MCS In-Person Learning Update and Protocol Requirements

Mariners Christian School
Dear MCS Families,
As you may be aware, Governor Newsom announced a new Regional Stay at Home Order that will go into effect when Southern California counties dip below 15% hospital ICU availability.
If implemented, TK-8th grades at Mariners Christian School will remain open for in person learning based on the following:
It is important to understand, in order to remain open for in-person learning, MCS is bound to strict adherence of all guidelines and protocols established by the CDPH as outlined in our waiver.
As previously communicated, recent MCS community exposures have necessitated implementation of some of these protocols. Most significantly:
  • A single exposure within a cohort (entire grade level for middle school and class for elementary) requires a 14 day quarantine period and transition to remote learning for all exposed students and staff. This has been implemented with our 6th and 8th grade cohorts.
Note: We are aware that the CDC has changed quarantine guidelines from 14 days to 7-10 days depending on exposure and positivity. However, according to the CDPH’s School Reopening Framework, its guidelines supersede all other health agency guidelines including that of the CDC. MCS cannot change quarantine protocols or duration until the CDPH updates its guidelines to match that of the CDC’s.
  • MCS will be required to shut down and transition to remote learning if >5% of the MCS community (approximately 42 students and staff) test positive over the course of 14 days.
  • Face covering requirement for grades 3-8.
It has always been our priority to remain open for in-person learning. Since this past summer, the entire school team has done everything possible, even fervently battled, to ensure that goal is accomplished and maintained.
We are asking that the entire MCS community continues to partner with us to follow all guidelines including:
  • Keep your child(ren) home if exhibiting any symptoms. Students should remain home 48 hours beyond symptoms and consult your pediatrician.
  • Keep your child(ren) home if anyone in the family is exhibiting symptoms. In this case, we ask that you consult your family doctor and follow all medical guidance including any recommended testing.
  • Keep your child(ren) home if anyone in your family has been exposed to COVID and follow quarantine protocols.
Note: In the event of any prolonged absence, our desire is to support each student to minimize disruption to the learning. If your child(ren) must remain home, please contact Mrs. Drevlow (elementary) or Mr. Joo (middle school) to develop a plan for temporary remote/at-home learning.
  • Report honestly and quickly to the school regarding any exposure or positive family case(s). As a Christian community, we are called to honesty and to care for others. Our staff and MCS families rely on this.
  • Comply with face covering requirements for grades 3-8 and communicate this expectation with your child(ren). If doing so creates concern for any family, we will fully support a transition to remote learning.
Again, it is our highest priority to remain open and ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit from in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. This is a shared community responsibility that can only be accomplished together. Let’s be unified in all efforts to prevent additional cohort shutdowns, or worse, a school shutdown. You can trust that our entire staff remains wholeheartedly committed to our students and families. We humbly ask for your returned, wholehearted commitment.
For His Name’s Sake,

Heather Harrison
Head of School
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MCS Annual Report 2020 – 11/12/2020

MCS Annual Report 2020

Dear MCS Community, 

Each one of us, whether parent, grandparent, alumni, teacher, or friend, has a connection that binds us to this amazing school that was established in 1987. These connections are powerful and part of God’s plan to “build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education”. This mission and our school thrives because of the unwavering commitment from you, our faithful partners, who cover MCS in prayer and support. 

Today, we are excited to present Mariners Christian School’s 2020 Annual Report, a one year look-back on how God moved our MCS Community to accomplish His good works as we prayerfully endeavored to Reflect the Son. We encourage you to read from cover to cover, giving thanks along with us and share this link with others who might benefit from knowing what God has done and continues to do at Mariners Christian School. 

Thank you for your faithful support throughout the 2019-20 school year and for your continued support and partnership. 

