COVID-19 Updates

Here we are, less than a week out from the start of school! As I’m sure many of you have noticed, COVID and the impact it has on our community continue to change as we plan for the start of the year. We are mindful that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the Level of Community Transmission in Racine County, Wisconsin is considered high.

Please note that the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families will continue to be our top priority. As a system, we are constantly monitoring the pandemic and continue to make any adjustments as needed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and commitment to keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Information as of 8/19/2021:

• PLEASE stay home if you or your child exhibit any symptoms such as a fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Here’s a guide for COVID symptoms, and here’s a great reminder for when people should stay home!

• Masks are highly encouraged. As a reminder:

  • Staff will not monitor family preferences for mask-wearing. Should a family prefer that their child wear a mask, that is the responsibility of the child/family.

  • Families who provide doctor’s notices that detail out the necessity for a student to wear a mask (immunocompromised, etc.) will have the full support of staff in enforcing that child wear a mask.

• Any employee who is NOT vaccinated or not willing to share vaccination status is required to wear a mask (principals will know who these individuals are).

• Any visitor/volunteer is required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.

• UPDATED: If a K-8 school has 3% of the population test positive (students, staff), the entire school will be required to wear masks for at least 10 days. 

• UPDATED: If the high school has 2% of the population test positive (students, staff), the whole school will be required to wear masks for at least 10 days.

• UPDATED: Schools would return to “masks optional” 10 days after going below the 2 or 3% mark.

• UPDATED: Principals may require masks at events (back to school, etc.) on a case-by-case basis. This will be communicated to you by school principals.

• UPDATED: If a vaccinated person is a close contact of a positive person, they do not have to quarantine unless they have symptoms. We encourage those over the age of 12 to get vaccinated.

• UPDATED: Masked individuals who are close contacts of a positive person who was also masked during interactions will not have to quarantine per the CDC. We highly encourage wearing masks regardless of vaccination status.

• UPDATED: Quarantined individuals will be able to get tested six days after exposure and will be allowed to return seven days after exposure with a negative test.

• UPDATED: students who test positive or who are considered close contacts will receive a letter from their school. However, Siena Catholic Schools will now have a COVID dashboard updated weekly showing where numbers stand by school. We hope that this provides transparency to all.

We will continue to monitor the spread of COVID daily and make changes as needed. By continuing to practice good hygiene, social distancing to the extent possible, and staying home when you/your child has symptoms, we will have another successful year of learning!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr. Parisa Meymand, Chief Academic Officer
Mike Arendt, Principal, St. Catherine’s High School
Heidi Hernandez, Principal, St. Joseph Catholic School
Dr. Sue Savaglio-Jarvis, Principal, St. Rita Catholic School
Gloria Schumacher, Principal, John Paul II Academy
Ashley Smith, Principal, Our Lady of Grace Academy
Sarah Thostenson, Principal, St. Lucy Catholic School