April 12, 2021
Dear SJPS families,
Our goal, since the beginning of the school year, was to have our students in person in our classrooms, learning with their peers, 5 days a week. We have been successful with that goal and today, we have the same priority--to stay in our classrooms learning and growing. One of the primary reasons we have been able to offer in-person education for the entire year is that we have mitigation in place and have followed our safety protocols and plan diligently.
Just before our Easter break began, the CDC and Department of Health Services revised their social distancing recommendations for schools. This revision reduced the space needed between students and staff from 6 feet to 3 feet. However, this change was not made to the quarantine guidelines and schools still need to use a six-foot distance when determining a close-contact quarantine.
At SJPS, we are aware of 14 positive COVID cases year to date. Both students and teachers have been quarantined due primarily to outside exposure. As we plan to finish the 2020-21 school year in person, the risk of covid still remains. To mitigate this risk we will continue to wear face coverings within our school building for the remainder of the school year. Our faculty and staff are in the process of receiving vaccinations.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers took the learning outside which allowed for students to have mask breaks. With the beautiful weather, we will continue that same practice as much as possible. We are in the home stretch of this unprecedented school year, and we look forward to finishing the school year with everyone in their classrooms learning with their friends.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we journey through our last quarter of learning and growing in our classrooms. We will continue to reevaluate our mitigation strategies as new information continues to become available from the Department of Health Services and the CDC. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
God’s peace and blessings,
Mrs. Mary Johnson
Fr. Jerry Herda
St. Jerome Parish School educates and prepares students to be led by Christ
To be the best version of themselves as collaborative workers, complex thinkers, and servant leaders for lifelong learning and a continued relationship with God. ~SJPS Mission
