Dear Father Doyle Families,

It has certainly been an eventful and challenging seven days. At this time last week, we had just received new guidance from the Department of Health. As you now know, these protocols were a significant departure from previous guidance, and we were asked to fully implement them in our schools beginning Monday, January 10th. Not only that, but the new guidance came amidst the most significant surge of cases both in Rhode Island and nationwide since the start of the pandemic.

I want to thank you for your patience as we worked through the details and determined how to best apply these guidelines to our school community. We know it has been difficult to keep track of all of the changes, and we're grateful for families' continued graciousness and support.

Considering the significant changes in COVID-19 guidance, I would highly encourage every family to review this Frequently Asked Questions document that helps clarify guidance as well as provide additional rationale for the decisions we have made over the past week. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding these new guidelines, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school. I am happy to discuss further with you at your convenience.

In addition, I would like to say a special word of thanks to our substitute nurse, Mrs. Mansour, who has put in a heroic effort in ensuring our students and staff who need a COVID test receive one. In the past two weeks, Nurse Mansour has conducted over 200 PCR tests, as well as over 50 rapid tests. It is important to note that, with over 250 total tests conducted, our positivity rate is about 10%, which is well under the positivity rates for both the state of Rhode Island this past week (21.4%) as well as the positivity rate for Coventry this past week (27.5%).

Finally, I want to reassure all of our families that we remain committed to monitoring school data and adjusting our guidelines based on the impact these new protocols have on the health and safety of our community. While, at just five days into implementation, it is too early to determine the impact of the Monitor to Stay Program and other new guidance, we will continue to monitor cases within our school community to help make informed decisions in the weeks ahead.

And alas, despite all of this, we can never lose sight of the fact that there is also tremendous learning and growth happening at Father Doyle School! Prior to composing today's Newsletter, I took a walk through our classrooms as I often do to start my day. Here are just a few of the things that I witnessed:

• 8th grade students reviewing proper MLA citations as they prepare for an upcoming research paper in Language Arts
• 6th grade students reading a play about the life of Helen Keller, learning not just about literary genres and literary devices, but also about what it means to overcome the challenges that life throws our way.
• 1st grade students working on STAR tests to provide Ms. Cunningham with actionable data to inform reading instruction in the classroom.
• Kindergarten students using their magnet letters to develop and hone their letter sounds and tapping skills with Mrs. Coderre.
• And much, much more!

Lastly, please continue reading below for several important announcements regarding:

1. Scheduling a Test for Your Symptomatic Student
2. Lunch Ordering Processes
3. Coventry Vaccine Clinic
4. And more!

Thank you again, to all of our families, for your continued support. I wish you all a wonderful long weekend.

God bless, and Go Saints!

Sincerely,

Mr. Peloquin

The Mission of Father John V. Doyle School is to provide students with a solid, well-rounded education based on Roman Catholic Tradition.

We live the Word of God in a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.

Box Tops for Education

Keep Saving Those Box Tops!

See the newsletter attached below for information on how to upload your box tops using the new Box Top App!

Participate in the FJVD Certificate Program!

This program is a great way to reduce the cost of your tuition while supporting FJVDl!

The Process:

• The school purchases shopping cards from all of your favorite stores
• You purchase the cards from the school, paying face value and spending the same dollars you would have paid to the stores directly
• The school earns a percentage discount offered by participating stores.

For each $50.00 you spend, you get a stamp on your Tuition Discount Card. Fill the entire card and redeem it for a $50.00 check or $75.00 tuition reduction.

Cards currently available include:

Stop & Shop, Applebee's, Barnes & Noble, Dave's, Dunkin Donuts, Panera, Wal-Mart and more!

Stop by the school Monday-Friday 7:45am-8:15am, the Rectory Monday-Friday 1:45-2:15pm, or in the Parish Center after the 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30am Sunday Masses to purchase your gift cards!

Aluminum Can Tab Collection

What: Aluminum can tabs are being collected

Why: To support the Ronald McDonald House in Providence

How can you help? Save can tabs and send them in to Mr. Godin’s room.