SVDP School

October 2, 2020 Newsletter

Hello SVDP Community,

We had a great week…celebrating two “first days of school.” On Monday, we welcomed cohort A of the Kindergarten and 1st grade and on Thursday we welcomed cohort B from those classes. This small but important start gives us a chance to hone our systems throughout the school. We were impressed with the children’s eagerness to enter the classroom and their diligence in following the safety protocols put in place. Next week, we welcome 2nd grade!

One quick note about drop off. Please do not park in front of the church. Our 8:00AM mass attendees can no longer park in the courtyard, so we are trying to keep the white zone in front of the church open for them. Thank you!

RenSTAR (Grades 3 - 8)

Most of you received your student’s RenSTAR results this week. We are aware that a few families with K – 1 cohort A siblings did not receive the report. This was an oversight during the busy and exciting time of our reopening. So exciting, that we neglected to send cohort A students home with bags that had been prepared for their families. Rest assured, you can expect to see the scores on Monday.

We are receiving diocesan-wide data today and will provide more details at the Parent Guild CoffeeTALK (Evening Edition) on Tuesday, October 13 @ 5:00PM (see information below).

It is always the goal to grow students in all areas of study. At home, you can also work towards this goal by understanding the Lexile Level (score provided on the RenSTAR report). Every book your child reads has a bar code, also known as the ISBN number. You can use an app such as Book Wizard (a Scholastic product) or Literacy Leveler, scan the bar code, and see if that book is under, meeting, or exceeding their current reading level. Get more information about the Lexile Level at https://lexile.com/parents-students/tools-to-support-reading-at-home/mobile-apps/.

If the book is under their current level, don’t discourage them from finishing, but encourage them to read something a little more challenging next time. If you find your child has chosen something beyond their current level, try reading it together. These simple actions, along with work in the classroom, will only aid in your child’s academic growth.

Scholastic Book Fair

October 5 - 18, 2020

Reopening Protocols / Updates

Travel Outside of San Francisco Bay Area (update from SFDPH)
Upon returning from travel outside the Bay Area, you are strongly encouraged to quarantine for 14 days if you engaged in any of the following activities:

You interacted for more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone outside your household when you or the other people around you were not wearing a face covering at all time.
You were indoors, including a plane, train, or bus, and either you or those around you were not wearing a face covering at all times.
You interacted for more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone - either with or without a face covering - who was experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who began to experience symptoms of COVID-19 within 48 hours of your interaction with them.

COVID-19 Test for Staff

According to the County of San Francisco COVID-19 Response, testing needs to be performed by a laboratory certified for high-complexity testing. There are many testing sites throughout the county.

All our staff members are required to be tested once a month.

The school requires staff to inform the administration immediately (within one hour of learning the results) if their test returns a positive result or has an inconclusive result. Documentation must be provided.

COVID-19 Testing for Students and Families

The school recommends that parents or guardians of elementary students have themselves and other adults in the student's household tested for COVID-19.

The school strongly recommends that parents or guardians of middle school students have those students tested for COVID-19 ideally within seven days, but no more than 14 days before first returning to school for in-person, on-site instruction.

The school requires parents or guardians to inform the school immediately (within one hour of learning the results) if their own or their student's test returns a positive result or has an inconclusive result. Documentation must be provided.

Air Circulation

During wildfires, it is recommended that windows remain closed. SVDP is researching portable air filters and will present this information to the Advisory Board on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. More information to follow!

Additional PPE

While we have outfitted the school with all the necessary PPE to keep our staff and students as safe as possible, we are expecting the state provided items to arrive next week.

Together We Are... SVDP School Reopening Plan 2020

Follow the link to read the latest news on our school reopening plan.