Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – October 2, 2020

Aloha Saint Mark Parents!

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

Stable Community Conditions 
​​​​​The number of new daily COVID-19 cases is unfortunately not trending downward as it had been in mid-September; however, the good news is that the numbers are stable. The 7-day state average of reported new cases is 103 per day (down from over 107 per day last week) and we have 125 COVID patients in our Hawaii hospitals which is the lowest number in the past six weeks.  The hope now is that we can work to collectively keep the number from surging again.  Let’s all please do our part!

All Students Back on Campus
We just completed our first full week since mid-August with all of our classes on campus, and by all accounts it was a smooth transition back to in-person instruction.  Mahalo to all of our families for their support and flexibility in these challenging times.

Case Specific Distance Learners
We are asking all families who have been participating in our Case Specific Distance Learning program to confirm their plans for the second quarter with their respective teacher(s) before the end of the break.  We currently have some students slated to return to campus while others preferring to continue the distance learning.

Ready to Pivot Back to Distance Learning 
As has been shared a few times, Saint Mark Lutheran School remains very attentive to the fluidity of this pandemic and will continue to carefully monitor the daily data. While we will not be overly reactive to expected variances in community conditions, we need to be ready to quickly pivot back (cohorts or larger groups) to distance learning should a student or staff member test positive or community conditions dramatically worsen again.

Safety Protocols In Effect
It’s important to reiterate that the faculty, staff and administration remain steadfast in their adherence to all of the 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 continued 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, Stay Safe and Have a Wonderful Fall Break,

David Gaudi