We have finally reaped the fruits of all last year's Fund-A-Needs! New blinds for heat control in kindergarten and the library have been installed. The Quiet Grove/Sensory Garden (the second Fund-A-Need) is ordered and we’re just waiting for supply chain issues to actually see it out front. You also probably haven’t noticed, but our building was repainted just before school started. We went with the same body color, except for changing the maroon trim for a more modern gray. It looks the same, only a LOT cleaner. Thank you for making all this possible through your amazing generosity.

Lastly, did you know that our facilities department sweeps the interior and exterior of our campus every morning ensuring that it's safe for faculty and students each day? As we have security updates, we'll pass them on, and if you have concerns, please let us know. Your children's safety, growth, and security remain our number one job.

Kathi Rafferty and Roseann Feldmann

Co-Principals

On the last Saturday of September, five families gathered together to add 20 cubic yards of new, playground-certified mulch to the Pre-Kindergarten playground area and the School playground. A sincere "thank you" to the Schwan family, the Oberc family, the Kerrigan family, and the Boyd family for providing the muscle to spread the mulch and to the DeBord family for organizing this event. Both of these areas are much safer with the addition of the mulch.

Thanks,

Roseann

In an effort to better support student athletes, changes have been made to the Sports Eligibility section of the Family Handbook. A specific timeline has been included that indicates when the student and parents will be notified of eligibility. The policy also clarifies how long a teacher has to grade the late/missing work after it is submitted. The cut off for the class grade needed by student athletes has been updated. The updated text to the Family Handbook is below:

Academic Eligibility for Participation in Sports/Extracurricular Activities

St. Michael Parish School encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities offered by our school. We realize that making the choice to participate in our sports programs or other extracurricular activities is a large commitment. At the same time, we expect students to be accountable for their schoolwork.

The following plan is in place to help students meet their academic responsibilities while still being able to participate in their chosen extracurricular activities.

Students who have a 73% or below in any subject will be ineligible to participate in their chosen extracurricular activity.

Students, parents, and coaches will be notified of a student’s ineligible status on Fridays. After all assignments have been handed in and all grades are 74% or above, students may resume participation in St. Michael extracurricular activities (practices, games/contests, rehearsals, etc.). Upon receipt of completed assignments, teachers will score and update the student’s grade within 24 hours.

The principal has final discretion in these matters.

If a student or staff member is ill or COVID-19 positive:

Students and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home and should get tested. Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home. Individuals may return to school on Day 6 if they test negative on that day (Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or, if without symptoms, the day of the positive viral test). Those individuals need to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days (day 6 through day 10) if they return to school after the end of their 5-day isolation period. If an individual is unable to wear a well-fitting mask, they need to continue to isolate for a full 10 days. To further protect other school children and staff, individuals who test positive using antigen or at-home tests towards the end of the full 5 days of isolation, and/or on days 6-10, are required to complete the full 10 days of isolation. Testing after day 10 is not recommended.

If a student or staff member is exposed to COVID-19:

DOH no longer requires exposed students and staff to quarantine. To protect the school, students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, who are potentially exposed to COVID-19 should:

• Monitor for symptoms, AND

• Test as soon as possible after exposure and then repeat testing every 24-48 hours through at least the first 5 days after exposure AND

• Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.

Covid-19 positive cases and exposure cases need to be reported to the St. Michael Parish School Health Office (rfeldmann@stmikesolympia.org). Covid-19 testing is available through the Health Office if home testing is not available.

Ron Feldmann MD

St. Michael Parish School Health Office

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache