St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter
January 21, 2022

Dear St. Louis Families,
 
We once again find the need to shift and adjust to a new normal with the governor’s executive order. Please bear with us, as we are a community and a staff trying to determine what the new landscape will look like within our school walls and get a sense of the changes. I know the news yesterday took many by surprise and the feedback I have received so far reiterates that we are a community who feels strongly on both sides of the mask issue. I am grateful for each of you as you are working with your children and having conversations as a family about your desires for your child(ren). We appreciate you making known what works best for your family with your child(ren) and with us through the diocesan mask election form. Mrs. Cotnoir has provided some language, strategies, and tips for you to help you navigate the big emotions your child may be feeling with regard to COVID and masks below in this newsletter. New this week, we are adding a COVID tracker dashboard of some statistics for informational purposes for your family.
 
We are working on a FAQ regarding some of the many questions you have asked and will provide that as soon as possiblewe are waiting for an update from the Virginia Dept. of Health concerning the shortened isolation and quarantine in light of the governor’s executive order and the ability for students to be unmasked—expected later today. We have outlined below some of the scenarios that might occur within a classroom in accordance with FCHD health recommendations. Please note, these are subject to change, and we will communicate any changes or updates as quickly as possible.
 
We have added air purifiers in every classroom, the Music room, the Library, the Computer Lab, and the Science Lab. We ask that students only wear KN95 masks or the surgical style mask in place of the cloth ones going forward. Cloth face coverings are not as effective and quickly soil with our young students. In addition, Specials classes will be taught in the classroom for the next few weeks to help us through some of the expected surge in the omicron variant. Please know that we are most appreciative of your continued support. Our faith will help us overcome this new hurdle and together, with a little faith, we will move mountains!
 
Many blessings to you this weekend!
Anne M. Dyke
Principal
CDA Mask Election Form - due Sunday, Jan. 23rd
ALL St. Louis School and Preschool families are required to submit the diocesan Mask Election Form indicating your family's choice for your child(ren) to "wear" or "not wear" a mask per Executve Order 2. We ask that families submit this form online by noon, Sunday, January 23rd. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation
COVID Vaccinations
Although not required, sharing your child's COVID vaccination information assists us in the contact tracing process. Currently 34% of the eligible student population at St. Louis School and Preschool has received the COVID vaccine. If your child has been vaccinated, and you wish to share this information, please email Mrs. Aguilar, nurse@stlouisschool.org.
Current Quarantine Guidelines:
With the new variable of unmasked students in the classroom, the following are current quarantine guidelines for St. Louis School and Preschool. These guidelines are subject to change per VDH and FCHD. Any changes will be communicated to families once they are known.

If your child is:
  • Masked, vaccinated, and tests positive = quarantine for 10 days; may return on Day 11
  • Masked, not vaccinated, and tests positive = quarantine for 10 days; may return on Day 11
  • Masked, vaccinated, and a close contact = no need to quarantine but must remained masked. Parents need to monitor child(ren) closely. Any change in health status and child will need to be seen by physician.
  • Masked, not vaccinated, and a close contact = quarantine 5 days; may return on Day 6 as long as the student remains asymptomatic and can wear a well-fitting surgical or N95 mask.
  • Unmasked, vaccinated, and tests positive = quarantine for 10 days; may return on Day 11
  • Unmasked, not vaccinated, and tests positive = quarantine for 10 days; may return on Day 11
  • Unmasked, vaccinated, and a close contact* = quarantine for 5 days; may return to school on Day 6 but MUST wear a well-fitting surgical of KN95 mask for the next 5 days. Students who cannot wear the mask starting Day 6, must quarantine for the full 10 days. 
  • Unmasked, not vaccinated, and a close contact* = quarantine for 5 days; may return to school on Day 6 but MUST wear a well-fitting surgical of KN95 mask for the next 5 days. Students who cannot wear the mask starting Day 6, must quarantine for the full 10 days. 

*All K-8 unmasked students, regardless of vaccination status, will initially be considered a close contact for all positive cases in a given classroom until appropriate contact tracing has been conducted.

All preschool students, masked or unmasked, are considered close contacts for all positive cases in a given preschool classroom per the VDH.
School Announcements
Dear Parents,
 
I wanted to provide you with some talking tips for use in your families regarding Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 2 that deals with mask wearing at school. As you are aware, beginning on Monday January 24th, some children will be wearing masks at school and some will not. I provided some wording to teachers today to assist them in the classrooms. This may be useful for you as well. The link for that is HERE.

Please take the time to talk with your children about what your family rule is regarding mask wearing at school. As Mrs. Dyke has indicated, the teachers will not be able to enforce at school what you have decided at home.   

It would be helpful to prepare your children before they return on Monday, as they may see classmates without masks for the first time in awhile outside of snack and lunch. One way you could explain is to say something like “our family rule about mask wearing is (insert what you’ve decided). Some families may have a different rule and that is okay.” Please also remind your children that we will continue to treat each other with kindness, respect and love just as Jesus calls us to. 

These times are so uncertain and there is so much out of our control which tends to make stress levels and anxieties heighten. What is in your control is how you decide to move forward as a family and we will respect and honor your decision.

Please know the counseling team which includes myself and Mrs. Teresa Miller are here to help your children navigate any of these uncomfortable feelings. There was a fantastic webinar today with Parent expert Rachel Bailey about helping your child with their big feelings. The link for that is HERE. I cannot recommend her enough to you. You can reach us at jcotnoir@stlouisschool.org or tmiller@stlouisschool.org. Please contact us anytime.
 
