School News

On June 30, Governor Whitmer unveiled the Return to School Roadmap. This 63-page document includes requirements and recommendations for schools based on the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic at any point in time. As expected, guidelines and procedures will vary as the phase we find ourselves in varies. Even though we don’t know what the virus will look like in September (or any month), we can still be prepared for it. Indeed that remains our message and commitment to you. We are preparing for all the phases detailed in the roadmap as we continue to prepare students for lives well-lived.

It is clear that if we are in phases one through three of community spread, we will move to distance learning. If we are in phases five or six, we will have more latitude to determine how the recommended practices apply to our particular situation. Phase four, where new virus cases have fallen but overall case levels remain high, will be the most difficult to navigate, but we will continue to work with guidelines from the CDC and Kent County Health Department.

As we face a different set of circumstances this fall, we are working to identify elements of our regular school routine that may need alteration. We know that controlling group size and interaction will be key to on-campus instruction. In order to avoid crowded bathrooms for changing, students will wear their PE uniforms all day on the days they have PE during the 2020-2021 school year. Because students will be in this attire for the duration of the school day, please make sure PE uniforms are in good condition (no holes, stains, or excessive fading) and fit well.

Please review the required/recommended PE uniform below.

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While our hope remains to hold our Awards and Graduation, we continue to watch for any update to outdoor gathering numbers for our area. Until the state declares otherwise, Kent County remains in Region 2 and Phase 4 of the Michigan Safe Start Plan. Executive Order 2020-110 (Sections 5 and 6) states:

• Indoor social gatherings and events among persons not part of a single household are permitted, but may not exceed 10 people.
• Outdoor social gatherings and events among persons not part of a single household are permitted, but only to the extent that the gathering or event does not exceed 100 people, and people not part of the same household maintain six feet of distance from one another.

Open House and Picnic – August 25, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Come see the classrooms, drop off school supplies, visit with teachers, and then stay for fellowship with old and new friends! Bring food and a blanket for a picnic on the lawn near the playground.

If you would like to drop off your child(ren)’s school supplies that evening, please do so between 6:00 and 6:30. So that teachers can enjoy the picnic and fellowship as well, they will be closing classrooms at 6:30.

The entire family is invited, and you are free to come and go as needed. If your family is not able to attend, students may bring supplies on the first day of school.

Orientation for Parents – September 9, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

This is a required orientation for parents only. It will include an introduction by the headmaster, board president, and Parent Service Fellowship. There will also be teacher presentations and Q&A time in the classrooms.

We encourage you to review our COVID-19 webpage that details our response and plans for the upcoming school year, if you haven’t already. One of the FAQs speaks to the difference between “online homeschooling” and “online school at home”:

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Whether you are at the beach, on a road trip, or spending the day at home, a great book can be a great summer companion. Our teachers have compiled a list of recommended readings for each grade. The list includes a wide range of titles that both delight and teach. We have chosen stories that are beautiful to the ear (and sometimes the eye) and spark the moral imagination.

While we acknowledge that questions remain about how our schools and communities will be affected by the COVID threat this fall, there is no question that we are prepared to welcome students back to campus for classes and community events in the 2020-2021 academic year. We are planning to begin classes on campus the Tuesday after Labor Day and to follow our regular calendar for the school year. At the same time, we are also prepared to begin with remote (online) instruction and for a combination of in-person and remote instruction as needed throughout the school year.

To make our campus safe, the school is adjusting its illness policy, use of shared spaces, and procedures for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with guidelines from the CDC and Kent County Health Department in mind. Trinitas will adapt in response to official guidance as it develops throughout the year. As the governor has announced plans to unveil school re-opening guidelines by June 30, we will be able to share more details soon.