St. Michael Poplar Springs
Dear Parent,
During these times of the novel coronavirus and the it variants, we here at St. Michael’s Poplar Springs have been actively planning and working toward offering our in-person parish ministries and programs, with needed precautions and measures in place that are consistent with applicable public health restrictions and guidance. Although challenges created by the coronavirus and particularly the variants continue to develop and change almost daily and much remains uncertain, we are certain of the following:
1. The health, safety, and welfare of every member of the Parish community is our highest priority.
2. Medical knowledge regarding COVID-19 and the variants continues to evolve, but COVID-19 is reported to be extremely contagious and is believed to spread primarily through person-to-person contact, possibly even in the air. The exact ability of the virus and its variants to spread, and to cause infections continue to evolve and change. Treatments for the virus have improved and what are reported as highly effective vaccines have been developed. However, not all individuals are currently eligible for the vaccine due to age restrictions. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and/or death.
3. The measures we take to protect the Parish community from COVID-19 will continue to be informed by the most up-to-date advice from federal, state, and local public health officials.
4. Even with the precautions and measures we implement, no one, including the Parish, can guarantee an environment without risk of the spread of COVID-19. It is simply not possible to do so. For more information about the nature of the virus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html.
5. In addition, minimizing the risk of COVID-19 and its variants spread or spread of any other disease is a shared responsibility. All members of the Parish community, including you and your child, must do their part. In addition to basic hand hygiene (frequent washing and sanitizing) and respiratory etiquette (not coughing into one’s hand or in close proximity to others), this includes adhering to any measures that the Parish may deem as appropriate and implement, such as temperature checks, social distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, isolating or quarantining away from the Parish when required, and other precautionary measures. Your child’s compliance is necessary not only for the safety of your child but also for the safety of others. Individuals should not enter the Parish campus if they have a fever or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or any other transmittal illness. For more information about symptoms, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
6. If your child has any disability you think may require accommodations related to COVID-19 or if your child, because of underlying medical conditions, may be at increased risk, you should contact the parish office to discuss further.
7. If your child enters the Parish campus, there is an inherent risk that your child could be exposed to and contract COVID-19. By allowing your student to enter the Parish campus, you indicate your acknowledgement of and agreement to accept and assume this risk on behalf of your child.
In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay safe and pray for those affected by this continuing pandemic. We kindly ask that you and your child sign and date where provided to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of the contents of this letter. In signing below, you merely acknowledge that you have received and reviewed this document and that you understand the inherent risks associated with COVID-19 to your child while your child is present on the Parish campus.