MR. VANCE'S NEWS TO USE THIS WEEK
NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
If I am honest, I am amazed but proud and grateful that we have made it to Thanksgiving with face to face instruction. I had hoped we would make it this far, and now I am ecstatic for the staff and students that we have created a safe environment for in-school instruction. A big thank you to everyone who practices all the Covid precautions; it has paid off for all of us!
This week we saw an uptick in the number of students who have tested positive. Currently, eight students are at home in isolation because they tested positive.
All eight students were exposed outside of the building, and the positive cases were traced to their families. I want to explain the steps and how students are being affected when one tests positive.
1. The parent notifies us that their child has tested positive.
2. We do the contact tracing in the child's homeroom. The students who sit around that student (typically six) are sent home to quarantine.
3. If the child rides the bus, 7 more students go home to be quarantined.
4. If the child is on a sports team, the entire team goes home in most cases.
5. Possibly, two staff members also go home.
At a minimum, we average 13 students go home for one positive student. Also if they are in a special math group or sports teams, the numbers go up from there. I think it is essential for all of us to know the impact on the student body, so this is why it is vital to continue to practice all the Covid-19 precautions.
I know I may ruffle some turkey feathers here, but please continue to practice frequent hand washing, wearing a face covering, and socially distancing. Also, please highly consider practicing what the CDC is proposing for events at Thanksgiving (
Click here for the CDC Information) so that we can keep the school open as long as possible. Continuing with face to face instruction is what the staff and students want; they know they do better in person.
The school Administration and medical personnel met last evening to discuss our current status of St. Ignatius and how we are dealing with Covid-19. We also discussed if we should remain open or go remote. After reviewing the facts and statistics of what is happening at St. I's, we feel it continues to be safe for us to remain open at this time.
Reasons for this decision include the following:
1. There has been no student to student transmission in the building.
2. There has been no adult to student or student to adult transmission.
3. Most student and staff positives have been traced to family members or people outside of the St. Ignatius community.
4. All students and staff who have quarantined have stayed negative for the virus.
5. The American Academy of Pediatrics affirm that face to face instruction is the
best for children.
These are unprecedented times, but we are resilient.
These are challenging times, but we are hopeful.
These are stressful times, but we place our trust in Christ to carry us through.
Please continue to keep all St. Ignatius students, staff, and families in your thoughts and prayers.
In Christ's Peace,
Kevin Vance
Principal