Good Afternoon,

It is hard to believe that we have already completed the first trimester! While this year has been anything by ordinary, it is the ordinary about it that has been the most encouraging. We entered the year with hopes that things would go well, but with no way of knowing what would happen. Up until now, things have gone pretty much exactly how we would hope, but it seems that it will only become more challenging as we move forward. I hope that you have had a chance to read my COVID update on Friday. If you haven't, please take the time to do so. Our hope is that we will be able to continue having all students at the school every day, but we must continue to work together in order to make that a reality. 

We have a number of things this week that you should be aware of. First off, if you haven't already done so, please return picture orders with a deadline of November 12th by tomorrow. Report cards for the first trimester will be sent home on Thursday. These will be sent as they were last year. The report cards and any other papers in the envelopes are yours to keep. Please just sign and return the envelope. Finally, Mandy, our school cook, will be out on Friday. Students can still request school lunch, but they must do so by Wednesday. Please let your child(ren) know if they should request lunch on Wednesday or not.

Please continue to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

God Bless,

Mr. O'Neill

November 17-21st: Dining WEEK at Chi Em Eats (see below for times)

November 19th: Report Cards sent home

November 23rd: Dress Your Way Day for $1

November 25-27th: No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 1st: Christmas Parade (5th Grade only)

December 8th: Dining Night - Gambino's

December 19th - January 4th: Christmas Break

Sacred Heart School is not currently aware of any students or staff members who are in isolation due to a positive test. However, we do have 3 families with a positive test in the home resulting in 4 students in quarantine. 

If someone in your home does test positive for COVID-19, please contact me immediately. The health department is currently overwhelmed with cases and has asked us to help communicate information to families to ensure we are doing all we can to slow the spread. The health department will eventually contact anyone who tests positive, but it could take a number of days.

Please continue to follow all suggested protocols, especially when around other people. This includes wearing masks, washing or sanitizing your hands regularly, and especially keeping your distance. The longer you are in close proximity to others, even if wearing a mask, the more likely transmittance is to occur.

With the break this last week and the upcoming Thanksgiving break, it is important that you ensure that you are following KDHE quarantine guidelines for travel. These are updated every 2 weeks, so will be updated again this week. Pay extra attention to number 5 involving gatherings of more than 500 people. This would include attendance at college or pro sporting events, concerts, conferences, etc. 

KDHE is mandating a 14-day home quarantine for anyone in Kansas if you have:

1. Travel to or from South Dakota on or after November 4.

2. Travel to or from the countries of Belgium and Czechia on or after November 4.

3. Travel to or from North Dakota on or after October 21.

4. Travel to or from the country of Andorra on or after October 21.

5. Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where you did not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask. Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.

6. Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

Students who are participating in class while at home are still expected to follow certain school expectations. Remember that if they are attending virtually, they are considered present at school that day, so the expectations must be similar to when they are at school. Please be sure that, if your child is quarantined, you are assisting them to make sure that the following expectations are met.

1. Students should still be in uniform.

2. Students must be punctual by joining classes when they are supposed to and staying on the calls until there is a break.

3. Students should have a dedicated workspace. They should not by on beds, couches, etc.

4. If you have multiple children working at home at the same time in the same areas, please have them wear headphones and encourage them to be mindful of their siblings who are also in class.

5. The teachers will be sure to check in with the students at home to answer questions or to help with tasks, but students are encouraged to participate just as they would if they were in class.