UPDATE TO REOPENING PLAN FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2020 - 2021
(This message was also sent through the Parent Portal)
Dear St. Peter Parents and Students,
Thank you for your patience and support as we updated our reopening plan. We needed the extra time to ensure we have the safest and most comprehensive plan possible as St. Louis County addresses the growing issues with the Coronavirus Pandemic. I am grateful to our staff and medical advisors for their work on this process.
We do plan to reopen the school year with all of our students present in school every day. For our plan to be successful, we need to have the full cooperation and commitment of everyone to adhere to our safety standards. We also need your patience, flexibility and understanding that we are all managing a very difficult situation. This will not be a “normal” school year, but we are giving our best effort. With God’s help and our commitment, I am confident we will succeed.
Here is a link to the specific CDC website outlining information for parents whose children are returning to school:
Please note that these plans are subject to change at any time. We may have to shift to all-distance learning at any time depending on how the virus affects our community and/or directives from the St. Louis County Health Department. We have completely updated our all-school Distance Learning Plan which closely mirrors regular school days with live instruction and regular Zoom meetings with students. We will present that to you at a later date.
Here are the modifications to the start of the 2020-2021 school year:
- We are repurposing all of our space to ensure the best possible, social distancing standards. 1st - 7th grade will have three sections. 8th grade will have two sections, in the cafeteria. PK4 and Kindergarten will remain in two sections. There will still be two homerooms per grade. The lead teachers for each grade level will create a rotating teaching schedule. They will also rotate starting and ending the day with different groups. The resource and assistant teachers, who are also certified teachers, will help support and supervise the students. All of the students will receive instruction from their lead teachers. Also, we are not able to accommodate specific requests for teachers and/or room assignments. We are finalizing room assignments. The rooms will be as close to each other as possible.
- All students in PK4 - 8th grade will wear masks in school. We know this is a challenge, but we believe it enhances safety. Time and space will be allowed for “mask breaks”.
- Students will still be divided into cohort quadrants with their peers within each classroom.
- The school day hours through September will be 7:55 - 2:00 p.m. We believe this is a necessary transition ensuring extra time for cleaning, relief from wearing masks, student fatigue and teacher planning time.
- August 17th, “Back-to-School” Night will be done through Zoom by grade level homeroom teachers. The schedule and link will be sent to families.
- August 19th, 20th, and 21st will be Orientation for cohort class groups. These sessions will be about one hour for each grade level. Students will meet by cohort group. Families will be sent their scheduled time for cohort orientation.
- August 24th will be our first full day of school for all students. 7:55 - 2:00
- Before Care will not be provided. We don’t have a separate space for before care and we are not able to ensure their separation and social distancing in Before Care.
- Plan for not having After Care at St. Peter School. We are working with the YMCA and will make a formal decision later.
We are offering informational Zoom presentations on Tuesday, August 4, and Thursday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m.
Here are the Zoom links:
Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 796 758 7618
Passcode: 649988
Thursday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 796 758 7618
Passcode: 649988
We are also working on completing answers to the Frequently Asked Questions you submitted. We intend to review these questions during our Zoom meetings. Please feel free to send additional questions. We will do our best to answer them.
Thank you again for your prayers, support and commitment to the Catholic mission here at St. Peter School. St. Peter - Pray for us!
Respectfully,
Dr. John Freitag, Principal
If you missed any previous communications, you can find them here on our website... https://stpeterkirkwood.org/parents
Additional Notes...
Guidelines for Masks
As outlined in the School Reopening Plan, all students will be required to wear face masks when entering the building. Here are a few guidelines to consider when purchasing masks for your student(s)
- solid colors or patterns are ok
- sports teams are ok
- neck gaiters are ok - solid color, pattern or sports teams
- masks can and should have their names on them
- No suggestive or offensive language
- No "scary" or suggestive styles, e.g. shark teeth.
Here is a local company that makes masks in kids sizes with lots of color options and pretty quick delivery... https://germlessproducts.com/
Yearbook and Class Composite Photo Distribution
Yearbooks for the 2019-2020 school year have arrived from Lifetouch.
Since the Back to School night is not going to be an in-person event, we plan to send the yearbooks home with your student(s) on the first day of school.
We will also send home the class composite photos on the first day. The composite orders were placed when photos were taken in October.
We have a few extra yearbooks to sell to those who did not place an order in March. The yearbooks are $15.00.
Since the Back to School night is not going to be an in-person event, we plan to send the yearbooks home with your student(s) on the first day of school.
We will also send home the class composite photos on the first day. The composite orders were placed when photos were taken in October.
