November 21, 2020
Dear Parents and Students:
The Faculty, Staff, and I would like to thank you for your support in adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. Any of you facing extended family exposure have notified us, placed your child in quarantine, and continued their instructional program online. Your thoughtfulness has prevented your child from becoming ill and has prevented exposure for other students, teachers, and staff at Ascension.
Students and staff consistently following mask guidelines, everyone following handwashing and sanitizing procedures, and students remaining home when they had any cold or other viral symptom that could be COVID related has prevented exposure to anyone at Ascension. This response to our protocol has kept everyone safe and is greatly appreciated.
As we begin the Thanksgiving Break, I ask that you continue your support. Some of us will alter usual Thanksgiving gatherings and limit the number of people involved in our Thanksgiving celebration. Whenever possible, this is the best option for having safe celebrations.
As we look forward to returning to school on Monday, November 30, please delay your child’s return when any of the following conditions apply to your family’s celebration.
- Your plans include attending a gathering with more than 10 people.
- Your plans include attending a gathering with members of more than two households.
- Your plans include travel to or overnight accommodations in a state with a high infectivity rate.
- Your plans include travel outside of the country.
If any of these situations apply, please delay your child’s return until Monday, December 7th. Since there is a three- to five-day incubation period for the virus, this will prevent a return to school after a possible exposure.
Even with Alabama’s increasing number of daily COVID cases, we plan to continue our on-campus learning after the Thanksgiving holidays. With your continued support, we will be able to remain on-campus throughout the remainder of this academic year. Hopefully by the end of this school year, we will begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel and a return to a more normal lifestyle.
The students have been remarkable this year. They have cooperated with all of the changes to their learning environment, they have not complained, and they have remained engaged in their educational program without having many of the fun instructional activities we are usually able to provide.
Happy Thanksgiving and thanks again for your support.
Linda Harris, Director of Education