February 25, 2022
Peace & Greetings!
Trust you are well on this wintry afternoon. I’m writing today regarding updated COVID-19 protocol and to reiterate St. Paul’s plans moving forward. I met yesterday afternoon with the students, faculty and staff to speak with them in-person outlining the changes and our expectation regarding this important matter. Hopefully, this expands and clarifies that conversation.
Let me preface my comments by acknowledging my sincere gratitude to our students, parents, faculty and staff for your cooperation and understanding as we’ve navigated together the challenges of the last two years. It hasn’t been easy for anyone. However, your partnership and resiliency in the face of this adversity has been inspiring. I couldn’t be prouder of this community! And so, together we forge ahead.
Effective with Governor Lamont’s announcement on February 7, 2022 to eliminate the statewide school mask requirement leaving the determination at the local level effective February 28, 2022 and consistent with the subsequent documents and guidance from the:
- Archdiocese of Hartford, Superintendent Valerie Mara in a letter dated February 8, 2022
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Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) and Connecticut State Department of Education (CT SDE) Updated School Guidance dated February 18, 2022
- Bristol-Burlington Health District (BBHD) guidance dated February 24, 2022 and
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CIAC Updated Winter and Spring Sports COVID-19 Guidance released February 18, 2022
that beginning Monday, February 28, 2022, St. Paul Catholic High School will transition from a “pandemic emergency response model to a routine respiratory disease model” affording parents the voluntary choice of sending their child to school wearing a mask or not. Families do not need to justify their choice; their reasons are their own. I emphasized yesterday that consistent with our culture, it is my expectation that every student will continue to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their mask choice, which may vary depending on individual and family circumstances.
We acknowledge that the pandemic hasn’t ended and that members of our community may become infected with the virus but believe the current data, especially within our school, is stable at a relatively low infection level allowing for a “tiered” or easing approach without sacrificing health and safety concerns.
We will continue to practice appropriate spacing including 3 feet between students in a classroom, 6 feet in the dining hall and limit number of students in the bathrooms at one time. Our enhanced ventilation system will ensure maximum delivery of fresh air to occupied spaces. All classrooms and common areas will continue to be cleaned and disinfected daily.
Should there be an increase of transmission suggesting an active outbreak of COVID-19 among students or staff, we will promptly notify the Archdiocese and BBHD and return to a schoolwide universal masking policy on a temporary basis.
To help minimize this possibility students should:
- Self-screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to school. If not feeling well, students should remain home until symptoms subside and take a COVID-19 test before returning to school. St. Paul will assist in making home test kits available. We will be receiving a shipment of test kits from the State of Connecticut on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. We will voluntarily distribute two kits (two tests per kit) to students during lunch waves this Tuesday and Wednesday. Test kits should be used specifically for your child as needed.
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If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should contact me, cdupont@spchs.com or Mrs. Pahl apahl@spchs.com in the health room. We will provide further guidance in consultation with the BBHD, generally a five-day isolation period before being cleared to return to school. The student’s teachers will be notified by Mr. Cooper to send the appropriate Zoom access codes for remote learning.
- Follow the appropriate physical space recommendations and hand sanitize throughout the day.
- Students choosing to wear a mask should wear it properly at all times covering both their nose and mouth. Wearing a mask inappropriately (i.e. on your chin) is not an option.
Whether opting to wear or not wear a mask during the school day, all students should continue to bring a supply of masks to school with them every day. There will continue to be times, at least in the short term, when everyone is required to wear a mask for the common good. These include but are not limited to:
- Schoolwide Masses or assemblies where large numbers are present.
- A vocal or instrumental music class where projecting sound provides a greater risk.
- School health room especially if not feeling well.
Furthermore, the federal Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) requires all individuals to wear a mask on buses at least through March 18, 2022. This date may be extended. This includes out-of-town bus transportation, away athletic contests, etc.
With respect to athletic competition, while the CIAC, in consultation with its medical experts, will not require masks for student-athletes and coaches while participating in indoor competition and practices effective February 28, 2022, student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators are required to follow the mask permissions and restrictions issued by the facilities in which the event occurs. This may require our student-athletes to wear a mask, except in competition, in all areas of the home school building (i.e. locker room, bench, etc.).
As we ease into our new model, St. Paul will follow the recommendation of the BBHD strongly advising that all visitors, including spectators, wear a face mask while inside our school.
With this mask change, some students have inquired about dress code policies (i.e. cleanly shaven faces, nose piercings, etc.). Students are reminded that they represent St. Paul at all times and thus are expected to follow the dress code policies as outlined in the student handbook. Might need to pass out razors in addition to test kits!
We’re moving in a positive direction and in a better place than we have been in for a while. If we continue to act responsibly and take care of each other we’ll share many special moments of greatness along the way to the finish line. It’s in you … we can do this! #spstrong
In the Spirit of St. Paul,
