Principal Hurley's Coronavirus Update: March 13

Dear Saint John's Families,

As the situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we know there are ongoing questions about the potential impact to our school. We are actively monitoring, planning and preparing for our school in consultation with the guidance we receive from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). In addition, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has set up a new landing page that should serve as a timely resource. You may find it here: archspm.org/covid19.

When students and staff return on Monday:

Travel advisories have been issued and are being revised as public health officials continue to monitor trends. Travelers to certain areas or who have had likely exposures might be asked to remain at home or take special precautions upon your return. Public health officials continue to provide guidance around when these measures are appropriate and our school will support these public health practices. The best link we know of for up-to-date information on affected travel areas is the CDC Travel site. 

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), schools are not screening or testing students or staff to identify cases of coronavirus at this time. If there is reason for concern, such as exposure or a suspected case in our school community, MDH and the Archdiocese will communicate with our school directly for planning.

School closures:

At this time, The Archdiocese and MDH are not recommending any statewide school closures, although it is possible that a school or schools could close in the future. In the event of a closure, families will be notified via email, Mailchimp and Facebook. Until or unless this communication occurs, all families should assume our school remains open.

In the event of a school closing due to COVID-19, students in grades 4-8 will be doing daily work through Google Classroom and/or IXL, and assignments as given through online means or sent home by the teachers. Students in the younger grades will also be working to complete online learning through the various websites that the teachers use. They may also send home packets, books and other items for learning.  

While I am not anticipating the need to enact this plan, I do want everyone to be prepared and know that we are working hard to keep the building clean and classrooms well-sanitized, and, with your help in keeping sick children home, we should be able to make it through this with little effect on our school and the children's learning. 

Preventing the spread of Coronavirus:

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME IF THEY ARE SICK! If they are not feeling well in the morning, they need to be home for the full day. We are temporarily increasing the time home to 48 hours if a child has a temperature, cough, runny nose, headache, vomiting, diarrhea or in any other way exhibiting signs of illness. Do not send your child to school with Tylenol or other cold medicine in their system to mask the symptoms. If they need any medications to make them feel better, they are too sick to be in school. I cannot stress the importance of this precaution enough: In a time of international upheaval, I would like to appeal to your social compassions.  The policies we're working through and the plans we put in place are all with the welfare of humankind in mind. 

There are steps we can all continue to practice and reinforce to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you or your child is sick, especially if they are experiencing cough, fever and/or shortness of breath.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Parents’ choice:

As always, parents have the choice to keep their child out of school. A parent or guardian is to call the school office each day the student is absent and please leave information on the nature of the illness so we can be best informed of possible actions we may need to take. 

Please let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,