07-21-2021 update

We look forward to the start of the new school year and to having all of our students back on campus! Under the guidance of the Pasadena Public Health Department, we are finalizing preparations for the beginning of school on August 13. The goal of the PPHD, in alignment with the CDC and California State health officials, is to have students return to campuses full-time. To that end, they have created guidelines to help schools reduce the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19.

The first and most significant action each of us can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated. The percentage of Pasadena residents who are fully vaccinated is currently 79.5%. Even more impressive, the percentage of Pasadena teens (ages 12-17) who have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot is 82%. We concur with the advice of the PPHD and encourage families to consider getting their students vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is available even without an appointment at multiple locations throughout Pasadena (CLICK HERE for details).

MYTH-BUSTING: Though misconceptions and misinformation about the vaccines have circulated on social media and elsewhere, health officials support the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, and friends. You can learn more on the CDC's website HERE.

To reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19, every person on campus, regardless of their vaccination status, must wear a face mask when indoors. Health Department protocols have demonstrated that wearing a mask, along with other safety protocols (such as daily health screenings, enhanced air filtration, frequent handwashing, and daily cleaning and disinfection) will help mitigate the risk of contracting the disease. Face masks are only recommended outdoors when individuals are unable to distance 6 feet or more. Indoors, while physical distancing is still encouraged to the extent possible, classrooms may again be utilized at regular capacity without the requirement of distancing between student desks.

Maintaining a safe and healthy campus is our top priority as we transition back to full-time, in-person instruction. We will continue requiring all students, staff, and campus visitors to submit to daily health screenings using the SchoolPass app (download via your App Store). Each student will fill this out prior to drop-off in the carline, where we have a station to take their temperature and admit students based on the app's approval status. If your student feels ill or is experiencing any symptoms, please keep them home and get them tested as soon as possible!

We are excited that this year we will see the return of a full, three-seasons of Maranatha athletics! We are anticipating sports protocols to be published by the California Department of Public Health in the coming weeks. Until that time, we are continuing to follow current protocols which require face masks for all indoor sports participants and attendees. Yes, spectators are once again permitted! Guidelines for performing arts have not yet been disclosed, but we believe they will be similar to athletic protocols.

We will continue to provide you updates as they become available. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions about our school's plans or response to this pandemic, you are welcome to email covidinfo@mhs-hs.org.

We remain grateful for your diligence to protect the health of our students, the campus, and our entire MHS community.

Blessings in Christ,

John Rouse

Head of School

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