K-8 Supplemental COVID Fall School Start Handbook
Preschool COVID Policies and Procedures
March 11, 2022 Lifted Mask Mandate
As we are sure many of you have already heard, California just announced that the state mask mandate for schools will be lifted on March 11th. The State of California continues to recommend mask use in schools but the mandate will end.
At this time, WOLCS governing school board and school administration will move forward with masks as a parental choice. The school board had recently also shared that WOLCS will not be requiring COVID vaccines for any student enrolled.
We would like to thank all of our community members who have shared their thoughts and desires with our school board.
Blessings,
WOLCS Administration
21-22 Communication regarding COVID-19
From the School Board
July 18, 2020 Response to Governor Newsom's Guidelines for in Person Instruction
Good afternoon Lions’ Families,
We continue in deep prayer for our students, families, staff, our church, and our community. We continually are asking our Lord to guide every step as we monitor all new data and guidance closely to ensure we make the best decisions for everyone. It has also brought us to reflect and ask everyone to ceaselessly pray and drink deeply of God’s Word for in Him there is freedom, comforting peace, assurance, and great joy.
Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced new school closure requirements impacting all schools including private institutions, in counties that are on the State Monitoring List of which San Bernardino County is included. A link to Newsom’s press conference where he explains the new state requirements for in-person instruction is available below. We encourage families to listen to the first fifteen minutes.
As we were writing our school plan, and as I review some of the updated guidelines and mandates, it brings me peace to see that we were proactive and that we had already incorporated most of them in our plan. All links for your reference are available below. We continue to plan for in-person instruction as close to normal as possible for our students and we had previously shared that we would only go to full remote learning if mandated to do so for the amount of time required. Remote learning was going to be offered as well for those families choosing to do so. We have been proactive in ensuring that both options were ready by our August 10th start date.
As you read the new information from the state and the county, we can share with you that our teachers have already been proactively preparing for your students and their dedication to your child is inspiring. We are truly blessed to have individuals who care so much and in the midst of all that is happening, they are ten steps ahead in their planning and preparations for your child.
As of today, we are aware that all schools in San Bernardino County do not meet the requirements to reopen for in-person instruction. However, there are currently a little over three weeks before school starts and while the latest information may delay our in-person instruction, we will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. None of our plans have changed in that regard. We know many of our current and new families, as well as those seeking enrollment, are desiring the full five days a week, in-person instruction students need. We intend to provide as much in-person instruction this coming school year as is safe and feasible. We also commit to keeping our families and staff continually informed.
These are times when we need to pray and ask that God’s will be done. Reading His Word and listening to His Spirit will help us determine God’s will and discern the circumstances around us. God has promised to supply our needs and we have heard the needs of our families too.
Let us all remain with a heart fixed on Christ and in glorifying Him by praying constantly and continually for His will to be done.
In His grace and service,
Mrs. Maricela Najera
Principal
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” (1 John 1:7)
San Bernardino County Update:
https://wp.sbcounty.gov/cao/countywire/?p=8106
Newsom Press Conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RMyI6jzv4I(Approximately first 15-18 minutes speak about the school requirements for opening)
Additional links for your reference:
California Department of Public Health/COVID-19 Industry Guidance Schools-Updated 07/17/20
https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-schools.pdf
San Bernardino County COVID-19 Dashboard (CDPH Monitoring Tab)
https://sbcph.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/44bb35c804c44c8281da6d82ee602dff
July 14 , 2020 CDC Guidelines For Starting School
Dear WOLCS Parents:
On behalf of the Water of Life Christian Governance Board, we are happy to announce
that we will be ready to open our school doors for students for the coming 2020/21
school year!
We have received guidelines from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
concerning a safe return for our students and the re-opening of our doors. We will also
be receiving ongoing updates on all precautions that need to be taken in order to ensure
a healthy campus for our students and school staff. There is a great deal of excitement
from the Board as we welcome our new principal, Mrs. Maricela Najera and our
returning dedicated teachers and staff as they prepare for a great upcoming school
year.
As always, we are all committed to providing families with a vibrant Christian education
based on the truths and principals of God‘s word. It is the goal of WOLCS that the
message of God’s love in Jesus Christ coupled with dynamic teaching, diligent study,
and a well-planned curriculum, will transform students ’lives. It is within this context, that
students will obtain knowledge, build healthy bodies, acquire strong academic
competencies, and develop productive social skills.
Our first day of school is scheduled for August 10, 2020, with a traditional, full day, oncampus setting for students. We do intend to follow all CDPH guidelines relative to class
sizes and appropriate social distancing to ensure that our school campus is safe for
everyone. For this reason, we encourage our parents to enroll your students early to
ensure a spot for your child.
Health measures will be taken to ensure that anyone coming on campus has been
cleared to serve in our programs. Additional options for continued on-line programs will
also be provided for those parents who would prefer to maintain a Christian education
program from home through a streaming program with a qualified teacher. Details
pertaining to alternate programs will be made available in the coming weeks.
