DeKalb County Health Department Request of Adaptive Pause to In-Person Learning

Dear St. Mary School,
 
On Friday, November 13th, the DeKalb County Health Department sent a communication to all schools in DeKalb County recommending a pause on in person instruction in schools beginning November 30-January 19th, 2021. 

The community spread of Corona-19 Virus is the main concern in making this recommendation.  I spoke to the Health Department this morning in reviewing our original plan of taking the two weeks after Thanksgiving Break off and conducting  e-learning during this time.  It is still highly recommended that we do not return to in person during the week of December 14th-December 18th. 

The benefits do not outweigh the risks during this time because the Health Department is predicting that our community could be hitting a peak at this time.  Again, they did state that in person instruction has not been a major concern for any of the outbreaks as we have been proving all along with following all the mitigation rules to protect our school community. This is more for helping to slow the community spread.  
 
However, I feel as the school leader that our school needs to do their part in helping to slow the spread so that we are not overwhelming our medical offices and hospitals.  Thus, we will be e-learning from November 30th - January 15, 2021 with a plan of return in person on Tuesday, January 19th.  
 
Here is the schedule:

• November 30-December 18th will be remote learning. 
• December 21st is the end of the 2nd quarter. 
• Report cards will be posted by December 23rd.
• January 11 - 15th, 2021 will be one week of  e-learning. 
• January 11th is the beginning of the 3rd quarter. 
• Monday, January 18th is MLK Day and no school. 
• In person learning will resume on Tuesday, January 19th.  

 
The teachers will be working very hard this week to get the students prepped with all the materials that will be sent home for a productive e-learning time period.  I know that this is not the most ideal timing as our teachers and students truly love the time after Thanksgiving preparing for Christmas celebrations.  However, I want everyone to be healthy and safe for the their holidays and return to in person learning as soon as possible. 

Ashley Davis, Principal