| March 10, 2021 Dear STM Families, Almost one year ago today we were mandated to close our schools for a two week period. Little did we know that one year later our day to day lives would be so very different. We now zoom daily, spend time in breakout rooms, and ask questions in the chat box. Frequent handwashing, social distancing and mask-wearing are the new normal and our children use Google Classroom and Seesaw to turn in most assignments. What we miss the most is the human touch, the personal, emotional connection that we make when we encounter others face to face. While we were safer staying home and many students continued to thrive academically during the shelter in place orders, we know that nothing compares to having our students here in person. As we welcome some additional students back to campus this week, it is so exciting to witness their joy at being with their friends, laughing and joking, running around the yard, and looking so happy to be back with their teacher in the classroom.
With the cooperation of our students, faculty and families in following the guidelines from the local health department, and observing the many protocols in place, we have succeeded in making St. Thomas More School a safe place for all our students, 60% of whom are now back in person. As faculty and staff have now had an opportunity to be vaccinated, we hope that the majority of students will be back on campus when we return from Easter vacation on April 12. | 