For His Name’s Sake, 

Heather Harrison 

Head of School

 

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First Day of School and Second Day Update – 9/17/2020

Dear Families,
The first day of school is in the books and what an amazing day it was! We are soaking in God’s goodness, answered prayers, and heavenly blessings! Just as part of our theme verse, Psalm 23 says, our cup overflows. Surely His goodness and love follows us. We hope your child(ren) came home celebrating the day and excited to be back tomorrow!
I want to take a moment to publicly acknowledge and thank our amazing staff. They are, by far, the best team, one that has been assembled by God. Your children are in amazing hands. They will be loved, nurtured, challenged, and known. They will grow spiritually, academically, and relationally. They will thrive and flourish under their care. There is no better staff, of this I am confident and I want to thank each of them for an amazing first day.
I also want to thank all of you, our parent community. Thank you for entrusting your precious children to our care. Thank you for your support and partnership. Thank you for extending grace as we navigate the start of the school year not only in a unique season but at a different location. And thank you for the tremendous blessing of continual prayers.
For the second day of school, we will be making a few adjustments to morning and afternoon carpool. Please review the details provided below.
Morning Carpool 
  • All cars are to enter off Bonita Canyon. A new route has been created in the parking lot to ease traffic congestion on the street. Staff will direct this routine tomorrow.
  • A second line has been created in the parking structure to increase the efficiency of health screening and students exiting cars.
  • More carpool ambassadors have been added to assist students after they exit the car.
  • Beginning tomorrow, all parents must drop off through carpool. Parents may not park and walk students in.
Afternoon Carpool 
  • Lanes delineating first and second carpool have been added and a member of the staff will direct traffic accordingly. Ensure you have the correct carpool color sign on your dashboard to help us direct to the correct lane. Orange for carpool 1, Yellow/green for carpool 2.
  • Please turn off your engine and keep it off until the car in front of you is moving. Car engines should not be idling at any time.
  • Ensure your child knows the correct carpool, first or second, where they will find you.
  • All parents must remain in the car at all times.
  • Write your family’s last name on the colored sign for easier identification.
Other Reminders: 
  • Send each child with plenty of water and a large morning snack.
  • Elementary students should have a towel with them at school. It will be left at school during the week and sent home on Friday. Please send a towel with your child tomorrow if they did not have one today. Middle school students were not previously asked to bring a towel. We are now encouraging them to do so. Towels are used when on the grass during snack times and chapel.
  • MCS Reception has been established in the second floor of the kid’s building. To access, park in the upper lot. The same parking lot where carpool occurs. Because the church is a closed campus, parents may only enter this area during the school day.
The joy and excitement for this year only grows! Looking forward to the year ahead!
For His Name’s Sake,
Heather Harrison
Head of School
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MCS at Mariners Church – 9/10/2020

Mariners Church baptism pool

Dear Families,

We hope and pray you are enjoying the final days of summer and are excited for the start of the 2020-21 school year.

As you are aware, we will begin the year on the campus of Mariners Church, Irvine. The church will host us from the first day of school, Thursday, September 17th through Friday, October 9th. The following information is provided to ensure preparation for this time.

Reopening Plan and Guidelines @ Mariners Church

  • The full reopening plan communicated in August will be implemented while at the church. In addition, we will comply with all church guidelines and requirements.
  • Cooperation and support from all members of the MCS community is expected. This includes:
    • Face covering guidelines: strongly recommended for grades Tk-2, required for grades 3-8, required for all staff and all adults when on campus including when visiting the front desk.
    • Adults on the church campus: Only school or church personnel are allowed to be on the church campus. Parents must check in at the MCS front desk area and remain in that area when on campus. Parents may not enter the church campus.

Communication, Front Desk, Health Office @ Mariners Church

  • MCS has established a front desk, or reception area, at Mariners Church. This area is located off the upper parking lot in the Kid’s Ministry Building. The carpool video provided indicates this location. Late arrivals, early dismissals, health office check out, supply drop offs are to be conducted at this location.
  • Communication can be relayed and staff reached by calling MCS at 714-437-1700. The call will then be forwarded to the MCS front desk line at Mariners Church. The front desk at the church can also be reached directly by calling 949-402-6149. This number has been specifically established for our time at Mariners Church.
  • A designated area has also been established for our Health Office. This area will be supported by health office staff and will provide all necessary care. As always, parents will be contacted by the school nurse in the event a child is sick or injured.

Snacks and Water @ Mariners Church

  • Mariners Church is a nut free campus and we ask that all families comply with this requirement. Students should bring a midday snack that they can enjoy during morning recess but please ensure the snack is nut free. In addition, students should bring plenty of water each school day as there will not be access to drinking fountains.

