Head of School Back to School Update – July 13, 2022

Aloha Saint Mark Parents!

I hope and pray that you all are doing well. As I try to do every summer, I have purposely refrained from cluttering your inboxes as we were hoping to give our families some time to relax and enjoy the break. However, with the first day of school just a couple weeks away, it’s time to resume active communications. I am writing with the latest Saint Mark news (COVID and otherwise).

COVID NOT GOING AWAY
As many of you have likely read in recent media reports, the BA.5 Omicron subvariant is now the dominant variant and accounts for 65% of the virus causing COVID-19 in the United States.  Early information indicates that this variant is highly transmissible regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.  While COVID has become much less of a health risk than during the pre-vaccine period of the pandemic, it remains a concern given its high degree of transmission and the fact that it results in: (1) a mandatory quarantine period (currently at least 5 days); and (2) often 1-3 days of flu-like symptoms.  Because of this, we are planning for a school year in which we will continue to use many of the preventative measures that have served us so well in the past.  We are confident that in so doing we will be able to offer a wonderful educational environment that balances the health & safety of our students & staff along with the importance of in-person learning.  

COVID-19 CAMPUS PLAN (Coming Soon!)
We are working to complete Saint Mark Lutheran School’s COVID-19 Campus Plan – Policy and Procedures 2022-2023 which will be disseminated in the near future.  While it will contain many similarities to last year’s plan, great care is being  taken to revise and update it to reflect the latest guidelines, vaccination rates, and community conditions.  In other words, the plan is getting less restrictive as this pandemic evolves and we move closer to a more endemic COVID reality.

HIGHLIGHTS from COVID-19 CAMPUS PLAN
Below are a few highlights from the forthcoming COVID-19 Campus Plan.

• Communication is Key – As has been the case for the past three years, open and clear communication will play an integral role in keeping families informed about the latest information as it relates to being on campus and protecting the safety and well-being of our community.  Parents can expect to receive communications from the Head of School via email updating them on the latest news and developments. 
• Vaccinations Strongly Encouraged – Saint Mark has no plans to require COVID vaccinations but does continue to strongly encourage all those eligible to get the COVID vaccine to please do so. We understand that while the current vaccines do not always prevent transmission of the viruses (especially the BA.5 variant), it does helps prevent serious illness.
• Daily Health Screenings –  It’s imperative that families monitor their children for any signs of illness and keep them home if they show and symptoms.  Symptoms of illness include but are not limited to Cough, Runny or Stuffy Nose, Fatigue, Sore Throat, Body Aches, Headache, Shortness of Breath/Difficulty Breathing, Decreased Sense of Smell and/or Taste, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, and Chills/Sweats or Fever of 100.4° F (or higher) in the past 24 hours.  Any student arriving to school with COVID-like symptoms (or developing symptoms while at school) will be removed from the classroom and parents will be called. 
• Masking Optional for ALL Grades PK-8 – Masking on the Saint Mark campus is NOT required.  This means that all students, staff and visitors of the PK-8 program will have the option to mask while on the Saint Mark campus (both outdoors and indoors). Equal respect will be shown to those who choose to mask and those who do not.
• Classes/Cohort will Mask when COVID Cases are Identified – Just as we did last year, we will be requiring targeted masking when we do identify positive cases one campus.  Specifically, when we do identify positive cases in certain classes/cohorts, we will continue the practice we began last spring of simply having those classes/cohorts (rather than the entire school) wear their masks while indoors for a few days to help mitigate any possible spread.  This approach is a more measured and tactical strategy than simply requiring school-wide indoor masking and one that served us well last spring.
• No Campus Visitors without Appointment – All visitors to campus, including parents, are not permitted to go beyond the school office without a scheduled appointment. This means that parents must drop off their children at the designated drop-off area and are not permitted to park.
• Dedication to On-Campus Instruction – Saint Mark continues to understand the importance of social interactions and in-person support that is delivered through an on-campus experience.  To that end, we continue to work hard to keep our students safely on-campus.
• Excursions – Saint Mark will continue (and expand) off-campus learning opportunities for the students.
• Data-Driven Decision Making – Saint Mark will continue to rigorously follow the science as a guide to safely operate on campus and will make decisions that are data-driven and in the best interest of the entire school `ohana.
• Remaining Flexible – Saint Mark fully recognizes that any plan to safely operate on campus must be flexible and adaptable to the fluctuating community conditions that are beyond our control. Saint Mark has a data driven learning program that is designed to not only safely keep students on campus but to adapt to possible future COVID-19 variants.  Saint Mark will remain nimble as we continually monitor the latest developments.

WELCOMING FACULTY & STAFF
In addition to our returning faculty and staff, we are excited to be welcoming a few new members to the Saint Mark `Ohana.  Please join me in wishing a very warm aloha to all of our new and returning faculty and staff: Mrs. Alissa Menza (PK3), Mrs. Janine Kiyono (PK3/4); Ms. Erin Shiroma (PK4); Mrs. Dawn Somera (K); Mrs. Charlene Lazaro (grade 1); Ms. Cynthia Chung (grade 2); Ms. Makamae Nottage (grade 3); Ms. Rochelle Chang (grade 4); Mrs. Sarah Selph (grade 5); Mrs. Melissa Sanborn (m.s.), Mrs. Miriam McMillian (m.s.), Mrs. Kristy Schroppel (m.s.);  Mrs. Alyssa Hutchens (band & choir); Mr. Paul Markillie (school programs, athletics & computers); Ms. Kaui Dias (E.A., P.E.& beforecare); Mrs. Dale Gibo (E.A., art, aftercare); Mrs. Mele Manu (E.A., school programs, library); Mr. Matthew Schroppel (E.A.); Mr. Nolan Chan (E.A.); Mrs. Julie O`Conner (E.A.); Ms. Calsea Shaner (E.A.); Mrs. Melelani Lawrence (business manager); and Mrs. Debbie Jenkins (admin asst, admissions).

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Faculty and Staff Report – Friday, July 22
K-8 Parent Visitation/Drop Off Supplies – Monday & Tuesday, July 25 & 26
K-8 First Day of School – Wednesday, July 27
ELC Parent/Student Visitation Day – Thursday, July 28
ELC First Day of School – Friday, July 29
Before/Aftercare Begins for All students – Monday, August 1

PARENTAL PARTNERSHIP
As we prepare to open our doors for the 2022-23 school year, please know that every decision (COVID or otherwise) made for our school is one that places the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and families as our top priority.  We have greatly appreciated your trust in us and your cooperative spirit throughout this entire pandemic. We will continue to be asking our school families to support us in our efforts to stay safe as we continue to work to thoughtfully and patiently transition back to a more pre-pandemic reality.    

Thank you for your support and please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo and Blessings,

David Gaudi
Head of School