As you've probably noticed when helping in the classroom or sitting in the pick up line, we are at capacity in eight of our ten grades (capped at fourteen in Pre-K, thirty in K and 1, and at thirty-two in second through eighth grades). We have a waiting list in one grade; we get calls weekly seeking admission; and we were fortunate enough to welcome three new middle schoolers just this week. Though this is a wonderful situation to find ourselves in, it also is hard to tell interested families that there's "no room at the inn," or that because of tuition, this door is closed for their children. Seeking to study this growth and provide needed "access," the PACE (Providing Access to Catholic Education) committee continues to meet and has moved on to the long-awaited next step of asking the facilities team to look at options.

As parents you have two vital roles to play. If prospective families ask about admission, encourage them to come to Open House on January 29th, and come with them. Let them know that they can apply for Fulcrum tuition assistance (applications due January 6th) even if they are not currently enrolled. You are our very best ambassadors. Also, as parishioners of St. Michael's, please talk to our prospective families about our parish stewardship efforts. Explain that all parish ministries, including St. Michael School, are funded by stewardship, and our school is extremely grateful for this support. Be certain that our new prospective families know that stewardship makes our school affordable.

Advent Blessings,

Kathi Rafferty & Roseann Feldmann

Co-Principals

If you do not receive your child's report card by email, please email Lisa Bishop (lbishop@stmikesolympia.org). If you do not have access to email, please call the school office (360-754-5131), and we will have your child's report card mailed.

Thank you

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 have no symptoms and test negative

on that day (If there are symptoms, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day

after symptoms developed. If there are no symptoms, Day 0 is the date being tested. Day 1 is

the first full day after the specimen was collected for a positive test.). If the individual tests

positive on Day 6, the individual is likely still contagious, and should continue to isolate and wait

24-48 hours to test again. If the individual tests negative on two sequential tests each

performed 24-48 hours apart and has no symptoms, the individual can end isolation and return

to school.

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

The Department of Health 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 Health

Office (rfeldmann@stmikesolympia.org). COVID-19 testing is available through the Health Office, if home testing is not available.

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

Ron Feldmann MD

St. Michael Parish School Health Office