March 13, 2020 Update

March 13, 2020

Dear Maranatha Community,

I write you this afternoon with an update as the situation within our community continues to change. In these types of situations, I often ask myself, what is God’s purpose in all of this? How would He desire me, you, our community to handle this? I think one of the major lessons here is to trust God and look to Him for guidance and direction.

James 1:2-5 states, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” I hope these words give us all comfort and inspire us all to prayer and a deeper trust in Christ as we partner together in this new chapter of our school year.

At this time, in consultation with the Board of Trustees and our Senior Administration, Maranatha High School will transition our instruction to the E-Learning environment starting Wednesday, March 18. We will continue with the scheduled activities for this afternoon and evening, however, as of midnight tonight, all student/parent activities and events on campus will cease until we return from Easter Break on Monday, April 20. Students will be allowed on campus on Tuesday, March 17 between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to retrieve their iPad or any materials they may need from their locker. Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17 are professional development days for our faculty and staff. Students have no school responsibilities these days other than preparing to start school in our E-learning environment on the morning of Wednesday, March 18.

You and your students will be receiving information and instructions regarding student responsibilities and requirements of our E-Learning environment via email from our Academic Dean, Mr. Tim Fenderson, on Monday afternoon, March 16.

To summarize, below are the decisions and actions that Maranatha High School is taking as we move forward from today:

Our Final performance of Seussical and the Arts Festival will continue as scheduled for this afternoon and evening. We are asking that all persons who are at high risk, such as the elderly or anyone with underlying conditions, not to attend these events per recommendations from both the CDC and CA DPH. Tickets are no longer available for tonight’s performance, but we are planning to live stream tonight’s performance. It can be viewed online at 7:00 p.m. at maranathahighschool.org/tv, and will also be available to view starting this weekend. Once again, if you are not feeling well, we are asking you to stay home!
All student and parent activities and events will cease starting at midnight tonight.
The SAT testing scheduled this weekend has been canceled.
Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17, are professional development days for faculty and staff – students have no school responsibilities these days other than preparing to start school in our E-learning environment on Wednesday morning, March 18.
Students may come to campus on Monday and Tuesday, March 17 -18, between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to retrieve their iPad or any materials they may need from their locker.
On Wednesday, the school will resume with classes off-campus using our E-Learning Environment
All Athletic and Extra-Curricular events are canceled during this period (March 16 through April 19).

Again, I would like to extend my thanks for your prayers, support, and understanding as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. The most current information and communications from the school are posted on our website HERE. It is my sincere desire that God would protect all of us from this rapidly spreading virus, and that He would comfort those who are afflicted and give us grace and patience with one another as our lives are impacted by this situation. May His presence and peace give you confidence and courage as we guide our youth and model our faith in our community.

The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord life up His countenance on you, and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26

Sincerely,

John Rouse

Head of School

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