Update on ASB Fall Plan

August 6, 2020
 
Dear ASB Families,
 
Yesterday, Governor Inslee announced updated guidelines for reopening schools in-person this fall.  King County is a high-risk county and does not meet the recommendations for reopening in-person at this time.  The Archbishop and Office of Catholic Schools have officially let all schools know that we will be following the Governor’s recommendations and will start school with remote/digital learning.  Please see the attached letter from Office of Catholic Schools Superintendent Kristin Dixon here.  You can also see King County’s daily and two-week trends here, which is the data used in the decision-tree put forth by the Governor.  We will continue to work with the Office of Catholic Schools, the North Deanery, and the health department as we move through this.
 
I know that for many people, this brings relief as we look at increasing cases in our county and the reality of bringing groups of students and staff back together safely.  For others, this is the worst case scenario as they look at juggling work, childcare, and digital learning.  It is the same for the teachers and staff.  For some, this relieves a great worry regarding their personal health and safety.  For others, it’s a crushing blow that we won’t have these kiddos back in our building to start the year.  And for most, it is a combination of all of the above.  This is not easy.  To say it’s less than ideal is a giant understatement.  But, at this point, it is reality and we have to move forward to make it the best we can make it. 
 
So, what now?  As I said in last week’s letter, first and most important, stay calm and manage your own emotions.  Find the time and space to deal with your reaction away from your child(ren).  Feel what you feel but when talking to your child(ren), keep it as positive and hopeful as you can.  They do not need our added stress as adults and we need to support our children in making the best of it.
 
Next week, I will send out our updated digital learning protocols so that you can see what the fall will look like.  We have updated them using the feedback from families and using what we now know about digital learning. Teacher training for different platforms is already scheduled and they received the updated digital learning plan a few weeks ago so that they could be best prepared should this situation occur. Students will have daily opportunities for live interaction with their teachers and classmates, instruction in all academic areas, a balance of screen time and hands-on assignments/projects, and daily support from teachers.  We know we cannot provide the ideal scenario for all families but we believe the updates we have made work to provide a consistent schedule and learning framework for children.  We will also continue to utilize our full time support staff including school counselor, Director of Student Success, Learning Specialist and instructional aides to support the social-emotional needs, mental health, and academic success of all students.
 
I know you will have many questions, including:

• Will there be in-person Pre-K since it falls under a different license?
• Will we be able to have students come to campus in small groups to meet teachers?
• Will we be able to offer daycare/Extended Care to any families?
• What will new student orientation be like?
• Will there be an “Open House?”

I do not have concrete answers to these questions yet, but we are working on all of the above and more.  I will provide updates as I have them and be as detailed as I can in the information I provide.  For now, I ask that everyone practice patience, calm, understanding and grace.  The spring showed us the power of this community, the possibilities brought through creativity, an increased sense of solidarity and recommitment to who we are as a Catholic school.  We can do the same this fall, and I believe we can do even better.
 
I also ask that you continue to do your part to lower the numbers in our county.  The absolute reality is that we will not be able to return to normal without every person making a commitment to their own safety, the safety of this community, and the safety of the larger population.  We are called not only to make this commitment by the data, but also by our Catholic principles and the belief that we all have a responsibility to the health and welfare of all people.  Wear your masks. Social distance. Wash your hands.  We want these students back in school and this is the only way for that to happen.
 
I will provide more information early next week.  Until then, please know you are all in my prayers as we navigate the current situation.
 
With gratitude,
 
Kathleen Conklin