October 29, 2020

The plan to bring our students back to school was based on several foundational principles. One of those was an enhanced partnership with our parents. Key to this was the enhanced monitoring of the health of the students prior to coming to school. This has been tremendously effective and is key to the extremely low rate of COVID in our schools. 

During the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we will rely on that partnership even more, particularly as it pertains to travel. We understand that some families need to quarantine prior to travel to visit aging or compromised family members. To facilitate this, we have virtual learning available during this period to make it easier for you. Please communicate with Mrs. Booth in our main office (mbooth@stbl.org) and with your child's teacher to facilitate this transition. Also, please understand that if your child/our student  travels to a state or location listed on the PA quarantine list they do need to quarantine and learn from home for 14 days following your return.  

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx 

A negative test does not allow for a return from quarantine. If the destination is added to the state list while you are there, even if it was not on the list prior to travel, students would still need to  quarantine. If this is in your plans, please let your teacher and administration know and plan to pick up all materials prior to your travel.  

Another area of concern in which we need your help relates to keeping your child at home if a  member of the family has been exposed to COVID. Moving your child to virtual learning in this  situation, can prevent the unnecessary quarantine of other students and provide a safer  environment for all. 

Traveling to spend time with families is an important activity and one that we value. However, it requires additional planning during the pandemic times to ensure the safety of all those that travel and those that remain at home. 

Note: You must contact Mrs. Booth in the main office at mbooth@stbl.org and your child's teacher to facilitate an approved transition to virtual learning

Procedures when the school administration is alerted that a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19:

• Principal contacts the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Chester County Health Department, and Father Saban, the pastor. 
• All required  paperwork regarding contact tracing is completed by the principal. 
• A letter is sent via Option C email to the parents of the affected classroom alerting of a positive case
• A Letter is sent via Option C informing the school community alerting of a positive case.

Procedure when the school administration is alerted that a student or staff member has come in contact with a person who has COVID-19:

•  If a student is physically in school at the time, he/she is  immediately removed  from the classroom and brought to our new San Rafael room next to principal’s office. Parents come and pick up the student ASAP. The parents are instructed by the principal  to have the child quarantine for 14 days. They would also be given a sheet from the Chester County Health Department detailing instructions for Individuals with Close Contact.
•  If a staff member is in physically in school and finds that they have been in contact, he/she would immediately be asked  to leave, and quarantine for 14 days. They, too, would receive Chester County’s instructions. 
•  If alerted by a parent of a student that he/she has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person outside of the school day, he/she is immediately quarantined at home for 14 days.  Chester County’s Instructions for Individuals with Close Contact would be emailed to the person in question..
• If alerted by a staff member that he/she has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person outside of the school day, he/she is immediately quarantined at home for 14 days.  He/she would also be emailed Chester County’s Instructions for Individuals with Close Contact.