Dear Families,

As principal, I remain committed to respecting parental authority in medical matters that have to do with their 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, the State, and our safety committee for the 2021-2022 School Year, the following policies are now in place:

• Parental authority will be respected in healthcare decisions
• Face coverings will remain optional for students and employees
• St. Francis School will preserve the confidentiality of medical information
• St. Francis School will notify parents if we believe there is a cluster within a specific grade. This is defined as 3 or more individuals confirmed with COVID-19 who are part of a related group of individuals (e.g., classroom) who had the potential to transmit the infection to each other through close contact. 
• St. Francis School asks families to err heavily on the side of caution by staying home if students have flu-like symptoms.
• Spacing in the classroom will be according to what is reasonable, practical, and always at the teacher’s discretion.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if my child tests positive?

Students with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic may discontinue isolation and other precautions 5 days after the date of their first positive test.

Students with COVID-19 who are symptomatic may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

• At least 5 days have passed since symptom onset and
• At least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms have improved

When the student does return to St. Francis School, the State recommends the use of a face covering for 10 days. As a school that respects parental authority, we leave this decision to parents.

2. How do I let the school know? 
   

Upon learning that their child has tested positive, parents should email their child’s teacher and Principal Schwerdt. It is the parent’s responsibility to be in touch with their child’s teacher to pick up work at the Front Office.

3. What is the procedure for quarantining if exposed to a household contact?

If someone in the student’s household has tested positive for COVID-19, St. Francis students, regardless of vaccination status, should quarantine at home for 5 days. If possible, please avoid ongoing, sustained, and regular contact with the COVID-positive person in the home.

When the student does return to St. Francis School, the State recommends the use of a face covering for 10 days. As a school that respects parental authority, we leave this decision to parents.