Head of School COVID-19 Update & Reminders – February 11, 2022

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents,

I hope and pray you all are doing well.  I am writing with a few quick COVID updates and reminders.

COMMUNITY CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE
I am very happy to report that Hawai’i’s current COVID-19 numbers have continued their precipitous drop in the past few weeks.  In fact, you can see below that the 7-day averages have decreased over 64% in just the past two weeks.
Current Numbers –       The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases is     796 (510 on O`ahu)
January 28 Numbers – The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases was 2,241 (1,584 on O`ahu)
January 21 Numbers – The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases was 4,301 (2,982 on O`ahu)
January 14 Numbers – The 7-day state average of reported daily new cases was 3,425 (2,545 on O`ahu)

This is great news after experiencing a very challenging January. Let’s all please do our part to keep ourselves safe and continue this decreasing trend.

COVID-19 TESTING CONTINUES at SAINT MARK
In the past two weeks, Saint Mark administered 22 COVID-19 tests with 0 positive results for a positivity rate of 0.0%. This brings our six week total to 389 tests administered with 8 positive results for a positivity rate of  2.0%.

Saint Mark will continue to actively test students/cohorts, athletes, etc. in the coming weeks and months, but will be doing so at a reduced frequency due to the decreasing community case counts. When positive cases are detected on campus, the COVID-19 protocols as detailed in the recently revised COVID-19 Campus Plan will be followed.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING HOME WHEN SICK
We continue to applaud our families for their continued vigilance in monitoring their children for signs of illness and keeping them home if they show any 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.

SAINT MARK REMAINS NIMBLE
As I have previously explained, it is important that Saint Mark remains nimble in our ability to adapt to what has proven to be an ever evolving landscape. This means our COVID policies, procedures, and overall strategies are flexible.  We revise/adapt them in accordance with the latest guidelines from government & health officials and as needed depending on the latest developments regarding vaccination rates, level of community transmission, and severity of new viral variants.

With the the COVID numbers quickly moving in a favorable direction, please know that Saint Mark is carefully monitoring the latest developments and remains committed to safely transitioning out of COVID-19 pandemic precautions as thoughtfully as we transitioned into them.  Every COVID-19 decision that is made for our school is one that is well-researched, well-thought-out, and continually puts the well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and families at the forefront.

JV BASKETBALL HAS BEGUN
Saint Mark is happy to have begun the JV Basketball season.  Approximately 20 students in grades 5 & 6 excitedly began their season this past Monday with their first practice.  After having to pause for omicron, a big mahalo goes to our Athletics Director, Mr. Markillie for his work to organize a safe and thoughtful plan to move forward with the season.  Mr. Markillie with help from Ms. Shiroma will be coaching the basketball teams. Assuming all goes well, the varsity season will begin following the completion of the JV season at the start of the fourth quarter!

GET ACTIVE for SAINT MARK (with KONA ICE)
A big mahalo goes to our families for their strong support of “Get Active for Saint Mark”!  Thanks to your generous contributions we raised over $9,000 for the purchase of new P.E. equipment, recess balls, athletic equipment and travel, etc.  The top three money collectors will be announced prior to the all school “Get Active” for Saint Mark day on Wednesday, February 23.   A BIG mahalo goes to Saint Mark’s PTC who will be providing Kona Ice to the students as a special treat at the end of their active time.

MAHALO FOR YOUR CONTINUED COOPERATION and TRUST
Thank you for your continued cooperation and trust as we work together to push through this persistent pandemic.  As always, please reach out to Mrs. Jenkins with any questions.

Mahalo and Blessings this Weekend,

David Gaudi
Head of School