Dear Parents-
While he is a very popular and has a widely known name, not much is known about St. Valentine’s life, and it is very possible that what is known is actually a compilation of the lives of three similarly named, but nonetheless different, men! Father Saunders wrote an article in the ACH years ago where he mentioned that while cupids and exchanging cards are secular traditions, the Christian message of love for our Lord, which St. Valentine showed in his life as a priest and martyr, should be embraced. Everyone can honor St. Valentine by loving our neighbors, praying for them, and thanking everyone for their love in return. St. Valentine is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers.
Scantron score reports will come home this week for students in grades 3-7, so please check backpacks for the document. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher. The second trimester ends on Friday, March 11, and parents can log on to the PowerSchool parent portal and check your child’s current grades. With four weeks to go, there is still time to make changes if improvement is needed. Again, please reach out to your child’s teachers if you have concerns about achievement.
Current COVID metrics from VDH show that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has seen a change in total case rate, down substantially, but still considered high, at 170 cases per 100,000, (week ending 02/12/2022), and NAAT (PCR) test positivity in notable decline, now 6.5%. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate, down significantly to 225 per 100,000, (week ending 02/12/2022), and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is well down too, now 8.6%.
SJS COVID count this week has 2 student cases of COVID-19 and 1 staff member. The cases were confirmed between 02/07/2022 and 02/13/2022. Affected classes and students were notified as appropriate, one class moved to remote learning, and we happily welcome them back!! With the significantly relaxed quarantine and isolation protocols that SJS now follows as recommended by VDH, please be attentive to symptoms in your children and please keep them home when in doubt.
FCHD now recommends that schools no longer require a 10-day masking period for students in classrooms where a positive case of COVID is identified. This is a change from the guidance issued January 31. Along with no longer quarantining close contacts, the relaxing of protocols continues, and supports the COVID-19 transition from a pandemic disease to an endemic disease.
So when will all this end? The Northern Virginia Health Directors, including Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun and Prince William County Health Departments recommends the following guidance for easing layered mitigation strategies:
● Wait to ease such strategies until the region is 14 days below substantial community
transmission. During this time local outbreak trends and hospital capacity will be
Assessed.
● A community is below substantial transmission when BOTH (a) COVID-19 PCR case rate is below 50 cases per 100,000 population over a total of 7 days AND (b) percent PCR positivity is less than 8%.
As always, if I can be of assistance, or you have any questions, please let me know.
Pray to St. Joseph for all your needs! (St. Teresa of Avila)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
