The Viator Voice
Summer Update: July 13, 2020
We can't wait to get
Our Safe Return to School
As mentioned in our June letter, our strategy for a safe return to campus hinges on two principles: cohorts or class groups and hygiene. While school may look different, we believe that it is critical for the academic, social, and emotional well being of our students to return safely. To further detail what this might look like:
- Our classrooms will be configured to maintain the necessary distancing with students grouped by class while limiting contact between classes during the school day to minimize the potential spread of any illness from group to group.
- There will be morning wellness checks of students and staff at the beginning of each day.
- Teachers will rotate from class group to class group.
- Special classes will continue; however, the teacher will rotate from class group to class group until we can safely disinfect Special rooms in between classes.
- Extra-curricular clubs will be postponed or limited at the start of the school year.
- Diocesan sports have been postponed until we can gather fans in larger groups.
- Assemblies will be virtual until it is deemed safe to gather in larger groups.
- School Mass will continue on Wednesday mornings; however, smaller groups will be scheduled. Currently, the church can only hold 50 including faculty and staff. We are working on the possibility of streaming Masses into the classroom with teachers distributing the Eucharist.
- PE may be held outside, although social distancing efforts will be maintained.
- Lunch will be held in the classroom, not the cafeteria.Students will be expected to clean up after themselves and practice good hygiene regularly throughout the day. Dedicated staff is in place for added disinfecting and sanitizing.
- Hot lunch will be offered; however, all lunches are individually packaged for consumption.
- Recess/Playground time continues to be factored into the schedule; however, under the socially distanced guidelines.
- See page 66 of the Parent-Student Handbook for the Extended Care Registration and program policies. https://www.stviatorschool.org/parent-student-handbook.html
What's Happening!
Friday, August 14, 2020
- Pre-Kindergarten through 1st Grade: Meet your teacher today. See below for details.
Monday, August 17, 2020
- First Day of School! Noon Dismissal
- Grades 5 through 8 iPad Distribution - please do not forget protective case today.
Tuesday: August 18, 2020
- Noon Dismissal
- 2nd through 4th Grade: Meet your teacher today and discuss the year ahead! See below for details.
Wednesday: August 19, 2020
- Noon Dismissal
- Milk Orders due
- Noon dismissal
- 5th Grade through 8th Grade: Meet your teachers today and discuss the year ahead! See below for details!
Thursday: August 20, 2020
- Full day of School
- Don't forget your lunch, including drink!
Friday, August 21, 2020
- Full day of School
- Don't forget your lunch, including drink!
We look forward to meeting with parents to discuss the upcoming school year!
This will be a great opportunity to meet your child's new teacher, learn important class information, discuss the daily schedule, curriculum plans, and resources.
All you need for a successful and stress-free school year!
Friday, August 14, 2020
9:00 am Pre-Kindergarten.
10:00 am Kindergarten.
11:00 am 1st Grade
These meetings will be virtual and code will be emailed/text. All sessions will be recorded for those that cannot attend.
August 18, 2020
1:00 pm 2nd Grade
1:30 pm 3rd Grade
2:00 pm 4th Grade
These meetings will be virtual and code will be emailed/text. All sessions will be recorded for those that cannot attend.
August 19, 2020
1:00 5th Grade
1:30. 6th Grade
2:00 7th Grade
2:30 8th Grade
These meetings will be virtual and code will be emailed/text. All sessions will be recorded for those that cannot attend.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child!
One day, this strange time will be over...
and when it is over, we can say: WE DID IT TOGETHER!
SIGN UP FOR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT WITH SCHOOL NURSE FOR MEDICATION DROP OFF
Help us continue the practice of good hygiene.
- Remind your child(ren) to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
- Ask them to avoid touching their face.
- Remind them to sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of their elbow.
- Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
- Using face coverings while in public now so that they are use to wearing at school.
Face Coverings
We have reviewed the current “Guidance From The American Academy of Pediatrics” provided by Sandy Young. The guidance indicates the need for all children to wear face coverings “when harms do not outweigh benefits (potential COVID-19 risk reduction).” For those who will struggle with this, we would be permit the use of face shields.
Teachers will be using face shields and/or face coverings. As long as the 6 feet of distancing is maintained we can use face shields; however, should a teacher need to work closely with a student (example: side by side) the cloth face covering must be utilized by the teacher.
Prior to the Governor's mandate, we added face coverings to the Dennis Uniform list. We have been told that Dennis is struggling with keeping up with current demand. We recognize the challenge and ask that you seek something that is complimentary to our uniform (navy, tan, black, gold, white, disposable, etc) rather than distracting to classmates. Thank you!
Reminder to Pre-Kindergarten Students
Pre-Kindergarten students must have their Health Form completed by heir doctor/nurse and returned to the school office prior to attending school (by August 14, 2020). If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Palacio at apalacio@stviator.org.
Reminder to All Parents
Please make sure that you have contacted your health care provider to obtain any mandated immunizations for return to school. https://immunizenevada.org/NVSchoolRequirements
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Palacio at apalacio@stviator.org.
Help US Stay Well...
There is nothing new to the statement: It is imperative that we stay home if they are not feeling well, particular with fever. The health of your children and our school staff is our prime focus each year. While a great deal of time is spent on treating children with injuries or illness, a large focus is also spent on prevention. These are a few of the activities we cover each year for the specific grades:
- Handwashing for all grades
- Hygiene for all grades
- Oral care / Toothbrushing for Grades PreK-5
- Puberty Education for fifth graders
- Specific topics as they arise in each class: asthma, severe allergies, influenza
Each morning, students and staff will be asked a few questions upon arrival with a quick temperature gauge, followed by washing hands or utilizing hand sanitizer. Volunteers will be very limited this year and will be expected to follow same protocols. In the event someone on site is exposed or contracts COVID, we will be following the CDC and Diocesan guidelines.
Plan for a Slight Change in Arrival and Dismissal
At dismissal, we anticipate that parents/guardians will need to pick up their students at the classroom. Parents will need to wear a mask and maintain social distance while on campus; and exit once students are dismissed. Students remaining on campus after 3 pm will be walked to Extended Care. While not ideal to have so many on campus at the end of the day, we believe that parents will be able to self monitor social distancing and exit quicker than so many congregating students in the loop. We are continuing to research alternative solutions.
Save the Date: Holy First Communion
Saturday, Sep 19, 2020, 12:00 PM
St Viator Catholic Church, East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Scrip Program
This program is not as complicated as some might suggest. Here are a few quick videos to get you started or set up an in person or virtual appointment with Mrs. Drewes to personally walk you through the site.
I tend to click >9% rewards and bonuses to get more reward per dollar; however, I do love the Scrip now for birthday parties or seasonal gifts as well as reloading cards for my children (groceries, gas, coffee, etc.) Give it a try!
St. Viator Parish School
Email: svsschool@stviator.org
Website: stviatorschool.org
Location: 4246 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Phone: (702)732-4477
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stviatorschoollasvegas/
Twitter: @svsschoollv