Dear Parents and Guardians,

On behalf of everyone here at Christ the King School, I wish you the best of health during this unprecedented time in history. The challenges we have had to face presented us with obstacles to living our lives as we have known them. It has not been easy for anyone. That applies to us as we prepare for reopening the school building in September. This letter is intended to inform you of that process and to give you the opportunity to be informed about how things will operate once school is in session.

By now, most of you have read the Catholic Schools Onward documents that are on the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education’s website. If not, I implore you to do so at this link: https://aopcatholicschools.org/catholic-schools-onward-cso-2/  There will be challenges for us to reopen the building safely and securely for your children. That document is the foundation for that process. The Archdiocese has put forth a fantastic plan for us for a full time reopening of the building. Obviously, we will need to tweak a few items for our own use, but the effort has made me feel positive about a safe return to classes for our kids.

As always, the teamwork between school and parent is important to all of us and has proven to be an overwhelmingly positive partnership. Our “Small School, Big Family” philosophy easily allows for this. These are some things that you will need to know as we get closer to September:

• Before leaving your house in the morning, you will need to monitor your child’s state of health. If your child is not feeling well, we cannot allow them in the building. Keep them home, because we will not allow them into their classrooms if they have a fever of 99.5 or above or exhibit any symptoms of Covid 19.

 

• Parents cannot be permitted to be in the building when the students are inside. If you need to come to school, you will need to call Ms. Louise and let her know that you are coming. We will make arrangements for you for whatever you need.  

 

• Our students will be organized by homeroom “cohorts.” The cohorts will keep to themselves the entire day. The only interaction with people outside their cohorts will be with teachers in grades with departmental situations (Grades 3-8) or with Specials teachers (Grades K-8).  

 

• Movement around the building will be kept to a minimum. The students will move as a cohort with no other cohort in the hallway as they travel after arrival in the building.

 

• Cohorts will travel with a mask on as they move.

 

• Cohorts will have recess in their rooms and lunch recess at an appropriate socially distant place in the yard from other cohorts.

 

• Specials classes will be taking place as usual. Students will need to wear a mask going to those classes.

 

• Services such as Catapult math (with Mrs. DePiano), CORA Reading (with Mrs. Stack), counseling services (with Ms. Leone and Ms. Wilkinson), and speech (with Mrs. DiSante) will all occur as regularly as they did last year.

 

• Social distancing is a big part of keeping the students and faculty safe. Our teacher to student ratio is a huge benefit to us since distancing the kids will be easier here than at other schools.

 

• Entering and exiting the building will require proper social distancing. More details will be announced, but the goal will be to have cohorts enter the building through a designated entrance where a teacher will be waiting to check temperatures before access to the building can be granted. The teachers will also ensure proper social distancing between nonfamily members.

 

• Our classrooms can handle a proper distance between students. Our numbers will allow us to keep the kids in the rooms at six feet from each other.

 

• Bathroom times will be managed by schedule. That way, only one cohort will be in the hallway. Obviously, emergencies are an exception, but we would caution frequent bathroom users to be aware of the need to be clear of other groups in the building.

 

• The water fountains are off limits until further notice. Please supply your child with enough water for the day.

 

• Masks will be needed for our kids.

 

• There are times when the masks can be removed, but masks will be required when entering or leaving the building and traveling outside of the cohort’s classroom.

 

• If you want your child to wear the mask the entire day, you may request that.

 

• It is necessary for your child to have a couple masks with him/her in a sealed baggie in his/her schoolbag in case one or two become soiled.

 

• You may also want to get a lanyard for your child so that the mask in use can be attached to it to prevent it from falling on the ground or other undesirable places. This would be highly recommended for the younger children.

 

• We would leave the choice of mask to you as you know your child’s comfort level best.

 

• A teacher working with students from outside of her/his cohort will wear a mask/face shield. It is up to those teachers to decide if the students will need to wear a mask as well while they’re teaching in that cohort.

 

• The Archdiocese has asked, and we have approved, a virtual learning option. It will look a bit different from last year’s emergency with Zoom classes and work sent through Google Classroom. This is NOT the recommended method of instruction. However, we are aware that there are cases in which this method is the best option for a small number of our families. Details are listed below.

 

• Virtual learning will not be like last year. This year, any virtual learning will be done synchronously. It will be learning done at the same time as the teachers are teaching in class. The Archdiocese has directed that classes are not to be recorded for later use due to privacy concerns. If a parent opts for the virtual learning style, the parent assumes all responsibility for making sure that the child is available for lessons being broadcast. We will broadcast lessons, but the child needs to be there when a lesson is given.

 

• Virtual learning will occur on a trimester by trimester basis. Anyone opting for the virtual learning option in a trimester may not be in the building until the following trimester. You will need to notify us by August 7^th if you are opting for the virtual learning option.

 

• Virtual learning is available only for Math, ELA, and Religion classes. Everything else will have to go through Google classroom. All other work will need to be done through Google Classroom.

 

• Attendance will be graded two different ways: attendance in person, and attendance virtually. If a child is not present virtually while the lesson is being given, they are to be marked absent.

 

• If work cannot be turned in on Google Classroom, the parents of virtual learners are responsible for delivering all work done at home to the school in a timely manner. Each teacher will set guidelines for returned work as we get closer to opening.

 

• We need to clarify that Social Studies, Science, Art, Computer, Music, and Physical Education classes are not a part of the virtual learning agreement. The materials covered in those classes will be available on Google Classroom or can be picked up at school. 

 

• The Archdiocese reminds us that we are mandated reporters whether we are virtually teaching or live teaching. Please be aware of that as you connect to the classes virtually.

 

• Virtual learning can be done on Google Meet through your child’s CTK Google email.

 

• We were given a grant to help defray the cost of the cleaning equipment and supplies we will need to keep the rooms and common areas clean. We have purchased extra hand sanitizing stations, extra supplies of hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and wipes, extra tissues and paper towels, thermometers, and with a recent donation, electrostatic disinfectant sprayers will be purchased.  Even so, we will need each child to bring in some supplies like they do every year. We ask that each child bring in hand sanitizer, a tube of disinfectant wipes, a box of tissues, and a roll of paper towels.

 

• Cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, such as handrails, doorknobs, and handles to the stairwell doors, will be undertaken regularly though the day. Classrooms will be cleaned every day with disinfectant spray and electrostatic sprayers. The same will be true of the bathrooms.

 

• We know that it is traditional for students to share goodies on birthdays and special occasions. Unfortunately, this practice will have to be put on hold indefinitely. Please pack food, snacks, and drinks for your children, but let them know that they should not share it with anyone for the time being.

 This is the first letter in a series. There will be more announcements regarding the precautions we are taking as the weeks go on, but this is a good start to what we have planned. These guidelines can change depending on what Archdiocesan, State, or Federal authorities might change. Be on the lookout for a weekly update from me, which will include clarifications to these guidelines or answers to questions that parents might have.Thank you for your patience and diligence with this process. If you have any questions, let me know. CTschopp@ChristTheKingSchool.net