January 15, 2021
Hello Falcons Faithful!
No School on Monday, January 18, 2021, as we celebrate and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems…Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Intent to Return: If you have not already shared your plans for next fall, please complete our survey here: St. Christopher School Intent-to-Return Survey
Quarantine Classroom Guidance
- The Public Health Department of Dayton and Montgomery County updated its K-12 Quarantine Classroom Policy on January 5, 2021.
- In summary, it allows close contacts (individuals within 6′ of a positive case for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period) to remain in school and not quarantine if they were continuously wearing masks except while eating.
- The goal of this amendment is to keep children in the classroom, specifically in schools that do not offer asynchronous live streaming options.
- At this time, St. Christopher School is not changing its quarantine policy, but we will consider the new data on a case-by-case basis. Our reasons for not fully implementing this recommendation are as follows:
- We would like the flexibility to quarantine students if all precautions were not met.
- Every scenario cannot be treated the same. We prefer to investigate each case on an individual basis and evaluate mask-wearing conformance, social distance, duration, classroom activity, etc.
- The CDC still recommends a minimum of 3′ of social distance in classrooms and prefers 6′ for minimal risk of transmission.
- The Ohio Schools COVID-19 Evaluation that was the basis of the amendment “was a pilot evaluation; it was not a research study, nor was it designed to answer the mask and quarantine question definitively.”
- Some experts warn new strains of COVID may be more contagious, thereby making social distancing more important in those cases.
REMINDERS:
Open House (Sunday January 31, 2021)
- 10:00 AM-1:00 PM: School tours for new students only and by appointment only.
- 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: Grade-level Google Meets with teachers for all families.
- Teachers will be available for you to say hello and/or ask questions; they will not be making presentations.
- No appointments are necessary.
- Google Meet links will be provided that Friday
Registration for next year will open on January 31st for current students and new kindergarten students. This is when you can lock in your spot for next year. Open registration for the public will begin on March 1st. Registration details will be forthcoming.
Calendar Updates
- March 1-5: IOWA and CogAT Tests
- We are making plans to bring all at-home learners into the building for testing. Details will be forthcoming.
- Please do not plan any appointments for your students during this time. It is difficult to make up these tests.
- Please do your best to make sure your student gets good sleep and healthy breakfasts during testing week.
- Friday, April 30: No School for Students – Staff Professional Development Day
The Catholic Education Foundation for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is once again providing needs-based tuition assistance to elementary school students for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Please click HERE for more information
- Application Deadline is February 8, 2021
Have a great weekend!
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!
St. Christopher, pray for us!
Peace,
Mr. O’
St. Christopher School Principal
toloughlin@scpschool.org
937.898.5104
