Happy New Year 2022!
Aloha
Happy New Year 2022! I hope this communication finds you and your family well as we close out this blessed season of Christmas.
Closing out 2021 is another story. Other than the current rainy weather, the biggest news pertains to COVID-19 and the Omicron surge nationally, and more importantly, locally. Campus leadership has decided that we will open this semester with online learning. Therefore, for this week, Wednesday through Friday (Schedule A-BC), we will keep the campus closed and hold all classes online.
This decision is based on the following:
• The general local increase in COVID-19 infections
• Current infections of students and personnel
• A number of students/families as well as personnel have traveled out-of-state over the break; some still traveling. Home isolation is a safe choice.
With the expected further increase in infections, the three days will allow campus leadership to discuss and plan for the remainder of the semester – especially the immediate future. Up to this point, we have not made vaccination mandatory for students and personnel and have no plans to do so. This choice, however, makes remaining on campus more challenging. Our goal is to continue face-to-face learning as much as possible, but this will also require cooperation from everyone.
GENERAL REMINDERS:
• Our previous COVID19 response stands and any changes will be additional requirementsguidelines.
• Masks are a must on campus, inside and outside. Double masking or N-95 masks are encouraged. NOTE: Gaiter masks NOT permitted as they are not recommended by the DOH or CDC.
• We will continue to social distance and group as best as possible.
• If anyone in your household is any kind of sick, please keep your child at home!
• Although a personal choice, please consider vaccination if you are not yet vaccinated.
• Get your booster shot if you are vaccinated and have not yet done so.
• If there is any concern for your health, please get tested for COVID19.
For testing site information, you can visit:
For more information on locations offering walk-in vaccinations and boosters
Please continue to check your email for updates.
Thank you, Dr. Kyle J. Atabay, ‘84 Head of School
ATHLETICS
All athletic competition this week is postponed per the ILH.
Athletic competition is planned to resume on January 10, 2022. Please check directly with your child’s coach for more details regarding an individual sport.
If you have any other questions, please contact Assistant Athletic Director, Shawna Lau Kong at slkong@damien.edu