In this week’s news, you’ll find Auction news, a COVID update, PTC news, an Annual Fund update, how our school is supporting members of our community impacted by flooding, a Parent Satisfaction Survey recap, Playground Angel needs for the next few weeks, this Friday’s School Mass schedule, and upcoming calendar items. Thanks for reading!
COVID Update
This has been a busy ten days since we returned from Christmas break and we have seen a surge in COVID cases in our school, similar to what is being seen throughout the county and in our state. We currently have six positive cases within our school and today, the decision was made to pause the basketball season until next week. In addition to positive cases, we have a number of students out because of close contacts or cases within their households. The school will continue to be prudent in its decisions and it will stay focused on preserving in-person learning.
Two reasons we may have to change to online learning in the next 2-3 weeks would be: 1. An outbreak in a classroom or classrooms; or 2. Staffing shortages due to teachers and staff illnesses. Otherwise, we will continue to provide in-person learning even if we have fewer students in each of the classrooms.
For now, we have decided not to bring all students in the church for an all-school Mass these next two weeks. Since third grade has prepared to lector and lead the Masses, they will be in the church this Friday and next Friday, January 21st with the rest of the students streaming from their classrooms.
The Department of Health has updated their guidance for K-12 schools and we are following this new guidance for isolation and quarantine periods to get students back in school sooner. To find more information follow this link. (https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/820-105-K12Schools2021-2022.pdf)
PTC News
Mark your calendar for our next PTC General Meeting! Wednesday, Jan 26th we will meet at 7:00 pm in the gym to discuss tech safety and education for parents! This session will be led by Litzia, the company that is now providing tech support for our school. Limited childcare will be available (20 children max), but we will offer a streaming option via Zoom for those who can’t attend in person. Please call the office to RSVP for childcare.
Tired of cooking? Our next Take and Bake meal will be coming up on February 10th! Look for a flyer in next week’s envelope and get your orders in by February 4th.
Development News
Our Annual Fund has reached $97,903! Although our fund continues to accept contributions throughout the end of the school year, our official campaign will wrap up and the tree will be coming down the last week of January. Sydney painted a special “100” leaf to be the last addition to the tree if we can reach our goal. We can do this Assumption families – lets complete the tree and reach our goal in the next 2 weeks!
Parent Satisfaction Survey Results 2021-2022
We’ve compiled a summary of the 45 responses that came in from the parent survey in November/December. Thank you for the time you took to complete this for our planning purposes.
Whatcom County Flood Relief
Please open the shared document and decide which book(s) to purchase for Sumas Elementary School. You can have them shipped directly to Assumption Catholic School, but please put a gift message that this is for Sumas Elementary teachers. Or you can purchase the books and deliver them to the school. If you’d like to make a donation, instead, please make the check payable to Assumption Catholic School and put “Sumas Book List” in the memo. Once you have purchased the book, please delete it from this list so that someone else doesn’t buy it. Thank you! https://assumptionorg-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/danderson_school_assumption_org/ERny_RSLM15JntsehCht8TMB_Aa0-W8h9OqvqKdOhDbrRw?e=ljgLFD
Care & Concern Ministry
A meal train has been set up to support the Smith Family: Emma, Jason, Micah [8th], Arianna, Isabella [3rd], and Benjamin [PreK]) as Emma transitions into bedrest, awaiting the arrival of Baby Liam at the end of January. Your gift of a meal will be greatly appreciated!
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/mqq289?intro=true
Playground Angels
Please consider signing up for a recess shift or two! Angels help keep our students safe on the playground, which we are so grateful for. Thank you in advance for your help!
School Mass this Friday
Due to the surge in COVID cases in our community, this Friday, January 14th, the third grade (who are leading) will go to the church for Mass. All other classes will stream from their classrooms. Parents of those students attending are welcome to join. We ask that visitors sit in the north and south transepts instead of with the students. Masks are required of everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
Upcoming calendar items: (this one went out with Wed. envelopes today)
January 18th, 25th– Middle school winter sports (make-up date for Jan 11th TBA)
January 17th– NO SCHOOL, MLK Jr. Day
January 24th– MAP Testing begins (grades 2-8), Pizza Lunch
January 26th– PTC General Meeting starting at 7 pm. Childcare is provided in the library.
January 28th– Last day of the semester, Early Release with 11:45 am dismissal
January 30th – February 5th– Catholic Schools Week
February 4th– Variety Show includes a 1:30 pm dress rehearsal and a 7 pm evening performance
