Holy Thursday Newsletter 4-1-21
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April 1, 2021From our family to yours, happy Easter!
May you have a joyful weekend and blessed Easter!
Spring break will run from April 5-9 and classes will resume April 12.
Mrs. Walsh
It is with sadness, but also goodwill that we will say “until we meet again” to Mrs. Walsh. She has worked at St. Gerald for 24 years but will be embarking on another journey. She has been an instrumental educator, parent, and volunteer for many decades, and we cannot thank her enough for her service. She is beloved and has touched all our lives with her hard work, wisdom, and care. She will be missed, but we are happy for her to begin new adventures. We wish her many blessings and hope she will visit us often!
Uniforms: Students may continue to wear gym uniforms or spirit wear through the remainder of the year. Students may resume wearing shorts after spring break, weather permitting. Please keep in mind that students will go outside for recess whenever possible so make sure they wear pants on cool days.
CALENDAR REMINDER: We will dismiss at 1:30 on Wednesday, April 28 and there will be no school on Friday, April 30 for a religious staff development day. Please contact the office by Monday, April 26 if you need extended care services for April 30.
2020 (Last Year’s) First Communicants
Wednesday, April 21 will be a make-up photo day for First Communicants from LAST YEAR. Because of the pandemic, we did not take any class photo for First Communion. This year we are making that up at 4:00 on 4/21. Students in 305 received that information yesterday.
Spring Break Travel
The Archdiocese has revised the plans for quarantine after spring break. They are urging families to stay local this year. However, if you do travel, the updated policy is listed below.
Domestic Travel (state-to-state)
Vaccinated individuals:
· No quarantine is necessary if the traveler is fully vaccinated, which is defined as 2 weeks after the second dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 2 weeks after receiving a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
· Proof of vaccination or negative test results will be required to avoid quarantines.
· Individual must not have symptoms and must maintain strict masking and physical distancing. If a fully vaccinated individual does have symptoms, he or she must quarantine and consult with a healthcare expert.
Non-vaccinated individuals: · Domestic travel in states designated Orange on the Chicago Emergency Travel Order map requires:
o 10-day quarantine upon return if there is no negative pre-arrival test or the traveler is not fully vaccinated (see above for definition of fully vaccinated) OR
o Pre-arrival negative test (within 72 hours prior to arrival) with strict masking, physical distancing and avoidance of in-person gatherings (separate from school attendance), · For domestic travel in states designated as Yellow on the Chicago Emergency Travel Order map, no quarantine or pre-arrival test are required. However, travelers must maintain strict masking and physical distancing.
International Travel
The Archdiocese continues to follow the CDC guidance. International travelers must follow these guidelines regardless of their vaccination status:
· Traveler is to be tested 3-5 days after their return to the U.S. and must quarantine for a 7-day period even if the post-arrival test is negative.
· If traveler chooses not to take a test 3-5 days after their return to the U.S., he or she must quarantine for 10 days after arrival.
Close Exposure
Vaccinated individuals who are a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
· Are fully vaccinated (i.e., are ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine).
· Have remained asymptomatic since their last contact with the infected person; and
· Are not inpatients or residents in a health care setting.
Fully vaccinated individuals who are not required to quarantine should monitor their health for 14 days after their last contact with the infected person. If they experience symptoms, they must self-isolate pending clinical evaluation and COVID-19 testing. Vaccinated persons must also continue to adhere to all recommended protective measures, including, but not limited to, wearing a mask (and utilizing job-specific PPE), maintaining physical distance, practicing hand hygiene, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
Non-vaccinated individuals must quarantine for 14-days following close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 21
St. Gerald School is working on hosting a Father Malcolm Memory Walk. Father Malcolm was a beloved member of the St. Gerald community and he loved walking places with the students – downtown Chicago, Premo’s, and other places. With the pandemic, we have not really had the opportunity to celebrate his legacy. Finally, this spring we will host one of his favorite pastimes – walking with the kids. More information will follow spring break, as well as opportunities for families to support us in this fundraiser.
TWO GREAT WAYS TO SUPPORT ST GERALD SCHOOL
PANERA FUNDRAISING DAY
Where: 4011 W. 95th, Oak Lawn Il
When: Wednesday April 14th from 4-8pm
Order online at panerabread.com and enter code PRFUND at checkout. IF YOU ORDER AT THE CAFE, BRING A COPY OR DIGITAL VERSION OF FLYER FROM FACEBOOK SO WE GET CREDIT FOR YOUR PURCHASE.
20% of total net sales will be donated to St. Gerald School. Sales included are Drive Thru, Curbside, Pick up, contactless delivery or in cafe.
DRIVE THRU MC DONALD'S FUNDRAISER
When: Wednesday April 28 from 4-8 pmWhere: 10533 S. Cicero, Oak Lawn
20% of food purchases will be donated to St Gerald School100% of apple pie purchases at the second window will be donated to St Gerald school
100% of tips placed in the tip jar go to St. Gerald School
cash only for pies and tip jar donations
REMEMBER TO SAY YOU ARE WITH ST. GERALD SO WE GET CREDIT FOR YOUR PURCHASE
please contact [email protected] with any questions. Thanks !!
SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS!
Would you like to be part of the team that helps advise the school on issues including curriculum, infrastructure, fundraising, marketing, safety and much more? The School Advisory Board is looking for new members! Please visit the website below or email [email protected] with any questions.
