Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York are preparing for schools to be fully open for in-person learning in the fall with no remote or hybrid learning. On Thursday, Aug. 12, the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York released “Catholic Schools Are Open: We Continue to Soar!”, a guide which lays out the Archdiocese’s plan which representatives say aims to ensure the maximum health, safety, and care for children and staff in September.

 

According to the archdiocese, the updated manual, distributed on Thursday to parents, principals, school staff and faculty, is based on an international and national review of standards and guidelines, and was created by the Catholic schools reopening advisory council, in coordination with the health and safety task force of the office of the superintendent of schools. The manual outlines how schools will operate in the fall including face covering guidelines, social distancing, facility requirements, daily protocols and procedures, sanitizing and disinfecting measures being taken, and resources for families.

 

Archdiocese representatives said students will be grouped into consistent pods each day, which reduces the number of students potentially exposed to someone infected with COVID-19. These groups of students will remain together throughout the day in the same classroom or other designated areas of the building as much as possible, and teachers will change locations instead of students. Students will eat breakfast in the classroom, and all special subjects (art, music, physical education, language, computers, etc.) will be taught in the classroom.

 

The archdiocese also updated its video for school staff and families to watch and see first-hand how schools will be operating in the fall. The video can be found here.

 

According to the archdiocese, some of the protocols include socially distant classrooms with hand sanitizer stations, mandatory temperature checks, daily questionnaire for parents and masks for anyone who enters the building. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and New York State publish additional regulations, recommendations, and guidance, the archdiocese officials said the schools will adapt their plans to ensure compliance with federal, state and local officials.

 

Archdiocese representatives said the schools remain committed to providing a first-rate education. This year, they said they will collaborate with global brands such as the Discovery Channel and Google to enhance their programs in science, technology, robotics, engineering, math and the arts.

 

Michael J. Deegan, superintendent of schools of the archdiocese, said he and his colleagues were excited for all of their schools to be open five days a week, for in-person instruction for all students, while ensuring social distancing can safely be maintained in the school buildings under the direct supervision of a teacher. “Our number one focus continues to be offering an excellent academic program in a safe and nurturing environment,” Deegan said.

 

He added, “I’m grateful to the Catholic schools re-opening advisory council for their work in updating the manual and to the principals and teachers who will implement it so we may maintain the same bubble of protection for our students and staff that we created over 18 months ago.”

 

Last year, as reported, it was announced that 20 Catholic schools would be closing across the State due to lack of finances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including six in the Bronx; St. John’s School in Kingsbridge, St. Luke’s School in Motthaven, St. Thomas Aquinas School in West Farms, the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady School in Eastchester, Our Lady of the Assumption School in Pelham Bay, and Sts. Philip & James School in the East Bronx.

 

Parents were given the option to apply to another Catholic school where they could send their children, and were advised that all students would be guaranteed a seat in a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of New York.

 

The Archdiocese officials said at the time they would make every effort to minimize the financial impact to families as a result of the transfer to a new school. Eligible families had a chance to apply for financial assistance as part of their application to any new participating school, and if children were receiving a scholarship or financial assistance for the 2020-2021 school year, this was to be carried over to the participating regional school. Additionally, in December 2020, the archdiocese was to issue a registration fee credit for each child transferring in from a closing school.

 

When the remaining Catholic schools in the borough reopened in September 2020, as reported, we reached out to the archdiocese for an update on the situation but did not receive an immediate response. Meanwhile, at least, one parent found the proposed situation difficult as the alternate Catholic school proposed for her child was located a fair distance away from where the original one was, which created transit and other complications.

 

Norwood News, once again, reached out to representatives for the archdiocese for an update on the previous closures to see if there are any plans to reopen the schools and will update this story upon receipt of any new information.

 

For school updates and to watch videos about the school’s new learning environments for students and faculty, visit https://catholicschoolsny.org/opening2021.

 

According to archdiocese officials, Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York serve nearly 55,000 students from Pre-K through 12^th grade across 172 schools in ten counties and boroughs throughout New York, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange and Dutchess.

 

Representatives say that Catholic schools offer a unique combination of academic and spiritual development that empowers children of all backgrounds to gain the confidence to realize their fullest potential. To learn more about the schools, visit www.catholicschoolsny.org or www.facebook.com/CatholicSchoolsArchdioceseNewYork.