Resurrection-St. Paul School
Encounter Christ's Presence - Year of the Eucharist
January 9, 2022
Please read this newsletter thoroughly as it contains important Covid information, calendar updates, and inclement weather policy details.
Happy New Year!
2022 has already started off with challenges from winter weather to postponed events to the Omicron variant and the ever changing Covid guidance. Thank you for continuing to support, trust, and cooperate with us as we navigate these daily challenges.
I would be remiss if I didn't thank our nurse, Julie Rice, who didn't get much of a Christmas break and who has been working countless hours after school and on the weekends to help keep our community safe. She is a gift to the RSPS community and we are lucky to have someone like her helping to guide us through these times.
As the Omicron variant continues to spread, we are working diligently to provide the safest environment possible while continuing to offer high quality, in-person instruction. We have reiterated all of the safety protocols that were put in place at the beginning of the year, including (but not limited to): social distancing in the classroom, masking while in the building, hand hygiene, ventilation, and the promotion of vaccines for students and staff. One of the areas with the greatest risk is when students are eating lunch unmasked. We have made adjustments to the lunchroom setup which will allow us to have students sitting 6' apart with only two students per table. This should greatly reduce the risk at lunch and remove any close contacts during the time students are eating.
We have asked teachers to discuss the changes to the lunchroom with their classes as we know this may be disappointing for students not to be able to sit with all of their friends. We also kindly ask that you speak with your child(ren) about the importance of the lunchroom change as well as all of the safety measures and their role in keeping everyone safe.
Additionally, we ask for your continued due diligence in monitoring the health of your child(ren) daily before you send them to school. Err on the side of caution and keep in communication with us should there be any issues or questions about sending your child(ren) to school.
Finally, I have included a letter below from the AOB regarding recent changes to the quarantine and isolation guidance from MDH and MSDE.
Thank you again for your understanding and support as we work together to manage through the Omicron surge and keep RSPS open.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hellem
Important Calendar Updates
Friday, March 4 (end of T2)
Thursday, April 14 (beginning of Spring Break)
Friday, May 6
Inclement Weather Decisions & Pivot to Virtual Instruction
Per AOB policy, RSPS follows Howard County Public Schools when making weather related decisions for delays and closures.
We have now exhausted our three "snow days" that are built into the calendar as of Friday, January 7th. For any future school closures due to inclement weather we will now pivot to virtual instruction. An email will be sent out this week with details regarding virtual instruction. We will be including a class level survey to determine if you need to have your child(ren) bring home a device or if you have one at home they can use on those specific days.
Thank you again for your help and support with this.
Mask Status - 1/9 - 1/13
Masking is mandatory this week at our school. Thank you for your partnership and vigilance to ensure the safety and well-being of our school community.
Vaccine Documentation
Please follow the format for the subject line of the email:
Subject: Vaccine Card - Student Last Name (e.g. Vaccine Card - Hellem)
This information will remain confidential and, as always, we respect each family's decision regarding vaccinations.
Howard County COVID Testing sites
First Call Urgent Care and Centennial Medical Group currently operate mobile testing at the following locations:
- Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Ct, Columbia, MD 21045 (Monday, 12:00-7:00 p.m)
- North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel, MD 20723 (Tuesday, 12:00-7:00 pm)
- The Elkridge 50+ Center/Elkridge Liibrary 6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075 (Friday, 12:00-7:00 pm)
- Blandair Bus Loop, 5750 Oakland Mills Road Columbia, MD 21045 (Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m)
- Route 40, 10236 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 12:00-7:00 pm)
- St John's Church, 9055 Tamar Dr, Columbia, MD 21045 (Tuesday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Elkridge Fire Station, 5700 Rowanberry Dr, (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
To find other testing locations in Howard County, please visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/covid-19-testing.
CDC Travel Guidance
Flyers & Other Information
Class Pictures and Individual Picture Retakes - If you would like your student's individual photo retaken, please click here for more information.
Bag Bingo is Coming and we need YOUR help!
RSPS' annual Designer Bag Bingo school fundraiser will take place on Saturday, February 5th with tickets going on sale in early January. The Bingo committee has been hard at work purchasing purses and bags for this event, but we need your help filling them with themed items. We have created both a Sign Up Genius and an Amazon Wish List for items to fill each bag. Please take a look at both lists and sign up for anything you are willing to donate. For every $15 spent you will receive 1 volunteer hour. The due date for all items is 1/14/22 but earlier is always better! Items can be brought to the school office care of Stephanie Finamore. Please email sfinamore@resstpaul.org if you have any questions. We appreciate your participation in this event and we look forward to seeing you on February 5th!
Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eafaa2fabfb6-bagbingo2
Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3G02CHDJVW6ZQ?ref_=wl_share
The Resurrection Men’s Club is having a Children’s Bingo - Due to the recent Covid restrictions, the Resurrection Men’s Club Children’s Bingo will be cancelled and rescheduled to a future date.
RSPS Spirit Store - Check out the RSPS Spirit Store and show your Panther pride. Items can be customized for individual names, sports, and clubs. These make great gifts during the holiday season and part of the proceeds go back to the HSA. Although these are not part of the uniform, we will have two spirit days in school on 1/21 and 3/7.
IF YOUR CHILD(REN) WILL BE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL - Please either complete the absentee form found on our website or leave a message on our attendance line (410)-461-9111 x 250.
Service Hours - Service Hours can now be logged in using the link found on our website.
Please review our Parent/Student Handbook for more details pertaining to service hour obligations.
Club Announcements
- The Panther Press has published their first issue. Read all the articles here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Playground Supervisors - Looking for ways to get involved? Help our faculty and staff during recess time! Playground supervisors work with faculty, staff and administration to ensure that the school's health and safety rules are followed as well as interact with students and encourage appropriate play and student behavior. Please review the available slots below for Grades 2-6 and click on the button to sign up. Volunteers are always welcome for the other grades as well. Thank you! REMINDER - if the feel like temp is below 32 degrees, or if it is raining, recess will be indoors. When recess is indoors, parents are welcome to still volunteer for lunch, but we will not have parents come to the classroom for indoor recess.
The Week Ahead 1/10 - 1/14
Tuesday, January 11th
- AOB Theme t-shirt with PE bottoms + Panther Pantry Collection
The Week to Follow 1/17 - 1/21
- School Closed - MLK Day
Wednesday, January 19
- Class Pictures
- Individual picture retakes today
- Scantron (grades 2-8)
Thursday, January 20
- Scantron (grades 2-8)
Friday, January 21
- RSPS Spirit Wear Day
- Prayer Service - Respect Life (time TBD)
Contact Information
Attendance line: 410-461-9111 ext 250
Attendance form: Online Form.
School email: office@resstpaul.org