Lower School Principal Newsletter 12-8-2020

December 2020

Dear Parents,

As I sit working on this newsletter, I have Christmas carols playing in the background, a fire in the fireplace, and lights shining on the Christmas tree. (Any errors within must be due to the fabulous distractions around me!) Because of the precautions with COVID, there aren’t parties to attend, choir rehearsals night after night, or mall shopping for gifts for family and friends. The typical delightful albeit exhausting trappings of the season are on hold till another year. A part of me longs for the bustle of the season to which I have grown accustomed. Yet, in this less hectic season, I have more time for contemplation, and I often find myself emotional with the time and space to reflect upon the saving gift of Jesus Christ for one such as me.

A mighty God who intended perfection and gave His children free will chose to send His Son to earth to save us all. The hurting world needed His help. The emptiness needed filling. And so, in the most unusual package, God sent His Son for us in the form of a baby. Joy, Love, and Peace personified and delivered in an unexpected manner so many years ago, displaying God’s grace and mercy for years to come. I cannot help but look at the sweet manger on my shelf and marvel that a cross was the destination for the baby Jesus. A love too profound to grasp completely.

While you shop online, wrap presents, and wish that COVID was a thing of the past, I pray that the days bring some time of reflection on a mighty God who loved us so much that He chose an innocent baby to save us all.

Merry Christmas! What an honor to share the Christmas story with your children at school!

In Him,

Maryellen

Lunch for Parents
During the upcoming months of January and February, parents will have the opportunity to eat lunch with their child. Lunch is $3 and payable with a credit card (no cash, please) in the office. A sign-up genius will be sent by the Grade Rep. There will be many safety precautions which will be articulated in the sign-up genius. This opportunity is only for lunch time and no food may be brought into the dining hall. We are happy to host parents in this manner and ask that you follow the established guidelines.

After School Programs
As in the fall, we anticipate providing thoughtful programming in the spring. More information regarding offerings and sign-ups will be available in January.

I Love to Read Parade
This year’s I Love to Read parade will be a little different than previous years, but just as fun!! Starting in January, each class will design their own bulletin board float for their class book! The first and second weeks of January, the students (along with class volunteers) will be busy designing their “red wagon float” on their bulletin board during art and library class. All board “floats” will be complete by January 15. Beginning January 22, the classes will parade through the building to visit each other’s bulletin board floats. Pictures will be taken and sent out for parents to enjoy in the fun too! Be on the lookout for communication from your Room Mom and class float volunteers!

Adjustment in COVID-19 Quarantine Policy
The Georgia Department of Health has changed the guidelines for quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure. Whitefield, as well as other schools, will be following the new protocols below for direct exposure:

If you are not sick, you agree to monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 days following the last time you were in close contact with a sick person with COVID-19. Monitoring your health includes checking your temperature twice a day and watching for symptoms for 14 days. You will quarantine yourself at home except in case of emergency or to be tested for COVID-19. The recommended time period for quarantine is 14 days, but you may be able to leave quarantine prior to that if certain criteria are met:

If you do NOT live in a congregate setting, such as long term care facilities, jails, prisons, shelters, etc. you can discontinue quarantine:
- After 7 full days have passed since your most recent exposure occurred, if you fulfill all THREE of the following criteria:
  - Are tested for COVID-19,
    - The test should be a diagnostic test (PCR or antigen) and the specimen for your test may not be collected more than 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation. If you plan to discontinue quarantine after 7 full days, this means you should not have a sample collected for a test until after you have completed 5 full days of quarantine
  - Receive a negative result,
    - You may not discontinue quarantine until you have completed a minimum of 7 full days since your most recent exposure, even if you receive your negative test result earlier. If your result is positive, you must follow DPH isolation guidance.
  - Do not experience any symptoms during your monitoring period
- After 10 full days have passed since your most recent exposure occurred, if you fulfill BOTH of the following criteria:
  - Are NOT tested for COVID-19
  - Do not experience any symptoms during your monitoring period

If you discontinue quarantine prior to 14 days, you should continue to monitor your health and follow mitigation strategies until 14 days after your most recent exposure and isolate immediately if symptoms develop. Mitigation strategies that should be practiced include correct and consistent mask use, social distancing, hand and cough hygiene, environmental cleaning and disinfection, avoiding crowds, and ensuring adequate indoor ventilation.

Campus Store Open House
December 8, 9, and 11
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the WolfPack fan in your family? Take advantage of the Whitefield Campus Store Christmas Sale starting today! Shop in person or online. Visit our Open House tomorrow for coffee, treats, and additional specials! Free gift wrap all month long with any purchase!

Tuesdays – 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesdays – 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fridays – 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.