Dear Parents-
On Wednesday, we will celebrate the memorial of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. After her death in 1253, the order was renamed Order of St. Clare, referred to, now, as the Poor Clares. St. Clare was one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi, and she is credited with performing many miracles both during her life and after. St. Clare was canonized on September 26, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV.
Last Friday all families received a copy of the SJS reopen plan for the upcoming school year. We are relying on each other to create a culture of wellness in our school based on mutual respect for the health of all our students, their families, our faculty and our staff. As part of our partnership, parents have to be clear with their children about their expectations for wearing the mask. All students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times, regardless of vaccination status, unless masks are otherwise required.
Current data related to COVID-19 reflects an increase in the number of cases as well as in the NAAT (PCR) rate. The current case rate per 100,000 population is 68.41, and the NAAT (PCR) rate has reached 4.67%. These metrics show substantial transmission of COVID-19 in Fairfax County and per the reopen plan, all students, faculty and staff would be required to wear masks until further notice. Metrics will be reported weekly.
In the event of COVID-19 transmission indicators registering at substantial transmission or above, masks will be required for all students, faculty and staff. See P. 6 of the reopen plan. While masks are always strongly recommended, they are REQUIRED under circumstances outlined in the plan.
Current vaccination data shows 58.6% of the population in Fairfax County is fully vaccinated.
As we look ahead to the start of the school year, I am happy to make the following personnel announcement.
We welcome Ms. Morgan Spencer to the faculty. Ms. Spencer will join the kindergarten team as our new teacher in KW. Ms. Spencer has been a substitute teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools since 2019. Ms. Spencer earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Virginia Tech (VA), and she has completed the requirements for a Virginia teacher certification in elementary education.
As previously announced, Mrs. Roslyn Tomy joins our middle school faculty as our new jr. high math teacher. Mrs. Tomy has 6 years experience as a middle school math teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from The City College, City University of New York (NY), and a master's degree in education with a concentration in secondary education-mathematics from George Mason University (VA). Mrs. Tomy holds a VCEA teaching license and VA Collegiate Professional License in Mathematics anticipated July 2021.
I also announce that with the resumption of the SJS band program, Mr. Greg Stickeler will serve as our new band director. Mr. Stickeler has worked for Garwood-Whaley Music for many years and at several different Diocesan schools, and, in fact, he was assistant band director at SJS several years ago. COVID-19 protocols will be in place to mitigate any potential spread of COVID-19.
A complete list of faculty and staff can be found on the school website.
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, 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