We have a few extra yearbooks to sell to those who did not place an order in March. The yearbooks are $15.00.
Uniform Code
General Code for All Students
New for 2020-2021: Smartwatches are not allowed to be worn by students.
1. Navy blue (K-5th ) and Tan Khaki (6th, 7th and 8th) slacks, pleated or non-pleated, may be worn at any time in grades K – 8.
2. Navy blue/Tan khaki dress shorts may be worn from the start of school until November 15th and from March 15th to the end of the school year. The 8th grade may wear shorts all year.
3. If pants have belt loops, belts are to be worn. Belts are to be solid navy, black, brown or embroidered. Belts with print logos or stamps are not acceptable. Scarves or tied belts are not acceptable.
4. Socks: K –8th-grade students: Socks may be white, black or navy blue. Socks are either ankle or mid-calf in length. Students are also allowed to wear St. Peter, mid-calf logo socks.
5. Red or navy quarter-zip or full-zip uniform St. Peter sweatshirts may be worn with the uniform. They must be purchased from the school. Only St. Peter sweatshirts may be worn during school hours.
6. Tennis shoes must be worn on P.E. days. Tennis shoes should be one or two colors. Avoid bright colors. No multi-colored laces. Low-top shoes only. All tied shoes must be properly tied at all times. Buy and wear shoes with nonmarking soles. Loafers are to have 1” or less soles, no platforms, no clogs, no sandals, Uggs, or boots. If students choose to wear loafers, they must have tennis shoes for P.E. class.
7. Uniform clothing is to be in reasonable condition. No baggy sizes, cargo-type pants, flares or extra-large clothing are acceptable.
8. No hats or head coverings including bandannas may be worn in buildings.
9. No writing on skin or tattoos is allowed.
Girls Code
1. Uniform jumper (Grades K – 3), uniform skirt (Grades 4 – 8) to be purchased from ‘Just Me Apparel’. Jumpers and skirts are to be knee-length or no more than 3” above the knee, measured from the top of the kneecap. Rolled waistbands are not acceptable. Please make sure that uniform skirts fit properly. Skirts may need to be replaced or hems let out as the girls grow.
2. White uniform blouses (round or pointed collar), white oxford cloth blouse, white polo style shirt, or white turtleneck. (for grades K-3 rd). Sleeves may be long or short. No trim, piping, monograms, or logos. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Navy blue polo shirts are required for 4th –8th grade.
3. Navy blue or white socks, leggings or tights are to be worn at all times. Leggings and tights must be full length. “Yoga pants” are not acceptable. No lace on leggings, tights or socks. Ankle or crew (mid-calf) socks must be visible above the shoes.
4. Acceptable jewelry items are rings, watches, dime-size earrings (or smaller). Only one pair of earrings may be worn (one in each ear). No hoops or dangling earrings. One bracelet and one necklace is allowed. Boys may also wear one bracelet. Necklaces need to be religious and kept inside the uniform. The school reserves the right to not allow certain jewelry items.
5. Make-up or artificial nails are not permitted in any grade.
6. Nail polish may be worn by girls in 6, 7, & 8 grades. One-color only
7. Headbands are solid white, navy blue, red, grey or school plaid. White, navy blue, red, grey or school plaid headbands with “St. Peter” or the girl’s name as a logo are acceptable. Silver or gold metal headbands are acceptable. Other logo or multicolored headbands are not acceptable. No feathers or beads in hair.
Boys Code
1. White (K-5th) and Blue (6th, 7th and 8th) knit polo, oxford cloth, turtlenecks, long or short sleeve shirts. Knit shirts must have a collar. No trim, monogram, or logos are acceptable. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
2. White t-shirts worn under uniform shirts must have no writing or decoration.
3. Navy, white or black socks must be worn at all times. Ankle or crew (mid-calf) socks only. Socks must be visible above the shoe.
4. Boys may not wear earrings. Bracelets have to be approved
5. Hair must be off the collar in length. Hair should not cover the eyes.
Out of Uniform Days
1. On specified dates (e.g. field trips) students wear their St. Peter “Pride” t-shirts with their uniform pants, skirts and jumpers. Parents are required to purchase a St. Peter Pride t-shirt from the school.
2. On specific non-uniform days students may wear jeans, slacks, Capri pants, athletic pants, shorts and collared shirts or t-shirts. All shirts must have sleeves. Shirts displaying alcohol, tobacco, or rock group advertisements and any type of sleeveless shirt are not permitted.
Shorts must be at an appropriate and modest length. If girls wear leggings they must wear shorts or a long top over them. Tennis skirts are not allowed. Rules regarding jewelry, make-up, socks, and shoes still apply.
