Head of School Update – September 2, 2022

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents!

I hope you all are doing well as we head into the Labor Day weekend.  I am writing with the latest Saint Mark updates.

COVID-19 CAMPUS PLAN (Revised)
Saint Mark has revised its COVID-19 Campus Plan to reflect the recent changes made by the C.D.C. and H.D.O.H. regarding rules for COVID-19 exposure.  The specific revisions state that Saint Mark’s students/staff who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 at school or outside of school are NOT required to quarantine regardless of vaccination status.  This policy is consistent with HDOH recommendations (Revised: August 15, 2022) and means that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who are exposed to COVID-19 may remain in school if they are asymptomatic and wear a mask while indoors for 5 days (10 days recommended). Please take a few minutes to read page 7 of the revised Saint Mark’s COVID-19 Campus Plan- Policy and Procedures 2022-23 for the full policy and procedure. This is definitely another step in the right direction!

STAYING HOME WHEN SICK (Your help is needed and appreciated)
We are thankful for your help thus far and continue to emphasize how important it is that families monitor their children for any signs of illness and keep 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.

MORNING FLAG, PRAYER and SONG
We are so excited to have reinstalled our flag pole and resumed our morning gathering time.  The students and staff do the pledge allegiance and prayer most days and sing Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī on Fridays.  This is the first time we’ve been able to gather in this fashion since early 2020.

FUN LEARNING IN LIFE SCIENCE 
The grade 7 science students had some fun learning about the structure and function of plant and animal cells.  They spent some time outside playing “Study Toss” – a game where a beach ball covered in a variety of review questions is randomly tossed around to the various teams.  The students shared that it was an interactive and fun way to learn! The cell study culminated with each student constructing a cell model with all major cell organelles clearly labeled.

JV VOLLEYBALL GOING STRONG
The Saint Mark Warrior JV volleyball season is off to an exciting start as both our boys and girls teams remain undefeated with 4-0 records.  The grade 5 and 6 students (15 in all) are working well together, improving with every game, and enjoying the camaraderie/team spirit that comes with school athletics.  The season will continue through the end of September. A big mahalo goes to our Athletics Director/Coach Mr. Markillie and Coach Ms. Erin for their work with your young athletes.  Also, as some of you may have experienced, parking can get a bit congested on home game days, so your patience is appreciated.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Labor Day (No School) –  Monday, Sept 5
Fall School Pictures Make-ups – Thursday, Sept 22
First Quarter Ends – Friday, Sept 30 (Early Dismissal)
School Resumes – Monday, October 17
Parent Teacher Conferences – October 19 – 21

THANK YOU for YOUR SUPPORT!
In conclusion, please know how much your trust and cooperative spirit is appreciated.  We thank you for your help and will continue to be asking our school families to support us in our efforts to stay safe as we continue to thoughtfully and patiently transition back to a more pre-pandemic reality.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo, Blessings and Have a Wonderful 3-Day Weekend,

David Gaudi
Head of School