Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update & Reminders – May 16, 2021

Aloha Saint Mark Parents!

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

COMMUNITY CONDITIONS 
The current `Oahu numbers (which are available on the Hawaii Data Collaborative) have remained fairly stable for the past few weeks.  

Current Numbers
The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is 67 (50 on O`ahu) and the 7-day state average of the positivity rate is 1.4% (2.0% on O`ahu).

April 23 Numbers
The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is 80 (57 on O`ahu) and the 7-day state average of the positivity rate is 1.5% (2.0% 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 now in TIER 3 (YELLOW) of its Honolulu Reopening Strategy; and Saint Mark is at level GREEN in its Reopening Campus Plan.

AGES 12 to 15 CAN NOW GET VACCINATED!
Five months after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in the U.S. for all those 16 years and older, it has now been authorized by the FDA and CDC for adolescents 12 to 15 years-of-age.  Studies have shown the vaccine to be safe and 100% effective in protecting against the disease for children in this age group.  And as such, the CDC is now recommending that everyone 12 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccination.

For those who may have some reservations about getting their children vaccinated, I invite you to read this short and easier-to-understand article out of John Hopkins Medical School entitled COVID-19 Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know.

Saint Mark continues to strongly encourage all those eligible (Now 12 and older) to get the COVID-19 vaccine to please do so!  We understand that getting vaccinated and establishing community (herd) immunity is our best chance of getting Hawai`i’s kids and teachers fully back-to-school and resuming more normal/traditional school activities.
 

SAFETY PROTOCALS FOR STUDENTS & STAFF REMAIN UNCHANGED
As we complete the final two weeks for the school year, we will continue our steadfast commitment to all of the safety protocols (daily health screenings, PPE, hand hygiene & sanitation, distancing, ventilation, cohorting, etc.) including wearing face masks and face shields which have successfully gotten us to this point. We don’t want to create an environment where the virus is more easily spread within the student body and then potentially taken home to families.

SUCCESSFUL CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION!
The students (and Pastor Dan) had a blast on Friday participating in Saint Mark’s first ever Cross Country Competition.  The students (PK to Gr 8) physically pushed themselves as they followed specially designed courses around the campus. Just as we had hoped, this event was a great opportunity for our students to have some on-campus fun while promoting physical activity and fostering healthy competition as we enter into the home stretch of the school year.  We congratulate all of our runners and invite parents to checkout a number of fun photos on the Saint Mark Instagram page.

The top three male and female finishers in grades 5-8 will compete in the finals on Friday, May 21.

K-5 STUDENTS VISITING NEXT YEAR’S CLASS
Students in grades K-5 will get the opportunity to visit their next year’s class on Tuesday, May 25.  This is an annual custom that provides a wonderful opportunity for the students to meet the teachers, sit it their future classroom, and learn a bit about what to expect next year.  It’s typically an exciting time for the students, so please be sure to ask your child(ren) about it. 

GRADE 8 GRADUATION WILL HAPPEN
We are currently finalizing plans for a special graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 27 at 6:00pm for Saint Mark’s Class of 2021. While this will be a highly restricted event, we are thrilled to be able to safely offer an in-person ceremony for our graduates and their parents.  More details to follow.

Mahalo for your continued patience, commitment and compliance in these challenging times and please do not hesitate to let us know should you have any questions.

Mahalo, Blessings and Stay Safe,

David Gaudi
Head of School