COVID-19 Status Update 9-20-2020

Saint Martha Parish,

Blessings on each of you, as we enter these early days of autumn.

So that we can remain an informed and supportive community of prayer, please see the following note that principal Andrea Patton has shared with the parents in the school community.

Thank you!
frmike
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Saint Martha School community.

Thank you for your prayers and your support in this challenging time. As you know, Saint Martha School suspended in-person classroom instruction last Tuesday, September 15, for a fourteen-day period. This was in response to reports of several positive COVID tests in the school community. On-line instruction began the following day.

At present, the total number of positive tests among students and staff stands at eight. Seven are students. Of them, six are in the K-2 cohort, and the seventh is a sibling of someone in the K-2 group. To our knowledge, we have had no new positive results for students or staff since last Thursday.

Also, please be aware that the State of Michigan now publishes a weekly list of colleges and schools with COVID outbreaks ("outbreak" being defined as two or more cases). It thus is possible that you will read this week a media account that includes Saint Martha School.

We remain absolutely committed to providing in-person classroom instruction during this 2020-2021 school year. The children need to be in school. And we will do everything we can to keep them and everyone safe while providing our students with an outstanding education.

This pause has given us an opportunity to do another thorough cleaning of the whole facility. We also have looked again at our daily routines, and have made some minor changes to further enhance the separation of the students in the school and the adults who come to the church.

Please continue to pray for the parish and school, for the entire community, and especially for families who have been touched by this virus. To live in these difficult times requires a holy blend of divine protection and human wisdom. We will educate the children placed in our care, and your prayers will gain us additional wisdom, courage, and peace.

God bless you all.
Andrea Patton