Dear Calvary family,
I just wanted to give you an update on our first week of school. We are up and running and off to a great start. With the extra measures we are taking to protect our school, everyone is safe and this has been one of the most pleasant openings I can remember. I think everyone is adjusting and starting to relax. I see many students happy to be back at school. In fact, the students are really helping us stay safe by practicing social distancing and wiping everything they touch. We have never been more germ-free than now, and I really don’t sense any fear among the students, or teachers. We have truly had a great start. We are a little down in our enrollment, but we are gaining students as more parents become tired of the virtual plan forced upon their children.
Now about remote learning, our plan for virtual learning was not designed for a large number of students, but as a way to get through a COVID-19 situation. If a student becomes sick and is out for 14 days, he/she needs virtual learning. Our remote learning plan was never designed to replace our in class instruction. In fact, having to teach both in class, and online adds an extra burden to our teachers as well as parents. Eventually, all students need to be in class. Unless we have a health problem, virtual/ remote learning will end by Christmas break, or earlier if possible. Also, students who were in class when school began may not switch to remote learning unless they are quarantined for COVID-19. Furthermore, those in virtual learning are required to complete all assignments just as those who are in class. The CDC has said students need to be back in school, and for us it has been a very good reopening. While there are a small number of students who do well with virtual classes, most students need the structure and social interaction that comes from being in class.
Elementary band will begin on September 14. All 4th and 5th grade students are in the band, so they need an instrument. Please make sure they have an instrument for band class, and if there is a problem, please contact me so we can work on it together. Upper grade virtual students will also have work to do for a band grade. Because they cannot be in class, I will send home a weekly practice record to be completed and submitted. I will have the forms for the virtual band students by next week.
I want to thank all the parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and students who worked together, and made it possible to open our school in a safe and timely manner. We look forward to a great school year. Keep up the good work and may God bless you all.
Pastor Donnie