Catholic Schools Committed to Safety

A Message from our Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Dear Parents & Patron Supporters of Catholic Schools:

I want to thank you for your partnership and patience the last four months as we have navigated the constantly changing uncertainties within our schools. Please know that our prayers and support are with you now more than ever.

Since the beginning of COVID-19 on Friday, March 13, 2020, it has been very important to us that our schools serve as a beacon of hope, and that we could continue to pro-vide education/formation for the students who are entrusted to our care.

Everyone has been doing their part in getting ready for the upcoming school year in our diocesan schools from reorganizing classroom layouts to installing hand sanitizers, we can’t wait for the students to return next month.

First, we remain committed to following the advice of experts throughout this process. None of the guidelines we are working with are self-created; we are relying on the guidance and expertise of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the Louisiana Catholic Conference of Bishops. Second, we have enormous trust in our local school leaders’ ability to determine the best workable applications of the guidelines for their campuses. Finally, we do have several protocols that will be required at all campuses which are provided on the right sidebar.

We are incredibly grateful to you and to all our teachers in the diocese who maintain our mission to excellence in Catholic education.

I am looking forward to seeing your children in our schools in early August.

May God bless you always,

Sr. Carol Shively, OSU Superintendent of Catholic Schools

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROTOCOLS

• All faculty and students will be screened daily for signs of illness.

• All administrators, faculty, staff, and students will have their temperature checked daily prior to entering the school buildings.

• All teachers and staff will wear face shields or face masks.

• All students (grade 3-12) will wear face masks unless there is an underlying health issue and, in that case, the students will wear a face shield.

• Interactions and movement of students within the campus will be limited.

• Students in grades 6-12 may change classes while staying as far apart as possible. Students will walk as close to the right and left side of hallways as possible.

• The students may eat in the cafeteria if social distancing is possible. A school may select to serve lunch in the classroom. For our CNP schools, please speak with Sr. Ann Middlebrooks, SEC.

• Faculty and students are encouraged to have class outside under a shade tree as much as possible.

• If it becomes necessary by the Governor’s order that we return to virtual learning, seamlessly we will provide the highest quality of Catholic education for your child.

• All students, staff and teachers will bring their own water bottles.