A Message from the President and Principal
Dear St. Xavier parents/guardians,
Our protocols and guidelines continue to evolve as we gain more experience with in-person education and communicate with the Hamilton County Department of Health. Two weeks into the school year, we have had good success in having in-person instruction, athletics, and co-curriculars. Thank you for your partnership is allowing this to happen.
Today, in a conversation with the Hamilton County Department of Health, they directed us to change our policy as it relates to quarantining individuals who have had close contact to positive COVID cases at St. Xavier High School. Our policies and procedures, which were approved by the Hamilton County Department of Health in August, state,
For any close contact to COVID (either at school or away from school) it is best to seek medical advice, to engage the school in conversation about how to proceed, and work with the school to create a return plan. The plan may include one or all of the following and will be handled on a case by case basis: communication from the family Doctor's office to the school acknowledging they are cleared to return, a negative test that will be shared with the school nurse, and self-quarantine for 14 days.
The Department of Health is requiring us to change our wording from "may include" to "will include," a self-quarantine for 14 days. This means that students who meet the definition of close contact (defined by CDC and ODH as being closer than 6 feet, for 15 minutes (cumulative) or more with a COVID-positive individual at any point beginning two days prior to onset of symptoms) will be required to quarantine for 14 days from the point of that contact.
In cooperation with the Hamilton County Health (HCH), we are exploring a less impactful policy. At this time, HCH is simply enforcing policy from the Ohio Department of Health.
This change of policy is a further reminder that all of us, students, parents, faculty and staff, need to be vigilant about following guidelines, social distancing, and being careful with our behavior, including:
We want to continue to have the success we have experienced over the first 12 days of school. We want to continue with in-person instruction, athletics, and co-curriculars. One positive COVID case will put this in jeopardy.
As we move into the Labor Day weekend, one that traditionally includes social gatherings and parties, please continue to make decisions that protect your health and our ability to function in person. Please continue to act as "Men and Women for and with others."
Thank you,
Tim Reilly '76, President
Terry Tyrrell, Principal |