December 31, 2021
Peace and Greetings,
I trust this letter finds you and your family well during our Christmas vacation although we all know that COVID-19 and specifically the Omicron variant has disrupted holiday plans for many households this season. That’s the purpose of my letter as we near the end of our vacation and return to in-person learning on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Regardless that the Omicron coronavirus sweeping across our country is considered relatively less invasive, it’s highly contagious thus generating indiscriminate infections, isolations and quarantines in record numbers and putting an overwhelming strain on our healthcare system and other service industries. No doubt, on the heels of holiday travel and family get-togethers, the next several weeks will be challenging times for all of us. To this end, it’s critical that students, parents, faculty and staff understand their personal responsibilities when returning to campus.
REPORTING COVID + CASES
While we have heard from several of you who tested positive for COVID-19 over Christmas vacation, it’s critical, if you haven’t already, that you inform our health room, Mrs. McGuire, school nurse: elizabethmcguire@bristolct.gov, Ann Marie Pahl, health aide: apahl@spchs.com or me cdupont@spchs.com before returning to school. The Bristol-Burlington Health District (BBHD) is responsible for making a return to school determination based upon their contact tracing investigation. You should not return until officially cleared by the BBHD. This information is also helpful for our files since infected individuals do not have to be quarantined, if they are later identified as a close contact, for 90 days.
To avoid some confusion, this week’s reduced isolation and quarantine guidelines from the CDC do not apply to CT schools or childcare operations. They were intended for the “general population” to address staffing issues in some industries. The CDC is planning to create updated guidance for other settings, including schools, childcare, corrections, healthcare, etc.
MITIGATING STRATEGIES
The guidance for mitigation strategies in K-12 schools that are currently in place in our state are informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CT Department of Public Health (CT DPH), CT Department of Education (CSDE), our local health district (BBHD) as well as in our case, conversations with the Archdiocese of Hartford, Center for Catholic Education & Formation. These strategies and protocols are designed to reduce the risks of COVID-19 spread in school settings in the context of in-person learning. However, mitigating exposure to COVID-19 is only one of the many considerations for maintaining students’ health and well-being. Be assured, that the health and safety of every person at St. Paul Catholic High School remains our primary priority.
Before returning to school on Monday, January 3, 2022 and thereafter, we encourage every student and faculty/staff member to resume performing a daily screening of COVID symptoms: fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, loss of sense of smell and taste, and shortness of breath. There’s been a lot of talk how the Omicron variant of the coronavirus may resemble the common cold for some individuals. However, do not assume a cold. Bottom line, if you are not feeling well, please do not come to school until you’ve been tested.
While voluntary and understanding test results are dependent on timing of exposure, home tests may add another layer of protection for families to consider. The BBHD will accept a COVID positive home test and does not require an additional rapid or PCR test. However, they will not accept a negative home test. In this instance, they require a second rapid or PCR confirmation test.
While at school we require you to: 1) wear your mask properly covering both your nose and mouth, 2) use the hand sanitizers throughout the building especially before entering classrooms and in the dining hall and 3) keep proper arms-length distance, at all times.
For the time being, to maintain proper distance, we will suspend all assembly type activities including Monday Morning Assembly, weekday Chapel Masses, etc. This Monday, January 3, 2022 is Day 4 on the schedule and students should report directly to their homerooms and not the auditorium by 7:45 am.
The dining hall has been temporarily reconfigured limiting two students per table recognizing that masks are off when eating. Students should first put their bookbags at a table location then proceed to the breakfast/lunch line with masks on. Masks must only be off when sitting at your table eating. When done eating, masks must be put back on. Masks must be on during study hall or after school when in the dining hall.
When in the auditorium for study hall, students must sit more than two seats apart from each other leaving an empty row in front and in back of them.
A reminder that no more than two students are allowed in a bathroom at any given time and masks must be worn.
I assume that all students will understand and consistently conform to these requests for the “common good,” understanding the essential need to take care of each other in order to stay in school. However, repeated offenses will result in disciplinary action.
Visitors entering the building will be limited until further notice.
REMOTE LEARNING FOR ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE PURPOSES
Only students in isolation who have submitted a COVID positive test to the health room, BBHD or to me or who have been officially placed into quarantine as a result of being identified as a “close contact” will be eligible for remote learning. Mr. Cooper, Dean of Academic Life, will be informed of these cases, contact your teachers directly and request that they send the affected student the remote access codes. Any missed quizzes or tests during isolation/quarantine will be taken in-person when the student returns to campus. Contact Mr. Cooper, jcooper@spchs.com with any academic concerns.
ATHLETICS
We limited athletic activity during the holidays and will continue to monitor the situation as it pertains to the health and safety of our student-athletes. While practices/protocols are subject to change due to prevailing circumstances, currently COVID infected student-athletes must complete the Medical Authorization Form and the Return to Play Screening Tool upon being cleared by the BBHD to return to campus. Any questions related to athletic eligibility should be directed to Mr. Dennehy, Director of Athletics, ddennehy@spsch.com or Mr. Madden, Associate Director of Athletics, mmadden@spchs.com.
In the short term, we will return to limited fan attendance (i.e. four individuals per player) at all home games. A reminder that all levels of our home basketball games will continue to be live streamed (and taped for later viewing) via the NFHS Network. Information for registering for the Network can be found in the Athletic Section of the school website or visit: https://spchs.com/watch-athletic-contests-on-nhsf-network/.
FINAL THOUGHTS
For many, the last day of the year provides a meaningful moment to pause and reflect on past events and make plans for what comes next. While who really knows what’s next these days, let’s stay focused on what we control: a grateful attitude, responsible behavior and a selfless desire to take care of each other as we navigate through this pandemic together. WE can do this! #spstrong
