Friends of Blessed Sacrament,
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School has begun discussion of plans for instructional continuity related to coronavirus (COVID-19). Although local health and civic authorities maintain that the risk of coronavirus exposure to the public is low, the safety of all of our Blessed Sacrament community is our paramount concern, and we are sharing proactive steps that we are taking. This guidance is subject to change as the situation is rapidly evolving. We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.
One of the most significant topics is any travel by our Blessed Sacrament families as we head into spring break and the Easter holidays. It is our hope that our families will reconsider any international travel plans over spring break and Easter break, especially to any country that is designated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “Level 3 – Avoid Nonessential Travel” due to coronavirus. This now includes Italy, in addition to China, South Korea, and Iran. You can find a full list on the CDC website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.
We ask that any families that travel to a country designated as Level 3 by the CDC due to coronavirus – whether the country’s designation occurs before departure or during the trip – provide Blessed Sacrament Catholic School a written medical clearance for their child(ren) prior to the student(s) returning to campus. Students who travel internationally during upcoming breaks should pay extra attention to any signs of illness, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing upon return.
We will continue to use of FACTS SIS (RenWeb) communication systems related to the coronavirus to our parents/guardians. Additionally, we will:
- continue to refine instructional continuity plans and to communicate those as warranted should it become necessary to close our school for any period of time;
- begin a “handwashing/cover your cough” school-wide awareness campaigns;
- enhance the cleaning of public areas across the school campus; and
- ensure that hand sanitizer stations located throughout our buildings are full.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School has also made a change to the school’s contracted commercial cleaning services. Our new service company will be using EnviroShield™, a new system that combines a unique disinfecting sprayer process with an equally disinfecting product. The spray is an EPA hospital-registered disinfectant.
In keeping with guidance from the Archdiocese of San Antonio as it relates to the celebration of the liturgy, we will:
- temporarily distribute Holy Communion only in the hand rather than on the tongue;
- remove holy water from the font in the foyer of the Chapel of the Saints; and
- avoid physical contact at relevant times during Mass (Our Father, Sign of Peace).
Above all, we strongly encourage the practice of good health hygiene. The CDC recommends the following actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory diseases such as COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical assistance.
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, requests everyone pray for the good health of all people in the world and our communities. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” John 14:27.
In service of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament,
Michael Fierro
Principal