2022-23 School Year
August 22, 2022
Hello Siena families!
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! We are thrilled to open our schools once again and look forward to a successful year of learning. Principals, faculty, and staff are in the midst of their in-service schedules and with the first day of school tomorrow (Tuesday, August 23!) we wanted to send some guidance regarding both Meal Magic and how COVID will be handled.
Meal Magic: After two years of free meals for all students due to the pandemic, families must now apply for free/reduced lunch benefits. If you wish to add funds to your child’s meal account and/or apply for free and reduced lunch, you must go to www.familyportal.cloud, search for Siena Catholic Schools, WI, and login/register. The same portal is used for all families, regardless of whether or not they are eligible for free/reduced lunch. If you have questions about this process or need additional help, please reach out to your school secretary.
COVID: All Siena Catholic Schools of Racine will continue to follow guidance from our local health departments as well as from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are some changes for 2022-23, which are listed below:
- If you have not already done so and are eligible, please get vaccinated (including boosters).
- Hand sanitization and good personal hygiene are still important to everyday health.
- Masks are optional at school AND on school buses.
- Those who test positive for COVID must quarantine for five (5) days and may return to school/work when they have been symptom-free without medication for 24 hours. They will be required to wear a mask until day 10.
- Proof of a positive test result from a clinic or doctor’s office will be required. At-home COVID test results will not be accepted.
- Close contacts will not be tracked unless case numbers warrant that we do.
- Close contacts will not be sent home to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
- It is recommended to wear a mask for 10 days after being exposed to COVID.
- COVID testing will again be available to all Siena students, faculty, and staff, at St. Catherine’s High School. Additional information will be shared once available.
As with any illness, if someone does not feel good we request that they stay home. This includes a fever over 100.4, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, an itchy rash, eye infections, and active lice/nits. If you or someone in your household presents with symptoms of COVID, please get tested. Again, do not return to school/work until you are symptom-free and fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.
We ask that you keep all of our students, faculty, and staff in your prayers as we begin another year. May we all remain healthy, engaged, and ready to learn!
Blessings in Christ,
Brenda White
President
Siena Catholic Schools of Racine
Helpful Links
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Parent Resource) – From NASP and NASN
CDC Poster in English, Spanish
Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – CDC
Coronavirus Travel Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – CDC
Handwashing fact sheet in English or Spanish – CDC
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus – NPR
What to do if you are sick with coronavirus – CDC
Information for School Nurses – Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Should you have further questions or concerns, please contact your school principal.