Dear St. Xavier parents/guardians:
Including orientations, we have now been in school for seven days. For the most part, the beginning of school has gone very well. Students have been great in following new protocols while maintaining their wonderful spirit and joy. I see each new day we are here as a blessing.
However, there are areas in which we can all improve. I would ask that you talk to your son about the following concerns:
- Some students are experiencing symptoms (allergies, etc.) but are not communicating this through the Health Screening tool and are still coming to school. Please encourage your son to be vigilant about considering how he is feeling in the morning, filling out the tool honestly, and staying home if he does not feel well or receives a red screen.
- If your son gets a COVID test, he must quarantine until he receives a negative result from that test.
- Most importantly, please partner with us in encouraging your son to follow protocols such as wearing a mask and social distancing outside of school when in public or with friends. We have had several reports of St. X students attending parties with students from other schools where they were in close proximity with each other without wearing masks. Despite all the efforts we have put into in-person education, athletics and co-curriculars, all of this will go away if COVID spreads through the St. Xavier community.
As we live through the opening days of school and learn from our experiences, we continue to improve our plan and protocols. One clarification we want to make is regarding student absences and remote learning:
- Students who have tested positive for COVID, have COVID symptoms, or who are quarantining because of a primary exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID must learn remotely. Parents should continue to notify the school when this is the case. Please contact Jen Ziebol, Assistant Principal for Academics, at jziebol@stxavier.org as well as the attendance line.
- Students staying home for COVID related issues should email their teachers to alert them to their absence.
- Please understand that late communication to teachers may result in your son not being able to participate right away in remote classes. Teachers should be given 24 hours to prepare for additional remote learners. When notice has been less than 24 hours, students are welcome to attempt to attend class online, but realize the teacher may not be able to accommodate.
- Students who are staying home because they are sick (non-COVID symptoms) should take a sick day.
St. Xavier will continue to provide transparent communication to families regarding COVID cases and exposure. If a student or faculty/staff member tests positive for COVID, St. Xavier staff will conduct contact tracing. If any individual had a primary exposure where they were not wearing a mask within six feet of the positive individual for 15 minutes, they will be mandated to quarantine for 14 days from the exposure. If a student has shared a space with a positive student, but was wearing a mask and following protocols, the student and his parents will be sent an email communicating the exposure. In most cases, a quarantine will not be mandated.
Great efforts have been made to ensure a safe return to school. We need to continue to work together as a community to allow this to continue. Following the above recommendations will help us to continue with the success of our first week. It is our hope that all St. X families will continue to respect the protocols put in place and be an example of Men and Women for and with Others.
Please continue to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Terry Tyrrell