Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update and Packet Pickup – September 9, 2020

Aloha K-8 Saint Mark Parents!

I hope and pray you are doing well.  I am writing with the latest Saint Mark updates.

Improving Community Conditions 
​​​​​The numbers of new daily COVID-19 cases are trending in the right direction.  The 7-day average of reported new cases is 162 per day (down from over 200 per day last week) and the 7-day average for the positivity rate is 4.5%.  As I’ve said before, below 5% is where we want to be so the numbers are definitely improving.

Stay At Home Order Extended
As I’m sure you have heard, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced yesterday that despite the improving numbers, the Stay at Home/Work from Home Order (Emergency Order No. 2020-26) for the island of O‘ahu has been extended until September 23, 2020.  Below is an explanation of how this extension affects Saint Mark’s plans in the coming days and weeks.

Grades K to 3 Returning to Campus this Friday
Saint Mark is opening the campus to grades K to 3 this Friday, September 11 while keeping grades 4 & 5 and the middle school online.  Although we originally planned to bring back only K-2 this Friday, the decision (after much discussion, investigation, and consideration) has been made to extend it to grade 3.  The reason that K to 3 will be permitted back on campus while there is a stay at home order in effect is because the order permits in-person instruction at private educational facilities when the feasibility/effectiveness of remote learning is questionable (as is the case with younger students). So now that the case count numbers are moving in a favorable direction, Saint Mark is confident that this is the right time to bring the younger students back to campus. Before  and After care for grades K to 3 will also resume this Friday, September 11.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions or want to discuss/explore the on-line option if you would rather not have your child(ren) return to campus.

Grades 4 & 5 and Middle School Students Staying On-Line
Grades 4 & 5 and the middle school students will continue their distance learning with the hope of bringing them back to campus after the stay at home order is lifted.  One possibility being considered is bringing back grades 4 and 5 on Friday, September 25 and the middle school students the following Monday, September 28.  This plan is subject to change and is predicated in large part on the stay at home order.  As has been explained in the past, we would love to get all of our students back on campus before pausing for the fall break.

Packet Pickup & Guidelines/Requirements
–  Grade 4 to 8 parents are invited to stop by the school this Friday, September 11 between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to pick up their child(ren)’s learning materials to be used for the next two weeks. We want the pickup to be completed before the on-campus students are dismissed for the day.
–  Unlike past packet pickups, parents will NOT be walking onto campus to retrieve the materials this time.  Rather, the teachers will be in front of the school to meet parents with their materials.  Mrs. McMillian (gr 4), Mrs. Selph (gr 5) and Mr. Markillie (gr 6-8) will be distributing the materials.
–  There is to be no congregating on campus.  Once parents have received the materials, we ask that they immediately exit the campus.
–  All visitors must wear a mask and maintain a safe social distance of at least six feet from all non-household members if they get out of the car.
If you are not comfortable picking up your packet, are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, or are currently quarantined for COVID-19 (mandatory or voluntary), please inform your teacher and other arrangements will be made.

Distance Learning Going Well
The feedback we are receiving regarding our distance learning program continues to be positive. We have worked to intentionally keep the distance learning schedule/experience as similar as possible to the on campus schedule/experience with the hope that our students can easily transition back to campus when the time is right. We need to recognize the possibility that the students may need to shift back and forth between distance and on campus learning until this pandemic is over.

Safety Protocols In Effect
As students move back on campus, Saint Mark Lutheran School remains steadfast in its adherence to all its safety protocols and preventative strategies as detailed in the Reopening Campus Plan – Policy and Procedures and respectfully requests its students and parents to do the same.  Everyone must do their part to remain safe.

Mahalo for your patience and commitment to seeing us through these extremely challenging times and please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Thank you for your time and support!

Mahalo, Blessings and Stay Safe,

David Gaudi