Principal Points, August 1st

Dear St. Theresa's Catholic School Families, 

Like most weeks this summer, the pace at our Catholic school has been much like a well-known movie franchise, fast and furious. What appears to be clear at the outset of the week is no longer so by week's end, and the need to adjust our response to this crisis (again) is placed squarely in front of us. 

We gained new perspective on Tuesday from our RTS Medical committee. Likewise, our Superintendent provided key updates to me in our weekly principals' meeting held on Wednesday. I also received several kindly written emails from parents in our Catholic school sharing both ideas and concerns about how and when we will open this fall.  Aside from my role as principal, as the parents of four new students at St. Theresa's, my wife and I are highly invested in these questions as well.

The Admin team and I have spent many hours this summer in conversations, meetings, and most importantly in prayer about how to give balance to many differing opinions and accurately interpret data to insure the health and safety of all who will be on campus this school year and to those who they will return to once the school is done. In one of my morning meditations this week contained this verse from Isaiah (43: 18-19):

"Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way..."

I believe "a way" is being revealed to us. There are still details to be worked out, but after considering the updates and data from this week and a very positive meeting with the faculty and staff yesterday, we are ready to announce what we believe is a better plan than waiting until September 8th to bring students back to campus. What a difference a week can make.

RTS Medical Committee Meeting
On Tuesday of this week, Dean of Students Mr. Jay Arellano, School Nurse Mary Umstattd, and I were able to meet with our trio of doctors who serve on our RTS Medical committee. We were provided great insight on the current and favorable trend of COVID-19 in our community. We discussed and received validation on the safety protocols we are implementing for a safe and successful return to school. We also received key guidance on the need to move our Nurse's office/clinic from the education building to one of the portables, so that we can create an outdoor tented area for students who display symptoms of COVID-19. Another critical takeaway from this meeting is that children grades 1 - 8 need to wear masks. Face shields may be added if parents choose, but will not be an acceptable replacement for a face mask in these grades, as face masks are superior in their effectiveness as PPE. Please note, this is a change from last week's Principal Points.

The doctors directed us to look at Austin Public Health data online. After another week of steady decreases in the  7 Day Moving Averages for New Admissions (Austin MSA), our area has moved from Stage 5 on July 18 to Stage 3 today. This 13 days of heading in the right direction! I have been following this website since Tuesday and noticed that numbers for hospitalizations, ICU patients, and those on ventilators are on a decline. Click on the link above to see for yourself, Austin is doing well right now. We sincerely thank Doctors Leighton Ellis, Eileen Stewart, and Parker Hudson for sharing their expertise and look forward to their continued guidance in keeping our Catholic school safe.

Rolling Return to School Plan
Given this very positive 13-day trend, we are adjusting our RTS plan to start with on campus, in-person learning prior to September 8th on a rolling basis. Please keep in mind that remote learning (or eLearning as you knew it last spring) will still be offered, beginning with half-days of instruction on August 18, 2020.

• August 18 - 21: Remote Learning only for all students in Grades 1-8 (7:55 - 12:00); please note we will not offer Remote Learning for 
• August 24 - 28: In-person Learning option for PK3, PK4, & Kindergarten (7:55 - 12:00); Remote Learning only for all students in Grades 1-8 (7:55 - 12:00)
• August 31 - September 4: In-person Learning option for ALL GRADES (7:55 - 12:00); Remote Learning option available for students in grades PK3-8
• September 8: In-person Learning option for PK3 - grade 8 (7:55 - 3:25); Remote Learning option available for students in grades PK3-8

There are many advantages this model of re-opening provides our Catholic school. The first week of remote learning without students on campus allow us necessary extra time to source and install PPE for desks and tables our students and staff will use. Bringing our littlest learners back first provides a more conducive atmosphere to acclimate them to the new protocols. The half-days of learning (remote and in-person) during these first 14 days of classes allows faculty, staff, and administration to meet daily each afternoon to assess the effectiveness of our implementation of instruction, new technology, and safety protocols. Finally, it gives everyone (students, teachers, and staff) a measured way to re-enter school without being too overwhelming. We have all been through a lot these past few months, especially our children, taking a few "baby steps" as it were, may provide a smoother transition that leads to greater success once we go to full days on September 8th.

