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I hope you are safe and well during this difficult time.

I write to inform you of our COVID-19 safety policies and guidelines for the upcoming school year.

 

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“May your hearts be encouraged as you are knit together in love...in Christ,

in whom are hid all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom.” Col. 2:2-3

 

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chesterton Academy of Albuquerque affirms our commitment to partnering with parents and guardians for the safety and wellbeing of our entire community. We are developing policies and practices intended to slow the spread and mitigate risks on campus for our students, faculty, staff, and families. Informed by Catholic teaching on education and healthcare we are incorporating guidelines from the Santa Fe Archdiocese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), and other state and local directives.

 

We are confident that our outstanding Chesterton community – inspired by the wisdom and love of Christ through the intercession of Our Lady of Victory – will come together in supporting our multi-layered needs for spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical health for students, teachers, staff, and families during this time.

 

Noting that this is an evolving situation, as of August 1st: our strategies include the following:

 

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• Plan A: In-Person Classes 5 days per week (our preferred plan when supported by state and public health directives): We plan to begin Aug 20 at our Grace Church campus, with full time in person classes 5 days per week.

• Plan B: Online Classes: We are prepared to transition to fully online live zoom classes if necessary.

 

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• We are blessed with a wonderful campus, with large classrooms including: a) a spacious indoor classroom that can accommodate 6ft table-desks for each student, b) a shaded outdoor space for classes, breaks, and lunch, and c) a spacious indoor atrium for lunch and breaks.

• Our learning spaces will be disinfected daily after school.

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for Everyone on Campus at All Times

• Face coverings over mouth and nose.

• Social distance at least 6ft.

• Wash and sanitize hands frequently. In addition to the bathrooms, portable hand washing and sanitizing stations will be provided.

• No sharing of any items (food, water, books, pens/pencils, supplies, clothing, masks, etc.)

• Bathrooms used one person at a time.

• Limit visitors to campus.

• Parents and guardians must monitor their children for fever and symptoms each morning before school. All students must stay home if sick with a temperature of 99.9 or higher, even if there are no other symptoms. All students must stay home if two or more of the following symptoms are present: muscle or body aches, congestion or runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, cough, headache, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, chills.

• All students must stay home if they have been in contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19 and follow New Mexico Department of Health directives.

• If a student or staff member needs to stay home for any combination of the above-listed symptoms, he/she should be tested for COVID-19 and/or provide a doctor's note for other treatment-specific guidelines.

• If a student or staff member chooses not to be tested, student/staff members must stay home for 10 days minimum and return when symptom-free for 3 days per CDC guidelines and/or provide a doctor's note for other treatment-specific guidelines.

• A positive COVID-19 case will be reported New Mexico Department of Health, and we will follow their instructions.

• Live video of classes will be provided for students at home.

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for your trust in Chesterton Academy of Albuquerque and for being a part of our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions and we will be in touch as plans further develop.

 

Entrusting ourselves to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I remain

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Yours in Christ,
Mr. Nourse