Nov. 13 Safe Return news center update

Dear College Community,

I hope this finds you all well and safe as the season changes and we are having to spend more time inside.  Here is an update from this week’s developments.

COVID Planning
With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in Minnesota and across the country,  Governor Walz announced further restrictions designed to reduce the spread. While the new restrictions do not alter our current guidelines for in the classroom or research spaces, they are a reminder of how serious this pandemic is and what we all can do to stay safe and slow the spread to others.

A key component of the Governor’s order is to limit social gatherings to no more than 10 people. Avoiding gatherings is a step we can all take. I understand this is difficult to do as we prepare for the holiday season, but know that following guidelines and working together will help us get to the other side.

At this time, we do plan to continue with our post-Thanksgiving and spring semester plans. The Saints Rise Up committee is continuing to meet and assess as new information continues to come from the state.

As the holidays approach, please remember, we strongly encourage you all to follow MDH and CDC guidelines. The MN Department of Health is offering COVID saliva testing at a number of locations throughout the state, including at the DECC in Duluth. SHS and student affairs is working closely with MDH as testing options expand. If you have plans to see loved ones or friends, please consider getting tested a few days prior to mitigate the spread of COVID.

Lighting A Tradition
One of our cherished Christmas Holiday traditions, the lighting of Tower Hall, will take place on Wednesday, November 18, at 5:15 p.m. For those needing some Christmas cheer, I encourage you to join us virtually via Facebook Live to watch the lights go on in front of Tower Hall! The event is also being video recorded for delivery as a virtual event on December 1 to our alumni and donors.

Thanksgiving Meal Deliveries
If you are looking for a way to serve those in need in the Twin Ports community, please join me in delivering Thanksgiving meals on November 19 or November 26. If you can volunteer, please click here and complete the information. You will be contacted with more details. I want to specifically thank the many sponsors and donors who continue their support, the DECC, the many volunteers in the community who work on this event nearly year round and the partner agencies who serve our community on a daily basis. This is a perfect example of our Benedictine Value of Community in action.

Saints Shop
Our “Pop-up” Saints Shop will be visiting the Health Science Center next week, on Wednesday, November 18th. Come see us from 10:30-1:30 and take a look at some of our best sellers, including our new face masks, ornaments, tees and sweatshirts, and more. Purchases may be paid with credit cards only.

If you can’t make it, check out shop.css.edu and place an order for in-store pickup. We will make a bulk delivery to HSC by noon on Friday, November 20th. Just make a note to let us know that we should bring it there rather than having it placed with pick-ups at the Saints Shop.

If you have questions, please email saintsshop@css.edu. We hope to see you next week!

Tri-Alpha Induction  
Congratulations to the 42 students and 1 alumna who were inducted into St. Scholastica Tri-Alpha first-generation honor society on Friday, November 6. This induction included the presentation of the First-Generation Alumni Award to LaCora Bradford Kesti. The First-Generation Alumni Award was established this year and honors a first-generation alumna/us whose strengths, resiliency and lived experiences positively contributed to the St. Scholastica community.

Making a Difference 
Oballa Oballa, a current student in the Riverland Community College embedded social work program recently won a seat on Austin, MN’s city council. Oballa and his family fled his home country of Ethiopia after a genocidal attack on his community and spent 10 years in a Kenyan refugee camp before making it to the United States. He is now committed to making a difference as Austin’s first Black elected official. Read the story here.

Today is being recognized as World Kindness Day according to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. I encourage you to take time to show love and appreciation to one another through kindness today.

And I thank each and every one of you for the ways in which you bring kindness and grace into your work spaces and in your personal lives. It’s a wonderful reflection of our Saints community and the Benedictine Values we hold so dear.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!

Barbara