Dear Parents-
I hope that this Christmas Season is bringing you much joy, hope and love! The entire faculty and staff look forward to welcoming all the students back to school on Monday, January 3.
The COVID pandemic continues to be a cause for concern. Currently, VDH reports that over the last 7 days, Fairfax County has seen a significant increase in total case rate, now 615 cases per 100,000, (week ending 12/25/21), and NAAT (PCR) test positivity ticking up significantly to 19.2%. Nearby Loudoun County has a current case rate, up to 634 per 100,000, (week ending 12/25/21), and the COVID-19 positivity rate in Loudoun is up to 20.2%.
Experts tell us that the current COVID-19 surge is due primarily to holiday gatherings with little to no social distancing or mask wearing coupled with the highly transmissible variant, Omicron. The CDC and WHO both agree that Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, but less severe, particularly in those who are vaccinated.
The CDC and WHO also agree that the Omicron must be taken seriously, however, the same mitigation strategies that have been in place throughout the pandemic are the same mitigation strategies that will help slow the spread of Omicron.
There have been no recommended changes to the mitigation strategies in place, and SJS is committed to enforcing all mitigation strategies as announced at the start of the school year. Our goal is to keep school open, with students learning in-person. Reaching this goal will take commitment from everyone.
➔ Students must wear a properly fitting multi-layer mask at all times while indoors. Please check CDC guidance here
➔ Social distance requirements of 3 feet as long as masks are worn, remain in effect, and student desks will be at a minimum 3 foot distance
➔ Classroom windows will be open 10 minutes every hour as recommended by CDC.
➔ SJS requires that students and staff stay home when sick and see a physician for testing and care. Parents should screen their children every morning for COVID-like symptoms. The CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.
Additionally, while students were away and the school building closed, our facilities team was able to clean and treat all classrooms and the cafeteria, using the Clorox Pro 360 Cleaning System to sanitize all surfaces.
The CDC, and in response FCHD, have issued updated guidance related to COVID-19 quarantine and isolation. See updated guidance here:
With the shortened period of isolation time, parents must be vigilant about keeping sick children home. Review COVID-19 symptoms here:
Guidance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing. During this current “wave” of high infections, parents are advised to be prepared for anything that could result from an outbreak at SJS, including distance learning. There is no expectation at this time that there will be a school-wide or class-wide closure, but everyone should be prepared.
