Return to Campus
Good Afternoon,
I am pleased to announce that we will resume face-to-face learning on campus next week. I would first like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation. Your support continues to be helpful in Damien Memorial’s commitment to keeping our students’ health and safety a priority. Secondly, a return to campus in no way means that we are returning to normal. State and county numbers are still high but are expected to begin to decline next week. Reports of infection continue to come in within our own school population, although also declining.
I’ve attached our updated Return to School Plan that was originally sent out at the start of this school year. Outlined below are some reminders and updates.
All health and safety protocols from the beginning of the school year continue.
1) All students and staff must wear a mask at all times. Sports gaiters are not permitted. Those not in compliance will be sent home. N95 or medical masks are recommended.
2) All students must complete the daily Covid-19 Prescreening before arriving to campus.
3) Temperature check taken upon arrival. If a student’s temperature exceeds 100.00F the student will be sent home.
4) School operation hours are 6:30am to 3:30pm. Damien Memorial is a closed campus. Visitors without approved school business will not be allowed. If your child arrives between 6:30am to 7:00am, they are to report directly to the cafeteria. If your child is not involved in DMS sanctioned sports or extracurricular activities, your child must leave campus by 3:30pm.
5) Continue to practice safety protocols below:
Please let Ms. Paishon know immediately if you need a face mask during school hours.
Students who wish to practice additional safety protocols such as wearing a safety shield in addition to a mask or double masking are highly encouraged to do so.
6) School Safety Mitigation
Cleaning between classes
Both classroom doors will remain open for ventilation
Each day after instruction has ended, a thorough, deep cleaning will be performed.
If you have any updates to your child’s vaccination status, please send it to health@damien.edu.
Protocols for COVID-19 positive test or experiencing flu/COVID-like symptoms:
1) If a student tests positive for Covid-19 OR is experiencing flu-like symptoms, immediately notify attendance@damien.edu.
2) Submit test results and isolate for 5 days if fully vaccinated, 10 days if unvaccinated.
3) Student must be fever-free (temperature of 99-degrees or lower) for 24-hours, without any fever-reducing medication.
4) Doctor's note clearing student to resume school.
Protocols for COVID-19 Exposure:
1) If a student is made aware they are in close contact with a Covid+ person, isolate for 5 days if fully vaccinated, 10 if unvaccinated, and take a Covid test on the 5th day from last exposure. Send results to attendance@damien.edu.
If fully vaccinated, a rapid at home test is accepted.
If unvaccinated, a PCR test must be completed.
Please note: Instructional Format - No hybrid/online learning via Blackboard Collaborate will be available. If students are absent due to illness, they are responsible for completing the work posted to Blackboard for each class and to remain in communication with their teachers.
COVID-19 Testing On-Campus
Damien Memorial School will be offering free Covid testing for our students via Monarch Diagnostics, LLC (not related to school), who will be administering the testing on our campus on designated days.
You must register your student(s) to be tested using the QR code and link(https://curogram.com/registrations/61d654e2f997107cede7a3af) provided.
It would be best to use a cell phone to complete the process as you will need to upload a form of identification.
We will be using this service to test all our student-athletes before their competitions, but it is also open to any Damien student who would like to get tested.
Dates and times of the testing will be forthcoming and posted on Blackboard.
Students can check BlackBoard for more specific information pertaining to the school day.
Our goal was always to return to campus in the safest time and way possible. I’m sure students and families are excited to return to campus. Our faculty and staff are also anticipating a safe, thriving campus once again. We will need everyone’s cooperation, especially on campus, in order to remain safe and healthy.
Mahalo,
Dr. Kyle J. Atabay
‘84 Head of School