Open House last Sunday was a wonderful success and we are anticipating even more growth next year than this year. That is a blessed situation to have! In order to help us with our planning, if you are not planning to return next year, please let us know immediately by emailing (krafferty@stmikesolympia.org). If you aren't sure (We know plans can be up in the air!), we can keep you on our class list as long as you want, but please let us know if there is a chance you may be leaving next year.

Though we do see larger numbers possible for next year, we want to affirm that we exist to fulfill our mission to raise our youngest disciples in the faith - that is the one reason for growth that we can't ignore. Because they are precious to you all, and to God, we also owe them the best education we can give them.

Will there be changes? We still believe it is best for our school to hold to our class size limits - that's not going to change. We are also financially strong, and due to your increased Sunday stewardship, we can plan carefully but confidently.

How are we going to do this? Lots of questions, and keeping our eyes on the Holy Spirit for answers. As we move forward, keep us in your prayers, let us know your concerns, and believe, as we do, that all we have as a school and parish, place us among the luckiest and most blessed schools out there.

Kathi Rafferty

Roseann Feldmann

Co-Principals

The Principal Search Committee would like to thank everyone for completing the survey regarding the principal position. The committee spoke to several respondents who asked to be contacted and we appreciate their input and passion. We are also excited to report we have scheduled the first round of interviews this month with 4 excellent applicants. The committee also decided, in conjunction with the Archdiocese, to extend the application deadline on the Seattle Archdiocese website from February 1st to February 22nd. This will allow all quality candidates ample time to complete their applications and collect all the required documents and reference letters required. Please continue to keep the Search Committee in your prayers as we continue to select the next Saint Michael's Parish School principal.

Thank you,

Mike Doyle

JPII’s annual Take Flight Breakfast is fast approaching. Join us on Wednesday, February 15th at Saint Martin’s Worthington Center to celebrate the amazing young men and women of JPII High School, while raising support for tuition assistance. Doors open at 7:30am with the program beginning at 8am. Tickets are $30 per person or $240 for a table of 8. Seating is limited so register today. Our student keynote speaker is Joe Schumacher, a St. Michael Parish School graduate and current altar server at Saint Michael Parish.

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