Dear Saint John's Families,

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigate these unprecedented times and the rapidly evolving COVID-19/coronavirus situation. While our students are dismissed from school, March 16–March 27, our excellent teachers will be connecting with you regarding distance learning options beginning March 23, and for any extended time beyond.
 
Today, faculty and staff met to re-sanitize classrooms, Chromebooks and other teaching aids, in preparation of supply pick-up, which begins tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17). Hopefully, you received an email from your teacher regarding the opportunity to reserve a Chromebook for at-home use, and the ability to pick up needed supplies or items left behind before Spring Break. If not, one should be coming shortly from your child(ren)'s teacher(s).

Additionally, there are some resources we’d like you to investigate. Check out Comcast’s offer of 60 days free public WiFi in the Forbes article here. If you do not already have easy access to WiFi or Internet in your home, visit Internet Essentials. To benefit from this service, you must:

• Be an eligible “qualified low-income household”
• Go to InternetEssentials.com or call 855-846-8376 for English or 855-765-6995 for Spanish
• All new customers will receive “a free self-install kit” with no shipping fee

Additionally, consider utilizing existing hotspots by visiting the XFINITY website.

Eagle Club childcare:
For families of healthcare personnel, we have Eagle Club available, effective Wednesday, March 18 (please note this is a day later than communicated yesterday). However, we will need advance notice of your need of care. The following criteria is required:

Healthcare staff as described below:
Those working in ...

• Healthcare providers and systems, including hospitals and clinics
• Post-acute and long-term care facilities, including nursing and assisted living facilities

Other health systems and organizations personnel, such as:

• Home Care workers
• Personal Care Assistants
• Ambulance/emergency
• Direct Care and Treatment

Other emergency staff, including:

• · First-responders
• · Firefighters
• · Personnel providing correctional services
• · Essential Court personnel
• · Minnesota State Veterans Homes staff
• · State and local public health agency employees
• · MNsure Navigators
• · County financial/eligibility workers
• · County case managers
• · Or any county staff in emergency management or health and human services.
• If you meet these requirements, please sign up here.

Auction update:
A small group of core Auction leadership will meet via phone conference tonight to discuss the status of this year’s auction, currently planned for April 24. At this time the auction is still on as planned, but we will be closely monitoring the situation, and have some alternative ideas being investigated in the event we are still in a “social distancing” scenario a month from now.

Please know that dismissing our students from school is not an easy decision. We understand the hardship and challenges that this will cause our families. The health and safety of our students, staff and community are of the utmost importance.
 
Thank you as ever for your support!

Dan J. Hurley, Principal