Dear St. Dominic School Families,
I hope this message finds your families well and healthy. Thank you for your patience, understanding, support, and forgiveness as we have adjusted to changes in our daily lives resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic health crisis.
In this email, you will find information on:
- Distance learning update and shelter-in-place from Governor Walz
- Start date and material pick up from school
- Childcare for healthcare and emergency workers. Please complete the form.
- Information on connectedness and internet access
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Tim Walz announced that school districts will implement a period of distance learning until at least April 30, 2020, with students returning to school on May 5, 2020. He emphasized that this order is subject to change and could be extended.
At the same press conference, Governor Walz announced a period of “shelter-in-place” for Minnesotans from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020, through April 10, 2020. The shelter-in-place order is intended to ensure containment of the COVID-19 virus and prevent overwhelming our hospital system.
On Tuesday, March 31 (the day students were scheduled to return to school after Spring Break), we will begin our distance learning days for all students. Please watch your email tomorrow afternoon for the initial draft of our distance learning plans. I know you have many questions, and we are working quickly to provide accurate, timely information. Again, I appreciate all of your grace as we work to implement a different way of educating our children for at least the next month. A separate email will be sent today with instructions on material pick up opportunities. (This will begin on Thursday afternoon.)
Our ongoing services to support emergency workers and those who benefit from food assistance will continue. Our schools will provide child care for health and emergency workers whose children are enrolled at St. Dominic from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Complete this form to register. We will also provide free meals to children in need and will provide more information about this in the coming day or two.
We are committed to having 100% of our students connected with their teachers during this time. We appreciate your patience as we reach out to establish every child’s need for a device and internet connection. Please note that preschool and pre-kindergarten students will not have a school-issued device. Much of their activities and lessons will be sent via email or hard copies with a pickup schedule yet to be determined. Charter Spectrum is offering free service for 60 days during this global pandemic health crisis. Families must access this option individually. Some cellular providers like T-Mobile are providing unlimited data to customers, so you may be able to turn your phone “hotspot” on to allow this access.
This is an unprecedented time in our nation’s history. The situation continues to change rapidly. We will continue communicating regularly with families. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and flexibility. I am grateful for each and every one of you. Continued prayers for physical and emotional health!
Sincerely,
Vicki Kalina Marvin
Principal