Dear Parents-
Last week, Governor Northam announced that Virginia, including Northern Virginia, will move into Phase Three on July 1, and with this comes a lessening of some business and social restrictions. Social distance remains at 6 feet, and masks must be worn by all Virginians age 10 and older, when in indoor public spaces or any time where social distance cannot be maintained.
Fairfax County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools have both announced a hybrid return to school in the fall for all students. Arlington County is also planning a similar structure. I continue to work with the Office of Catholic Schools, and meet regularly with Father Tom and Danny Rucker to discuss options and create a plan for SJS. As soon as the plan is ready, I will submit it to the Office of Catholic School, and the Virginia Council for Private Education, after which I can announce the plan to parents. Both of these advisory bodies are providing guidance on formulating reopening plans.
Parents were surveyed by the Office of Catholic Schools some weeks ago to determine the parent position on the return to school. St. Joseph parents agreed overwhelmingly (91%) that they would support an eLearning model for some portion of the 2020-2021 school year. Equal support was expressed for a half-day schedule or alternating day schedules, if we find the need to implement a hybrid model. Be assured that we are working on
a plan that meets the needs of our community. We will make a decision that reflects the best interest of students, faculty, and families.
If you were unable to return your textbooks and/or library books, please contact Lisa Pearce and make arrangements to return the materials you still have. You can reach her at
l.pearce@sjschoolva.org. Please return items at your earliest convenience so that we can get them inventoried and order correctly for next school year. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Assuming a return to school in the fall, students will be required to wear the uniform. There is no plan to suspend the uniform, however, if last year’s uniform still fits, students may wear it. For example, all pieces of the kindergarten uniform are acceptable for 1st grade, and have been since the inception of the uniform. The pants can be worn by boys or girls, including the shorts. The t-shirt can be worn for PE. The sweater is acceptable, and if the dress fits, wear it. No uniform should be considered as a single year use item, unless it doesn’t fit!
"The VDH/VDOE are reminding schools to have parents start now to schedule their child's required immunization appointments as well as their commonwealth school health entrance physicals as appropriate. Please
click here for the school physical form. For rising 7th graders, make sure to ask your pediatrician about receiving your Tdap vaccine, HPV vaccine & Meningococcal vaccine before returning to school and don't forget to submit your proof of immunization to the clinic. It is also a good idea to ask your child's pediatrician when you can schedule an appointment for an evaluation to have your child's emergency medical forms such as for Epipens, Inhalers etc completed. Additional forms can be found on the "
Nurse's page
".
If I can be of service, please let me know.
I pray for the health and safety of our community.
Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
(Rom 15:7)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
