Thoughts on Reopening Catholic Schools this Fall

Thoughts on Reopening Catholic Schools in the Fall

By Sr. Carol Shively, OSU

Where do we begin predicting what our Catholic schools will look like in the fall? The CDC recently released a flowchart as referenced below which detailsthe protocols that need to be in place to reopen schools. This infographic serves as our first point of reference.

Even after weeks of Zoom meetings with the state Department of Education, Louisiana Catholic School Superintendents and Administrative Teams in our schools, still none of us can pretend that we have any answers set in stone. I will briefly outline the multiple options for reopening our schools in the fall.

These are the potential solutions that I see/hear/read about on a daily basis: 1) Schedule Class rotations 2) Synchronous Opt-In 3) Delay the start of the school year. 4) Create a hybrid model 5) Fully On-Line

Schedule Class Rotations

The first is scheduled rotations. Students would be assigned to groups and attend class on alternating times or days of the week. This would reduce class size and allow for greater social distancing. Meals would be served in the classrooms. Outside time will be limited.

Synchronous Opt-In

The second scenario is a synchronous opt-in. Parents would choose whether children attend in person or via online. This would require substantial use of technology. Schools would have to safeguard the same experience for all students which would include co-teaching between the classroom teachers and the parents.

Delay the start of the school year

This option gets into the essence of flatten the curve vs. find the cure (vaccine or effective treatment). If we wait to find a cure to go back to school, we may make a catastrophic error in judgment if a vaccine is not widely distributed in the near future. Additionally, if we wait to open schools until we meet every guideline set forth by the CDC or DPHs, it will cause extreme delays as well.

Hybrid Model

The fourth scenario is a hybrid model. Students would be sorted into groups which alternate spending time in the classroom and online at home. This would also require substantial use of technology.

Fully On -Line

The fifth scenario would be fully online. All students would receive instruction at home. This reflects learning models that were in place for the end of this school year. The state acknowledges that this option may be more appropriate for older students.

CONCLUSION

This is the most difficult thought process of my educational life. There are no perfect options; personally, I am frightened of returning to school because there is a complete lack of ability to control the situation. This is not simple. That said, we will serve our families in a way that demonstrates our partnership with them. I think the options presented would best serve the greatest number of students in our diocese as we move forward. Therefore, at this time the options above are being studied and measured for our teachers, staff, and students’ safety.

I remain open to your thoughts and ideas as to how we can potentially proceed in the fall.