On Monday evening, Pastor Bender was informed that two of the Nigerian students who were visiting over the weekend were exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus.  He and Beth, who hosted one of the students in their home, began a fourteen day quarantine that evening and awaited further information.  The students subsequently tested positive for coronavirus.  Pastor and Beth were tested yesterday and again this morning.  Pastor’s test today was positive and he is experiencing mild symptoms.  Beth’s tests have been negative so far.

With that information, we have decided to shut down the Academy until the Monday following Thanksgiving.  Since next week is a short one, we have also decided that we will consider this an extended thanksgiving break.  

Per the CDC, “close contact” would consist of interaction within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset.  Unless you are certain that your child’s interaction with Pastor meets that definition, your child and your family are not obligated to self-quarantine.

This does not necessarily mean that the children will have no homework.  We, as a faculty, will be meeting virtually tomorrow morning to review our options and to make sure that we proceed consistently with any academic requirements.  Following that meeting, your child/ren’s teachers will be contacting you directly regarding any academic expectations.

Pastor will be coordinating and emailing daily meditations on the weekly Bible stories, and he is strongly encouraging families to continue the “Congregation at Prayer” devotions at home and as a family.   

The administration and faculty of Peace Lutheran Academy take our responsibility for the health and well-being of our family of students very seriously.  This decision was made to ensure that the entire Academy family can remain safe and healthy, and to ensure that we can be together again after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.