Dear SPN Families,
This has been my prayer since March 2020, and it is the message of the Jesus Calling reflection for January 4th. It reads, “I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus,’ in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you.”
When situations like the one we have faced this week arise, this is my prayer. Please know that as a school community, when having to make decisions, we take into account what is best for our whole community, the common good. We acknowledge and appreciate the challenge that postponing the return to school has caused several of our families, and we try to avoid these situations whenever possible. Thank you to everyone in our community for making this adjustment in order to keep us all safe and healthy.
As the scramble for locating tests and appointments began last Friday, many of you began coordinating with one another on where you could find tests, sharing test kits with one another, and in general banding together to help. The Diocese School Department has just informed us that we will have access to at-home rapid tests through Alameda County tomorrow afternoon. These free tests will be available for pick up at the school office on Wednesday, January 5th, between 5:00-6:30 p.m for students who have not yet tested. Hopefully this will enable all healthy students to return to school on Thursday morning.
As we return to in-person instruction, we emphasize full compliance with our Daily Health Screening DHS. If your student has symptoms or has been exposed to a positive COVID case, keep him/her at home and inform the School Office. Please consider double-masking, as research has shown this to be an effective strategy to help protect individuals from the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant. Also, the KN95 masks are said to be more effective than cloth. Our classroom environments optimize ventilation with air filters, the use of fans and open windows. We continue to encourage practicing regular hand hygiene routines. Finally, our lunch seating will be reconfigured to allow for more social distancing while students are eating and drinking. These measures will help to keep us safe and healthy in the weeks to come.
Again, many thanks for your support, understanding and faith that we can better manage any challenges we face when we remember Jesus’ love and care for us.
Warmly,
Julie Thomas
Interim Principal
Thank you SPN! A message from Meals on Wheels:
Thank you so much for thinking of our Meals on Wheels recipients during this holiday season. They are so very grateful for the gifts and thoughts. Many of them have no family and the idea that someone is thinking of them is very meaningful.
I talked to someone yesterday who has been in the hospital for a few weeks. We delivered her gifts to her neighbor so that she could bring them to her in the hospital. She said it brought tears to her eyes to receive those gifts. It made her day and made her feel good, even though she is not at home.
Thanks again from everyone at Meals on Wheels. What you did made a difference!
Happy New Year! - Peri Drake, Director, Alameda Meals on Wheels
