Summer Notes - Communication #5
July 2, 2020
Return to Learn
Dear St. Matthew Families,
First, I would like to thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to respond to the unexpectedness of COVID-19 that started in March. We are proud of the way our students, parents, staff, and community members responded during these unprecedented times.
As many of you know, there continues to be questions and concerns about what schools will look like for the 2020-2021 school year. We put together a return to learn leadership team and have prepared a Return to Learn plan that has put us in a strong position to be prepared for any of the possible instructional delivery models that may come our way. Our success as a school depends upon us all, teachers, students, and parents working together!
Our plan places the utmost importance on health and safety as well as rigorous academics, no matter what mode of learning we are in. As a faith-based school, we will continue to teach religion in any delivery model. We will also continue to work on social emotional health through the utilization of a variety of resources, including a new program called Friendzy.
We will continue following the information and guidance provided by the CDC, IDPH, DE, Linn County Public Health, local law enforcement, and the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Now, for what you really want to hear! Our goal is to return to school as normal as possible by having onsite instruction with enhanced safety and cleaning procedures put in place. We are fortunate to have the ability to get all students in the classroom while following social distancing.
Due to the possibility of situations changing due to COVID-19, the St. Matthew Return to Learn plan prepares us for the potential of three modes of teaching and learning that could happen throughout the school year. Those include:
- Onsite teaching and learning
- Virtual (remote) teaching and learning
- Hybrid learning which is a combination of the two
As we keep moving forward and receive further reopening guidance, we will be fine-tuning the details for our return in August. More information will be forthcoming with more specific details as the school start date, August 20th, gets closer.
My plan is to provide pieces of the St. Matthew return to learn plan over the next month to help you find comfort and a sense of familiarity with conversations that are happening., hopefully this provides you with a “big picture” view. While we hope it answers some of the big questions you have, while realizing that you may have more. As much as we would love to provide you with answers right now, we are even more focused on providing the right information as opposed to fast information.
Thank you for all of the feedback that you have provided, I continue to review this and will continue to refer to it as we move forward. As always you are welcome to email or call if you would like to talk further.
Highlights of the St. Matthew Return to Learn (RtL) Plan:
School Calendar
- Our 20-21 school calendar that was approved in April has a few changes.
- Our start date for JK-5 students is Thursday, August 20th from 8:05am-12:00pm
- Friday, August 21st from 8:05am-12:00pm
- Monday, August 24th being a full day of school (8:05am-3:05pm)
Faith
- Faith is the primary reason why we exist and we will make sure to keep it front and center no matter what mode of teaching and learning we are in.
- Teachers integrate faith in their daily teaching through the use of prayer, bible verses, quotes, acts of kindness and service, daily blessings, and much more.
- Faith Formation and religion will continue in all teaching and learning modalities. It is our faith that helps us navigate all aspects of life especially during challenging times such as these.
Health and Safety
- Hand sanitizing stations will be placed at the entrances of all buildings as well as having multiple hand sanitizers available in all classrooms.
- We are asking parents to please provide their child with his/her own hand sanitizer. Additionally, the school will be purchasing a supply as well for refill and use throughout the year. Also, please instruct your child to not share the hand sanitizer with other children.
- Frequent sanitizing of common areas such as doorknobs, light switches, water fountains, bathrooms, desks, and chairs will be done throughout the day, every day.
- Visitors will remain in the outer entrance doorways.
- Signage will be placed throughout the school as reminders to continue social distancing, washing hands, covering a cough, and use of hand sanitizer.
- Teachers will talk with students about proper social distancing, washing hands, covering a cough, and using hand sanitizer on an ongoing basis.
- Face covering decisions will be made later in July/early August
- We will have space available in the main office for students/staff who are having COVID-19 related symptoms.
- Families will be required to take their students temperature at home, prior to coming to school. More information on this plan and the collecting of temperature information will be forthcoming.
- We will follow our current policy for sending students home that are sick or have a temperature of 100.3 or above. This is consistent with the IDPH and DE guidelines of staff and students who are ill should stay home.
- FAMILIES- this part of the plan is where we all really need your help.
- PLEASE keep your child at home if he or she is running a temperature of 100.3 or higher.
- We also ask that you inform the office of your child’s symptoms if you call them in sick.
- As recommended by the Iowa Department of Education (DE Guidance as of June 25, 2020), social distancing will be in place throughout the school day as best as possible.
Looking for an opportunity to work in the St. Matthew's School Kitchen?
St. Matthew's Nutrition and Food Safety Program is hoping to fill two full-time positions consisting of a Food Service Professional and Assistant Director for the 2020 - 2021 school year! These positions both have flexible hours Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Due to our Early Childhood Center and Jaguar Xtension Program running through the summer months, these positions are available year-round! However, there is flexibility allowing for a full summer off as well.
We expect all of our Food Service Professionals to participate in food preparation for the Early Childhood Center, in addition to the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Food Service Professionals are also responsible for serving our outstanding Jaguars, as well as meal clean up and kitchen maintenance; including but not limited to doing dishes, wiping and sanitizing surfaces, and cleaning food storage areas.
The Assistant Director will work closely with all of our kitchen's Food Service Professionals in addition to the Director, and help complete the daily tasks necessary for successful service. In addition to working as a member of a team, this position will assist with the inspection of incoming orders, maintaining a strict kitchen cleaning schedule, and ordering a pre-planned menu during the scheduled leave of the Director.
Individuals wishing to apply for either position are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and resume to Amy Conlon at aconlon@stmatthewcr.org by July 24, 2020.
Xavier Summer Camps
We have been given the green light to host some of our camps this summer while implementing proper guidelines. (Guidelines will be emailed before each camp) At this time if you are interested, you may register for the following camps on the 8 to 18 site on the Xavier homepage beginning on Friday, June 25.
Girls Basketball - Shooting Camp July 14, 15, 16
Boys Basketball Shooting/Skills- July 20, 21, 22, 23
Volleyball - July 30th (this camp is offsite)
Softball - TBD (not available at this time but most likely will be offered)
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT AT THIS TIME WE ARE OFFERING CAMPS BUT WE REALIZE THAT THINGS CAN and DO CHANGE DAILY -IF WE NEED TO CANCEL ANY OF THE CAMPS DUE TO LOW NUMBERS OR COVID 19 YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE AND YOU WILL BE ISSUED A REFUND
Please go to the Xavier website to sign up. Thank you for your interest!
Xavier Booster Club Golf Outing
Xavier Booster Club announces Golf Outing August 10th, at Elmcrest Country Club.
The XBC supports 40+ activities each year including nearly $75,000 of allocations for Athletics, Activities, and the Fine Arts. If you are a golfer, sign up today as an individual or a group. ALL XAVIER SUPPORTERS ARE WELCOME! If you are interested in sponsoring as a business or individual check out the opportunities. New this year there is a category for those who choose not to golf, but still would like to support the Booster Club at White, Navy and Silver levels.
Thank you for your continued support in building the future of our Xavier community! Over 90%+ of students at Xavier participate in at least one of the activities that Booster Club Supports.
