July 28, 2020
Dear Salpointe Community,
As you know, Salpointe Catholic had planned to open the 2020-2021 school year on August 17 for both on-campus and at-home learning, following Governor Ducey’s recent executive order. Today, however, the Pima County Health Department, under the direction of Dr. Francisco Garcia and Dr. Theresa Cullen, has advised Pima County schools to not open on August 17 for in-person instruction. Salpointe will follow this guidance and start school remotely on August 17 for freshmen and August 18 for all students.
Here is an excerpt from the Pima County public health directive:
Where We Stand Today Regarding Infection, Hospitalization and Death Statistics for Resumptions, Including Opening Schools
Could local public health data support the reopening of schools on August 17, 2020 for in-person learning? The short answer is, no. The explanation lies in the facts. They are:
Pima County's total monthly infections in March were 153, in April 1024, in May 1101, in June 5622 and so far for July through the 27th, they are 6772.
For all of the above reasons, schools should not open on August 17, 2020 for traditional face-to-face, in-person instruction.
The present data certainly does not yet provide a positive, sustainable trend. Hence, it is the professional opinion of Dr. Garcia and Dr. Cullen that the earliest that traditional face-to-face in-person instruction can be anticipated to resume is after Labor Day (September 7, 2020) or later (e.g. October 5, 2020). -- Sent from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry’s office
We live in challenging, uncertain times and we recognize that this decision will not be well received by all families. However, given the heightened status of the pandemic in our Tucson community, given the inability of our community to meet the metrics and benchmarks recommended for reopening schools as set by the CDC and the White House, and given Salpointe’s mission-driven commitment to protect the health and safety of our Lancers, faculty, staff and families, we have determined that delaying on-campus learning is the only reasonable option at this time.
On August 17, freshmen and transfer students will be invited to campus in small groups of 10-12 to pick up Chromebooks, attend short Chromebook “boot camps” and participate in some semblance of freshman orientation. For those freshmen who cannot come to campus due to health vulnerabilities, we will arrange for live stream instruction. We will soon send an additional communication regarding distance learning expectations, protocols for the future reopening of school for on-campus learning, and other information.
We share your disappointment and sadness that our Lancers will start the year remotely, but Salpointe is a strong community and our faith, caring and love will see us through this difficult time. Salpointe’s strong infrastructure and advanced technology will provide our students with the very best distance learning program available. We will continue to create opportunities for our students and families to stay connected to each other and to enjoy the generational spirit of this sacred place. We will survive this together and we look forward to a Salpointe campus once again filled with the sound of joyful students. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family and we invite you to contact us with comments or questions.
May God bless you and your family.
Kay Sullivan Keith Gibalski
President Principal