Principal Post

September 23, 2020

Dear Parents,

In talking with some of our students today they shared how good it is to be back and they don’t want to go to online learning again. That was music to my ears!

The students have been doing a great job following all of our safety guidelines! I am extremely proud of them!

As a thank you for their efforts, this Friday, September 25, will be an out of uniform day for all students, faculty and staff.

Locals Love Us – Keep SPS #1

Please vote St. Paul the Apostle School #1 in K-8 Private Schools, Child Care and Preschools! Go to https://localsloveus.com/vote/72425/ to vote. If you have voted in the past, all you need to do is log in and your vote counts again. Please add your vote for K-8 private schools!

Sunday Mass

Did you know you and your family can attend Sunday Mass in person at 4:30 PM on Saturday, 8:30 AM or 11:30 AM on Sunday? The parish is taking precautions with social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing. We are all asked to wear masks to protect one another. It’s been great to see families at Mass! It is helpful if you make a reservation with the parish office, but it is not necessary. A reservation helps the parish plan for the number of people attending. The church can hold 150 people socially distanced, so when we exceed those numbers, the Gathering Space and Denning Hall will be set up for overflow. If you didn’t make a reservation, it’s okay! Please come celebrate the Eucharist with us!  It is awesome to have our parish family gathering together live again!!

Emaus Groups

The pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways. What hasn't changed is our need for relationships and spiritual encouragement. Being isolated from one another is painful for all of us. We miss each other and we yearn for contact, connection, and accompaniment. What if the Lord could provide these things while keeping us safe and healthy? Emmaus groups are gatherings of four individuals who are committed to growth and encouragement for the coming year. Studies show that these "discipleship quads" are powerful incubators of faith. Materials are free and are beautifully written to help each one of us to be true missionary disciples of Jesus. Are you ready for something deeper? Consider an Emmaus group. Soft launch is set for October. To sign up click here or email Tasha Havercamp at thavercamp@gmail.com. 

Still Relevant

Covid19 Update

Each week I will be posting our number of positive Covid19 cases and the number of those quarantined on the school website on the Covid19 page found under the About Us tab. https://www.stpaulcatholicschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=290133&type=d&pREC_ID=1963639

If your child has been exposed to someone positive for Covid19 we will notify you and you will also be contacted by the Scott County Health Department regarding the length of time to quarantine. So, no news is good news!

Hybrid Students

If your child is currently a hybrid student, it is important to stick with the schedule set up. Teachers are planning for the students who are online and those who are in person learning. Communicating with teachers is essential if for some reason you need to change the day of the week your child will be in person. Please do not come to school on an unscheduled

Covid-19 Protocols

 In order to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy, we have to adopt some new protocols. 

• Please keep your children home if they are sick.  
• We will be taking temperatures every morning, and if your child is 100.4 or higher, you will be called to come take them home immediately.  Temperatures will also be taken if your child starts feeling ill.
• Students will sanitize their hands before entering the classroom.
• All Students/Faculty/Staff and Visitors are required to wear masks in the building.  Teachers will take the students outside periodically for “mask breaks”.  Students will not be required to wear masks when outside, and social distancing will be encouraged on the playgrounds.  Preschool students can wear face shields in place of masks.

A person is contagious 48 hours before the onset of symptoms or a positive test.

• If your child has a known exposure (within 6 feet for 15 consecutive minutes - mask or no mask) to someone who tested positive for Covid-19, he/she must stay home and quarantine for 14 days, even if they have a negative Covid-19 test (they can get symptoms on day 12)
• If your child sits within 6 feet of another student who has tested positive, you will be notified, and your child will have to stay home and quarantine for 14 days.  They will be able to participate in online learning, so they don’t fall behind.
• Please let us know if you or someone in your family has been exposed.  We will be working with the Scott County Health Department to track and contain cases.

Small Beginnings

We are looking for one or two additional caring individuals to provide childcare in our Small Beginnings extended day program. If you know of someone who would be interested in caring for our 3 to 5-year-olds please contact Julie Morrison, our Small Beginnings Director. Julie.Morrison@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us. Hours are flexible. The program is open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate.