From the Head of School: Campus Closure Extended Through May 4

Dear Duchesne Community, 

In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our school community, and in compliance with the executive order from Governor Abbott, Duchesne is anticipating that students will return to on-campus classes Monday, May 4, 2020. As the public health crisis evolves, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide any necessary updates to our planned timeline.

Each division will follow up with additional information specific to Lower, Middle, and Upper School about events that will be canceled or rescheduled as a result of the extended campus closure.

As we continue with remote learning and living in a “new normal,” I am grateful for the commitment, flexibility, and support of all in our community as we connect with each other and experience new ways of learning and communicating. I have received much positive feedback about how well-prepared Duchesne was to enact remote learning and how well we have made this transition. That being said, I also know that this is an incredibly difficult time for our families. Of particular note are the seniors, the class that was born in the wake of September 11 at a time when everything in American life seemingly changed overnight. We are once again facing a tumultuous time in our country...in our world, and I believe that our seniors, and all Duchesne students, will be stronger, more resilient, and even more prepared to share their gifts with the world as it changes.

All of our students are girls and young women of the Sacred Heart — an educational tradition that was born in a time of great strife as St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and her contemporaries faced the fallout of the French Revolution. As you all know, our school’s namesake, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, also faced her own travails as she pursued her life’s work in early America under extremely harsh conditions. Sacred Heart Schools are truly built on a foundation of facing difficulty head on and conquering hardship to create a tangible expression of God’s love.

As our Sacred Heart community faces this current crisis, together yet scattered, I am profoundly proud of the steadfast work being done by our students, our parents, our faculty, and our staff. These next few weeks will continue to push our boundaries as we commit to new ways of thinking, doing, and being. May we will continue to lean on our faith and face our challenges with the fortitude, strength, and love of our blessed Sacred Heart community. Please be safe and remain well.

In prayer and with hope,

Patricia Swenson
Head of School