COVID Resurgence
The Alpine School District went to online learning days on January 14 and 18 because of the increasing number of students and staff who have tested positive for COVID or the Omicron Variant. Since all of the schools in the ASD are experiencing staff illnesses the teacher substitute system has not been able to keep up with the number of jobs that need to be filled. As I write this, we know of three teachers who will not be at work tomorrow and no substitutes have picked up their jobs. Consequently, we need to have Teacher Aides cover classes, or when we can’t find a Teacher Aide, we combine classes, creating some large class sizes for one teacher. We are hopeful that this recent surge of COVID positive cases will abate, allowing our faculty and students to return to their normal health.
Needless to say, we are in desperate need of substitute teachers! If parents are interested in being a substitute teacher in our school or just in their child’s classroom, go to: ess.com/alpine/.
The COVID health and safety protocols for the Alpine School District have not changed. The ASD has ongoing communication with the Utah County Health Department, and to date, more restrictive protocols have not been implemented. And though masks are not required, parents can choose to have their children wear a mask at school.
Crossing Guard
We are in need of a new crossing guard before and after school. Our crossing guard is employed by the Lone Peak Police Department. If you are interested in applying for the job, here is the link. Direct any questions to Jessica Scholle at the Lone Peak Police Department. The job pays $13.25 an hour.
PTA News
- Because of concerns about health and safety, the January 20 Dad’s Pizza Party has been canceled.
First Grade Chinese Immersion Application
Applications for the 2022 – 23 first grade Chinese Immersion Program are due January 31. You can find the application and orientation video about our Dual Language Immersion Program on the Alpine Elementary website.
Outside the Principal’s Office
Even though I have been vaccinated and have had the COVID booster, I was notified on January 10 that I had tested positive for COVID. I had no symptoms and the only reason I took the COVID test is because I had an elective surgical procedure scheduled on January 13. I needed to isolate at home for five days, and over that time I did experience some coldlike symptoms: headache, runny nose, slight cough. Those symptoms would not have prompted me to get a COVID test if not for the elective surgery. I would have thought just another annoying winter cold. The symptoms are gone and I am back to work, wearing a mask. This virus seems to be random in who contracts COVID, even after vaccination and booster shots. Fortunately, my wife has remained symptom and virus free, which we hope continues, as she is scheduled to fly to Oregon on Thursday and watch three of our grandchildren for 10 days. I had hoped that in my final year of work before retiring, I would be off the COVID-19 rollercoaster. No such luck!
Have a great week, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be and Eagle!
Dave Perdue, Principal
Alpine Elementary
Alpine School District