Uniforms @ Mariners Church

  • Though a different location, uniform guidelines will still be enforced. Students are expected to be in the appropriate school uniform each day.

Morning and Afternoon Carpool @ Mariners Church

  • Morning and afternoon carpool procedures have been adjusted for the time at the church. To view a video of these carpool procedures, click here. Detailed written instructions can be found here and maps of both carpool routes can be found here.
  • Morning carpool will be held 7:30-7:55 and afternoon beginning at 12:20. Please do not arrive before these carpool times avoiding any standing traffic on the Mariners Church campus. Please abide by all procedures outlined in the instructions and video.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a great year together!

For His Name’s Sake,
MCS Administration Team

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Preparing for the Start of the School Year – 9/2/2020

Dear Parents,
The first day of school  is quickly approaching and we are excited to welcome students to the 2020-21 school year. With great confidence, we trust that God will move mightily throughout the year. We are confident every child will grow and mature academically, spiritually, and relationally. We are committed to continual partnership with families as, together, we “build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education.”
As announced last week, we will begin our school year on the campus of Mariners Church. We are grateful for the support and generosity that has provided a home for in-person learning from the first day of school, Thursday, September 17th through Friday, October 9th. It is with great excitement that we look forward to returning to the completed MCS campus on Monday, October 12th.
In preparation for the upcoming school year, please carefully review all information included in this communication as it outlines important details for all learners as well as specific information for in-person and remote learning.

Important Details for All Families and Students: In-person Learning and Remote Learning

Meet the Teacher Day

Save the date for this year’s Meet the Teacher Day on Wednesday, September 16th from 9:00-12:00 at Mariners Church. Check out the save the date flyer here and be on the lookout for additional details coming soon.

Return to Campus Consent Form

All families, whether in-person or remote, are required to complete a Return to Campus Consent Form. The form is to be completed by logging into the parent’s portal, selecting the “You have forms to complete” notification, electronically signing the form (only one parent required), and submitting. The form is due no later than Friday, September 11th.
The Return to Campus Consent Form is based upon the guidelines outlined in the MCS Reopening Plan. The entirety of the plan will be implemented from the first day of school.

Daily At-Home Health Screening

Whether in-person or remote, all families are expected to be familiar with the Daily At-Home Health Screening requirement. Parents are expected to complete this health screening every morning before arriving to school. In the event that a student transitions from remote learning to in-person, families are expected to immediately implement these procedures. The Daily At-Home Health Screening can be found here.

School Hours Thursday, September 17th through Friday, October 9th

School hours for all students, in-person and remote, will follow this daily schedule for the first few weeks of school:
Start Time: 8:00 am
End Time: 12:30 pm
Note: We will NOT have Late Start Wednesday until Wednesday, October 14th.
The daily schedules during this timeframe can be viewed here for elementary and here for middle school.
We will resume the normal, full day schedule on Monday, October 12th including staggered start and dismissal times. To review this schedule, click here.

School and Classroom Supplies

The required school supply lists for each grade previously provided and can be found here. However, at this time, no classroom supplies will be collected. Instead, until our return to MCS campus, only personal supplies will be required for each student as follows:

Important Information for In-Person Learning

Daily Arrival Procedures

Morning drop-off at Mariners Church will begin at 7:30 am. All students must be dropped off no later than 7:55 to allow for a prompt start time of 8:00.
Upon arrival, all students will remain in the car until their temperature is checked by school staff. Those with a temperature above normal, will be directed to receive a secondary temperature check by the school nurse. Upon confirmation of a fever higher than 100.4, the student will not be permitted to attend school. We ask that all families do not bring their child to school with any form of fever. This will eliminate any concern upon arrival.
Next week, a Carpool Tutorial Video will be provided demonstrating designated carpool entrances at Mariners Church, driving route, drop-off area and procedures, health screening practices, and exit routes. Carpool will be different and we will make sure all are prepared for these new procedures. In advance, we ask for your patience and flexibility as adjustments may be necessary once school begins.

