Dear St. Serra Parents:

By now you should have received the Reopening Update for the 2020-21 School year that was sent to all St. Serra families on Friday, July 24. See below for the communication from Dr. Erin Barisano, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Orange, regarding changing the first day of school to Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

I am aware that many of you still have questions and concerns that have not yet been addressed. Please keep in mind that our Leadership Team is working diligently to adapt to the ever-changing safety guidelines and protocols required to open our school. These changes make it very difficult for our Principals -- Mrs. Carol Reiss, Mrs. Julie Radzai, Mrs. Ellen Burrola and myself to answer every call or email we receive. We do not want to cause confusion by speculating or giving out information that could be quickly outdated. I assure you that we are diligently planning for the first day of school, whether we are in Level 1, 2 or 3, so that you can be fully prepared to send your child to school on September 8.

As previously stated, our goal is to open using the Level 1 - 100% In-Person instructional plan. Our faculty and staff will be fully trained on our campus reopening plan, and we will be prepared to deploy that plan on day one. This plan includes safety measures that include, physical distancing, personal protective equipment for students and staff (as required), cleanliness and disinfecting guidelines, and healthy hygiene practices. In addition, we will have very clear protocols on how to handle occurrences of staff members or students having possible symptoms of COVID-19 or testing positive for COVID-19. 

I recognize that some of you are anxious about sending your child to school as COVID-19 cases are reported across the nation. All of us get news and information from various sources, and we get to the point that we don’t know who or what to believe. This causes anxiety. You are not alone! Our Leadership Team is doing everything possible to address these fears by working to create a safe learning environment for students and staff members so that we can safely return to campus.

I will continue to communicate with you and keep you updated as new information comes in. I continue to ask for your prayers, support and patience as we work together on these logistical issues.  

P.S. Information regarding preschool opening will be available this week from Mrs. Reiss.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Always Striving…

Mr. Tim Tolzda
Senior Principal, St. Serra School