Return to School Plan Update
I am reviewing the hard work of our RTS committee's RTS plan this weekend. Therefore, the final draft of the plan will be sent to our Superintendent, Misty Poe for review on Monday, August 3. We will also share the document with our staff, medical and parent committees to gain valuable feedback before publishing the final draft for you on August 7, 2020.

Dual Learning Platform
I have included key details of the plan again for easy reference. New or updated information is in bold and bright blue.
Remote Learning (eLearning)

• The student will use their STCS issued device at home to view a live Zoom video lesson by a teacher in the classroom utilizing Swivl technology. (See video below)
• School issued Chromebooks for grades 2-8 and iPads PK to grade 1 will be actively monitored: GoGuardian for Chromebooks and Mosyle MDM for iPads.
• Students will be able to interact directly with the teacher and fully participate in the lesson.
• Students in Remote Learning will complete the same activities and assignments at the same time as the students who are physically in the classroom. 
• Students follow the same schedule as students present in school. 
• Two weeks prior to the end of the quarter, families will have the opportunity to request a change to an in-person model, if desired.

On Campus, In-person Learning

• Students will have limited exposure to other students outside of their classroom. We will make every effort to keep the students with the same cohort group of students all day.
• Students will not switch classrooms. Rather, teachers will move to the student’s classroom for instruction. Students will remain in the same classroom, except for PE, recess, and outdoor learning opportunities. Some exceptions to this in Middle School may be necessary.
• Frequent hand washing practices will be implemented, including easily accessible touchless hand sanitizer dispensers stationed in each classroom.
• Common spaces such as handrails, door handles, and bathrooms will be disinfected frequently during the school day.
• Students will eat lunch in the classrooms or in outdoor spaces, when possible. 
• Students will have specials (Art, Music, PE, Tech, and MS electives) daily, but the specials schedules will be redesigned to limit student movement and exposure.
• Daily screenings of students will occur at drop off. The school nurse will closely monitor student health and isolate students with symptoms, and the parent/guardian is required to pick up the student within 1-hour. The nurse's office is being remodeled to accommodate this need.
• Masks will be worn 1st through 8th grade, Face Shields will be worn for PreK3 through Kindergarten. Parents will need to supply these for their children. We will provide links for these soon, however a quick search on Amazon can show you a nifty sun hat/shield that will work particularly well for our smaller learners. Guidelines for face masks and shields will be provided to assist parents in selecting non-distracting colors and appropriate images/designs for our Catholic school.
• Social distancing - Desks will be spaced based on recommended social distancing guidelines. Close contact for academic activities and group work will be limited. PPE shields for desks will be installed for additional protection.
• There will not be any whole-school gatherings or assemblies. 
• There will be no field trips for the first semester (diocesan wide).
• Social distancing guidelines will also be maintained at Drop Off and Pickup. Parents who have children in both buildings will go through both carlines. There will not be Walkup.
• At any time, families will have the opportunity to change to the Remote Learning (eLearning) model, but once this request for a change is approved, the family will follow the Remote Learning (eLearning) model and policies.

Hiring Updates
We held two interviews for MS Religion this week and one for MS ELA. We have one more scheduled for MS ELA on Monday. Please continue to pray that our Lord guides us to a successful conclusion to these searches. We are pleased to let you know that offers for 3rd grade, 2nd grade, and Middle School Spanish have been accepted. Monday we will complete the final step in hiring and be able to introduce you to our wonderful new teachers later in the week!

Emails
I wish to express my thanks to you all for the many emails of support I am receiving. I can assure you that your questions and concerns are included in our conversations and decision-making process. I do hope you understand that due to the incredible demands on my time as principal right now and the volume of emails I am receiving, I am unable to address each individually at this time. The answer to many of the received concerns or questions will be best addressed through the Return to School Plan to be published next week. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated.

If you have an urgent need or question that can't wait until the Return to School is published, please email us at administration@st-theresa.org and a member of the Admin Team will get back to you this week.

Next Steps

• Continues search for Middle School ELA and Religion teachers
• Publish Return to School Plan to school community on August 7, 2020
• Continuing our focus on acquisition and installation of PPE
• Create half-day schedules for August 18 - September 4 classes
• Teachers return to school on August 6, 2020

I hope you have a blessed and beautiful weekend.

St. Theresa, pray for us.

In Christ, 

Brian R. Wheeler
Principal
bwheeler@st-theresa.org