Dear Presbyterian School Parents,
I hope and pray that each and every one of you is safe and healthy as we approach the beginning of this new school year. I appreciate more than you know the patience that you have extended to us as we have been working very hard on the Back-to-School Information that we are sharing today. As I am sure you are all aware, new information comes to light almost daily with respect to the reopening of schools in the Houston area.
On Wednesday, July 15, the Houston Independent School District announced their intention to open with remote learning beginning September 8 through at least October 16.
On Monday, July 20, the Harris County Judge was joined by the Executive Director and Local Health Authority in recommending that "in-person, face-to-face instruction should not be made available for any grades from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 until October 2020."
These two announcements, coupled with the continued positive daily growth rate of COVID-19 cases in our area, are all weighing heavily on our Board of Trustees, our Faculty and Staff, and on me.
As the leader of our school community, it is my responsibility to make the best decision I can for faculty, staff, students, and families based on the most current information available. I also firmly believe that we have a shared responsibility to promote the health and safety of the greater Houston community during this challenging time. So after a great deal of planning and praying, reading and researching, and watching and listening, we have concluded that the safest way to open Presbyterian School this fall for the people of Houston and our PS community is for all students to begin school via our Online Learning program, beginning August 24.
Let me stop here and say that this has been a very difficult decision to make—perhaps the most difficult in my career as an educator…certainly the most difficult in my twelve years as the Head of this school. We have been planning, rearranging, and sanitizing all summer in the hopes that all students would be able to return On-Campus for the first day of school, and we are deeply disappointed that this will not be the case. In true PS fashion, however, we will push on with great energy, creativity, and innovation.
Please take time to read our Back-to-School Information packet that gives a glimpse of how Online Learning will take place and our new Health, Safety, and Learning Protocols for when we are On-Campus.
Please know, this is our plan today. Over the course of the next five weeks, we will be communicating additional back-to-school information, we will be monitoring the trajectory of COVID-19 in our city and county, and we may make adjustments to our plans, if the circumstances warrant. We are targeting early September with an eye toward a staggered on-campus re-entry plan, beginning with our youngest students.
With regard to On-Campus Learning, our large physical footprint and additional space made available by our partners at First Presbyterian Church allow for significant distancing of students and teachers. Our campus positions us well to provide a meaningful and healthy on-site experience for teachers and students while learning together.
Please Note: If your Division is conducting On-Campus Learning, but your child cannot be on-campus due to health concerns, he/she may choose to participate in Online Learning. We are committed to providing an Online Learning program, including access to learning resources and tools to use at home, for all students, PK3-8th grade throughout the school year. Families choosing Online Learning in lieu of On-Campus Learning must commit to at least one month of Online Learning (with the option of extending the time period) and must register their Online Learning preference on our Learning Selection Form online.
Let me conclude with this observation: the uncertainty of the last six months has been trying for all of us, particularly in recent days here in Houston and across Texas. Today, we want to renew our partnership with each of you in an effort to stem the tide of those anxious feelings and move confidently into a brighter future—a future that begins with your family's investment in Presbyterian School…and our investment in your family. Our faculty has been preparing throughout the summer to deliver a high-quality experience reflective of our Mission and consistent with our standards—whether we are online or in-person. We have missed you and your children terribly, but we are making the hard decision to ease into this school year so that we can grow our relationships with you all in the right way, the safe way, and the lasting way.
May the Lord sustain you and bring peace to you and your families during these difficult times.
With humility and gratitude,
Dr. Mark A. Carleton
Head of School