Opening In-Person Kindergarten-8th Grade Aug. 31

August 21, 2020

Good Morning St. Ann Families,

We hope that you are all healthy and staying strong amidst all that is currently happening regarding school reopening! Based upon the recent meetings with the Johnson County Health Department and the Archdiocese this week, we feel it is important to provide you with an update on the latest guidelines for our Archdiocesan schools. St. Ann is planning on in-person, on-site learning for all K-8 students five days a week, starting August 31. Decisions for St. Ann are based upon recommendations from the Johnson County Health Department, the state of Kansas, the CDC, Children’s Mercy, our St. Ann Task Forces, and the Archdiocesan principal and superintendent meetings. 

This week we learned the Johnson County Health Department provided four key areas for our schools to focus on to ensure safety while opening for in-person learning. Staying in cohorts will be key; this means students will stay with their class as much as possible with little to no switching to ensure minimal exposure. Secondly, the teachers will move instead of students for classes that normally rotate. Third, students will wear masks throughout the day whenever they are inside the building, unless they are eating. Finally, we have the capacity to follow social distancing guidelines. Since we are able to follow these four categories, the Johnson County Health Department shared they are comfortable with St. Ann beginning our school year with in person classes for all K-8 students at this time. Father Craig and the Archdiocesan superintendents were very helpful while collaborating to ensure we are all comfortable with this arrangement.

Our goal is to serve our students and families by providing in person learning all year.   We know how much our school families and staff agree. Wearing masks, avoiding large social gatherings, and practicing social distancing while in and out of the St. Ann campus will help with these efforts.  

St. Ann teachers are hard at work preparing for your child(ren)'s return. We are really looking forward to the drop-in sessions next week! Thank you for your partnership now more than ever.  Please reach out if we can be of help in any way!

God Bless,
Mrs. Liz Minks and Dr. Jessica Loveland