We are excited to welcome you back to our campus this coming school year! It is our
goal to make this a fantastic school year for our students, parents, and our community.
In His Love,
WOLCS Governance Board
June 19, 2020 School Board Message
Dear Lions’ Families,
I want to take a moment and thank our Lord and Savior for continuing to give us the
support, guidance, and wisdom we are seeking to plan the best possible year for our
students. My deepest gratitude to our staff members who have stepped up to assist
and to our families for their patience and support.
We look forward to providing you with updates throughout the summer to maintain
communication. As we begin to plan in detail for the 2020-21 school year, we continue
to monitor recommendations from our local, state, and federal officials. The safety and
health of our students and staff are our main priorities. As we mentioned previously, we
are considering a variety of possible plans for reopening and we are seeking input from
our families to help guide us in the continued development of our plan.
Water of Life Christian School continues to prepare a detailed plan for the safety and
well-being of all our students. Currently, California Department of Public Health
(CDPH), provides our school with guidelines to consider as we prepare for the
beginning of the school year. We are also considering other resources such as those
provided by the California Department of Education (CDE), the San Bernardino County
Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). We do have to remain flexible but we are continually monitoring for updates and
information to make the best decisions for our students and staff.
We understand that our families are unique and should have the opportunity to share
their thoughts regarding the reopening of our school and we ask that you participate in a
very brief survey. The survey will be open until Wednesday, June 24, 2020. We
appreciate your input and I will personally be reading all responses. The survey will be
available to all Water of Life Christian School families and the link will be sent via
email. There is an opportunity at the end of the survey to provide additional information
you would like considered.
We continue to strive to provide a Godly place where families can grow in Christ and in
education. Thank you for your time and may God fill you all with joy and peace as we
trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope and His love.
In His service,
Mrs. Maricela Najera
June 9, 2020 Message from the Principal
Dear Lions’ Families,
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to you as the newly appointed Principal of
Water of Life Christian School. I am truly honored and humbled to become part of this
ministry which has already given me such a warm welcome! In just the few interactions
I have had with staff, students, and families so far, it is abundantly clear that God’s
presence is here and that our school is a unique and special place.
I would also like to share that in the coming weeks, important decisions will need to be
made regarding returning to our campus in the fall. Our primary goal is to get students
safely back in school and for this, we will pray for His guidance and wisdom. We want
to assure you that Water of Life Community Church and School, will comply with
guidelines set forth from state and local agencies, the state legislature, and public
health data regarding COVID-19. We will be sure to update our families regularly by
email over the summer break as new information becomes available and decisions are
made.
Some of our current preliminary planning includes a number of scenarios for the
opening of the new school year. We are discussing various formats for teaching and
learning, possible instructional schedules, and the overall wellness needs of our
students. Our goal is to bring all students enrolled safely back on campus. Additionally,
we are considering classroom capacities, cleaning procedures, student eating areas,
and student drop off and pick up areas. We will need to be flexible, and re-evaluate
often as new information, data, and local guidelines become available.
I pray you are all well and that you enjoy time together this summer. Lastly, I leave you
with this verse, For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to
strengthen you--that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both
yours and mine (Romans 1:11-12 ESV).
Grace and peace be with you, Mrs. Maricela Najera
April 2, 2020 Campus Closed for the Remainder of the Year Remote Learning Continued
Dear WOLCS Families,
Last night, Governor Newsom agreed with the recommendation made by State
Superintendent of Public Instruction, to keep all schools closed for the remainder of the
school year. San Bernardino County Superintendent, also recommended that all
schools in San Bernardino County follow this directive due to safety concerns and the
need for continued social distancing.
WOLCS School Governing Board has discussed the stated recommendations and have
prayed over the decision to continue our distance learning program through the end of
our current school year. As state and national experts predict that the cases of COVID19 will continue to increase during the months of April and May, WOLCS Governing
Board and School Administration want to make every effort to do our part in protecting
our community and decreasing the spread of COVID-19.
WOLCS’ Distance Learning Program has been created to provide our students with all
of the necessary instructional requirements to successfully complete their school year
and afford them the ability to enter into the next grade level in August. The extended
school closure will bring many questions about end of the year activities, picking up
student supplies, returning borrowed textbooks and much more. We will create a safe
plan for all of these areas and communicate it out to each of you soon.
Please know that you and our students are held in prayer daily. Your child’s classroom
teacher, school administration and our church family feel honored and privileged to
serve a God who already knows our future and the future of our children. We thank you
for your continued support and partnership and thank our Lord for being in this season
Together!
WOLCS Administration
March 26-27, 2020 Remote Learning Plan
Dear WOLCS Family,
During this time of new challenges, it's important to know that we are in this together.