Peace and God Bless!
Jennifer Cotnoir
School Counselor
Yay Lunch! 20% off orders for Week of Jan. 24th
Yay Lunch is offering 20% off lunches for next week only! Bertucci's has been added to the calender on Monday's as well as some new menu offerings throughout the week. Enter promo code BEKIND when you place your order. Be sure to order before midnight on Saturday! www.yaylunch.com.
Yearbook News!
Be a part of our 2021-2022 school yearbook! To order a yearbook or upload photos for the yearbook, visit Pictavo Community at commpe.pictavo.com. Use Google Chrome for best results. Parents are welcome to upload photos for consideration in the yearbook. Specifically, we are looking for photos from the following events or activities:
  • First Day of School
  • Hawks 5K/Fun Run
  • Tent or Treat
  • Christmas Lights Tour
  • Catholic Schools Week (1/30 – 2/4)
  • Sports/ Cheerleading Candids
  • Scout Candids
  • Eighth Grade Baby Pictures
Please see the attached flyer for upload instructions.
NEW!! Visitor Management System
St. Louis School has implemented a new visitor management system in the front office in our ongoing effort to maintain a healthy, safe and secure campus. Managed through SchoolPass, the system captures identifications of all visitors and volunteers, runs a DMV background check and captures health screening data for individuals. All school visitors and volunteers will be required to sign in through this system when they arrive. Parents are asked to bring a valid drivers license and allow a few additional minutes to check in when they arrive for a visit or to volunteer beyond the front office.
Hawk Happenings - Week of January 24, 2022
Saturday, January 22
  • Yay Lunch! order before midnight!
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Friday, January 28
  • Trimester 2 Interims
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Saturday, January 29
  • Yay Lunch! order before midnight!
Did you know you can subscribe to our school calendar for real-time updates, convenient links to SUGs and flyers, and more? Subscribe to auto-populate your iCal, Outlook 2007+ or Google calendar
Preschool Corner
CDA Mask Election Form
All preschool families are reminded to submit their Mask Election Form onlinr HERE by noon on Sunday, Jan. 23rd. Gov. Youngkin's Executive Order 2 goes into effect Monday, January 24th.

2022-23 Preschool Registration
The priority registration period has ended for St. Louis Preschool. For any St. Louis School families who would like to enroll their little ones in our preschool for the 2022-23 school year, please visit our website at www.stlouisschool.org/preschool/. All materials will be accepted online. Please contact our preschool director, Dare Hurley (dhurley@stlouisschool.org) with any questions.
PTO
We’d like to take a minute to thank our school nurse, Megan Aguilar. Your hard work and compassionate care of our children does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your tireless efforts during this unprecedented time.
Catholic Schools Week Bake Sale
Our Fall Bake Sale was a huge success. Thank you! We are planning for our Catholic Schools Week Bake Sale – to be held on Saturday, January 29 after evening Mass and on Sunday, January 30. We need your help. We are looking for volunteers and for donated baked goods. Please see the volunteer opportunities section below to sign up.
PTO Contact: Carolyn Fortes pastryred@hotmail.com
Catholic Schools Week Community Service Project
This year our CSW Community Service Project is in support of the MaRiH Center and Gabriel Project, both provide assistance to local mothers in need. They have requested anumber of baby items listed in the SUG link below, your donations are greatly appreciated.
Please send your donations in with your student by Friday, January 28, 2022
PTO Contact: Lindsay Little lindsay.little@yahoo.com
PTO Meeting - New Date!!
Please note that the PTO meeting will now be held Tuesday, February 22 at 7pm in the cafeteria. More information to come. Questions? Contact Katie Schubert at kgodburn@gmail.com
Viva Las Vegas Silent Auction Casino Night
Join us on Saturday, May 21, 2022 for our silent auction! Purchase your tickets today and join us for charitable gaming, mingling, and supporting our school community. Heavy appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks all included in the ticket price. We're looking forward to seeing you there.
Box Tops for Education exclusive offer for Giant shoppers: Earn for our school + help schools in need
From 12/27/21 - 2/10/22, earn 40 BONUS BOX TOPS for our school when you buy any 4 participating Box Tops products in a single trip at Giant and scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase. Here is a list of participating products. Plus, every time you take advantage of this offer, BTFE will give an additional 40 Bonus Box Tops to local schools in need.
PTO Contact: Shannon Ridenour ridenour0619@gmail.com
Extracurriculars & CYO
CYO Volunteers Needed for 2022-23 School Year
The CYO program is looking for a few volunteers to help support the program next year. In particular, we are eager to find people willing to take over ordering and distributing spirit wear and to oversee uniform distribution and collection. You do NOT need VIRTUS certification for these roles and uniform distribution would fulfill the entirety of your volunteer commitment for the year. If you are interested, please contact Judy Conti at jconti@nelp.org for more details
Parish & Community
Once Upon a Mattress Junior
Aldersgate Church Community Theater will be presenting Once Upon a Mattress Junior this weekend - January 21-23. Come see this funny and kid friendly rollicking spin on the classic story of the Princess and the Pea, featuring St. Louis student Isaac Nienaber.
St. John Paul the Great H.S. Winter Announcements
Boys Basketball Clinic - Saturday, February 5, 2022 
Skill-building clinic open to 5-8th graders! Registration information can be found online.

Visit jpthegreat.org for details, registration information and more!
Love | Learn | Lead