US Students and Parents,
It is with great joy and excitement that we are preparing to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year! It was amazing to see and visit with some senior students at our annual Bootcamp this week, which again reminded me how much I have missed seeing you all each day.
As the seniors saw first-hand this week, school will look a bit different when you return for classes. Some of our policies and protocols will be altered to keep us all healthy and learning in person, together on campus. If we can stay healthy, we can stay together.
This summer we worked as a task force, which included the amazing Mrs. Murphy, to create a plan for returning to school. PA is utilizing recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, Center for Disease Control, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to continue to maintain a healthy environment for students and teachers.
I’d like to highlight some items from the school opening plan we rolled out last week:
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Specified entrances/exits will be required for students to prevent overcrowding at building entry points.
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Students will be able to enter the school building at 8:00am each day and not before. US students can be in the Atrium, near their locker, or in hallways before school as long as a six-foot distance is maintained between students. Students may access teachers during this time as well. To begin the year, breakfast will not be available.
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All students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear a face-covering each day with some exceptions for lunch and PE classes. For more information on face-coverings please see the FAQ link.
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Locker access and passing times will be staggered to allow for distancing and will limit the number of students in the halls at one time.
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Lunch tables will be spread out to accommodate for distancing and two students will be assigned to each table. The lunch line will be carefully monitored and spaced appropriately.
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All desks and chairs will be sanitized after every class.
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Sanitizer stations have been placed in every classroom and hallway. Students should frequently sanitize hands and we encourage wash handing with soap for at least 20 seconds.
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Students are strongly encouraged to leave campus as soon as possible after school. The US Atrium and common areas will close to students at 4:00pm at which time US students need to leave campus or wait by the security officer near the front entrance until their departure. Gathering in locker rooms, outside, or in the parking lot will not be allowed.
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Holy Mass will be celebrated weekly as scheduled, but relocated to the PAC to allow for safe distancing.
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Fall events that include large gatherings will be postponed to spring if possible.
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Final details on US Orientation will be sent to families soon.
US Students, you especially have a responsibility to help us stay healthy. You are the oldest students at PA and you serve as our greatest role models. Younger students and siblings look up to you and try to model your actions, therefore it will be imperative you consistently wear a face-covering and keep a social distance while at PA. Remember, stay healthy = stay together.
At this link you will find a series of frequently asked questions created in conjunction with Mrs. Murphy that outlines some specific health protocols in more detail. I look forward to returning to school in person, but until then keep enjoying the summer!
Blessings to you,
Mrs. Harrington