Weekly news & updates

January 8, 2021
Dear SCBA Parents:
-----Happy New Year!  Our first week back has been filled with lots of learning and some fun with the snow!  Our Preschool class came into the office on Tuesday and threw snowballs (not real snowballs) at me!  The giggles and laughter for the few minutes warmed my heart a great deal!  They loved that I threw the snowballs back at them!  I heard they got Fr. Don as well on Wednesday and he loved it!  
-----This week we celebrated the Epiphany.  The Magi made it to Mary, Joseph and Jesus with their gifts.  There is a tradition of “chalking the doors” on Epiphany.  The formula for this ritual is simple:  take a piece of chalk and write the following above the entrance of your home:
20+C+M+B+21
-----The letters have two meanings.  First, they represent the initials of the Magi- Casper, Malchior, and Balthazar- who came to visit Jesus in His first home.  They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat:  “May Christ bless the house.”   The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “21” at the end mark the year.  Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless those marked homes, that He stays with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.
-----The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world, though it appears to be somewhat less well-known in the United States.  It is, however, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and all who live, work or visit there.  Our classrooms are chalked and we know that God will bless all who enter our rooms throughout the year.  
-----Thank you for continuing to monitor your scholar’s health as we start the new school year!  I know the numbers of COVID-19 in Clay County remain high, but here, at SCBA, we are doing well and this is allowing us to remain open.  Each family has a part in this and I appreciate you doing your part to help keep our school open.  

Many blessings to each of you.

Dr. Hopson

Looking Ahead:
  • January 11-14– Benchmark Assessments
  • January 14– All School Mass @ 9 AM, Dress Uniform
  • January 15– Professional Development– No school, Extended Care will be closed
  • January 18– MLK Day– No school, Extended Care will be closed
  • January 21– All School Mass @ 9 AM, Dress Uniform
Catholic Schools Week is just around the corner!
Stay tuned for more information!
Additional Announcements
Spirituality Survey
  • As we begin a new year still in the grasp of COVID-19, we want to reach out to our parishioners and school families to see what it is you are struggling with and how we at Saint Charles Borromeo can help you. Please let us know in the short survey below if there is something we can do to help, or any services or ministries we can provide, in your spirituality journey.
Young Rembrandts
  • January classes for Young Rembrandts are open for registration! Register now for live virtual drawing lessons. There is a 10% discount for enrollment through December 24th. Sign-up today! For more information, see the flyer below.
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
SCBA Covid-19 Update- January 2021

-----As we begin the 2nd semester of our school year here are some reminders of the SCBA’s expectations in dealing with sickness and COVID-19.

Reporting a Sick Child to SCBA:
  • Parents have a responsibility to report a scholar who is sick.
  • SCBA will develop a procedure to track the type of symptoms sick scholars are exhibiting such as temperature, symptoms, length of current symptoms, etc.
  • Records are to be maintained in a safe, confidential file for one year.
  • Individuals presenting one or more of the symptoms below, or who test positive for COVID-19, will be excluded from school/ECC.
  • Symptoms of illness and possible COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the following list (CDC, MO School Board Association):
  • Fever 100.0 or greater
  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting

Dealing with quarantine or isolation procedures: (Updated as of 1/1/2021)

  • A scholar or teacher/staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate for at least 10 days. Scholars or teacher/staff members can return to school and/or work after 10 days IF they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours and can wear a mask to return to school/work.
  • If a mask can’t be worn, then the full 14 day isolation period will be mandated.  
  • Scholars/classes who have been in close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine at home for a recommended amount of time. CDC recommends 14 day quarantine.  
  • Quarantine can end after day 10 IF you have no symptoms of COVID-19 and you are willing to wear a mask and monitor your symptoms during the additional 4 day period.  

-----So, SCBA will begin to follow this guideline and quarantine scholars/classes for at least 10 days. Those scholars who have no symptoms will be able to return to school after 10 days of quarantine.  
-----The most important thing to remember is if your scholar is not feeling well, please keep them home.
-----If there is a need for a class to quarantine or for your scholar to isolate due to testing positive, Kindergarten through 8th grade will provide a remote learning opportunity for your scholar. Your scholar’s teacher will be in contact with you to get this set up for your scholar. Please know that getting everything in place for remote learning can take at least a day to get set up. Your scholar’s teacher will be in touch with you once everything is ready.  
-----Thank you for partnering with SCBA as we move forward during this different year! Working together will keep our school open - hopefully for the remainder of the school year!