster relief through the CARES Act and the Education Stabilization Fund with the fervent hope that this relief will help the school recover from significant revenue losses. Consistent tuition payments are more important than ever now, and we thank you for continuing to make them. We realize this comes at a time when many of you are experiencing financial hardships too. If you need to discuss modifying your payment structure or exploring tuition assistance options, please contact Debbie Diegel in the business office (diegeld@iwacc.org).

I want to close on a personal note, to share that during times in my life when I feel fearful, I “stand” on one of God’s promises by repeating a scripture to myself (in first person). The scripture is from Proverbs 1:33, “but whoever listens to God will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” It has become my mantra these days, and I pray that you are all living in safety and at ease, without fear of harm. 

Thank you for being part of the loving IWA community. 

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families,

As we all comply with Governor Abbot's order for schools to remain closed until May 4th, I wanted to share the letter that Dr. Rosemary Henry issued for all Catholic School families. The letter is attached below. 

As we approach the strangest Holy Week of our lives, I want to invite our IWA families to join me in hanging palm branches on your front door as a gesture of solidarity as we all participate in Palm Sunday from home. You can send a photo of your door to Doug Nichols (nicholsd@iwacc.org) to be included in a video collage next week. 

I love seeing photos and hearing stories of our Angels thriving during distance learning. I know you all join me in thanking the amazing IWA faculty and staff for creating and implementing a meaningful program in such a short time. And kudos to all of our parents for creating work spaces at home and facilitating school work. Your partnership makes this possible and positive. 

Please be assured of our continued prayers for healing and peace and thank you for yours. Praised be the Incarnate Word...now and forever more.  

Sincerely, 

Sammie Grunwald

Letter to School Families from Dr. Henry

Dear IWA Families and Employees,

We are definitely in a place that no one expected to be, with all of our precious Angels working diligently from home and the campus closed. The creativity, ingenuity and sheer tenacity of our faculty and staff combined with the flexibility, support, and partnership from parents has made distance learning more than possible—it is positive and impactful. 

In light of the newly announced Nueces County order to stay at home for two weeks, we will continue distance learning and extend the school closure through Easter Monday, April 13, 2020. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students and employees and will continue to monitor the situation closely and  make decisions that support safety and wellness. Further changes will be announced as they are known. In the meantime, thank you all for embracing distance learning so we can make this time as positive and productive as possible for our Angels. 

On behalf of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament and the IWA School Board, I want to thank everyone for being a beacon of hope and light in these uncertain times.

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families, 

As we continue to navigate the current situation surrounding COVID-19, and in light of Governor Abbot's executive order, Incarnate Word Academy will extend our school closure and Distance Learning Plan (DLP) through April 3rd. Distance learning begins on Monday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. and all families will receive a copy of our DLP from their principals later this afternoon. 

In addition, the school will continue to freeze the 2020-2021 enrollment fee increase while students are not on campus. New dates for fee changes will be announced after in-person classes resume. 

Our faculty and staff continue to work hard preparing for distance learning classes to begin on Monday. And, as always, we will continue to update everyone on changes to the school closure dates as soon as they are known.

Please join Catholics and religious communities around the world as Pope Francis encourages everyone to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary today at 3 p.m. CST (9 p.m. in Rome).

Praised be the Incarnate Word.

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families,

These are uncertain and unsettling times, and while it is difficult to plan for the future with rapidly changing information, one thing is abundantly clear: the health, safety and well-being of the students entrusted to our care and our IWA faculty and staff will always be our number one priority. 

While we are unable to plan very far down the road, we have made the decision to keep Incarnate Word Academy closed for another week (through March 27^th) so that everyone can continue to minimize social interactions to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

We will launch the IWA Distance Learning Plan (DLP) for all students on Monday, March 23^rd at 10:00 a.m. 

You will receive a letter this evening from your school level principals that will outline more details. Additionally, a copy of the IWA DLP, which includes more specific information, will be distributed to everyone on Thursday. A dedicated page on the school’s website at iwacc.org/distance-learning will provide updates and DLP details. 

Please be assured that while distance learning may become the temporary norm in our community, our teachers are working diligently and creatively to ensure that the IWA educational experience continues to surpass community and national standards. 

We realize that this communication sparks more questions than it answers, and we thank you for your patience as we navigate this evolving situation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you apprised of any further extension of the school’s closure dates. 

We are praying for you and thank you for praying for us and the entire IWA Family. 

Praised be the Incarnate Word.

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families, Faculty and Staff,

As you have likely anticipated, our signature Paradise Island fundraiser, scheduled for March 28th, is cancelled. This difficult decision was made in response to the national, state, and local health recommendation of social distancing due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

The raffle drawing will still take place on March 28th with the winning ticket drawn on Facebook live at noon. We are grateful to all of our students, families, faculty, and friends and who sold tickets to help our school. If you still have outstanding tickets or money and stubbs to turn in, please bring them by the Advancement Office at 3030 S. Alameda this week (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

Countless hours and considerable work went into creating an incredible Paradise Island event for our IWA family and community partners. We want to thank our co-chairs, Lisa and Matt Hoskins and Sandra and Matt Ficenec and their many committee volunteers. Their passion for and commitment to our mission is inspiring.

Many of the Paradise Island supporters have allowed us to convert their support to a 100% donation which is especially significant in helping us mitigate some of the vendor expenses that could not be avoided or refunded so close to the event date. We are tremendously grateful to these and all of our supporters. 

You are all part of the IWA family and we miss being able to interact with you on a daily basis. Please know that you all remain in our steadfast prayers and that we send our collective love and virtual hugs. 

Praised be the Incarnate Word.

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families,

We realize that everyone is anxious to know what to expect in the coming days. While it is very likely that we will not return to the campus next week, we will share that information with you as soon as it is confirmed.

In the meantime, our teachers and principals are using this extended spring break week to create a robust and impactful distance learning program that will launch on March 23rd if necessary. We will do our very best to make the most of this unfortunate situation so our students remain engaged, challenged and keenly interested in learning.

We are praying without ceasing for the safety and well being of all of our families and for wisdom and discernment as we make decisions that affect your precious children, our beloved Angels. Thank you for your prayers for the school and our community too.

Sincerely,
Sammie Grunwald

Dear IWA Families,

Thank you for your patience as information continues to evolve concerning IWA’s plans to address coronavirus concerns. Per the recommendation of the Director of the Nueces County Health Department and Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department, Incarnate Word Academy will extend spring break by one week with a plan to resume classes on March 23, 2020. 

This temporary closure is intended to minimize health risks to those in our community as our city and country are increasing social distancing tactics to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This closure will allow our community to monitor their health for coronavirus symptoms which develop around five days after exposure.

In the event that we are unable to return to campus on March 23^rd, we will enact our contingency plan and engage all of our students in remote learning. This will look different for every age group. Your school level administration will send more detailed information regarding distance learning should it become necessary.

Our faculty and staff will use this extra week of spring break to continue preparing for the possibility of extended remote learning.  We know that there will be challenges along the way, and we will do our best to address them. A new webpage dedicated to IWA’s coronavirus responses will be available on the iwacc.org homepage tomorrow. We are committed to keeping our IWA family safe and informed and encourage you to communicate with us regarding questions and concerns.

May God bless us all as we strive to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7

Sincerely,

Sammie Grunwald