Coronavirus Update March 8, 2020
Published on March 8, 2020
Thank you for your many words of support as we navigate these unchartered times with the health and safety of our students and faculty as our top priority. At this time,
King County Public Health recommends keeping schools open. We had heard from many of you and have attempted to answer key questions below.
Will CKS Close?
Should a student or close family member become sick with a confirmed case of COVID-19, the school will close and further instructions will be communicated. We are also monitoring other school districts and Archdiocesan schools’ plans for long-term preventative closures. At this time, we are not planning such a closure but will keep you posted regularly.
As soon as Public Health determines schools should close, we will.
How are you protecting vulnerable populations?
We are taking extra steps to protect our students and staff by creating more time for hand washing during the school day, prioritizing regular cleanings in high-traffic areas, and providing more supplies to the classrooms for cleaning. We have cancelled or postponed all non-mandatory activities outside the school day hours through the month of March. Some children and family members may be at higher risk for severe illness because of underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system. We are asking parents to make the best decision for their families. We are excusing all health-related absences. Your child does not need to present symptoms to receive an excused absence. As a parent, you know what is best for your family, and we will honor that decision. Please let us know if you will be keeping them home.
How is the CKS Parish responding?
The Church is following guidelines from the Archdiocese. All non-liturgical and non-sacramental activities have been cancelled or postponed for the next week. This includes coffee/doughnuts, prayer groups, books groups, faith formation classes, soup suppers, among other activities. This will be evaluated and revised weekly. Masses are continuing with new protocol for greetings, distribution of the Blessed Sacrament, among other modifications.
If the school closes, will teaching and online learning be provided?
Our faculty is planning for remote learning and lessons. This requires new systems, new expectations, and again, unchartered territory for all of us. Should a closure of multiple days or weeks be required, the first day/s of the closure will be focused on teacher preparation and planning for online learning. We will communicate frequently should the need arise. This would be an excellent time for your family to make arrangements should we need to activate remote learning. Suggestions include: confirm your printer has adequate ink and paper, plan for scheduled use of family devices if you have more than one parent or student using the same device, and plan for childcare options. Earlier this week, we asked families without home internet or printing options to contact us. To date, we have not heard from anyone.
Make sure your emergency contact list is up to date with the school.
If a student shows signs of illness, including COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, or respiratory distress), we will immediately move them to another part of the school, away from other children, and contact a guardian/parent to come pick them up. If we can’t get in contact with a parent, we will call the approved emergency contact(s). Please make sure your emergency contacts are up to date with the office.
Thank you.