Dear St. Luke Families,
 
            It is so exciting to see all of the children participating in distance learning. Although this is not the ideal situation for our children, our teachers are doing their best to provide high expectations, authentic learning opportunities, and a stress free beginning to our new school year. We are so appreciative of all of the support coming from our community. Although we are treading on unfamiliar territory, the slow and steady approach to coming back has provided a strong and positive foundation to build on, for which we are so grateful.
 
            As we prepare to have students gradually come back, we must continue to provide the balance for everyone involved. It is very easy to let high expectations interfere with the reality of the situation we are in at this time.  It is crucial that we take the time to slowly make changes so that everything is balanced, providing us with a safe and productive environment for all. Our teachers are learning how to manage distance learning. Our students are having to relearn how to learn and pay attention. Our parents are having to learn technology and how to support their children at home. We are all being challenged, and I imagine some of us are close to our breaking point. This is a challenge of a lifetime, but good planning, balanced implementation, open communication, and strength and faith will get us through. We will get through this together.
 
            The challenges that we are facing may be out of our control, but how we react is in our control. We are a community built on Jesus’ message of love. That message of love must be stronger than fear, anger, or frustration. We can be louder by how we treat each other. We can be louder by refusing to let this defeat us. We can be louder by our acts of kindness.  These acts of kindness and love will define this time in our life, not fear or anger. We can rise above by following the message of Christ, “to love one another, as I have loved you.” Let’s continue to focus on this simple message. Let’s make each encounter a moment that has Jesus infused in our actions, providing the love and compassion each one of us needs and deserves.
 
            I am so proud of everyone in our community. The kindness and respect that has been shown daily is the loud voice I hear right now. The teachers hear the voices of the children every day, doing the best they can in the circumstance that we find ourselves in right now. We also hear the voices of the parents, cheering both the teachers and their children on in the background. This is our beloved community, where anyone can come to feel loved and cherished. 

Nadine Buhrman
Interim Principal


Phase 1 Reentry to Onsite Learning

Phase 1 Reentry will consist of a targeted number of students coming into the classrooms for onsite learning. Our teachers will be focused on safety with the onsite learners, learning to teach to both distant and onsite students, and managing the task of navigating through this dual approach to teaching. With Phase 1 Reentry, we needed to decide on how many students could safely integrate into the classroom, who those students would be, and what would be manageable for the teachers. Our teachers are learning how to safely bring our students on to campus again. We must remain supportive and vigilant to supporting them as best as we can. With this in mind, we decided to implement the students who only chose “yes” to returning to campus on the survey. These students will be making a visit to campus first, to prepare them for integration starting September 8, 2020.
 
As we transition into more traditional hours, we are trying to take into account the developmental level of each grade level. The older students have longer sustained concentration, but our younger students are still developing. We are in the process of coming up with a plan to ease our younger students into the all-day schooling. We are brainstorming some fun possibilities to keep the excitement of learning, as we transition into full day learning. More information to come soon.
 
As each of you has experienced, things change day to day. It is very difficult to make a long-term plan anymore. There are too many factors that are constantly changing to make any commitments to long term decisions. With that in mind, our Phase 1 will determine how Phase 2 will go. We are committed to providing the best learning environment to our students, whether at home or in school. We will determine how Phase 2 Reentry will be implemented based on how Phase 1 pans out. We appreciate the flexibility, as safety is the priority. 

We will be implementing our safety plan and updating, as needed. We will be reviewing the safety plan this week, so we can present the final product to our safety committee. We appreciate the feedback and support for our plan. It is a working document, so changes can be made, as we go along.
 
We will also be sending another survey, to determine the needs of our hybrid learners. We appreciate the feedback and open communication. Our goal is to meet the needs of our community. If we can better serve you, please reach out. 

Rebel Strong
Nadine Buhrman



Counselor's Corner...

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!  The St. Luke counseling team is looking forward to providing guidance and counseling services to students, whether learning on campus or from home.  Our goal is to support the needs of all students so they can feel safe, valued, and connected. 
 
Through our guidance program, social-emotional skills will continue to be taught during regularly scheduled visits with each homeroom.  We will also continue to be available to provide individual counseling to students whose immediate concerns related to COVID-19 or other (academic, behavioral, emotional, transitioning concerns, peer relationships, bullying/cyberbullying, death, divorce, etc.) may interfere with their ability to learn or concentrate on school work.  Through brief, solution-focused counseling, we will assist students in developing skills to manage difficult feelings and cope with life’s challenges.
 
Please reach out to us if you feel your child could benefit from counseling support. Throughout the year, in-person counseling will be provided for students who are learning on campus, and tele-counseling via video conferencing will be available for students learning from home. Referrals are accepted from parents, teachers, staff, or students.  All counseling services are conducted in a confidential manner.  Please refer to the parent/student handbook for more information. 
 
We feel blessed and honored to continue serving our St. Luke families, and look forward to building relationships with you and your child.
 
Mrs. Laurie Hinojosa (Mrs. H.)
Counselor:  pre-K, K, and middle school (6 - 8)
[email protected]
(210) 434-2011 x 128
 
Mrs. Heather Clark
Counselor:  grades 1 - 5
[email protected]
(210) 434-2011 x 202
 
Mrs. Marrah Gonzalez (Mrs. G.) 
Counselor Intern under the supervision of Mrs. Hinojosa
[email protected]
(361) 879-1404

Rebel Strong
How to Protect Yourself and Others
by Alana Eckhart, RN-BSN

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
 
 How does COVID-19 Spread?

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not available use hand sanitizer. Remember to cover all the surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• It’s especially important to wash:
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • Before touching your face
  • After using the restroom
  • After leaving a public place
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick and wear a mask.
  • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
• Outside your home: Wear a mask and put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Stay at least 6 feet from other people.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
  • Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Remember to continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.