Our church, board, administration, our staff and all support personnel, we are in this
together and will rise from this as a family and community. It's been an extreme blessing
to hear how you have been working and collaborating to engage with students and
families. The reality is that some families have greater challenges and needs than
others. We also know that reality exists with our staff as well. Our church and school
have been working to assist staff and families where and how we can. Our prayer, as
with yours, is that we are able to return to our normal schedules and routines as soon
as possible.
We will walk through this season together and we will emerge stronger individually and
corporately. Stand strong on His word, as Paul expressed in Ephesians 6:10-11. We will
stand firm on His word and promise. It's in that faith that we will continue to serve one
another and our church, our school, and our community.
Thank you for serving His kingdom and our school's students and families. We'll
continue to connect with updates as we get back to business as usual. Be blessed, stay
healthy and safe.
Water of Life Christian School Board With the onset of COVID-19, many schools worldwide are finding alternative ways to
continue the education of students through distance learning. Water of Life Christian
School has created a distance learning program that if followed, will enable all students
to successful complete the 2019-2020 school year. The School Board and
Administration ensures that the same level of excellence in education will continue at
our school.
This document outlines the partnership we are seeking with parents for a successful
Distance Learning Program (beginning on Monday, March 30th). The partnership
between parents and the school will guarantee each student completes the current
academic year successfully, without retention.
March 25, 2020 Remote Learning Announcement
Dear WOLCS Families,
We pray that this email finds you and your family well. In a continued effort to protect
the health of our students and staff and to assist with the government’s request in
slowing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Water of Life Christian School’s
Governing Board will extend the temporary school campus closure through Friday, May
1, 2020. All school districts and Christian schools in our surrounding area have moved
to this same closure period. This amended temporary campus school closure date will
be evaluated as updated information becomes available, with the prayer for our
students to return to our campus after this date.
On March 11, 2020, WOLCS completed our full Association of Christian Schools
International (ACSI)/Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
accreditation visit. During this visit the accreditation team commended WOLCS for the
diligent and excellent work in academics and spiritual formation that they saw and
analyzed during their visit. The visiting team recommended another 6-year term of being
an ACSI/WASC accredited school. This accomplishment speaks directly to the daily
work that our teachers, school board and school administration commits themselves to
in ensuring the continued growth in academic and spiritual excellence for our students.
With this said, WOLCS will begin our Distance Learning program on Monday, March
30th. All classroom teachers have worked extremely hard in transitioning our on-campus
program to a distance learning program. They each have created a platform for their
students through Google Classroom that will continue providing the same educational
excellence that your child has received all school year long. You will soon receive
emails that outline parent/student expectations in our distance learning program,
attendance and assignment expectations, daily academic schedules and much more. A
short parent survey will also be sent out to help us assess your readiness for our
distance learning program. It is crucial that each of you responds to that survey, in an
effort to help us understand your area(s) of need.
This current crisis has presented many challenges for each of us; however, we each
know that we belong to the Keeper, Protector and Provider of life. Stand strong and firm
in your faith in Him, as this too shall pass. God is speaking to each of us during this time
and providing a time of restoration and family bonding, pray and utilize this time well.
Please stand in prayer for each of us as we are standing in prayer for our students and
their families.
May God continue to bless your family,
Mrs. Mahiaini, Vice Principal
March 14, 2020 Campus Closure School Board Message
Dear WOLCS family,
During this time of new challenges, it's important to know that we are in this together.
Our church, board, administration, our staff and all support personnel, we are in this
together and will rise from this as a family and community. It's been an extreme blessing
to hear how you have been working and collaborating to engage with students and
families. The reality is that some families have greater challenges and needs than
others. We also know that reality exists with our staff as well. Our church and school
have been working to assist staff and families where and how we can. Our prayer, as
with yours, is that we are able to return to our normal schedules and routines as soon
as possible.
In Acts 2:42-47, Luke shares the message of coming together and helping each other
through times of need. It's in todays time that this message is so appropriate. We will
continue to come together, to help each other and accept it as it's needed. In today's
virtual environment, it's important that we reach out to assist where we can, and ask for
assistance where it's needed.
Romans 8:37-39 says we are more than conquerors. The Greek translation is
Hyperinikao (where the name Nike comes from). We are more than conquerors in
Christ, to conquer the challenge of this time and extend ourselves to where He calls us.
Thank you for extending yourself to help our families and to where Christ is calling each
one of us right now.
Psalm 103:1-5 ensures the promise that God gives us, it says "Let all that I am praise
the Lord, with a whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the
Lord. May I never forget the good things He does for us, He forgives all my sins and
heals me from all my diseases, He redeems me from death and crowns me with love
and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things, My youth is renewed like the
eagles".
We will walk through this season together and we will emerge stronger individually and
corporately. Stand strong on His word, as Paul expressed in Ephesians 6:10-11. We will
stand firm on His word and promise. It's in that faith that we will continue to serve one
another and our church, our school, and our community.
Thank you for serving His kingdom and our school's students and families. We'll
continue to connect with updates as we get back to business as usual. Be blessed, stay
healthy and safe.
Water of Life Christian School Board