This week several surrounding schools closed due to the surge of Covid cases in our region. The closures were due to the number of teachers and students absent from the classrooms. There were not enough substitutes available to keep up with the demand. This has created a major problem for school districts and unfortunately, they were forced to close. We are grateful that we have not experienced this problem at Holy Cross yet.
The school districts have also reinstated masks if their numbers are above a 3% positivity rate. We are currently at a 13% positivity rate. This is significantly higher than the guidelines that most schools in the surrounding school districts and even the Archdiocese are following to reinstate masks.
Here are the guidelines that Holy Cross will adopt as of Monday, January 24, 2022.
*If our school building reaches 3% or > exclusion and quarantine, the building will return to full mask requirements. The building will remain masked for at least 14 days or until the percentage of recommended exclusions and quarantines is < 3%. No parent exemptions will be allowed until the building is <3%.
I have many roles and responsibilities in my position as principal, but the golden rule that I apply to every situation is "what is best for the students"? This is not always an easy rule to abide by and it has forced me to make some very, very tough decisions in the past two years. I know everyone would agree and research has proven that in-person learning is the most optimal educational experience. In order to protect the student's learning environment, it is imperative that we adopt the above guidelines and remain in masks until the cases decrease in our building. It would be unwise to unmask in a time where Omicron is rising and creating a shortage in substitute availability. We have been blessed with healthy teachers up to this point because we have been masked. We will continue to monitor the positivity rate in our building and are hopeful that we will reach less than 3% soon.
Everyone has pandemic fatigue. We are all tired and want to get back to what we remember as normal. That being said, I will never give up on what is best for the students and they deserve to be in school. If we need to wear masks to keep our students and staff healthy, then that is what we will do.
The Prayer for Unity below is a great reminder of what unites us as a Holy Cross family...our faith.
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
The Prayer of Unity by Christianstt (Resource for prayers, faith, belief and spirituality.)
Oh Lord, as we work together to build your empire, let us be the light that leads the world to you.
God, teach us to be good role models to the people around us, so that when they see you and your love within us, they would want to know you more and more.
God grant us the patience to work together, bring us all together as a family.
Let us work together with understanding and compassion in our hearts. Let us not be rude or arrogant towards one another, as we light the way to your heavenly kingdom.
Holy Cross let's work together with understanding and compassion to fulfill our mission of providing our children with the best Catholic education. We can do this! We are Holy Cross Strong!
