Dear Families,

As principal, I remain committed to respecting the authority of parents especially with regards to medical matters having to do with their own children. I have no intention of mandating mask-wearing or random testing and certainly will not implement any policy that distinguishes between vaccinated and non-vaccinated children.

Without question, the most important measure we can take as a school community to prevent the spread of illness, including the variants of Covid-19, is to be diligent in keeping our children home if they are sick.

If students have any of the following, they are required to stay at home:

1. Temperature over 100 degrees.
2. Fever in the last 24 hours, including feeling feverish, chills, or shaking.
3. Flu-like symptoms without apparent cause.

Following guidance from the Diocese of Manchester, the State, and our Safety Committee, the following guidelines are now in place:

1. Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms will be required to stay home for at least 5 days and may return to school after day 5 as soon as they are fever-free for at least 24 hours and other symptoms are improving.
2. Students and employees who were exposed in the home or outside the home to COVID-19 are not required to quarantine. If a student or an employee has been exposed to COVID-19, for the common good, he or she must closely monitor for symptoms. 
3. Mask use is a personal medical decision and will remain optional for employees and visitors.
4. Covid vaccines will not be required for employees, students, or visitors.

St. Francis School continues to maintain the right to revise and adapt this School Safety Plan as prudence directs and as new information becomes available.

After their eternal well-being, the physical safety of your children remains our top priority. 

To Christ through Mary,
Principal Schwerdt