Dear Parents-
Like all schools, we have worked this summer to find a way to safely reopen our wonderful school! The advice and guidance provided by the Office of Catholic Schools, Virginia Council for Private Education, Governor Northam, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Virginia Department of Health was instrumental in helping us form a plan that allows us to reopen our school, for all students, five days a week. The date for the first day of school will be confirmed as soon as possible. A distance learning option will remain available for students who need that opportunity. Parents will indicate their choice for in-person or distance learning through a survey that will follow.
We have taken great effort to comply with the mandates and guidance of our advisory and governing bodies. And with that must come the understanding that this school year will not look like previous school years. Our effort to keep students, teachers and staff, and by extension our families, safe, begins at home as we ask parents to partner with us to follow all guidance and directions, and please instruct your children regarding your expectations for them and the importance of complying with all rules for their safety, your safety, and the safety of faculty and staff.
Additionally, you will be asked to monitor student wellness with temperature checks and health surveys, details to follow. Morning drop off and afternoon pick up routines will be adjusted to minimize student contact, and all students will be asked to
provide their own masks for daily use
. (Specifications will be provided.) Training on personal hygiene will be provided before school begins, as well as during the first day and week of school.
All members of our community will follow social distancing guidelines, and respect requests from faculty, staff and administration with regard to social distancing and the wearing of masks. Cleaning, building ventilation and hand sanitizing protocols have been developed and will be implemented according to the guidance from the CDC.
Students at each grade-level will be divided into three classrooms, made possible by utilizing all available space in the building. Teachers will move between classrooms as necessary for instruction. The cafeteria will not be used, and students will be required to bring their own bag lunch, as hot lunch will not be available this school year. There will be no afternoon clubs or sports until further notice. Details regarding Extended Day will be released at a later date.
The full Mitigation Plan can be accessed
here
. Further details continue to be developed and will be shared through upcoming issues of Bernie’s Bark. Please bear in mind that the SJS reopening plan requires that Virginia remain in Phase Three or moves to a higher phase, and the plan is subject to change depending on circumstances. We continue to closely monitor the situation with respect to COVID-19 in Virginia.
A virtual Town Hall meeting will be held in the near future to answer your questions. Details will be sent home as soon as fully arranged.
I pray for the health and safety of our community.
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
(Rom 15:7)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
