COVID19
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March 20, 2020
10:30 pmHafa Adai, members of the Father Dueñas Memorial School Community:
Until further notice, all recruiting events, test prep sessions, and entrance tests are postponed. Please check our Website for updates.
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March 16, 2020
10:30 pmHafa Adai, members of the Father Dueñas Memorial School Community:
I hope you are all taking time to be with your families and ensure the health and safety of your family members.
As all students have email accounts in our school domain, teachers have already begun to post assignments in online platforms. Log into those platforms and ensure that you are working diligently to fulfill the requirements of each class. Please get as much work done as possible. Whether we are on break or in session, these times going forward will be asynchronous.
Students can come to school to pick up items as needed and clear out their lockers completely. You must remove your padlocks from the lockers. Particular classes are allowed to visit campus on these days from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Be sure that you are only retrieving items and not staying on campus unnecessarily. Students are not to be on campus otherwise.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Seniors
Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Juniors
Thursday, March 19, 2020, Sophomores
Friday, March 20, 2020, Freshmen
The ASVAB administration is postponed until further notice. Parent Teacher Conferences will not be in person. Grades will be visible on VISION. Parents are able to set up access using the parent email they provided at registration and the student ID number. Parents are welcome to email teachers to discuss student progress.
Please share this information with each other and those who may need to know. Please follow the directives of public health officials, stay safe, and avoid contact with the elderly and those vulnerable to illnesses. Please let me know if there is anything else. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ismael Perez
Principal
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March 16, 2020
4:00 pm
NEWS RELEASE
No classes for Catholic schools until further notice;
faculty to develop alternative teaching/learning activities
The Archdiocese of Agaña announces the following update regarding its Catholic schools during this period of a public health emergency due to COVID-19.
Catholic school students will continue to stay home from school beginning Tuesday, March 17 until further notice. Students will observe an early spring break this week.
Faculty and staff members are asked to report to their schools beginning Tuesday, March 17 to prepare for the students' alternative teaching and learning activities away from school (online learning, academic packets that can be picked up at the schools, etc.). The alternative teaching and learning activities will begin Monday, March 23.
Schools will convey messages to students and their families and post all teaching and learning plans on their respective websites.
Dr. Juan Flores, Superintendent of Catholic Education met with principals of all Catholic schools today to formulate the interim plan. Flores also participated in a meeting between Governor Leon Guerrero and all education superintendents this morning.
The Archdiocese of Agaña communicates closely with the Governor's Office, public health and other community partners during these times of emergency.
Archbishop Michael Byrnes and Dr. Flores extend thanks to all students, parents and their families as well as all staff, faculty and administrators of our Catholic schools.
Sent by Tony C. Diaz, Director of Communication
562-0065, tony.diaz@archagana.org
-----------------------------------------March 16, 2020
6:45 amHafa Adai, members of the Father Dueñas Memorial School Community:
Much has transpired since I last sent out a message to everyone around 11:00 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Around 1:30 am, Juan Flores, in consultation with the Office of the Governor, announced that all Catholic schools will be closed from Monday, March 16, 2020.
This was then announced publicly at 4:30 am by the spokesman of the Archdiocese, Tony Diaz.
Effective immediately, students are not to report to FDMS until futher notice.
Please share this information with each other and those who may need to know. Please follow the directives of public health officials, stay safe, and avoid contact with the elderly and those vulnerable to illnesses. Please let me know if there is anything else. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ismael Perez
Principal
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March 15, 2020
11:00 pmHafa Adai, members of the Father Dueñas Memorial School Community:
Like you, the FDMS family and I have been following the developments of COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, as it pertains to Guam. As you may know, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero declared a state of emergency for the island on March 14, 2020. This declaration entails, among other things, that all social gatherings of over 100 people be suspended for an indefinite time beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Since the governor’s declaration, however, there have been three confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Guam. Because of this, FDMS will be transitioning to online classes starting Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice. Students are advised to stay home if they present flu-like symptoms or if they feel uncomfortable being around crowds. We understand your legitimate concerns and that you may be shocked, distressed, and confused. The actions that we take today, however, may have a measurable impact on the outcomes of the future.
Due to the Governor’s declaration, I, along with the FDMS faculty and staff, have discussed diligently our plan for the remainder of the academic year in case of an unforeseen event related to the coronavirus. Moving forward, it is important that you are made aware of the following changes to the school’s events and classes. The following decisions have been made to mitigate the potential transmission of COVID-19:
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Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, FDMS will begin its transition to online learning to ensure that our students continue to receive quality instruction for the remainder of the year. Faculty members will be setting up Google classrooms where students can continue to access class readings, submit assignments, engage in discussion posts, and take tests/exams.
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Arrangements to collect student belongings will be arranged at a later date to deter potential transmission of the virus.
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For those juniors and seniors interested in taking the ASVAB on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, please contact the school directly to ensure that we can accomodate testers while maintaining proper health and safety protocols.
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Due to the stipulation requiring that social gatherings be limited to 100 people, the following events are postponed: FDMS Songfest, Junior-Senior Prom, and possibly commencement exercises. Fourth-Quarter sports may also be impacted in the foreseeable future.
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Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses may still take their AP exams scheduled throughout the month of May following procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
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All faculty, staff, and administration will continue to work full-time, and the administrative, counseling, and business offices will remain open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Due to this, we ask for your continued support.
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Updates can be found at https://fatherduenas.com/covid19
We have thought of alternative ways of continuing classes even with the declaration of the coronavirus, but we reasoned that we could not in right-conscience allow our students to risk contact with the virus because of our actions. We must ensure that our decisions take deep consideration for the most vulnerable amongst our island community. If you have flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention and take steps to limit person-to-person contact. At this time, following the CDC’s guidance and recommendations and our government’s protocols is critical.
To our students, I understand that this decision may impact you emotionally and spiritually. To our seniors especially, I share your frustration that we must postpone these events that are pivotal to any student’s high school experience. Know that despite what has happened, that you belong to FDMS and its brotherhood, and, should the situation change between now and the end of the school year, these policies may change as well.
To our parents, I recognize that we are asking for your continued understanding throughout these uncertain times. Know that we have done this out of deep concern for your sons and their well-being. We are deeply committed to your student’s education and will continue to do all that we can to uphold the rigorous standards we have set.
Your continued support for our school community amidst this difficult decision is greatly appreciated. We ask that you continue to pray for healing, be kind to one another, and be strong in the Faith throughout these times. Please let me know if there is anything else. Thank you and may God bless us all.
Sincerely,
Ismael Perez
Principal
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