Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update & Distance Learning Program – April 20, 2020

Aloha Saint Mark Parents,

I hope and pray that this message finds you well as this pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home order continues to affect our daily lives.   As we push towards the end of April, I am writing with the latest update.

Suspension of On-Campus Activities for remainder of the 2019-20 school year
With no rapid remedies to the current COVID-19 crisis on the horizon and the need to continue our socially distancing strategies for the foreseeable future, Saint Mark is extending its suspension of on-campus activities through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.  We are sorry to have to make this decision, but the current situation simply does not allow for the safe or prudent gathering of on-campus classes.  Thank you for your understanding and support in these challenging times.

Financial Support
It is obvious that the changes brought about by COVID-19 have created sudden and unexpected financial hardships for some of our families.  As such, Saint Mark has set up a donor link on the school’s website and begun collecting donations to help support those families who may need tuition assistance as the current crisis continues to disrupt employment and other financial factors. We are here to help and are committed to each student continuing their Saint Mark education in the 2020-21 school year.

Resuming On-Campus Activities in 2020-21
While social distancing practices along with other mitigating actions (washing hands, not touching face, wearing masks, cleaning/disinfecting, etc.) have proven effective at decreasing the spread of COVID-19, it is becoming clear that our daily lives will continue to be disrupted until (1) widespread testing becomes more prevalent, (2) effective treatments are established, and (3) an eventual vaccine is made available.  With that in mind, it is our sincere hope that we will be able to safely resume on-campus operations at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year with the implementation of additional protective measures.

Parent Survey
A big mahalo to all of you who participated in last week’s parent survey.  We have collected a tremendous number of very helpful responses and will be sharing them with the faculty and staff once the survey closes.  As we reported previously, we will be using the results to evaluate our program and to adjust future teacher planning & implementation as needed.   Our hope is to continue to improve our program in ways that best serve our families while adhering to our mission.

COVID-19 Web Page
All of the COVID-19 updates and latest information is on Saint Mark’s COVID-19 web page on the school’s website.

We know these are trying times, so please know how much we appreciate your continued support, patience and perseverance.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo and Stay Safe,

Dr. David Gaudi
Head of School