Dear Pattonville families,

Thanks to our incredible students and staff, we’ve had a successful transition this week bringing back our PreK-2 students enrolled in the in-person learning option. As we have mentioned in previous communications, our intention is to bring other students into our classrooms for in-person learning as soon as possible. In consultation with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, we have determined it is safe to bring back students in third through eighth grade for phase 2 of in-person learning. We will continue to work with the health department on a return to phase 2 for high school students and hope to have an update to share with families in the next week or two.

What this means for your family

For families with children in grades 3 through 8 who selected in-person instruction this fall, this means:

• Students (grades 3 through 8) with the last names beginning A-K will attend in-person classes at their schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Students (grades 3 through 8) with the last names beginning L-Z attend in-person classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

• Families who have students with different last names are grouped by the last name of the oldest child. 

• All students participate in virtual instruction on Mondays.  

• Transportation will be provided. More information will be shared separately on bus routes and safety protocols for impacted families.

• Students’ temperature will be checked at school. 

• The A-K group of elementary students (grades 3 through 5) will start back to in-person learning on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and the L-Z group of elementary students will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 7. 

• The A-K group of middle school students (grades 6 through 8) will return to classes on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and the L-Z group will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

For families with children in grades 3 through 8 who selected the Villemade Virtual Academy: 

• There is no change. Students continue to participate in 100% virtual instruction through the end of the first semester (Dec. 22). 

For students in grades 9 through 12:

• There is no change. Students continue with 100% online virtual instruction at present. 

What we need families to do

Pattonville has been working for months on health and safety precautions to prepare for the return of students to in-person learning. You can review these precautions on our Pattonville Returns website. For families of students returning to in-person learning in October, we need your help with the following:

1. All students must wear a mask while on the bus and at school. Mask breaks will be allowed when appropriate and it is safe to do so. 

2. All families must review the COVID-19 symptom list each day. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, please keep them home and notify your child’s school office: Fever of 100 or more/chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea.

3. If your child has been tested for COVID-19 but has not received a test result yet or has been asked by their doctor or county health department to isolate or quarantine at home, please keep them home from school and contact your child’s school office. 

While Pattonville students and staff have done an amazing job with virtual learning this fall, we know some students learn better in person. Our commitment remains to provide a high quality learning experience for all students in whatever phase we are in, while keeping everyone in our schools safe and healthy. Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we work together to meet our students' needs.

Sincerely,

Tim Pecoraro, Ed.D.

Superintendent