Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update & Reminders – December 11, 2020

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents!

I hope and pray you are doing well.  I am writing with the latest updates & reminders. 

COMMUNITY CONDITIONS 
The current numbers (which are available on the Hawaii Data Collaborative) have remained fairly stable since the past week. Let’s all please do our part to keep the metrics low as we head toward the two week Christmas break.

Current Numbers
The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is 87 (64 on O`ahu) and the 7-day state average of the positivity rate is 1.6% (1.9% on O`ahu). 

December 4 Numbers
The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is 80 (63 on O`ahu) and the 7-day state average of the positivity rate is 1.7% (2.1% on O`ahu). 

November 20th Numbers
The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is 86 (71 on O`ahu) and the 7-day state average of the positivity rate is 1.9% (2.6% on O`ahu). 

IMPACT/ALERT LEVELS
The state of Hawai`i is at impact level YELLOW (Act with Care – Minor Disruption) of its Reopening Navigator; the City and County of Honolulu is in TIER 2 (ORANGE) of its Honolulu Reopening Strategy; and Saint Mark is at level GREEN in its Reopening Campus Plan.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL REMINDER
For those families who are planning to travel out-of-state over the Christmas break, we kindly request that all parents complete the TRAVEL FORM to notify us of travel plans and return dates.

As has been shared previously, our school policy requires all returning out-of-state travels and household visitors from out-of-state get a negative result from an additional test taken a minimum of 5 days after landing in Hawai`i. So, if you are traveling, please consider returning to Hawai`i no later than December 28th which will hopefully give you enough time to take and receive test results before school resumes on January 4th.  Mahalo for your consideration and understanding.

CDC & STATE of HAWAII REDUCING QUARENTINE LENGTHS
With the State of Hawaii following that lead of the CDC and announcing that they will be reducing the length of COVID-19 quarantine from 14 to 10 days (without a test), Saint Mark will be updating its Reopening Campus Plan Policy and Procedures accordingly.  Please note that forthcoming revisions will not affect the school policy requiring a negative result from an additional test taken a minimum of 5 days after landing in Hawai`i.  More details to follow once the state has implemented its changes.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC VIDEOS
While our annual Christmas programs are unfortunately another COVID-19 casualty, we are happy to report that Mr. Caoile has been working hard assembling a serious of videos showcasing some of our musical talent.  These videos will be completed and ready to share next week.

READY TO PIVOT BACK to DISTANCE LEARNING
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 variance 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.  

Mahalo for your continued patience and commitment in these uncertain times and please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo, Blessings and Stay Safe this Weekend,

David Gaudi
Head of School