Late Arrivals, Early Check Outs, Health Office

Students who arrive after morning carpool must report to the “MCS Reception” desk located off the Upper Parking/Worship Center Lot. This is the same area as carpool. Next week’s carpool video will indicate this location.
Due to the modified school day while we are at Mariners Church, we highly encourage parents to avoid early check outs. In the event it is necessary, students can be checked out at the “MCS Reception” desk.
MCS will have a designated Health Office area while at Mariners Church. This will be staffed by our school nurse and additional health aid(s). The health of our students is paramount and will be prioritized at all times. In the event that a child becomes ill during the school day, the parent will be contacted and the student sent home. Parents picking up an ill child will check in at the “MCS Reception” desk.

After School Enrichment Camps

We are excited to offer optional, grade level, after school enrichment camps to students grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. These camps will be held beginning Monday, September 21 through Friday, October 9th. Potential offerings beyond these dates are also being explored. The enrichment camp schedule and details will be provided during the week of September 14th. All students, whether remote or in-person, are invited to participate in these enrichment activities.

Important Information for Remote Learners

Important information for remote learners will be provided by divisional principals this Friday, September 4th. These details will include the remote learning schedule for the first weeks of school, orientation and technology training for students and parents, supplies and curriculum distribution details, and expectations for remote learners and parents.

In Him,

Heather Harrison
Head of School

Sam Joo
Middle School Principal
Angela Drevlow
Elementary Principal
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Celebrating God’s Goodness – 8/28/2020

Dear MCS,
Thank you for joining last night’s community information event. If you were not able to join, the webinar can be viewed here: https://zoom.us/rec/share/z9dof4nBrVtJZoHfq0XNRoEtJ67oaaa8gHIc8_cKmE54MXc_Ykd8BZb3n2j0BsN2 Passcode: x7fSP*!F
We continue to celebrate God’s goodness and favor over MCS. Not only do we have our waiver but, as announced last night, God has made a way for us to begin the year together, in person! A construction delay cannot stop God! For those that tuned in, you are aware that we will open for in-person learning from the first day of school because of extreme generosity from Mariners Church. The church is opening their campus to us so that we can be together for in-person learning from the first day of school. We are celebrating this amazing answer to prayer and so thankful for Mariners Church. Highlights from this announcement last night include:
  • Mariners Church will host MCS for the first 3.5 weeks of school until we are back on our campus, in a beautiful new building which is another gift from God.
  • Due to specified parameters, the following adjustments will be made for the time period that we will hold school at Mariners Church:
    • Modified Daily Schedule for all Grades: 8:00-12:30, carpool will begin at 7:30
    • Weekly Enrichment Camps: Each grade level will be invited to attend a weekly after school enrichment program on the campus of MCS.
    • Meet the Teacher Day and First Day of School Adjustments: Meet the Teacher Day will now be held on Wednesday, September 16th and the first day of school on Thursday, September 17th. An additional school day has been added to the end of the year to preserve the same number of instructional days. The last day of school is now Thursday, June 17th.
Planning is underway for our in-person start at Mariners Church. We are also ready to launch our remote learning for the students whose family has made that selection. Both in-person instruction and remote learning will begin on Thursday, September 17th. Next week, families can expect full, detailed communication for Meet the Teacher Day,  in-person learning at Mariners Church, and remote learning. In addition to program specific communications, over the next two weeks families will receive information on various protocols and practices including carpool at Mariners Church and morning health screening procedures. Be on the lookout for all of those details coming your way.
And, the good news and abundant blessings continue! I am thrilled to announce the appointment of our elementary vice principal, Mrs. Sue Celek. Mrs. Celek has faithfully and lovingly served MCS for 27 years. Throughout these years she has said “yes” to every role God has placed before her from teacher, to vice principal, to principal, to Community Connector and now interim vice principal. She loves MCS, the staff, the students, and families with her whole heart and, most importantly, she loves Jesus. We are so excited she has said “yes” to this calling and in this season. Please join me in celebrating this appointment.
In the video message sent Monday, I shared a prayer over MCS from Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” We are seeing and experiencing God’s faithfulness. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Celebrating God’s goodness,
Heather Harrison
Head of School
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