Good Afternoon!
I want to start out by saying that due to the Governors Mask Order, all students in grades K5-8th as well as staff will be required to wear a mask while in the school building until September 28th. At that point, should the Governor not extend the order, the Emergency Response Committee will re-evaluate the use of masks. What I have learned so far through all of this is that even with the best laid plans, things are going to change. We are doing our best as a school to adjust accordingly. The Committee met this morning to discuss more details about school re-opening in the fall and I wanted to provide families with a few of those updates.
 
Back to School Night-

• We will still be having back to school night on the originally scheduled date Wed. Aug. 26th
• 4-6:30pm-30 minute family time slots-sign up will go out soon
• Masks will be mandatory
• School pictures will not take place on Back to School Night
• Limiting it to 2 adults per family

 
School Hot Lunch Program-

• We will still be providing a hot lunch option for families
• 2 separate lunch periods (K3-4/5-8)
• Pre-packaged silverware and condiments
• Cold lunches will be kept in lockers instead of communal bins
• Social distanced seating arrangements will be utilized

 
Staffing Update-
I am still in process of conducting interviews to fill the 2/3 and 4th grade positions. I plan to have a final decision on the candidates by next Thursday. Please understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, especially teachers and as a Committee we are doing our best to consider our school families as well as our school staff. It is my goal to hire experienced and dedicated teachers to be a part of our St. Peter's family.
 
Enrollment Update-
Please get your registration paperwork for next fall in as soon as possible. We have gotten many phone calls this week about new students and its important that we have an accurate picture of what our numbers are for staffing purposes. We have decided that we are caping class sizes at 17 currently in order to maintain social distancing protocols in the classrooms. If numbers continue to increase we are considering hiring a classroom aide or splitting classes. I will continue to update you as things evolve over the next few weeks.
 
Building Improvements Parent Survey-
The Committee as well as the school maintenance staff have been working together to formulate a list of potential building improvements that we would be completed before the start of school in the fall. Many of these improvements are costly and therefore it is unlikely that we are able to do all of them. We are asking parents to take this brief survey regarding building improvements to gauge what are the most important improvements you would like to see happen before your child returns to school this fall. I have linked the survey below. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
 
                                         Building Improvements Survey
 
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the school office or me directly. Thank you for the continued support. God Bless! 

Good Afternoon! I wanted to be sure to give you a few updates before the weekend! As always, feel free to contact me or the school office with any questions.

1. Safe Environment Training- The Archdiocese is now offering online training through the month of July. The school requires that all parents and volunteers take this course in order to go on field trips or to volunteer. Please consider taking this course now while it is being offered online. If you have questions or need more information please contact Mary Ann in the Parish Office at 262-642-7225.
2. School Supply List- I have attached the school supply lists for next year to this newsletter. It can also be found on our Facebook page or on our website. Please note that we removed Clorox Wipes from the supply lists. There was some concern over the availability of wipes and we felt that it would be easier for parents to instead give $10 towards the bulk purchase of sanitizer wipes.
3. No Bus Days- We have spoken with the bus company and there will no longer be no bus days! The only change for is that you must sign up in advance to take the bus on those specific days. More information to come on how to sign up for those days.
4. Buses- There will be buses running this upcoming school year. Specific health and safety protocols have not yet been shared with us. Once more information is available I will pass it along! Please be sure to go on the East Troy School District website to register your students that plan on taking the bus this year. If you have any questions about how to do this please call the school office.
5. Registration- Please be aware that the $250 registration deposit is due now. You may bring this payment to the school or parish office. It is very important for planning purposes that we know who plans on attending school in the fall. This payment secures your students position in the class.
6. Emergency Response Committee- The committee met again yesterday to discuss more details about the opening of school in the fall. Below is a list of updates.

• Specials Classes (gym, art, music) will be able to remain in their typical classrooms. There will be 15 minutes between each class period for sanitation to occur. No combined classes for specials, except for those already combined.
• In an effort to reduce contact between grade levels there will be no transferring of classes this year. Instead of a student being combined with another grade level for instruction, homeroom teachers will now be providing more challenging work when appropriate and necessary.
• Masks-please note that although masks are only mandatory at specific times throughout the day for students. We understand that there may be parents who want their children in masks all day. We will be supportive of whatever decision you feel is best for your family in this regard.
• Virtual Learning Guidelines- Should we find ourselves in another virtual learning scenario this year we are working on a plan of what that will look like. In order to finalize the plan we first need to seek feedback from the teachers. The details of this plan will be decided at our next meeting.
• Building Improvements- There will be another parent survey coming out next week to gain insight into what our school families believe are the most important improvements we can make as a school to be prepared to open in fall.

 
Thank you for the continued support of our school and I will do my best to update you as I know more. Have a blessed weekend! 
​
Megan Prudom

This morning the Emergency Response Committee met and made some final decisions regarding returning to school in the fall. Please understand that we made these decisions based on recommendations from The Department of Public Instruction as well as the Health Department and out of the best interest of our students and staff. I appreciate everyones understanding and cooperation during these difficult times. There are still many details that need to be discussed and finalized, however I felt it was important for parents to have some insight into our plans for fall.

• School will begin September 1st with a regular 5-day week schedule
• Teachers and students will be required to wear masks while students are entering school in the morning and exiting school at the end of the day
• Masks will be required at mass 
• Temperature checks will be done every morning before the student enters the school as well as before lunch recess
• Teachers will have their temperatures checked every morning when arriving
• Students/teachers with a temperature of 100.4 or above will be sent home
• We will be converting the copy room into a health room
• Drop off procedures will be as follows:

            -One way traffic that will enter in the driveway near the church
            -Drop off car line (no parking)
            -Deb and I will be temperature checking as the child exits the car
            -3K-1st grade teachers will be outside to gather the students before entering 
            -Students can enter and hang mask in locker before entering the classroom

• Pick Up Procedures will be as follows: 

            -All homeroom teachers will be escorting students outside 
            -Parents are to park and come get their child from the teacher

I know many families are concerned about another possible shut down happening this year and what that would look like. The teachers have been working hard to create year long plans. In the event a shutdown is mandated they will know exactly what standards are to be covered. This should make the transition easier if we find ourselves in a virtual learning scenario. As a school we will be using the Google Classroom platform for all virtual learning instruction. Beginning in September students will be shown how to use this platform so that they feel more comfortable and confident using this technology.

The committee is going to be meeting again next week to discuss additional items such as procedures if a student or staff member contracts the virus, specials classes (music, gym, etc.), virtual learning guidelines, and building improvements. Possible building improvements that have been proposed include touchless sinks, touchless hand sanitizer stations, and a drinking fountain with a bottle filling station, among others.

We understand that these guidelines may cause you to have questions. Please feel free to reach out to the school office, myself, or Michael Cotter (mrockstar1@aol.com). Again, thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Megan Prudom