August 20, 2020

Dear Carroll Community,
 
First, we want to thank you for your patience and understanding this summer as we prepared the plan to reopen Carroll for the 2020-21 academic year.

We are pleased to report that Monday evening, Aug. 17, the Archbishop John Carroll High School Board of Directors affirmed the plan to Reopen Carroll.
 
Archbishop Carroll’s reopening plan can be found here.  
Here are some of the highlights:
 
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia/Office of Catholic Education required Carroll to develop and implement a health and safety plan. This was accomplished by our Pandemic Planning Team.
 
Athletic Director Thomas Quintois is serving as the team coordinator. The other team members are:
 
Mr. James Leary, president
Dr. Anchen Schulz, principal
Dr. Stephen Gambescia, ’76, Carroll Board of Directors
Mr. William Gennaro, Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs
Mrs. Kaitlin Buchanan, Assistant Principal of Student Services
Mrs. Allison Papantoniou, Assistant Principal of Student Affairs
Mrs. Maureen Lerario, school nurse     
Mrs. Judy Owens, faculty member
Mrs. Courtney Peters, director of Communications
Mrs. Theresa Crossan, parent
Mr. Jack Walker, Maintenance
Ms. Cathy O’Keefe, staff
Mrs. Trish Dudas, staff
 
Our Health and Safety Plan includes:
 
  • Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting and Ventilation
  • Social Distancing and Other Safety Protocols
  • Monitoring of Student and Staff Health
  • Other Considerations for Students and Staff
  • Professional Development Plan
  • Health and Safety Plan Communication
 
Guiding Principles of the Plan:
 
  • Review and recognition of the science of the COVID-19 Virus; we will be attuned to what credible authorities are saying.
  • Review and recognition of the policy and procedure guidelines published by authorities, especially the Archdiocese of Philadelphia/Office of Catholic Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health.
  • Understanding of the art and science of how people act or behave, under such guidelines.  
 
Best Practices Guidelines for Reopening
 
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Pennsylvania Department of Education
  • Chester County Health Department
  • Office of Catholic Education
  • Other Credible Sources (school health associations; other schools)
 
Monitoring Student and Staff Health

  • The Health & Safety of ALL Carroll community members is the main priority. We will do all we are able to do to keep our students, faculty and staff members safe, providing the education they deserve and expect.
  • Pandemic Team staff members will assess symptoms, determine the next step (isolate, quarantine, educate, inform) and inform necessary parties.  
  • Please note that we will not conduct COVID-19 testing, but we will assist the Chester County Department of Health with contact tracing.
  • This plan is the result of many meetings, phone calls; it was methodical with painstaking attention to detail. There were many revisions and updates based on input from the Chester County Health Department, Center for Disease Control, PA Department of Education and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  • The professional development of our teachers and administrators is important. The students are entering a different world, and everyone needs to understand how to behave in this new environment and what behaviors they need to model for our student body.
  • Face coverings are required all day long, except when eating and drinking.
  • Portable plexiglass shields have been ordered for faculty; they will be able to take these guards with them from classroom to classroom.
  • Classroom windows and doors will be open for ventilation purposes, weather permitting.
  • Visitors to the building will be limited and by appointment only. A pre-screening symptom check will be conducted for every visitor who enters the building. Only the "A" Door by the main office will be used for entry for non-students, teachers and staff. They will be extremely limited as to where they can go in the building. 
  • We have undergone a thorough deep cleaning, and these cleanings will continue throughout the year. All water fountains have been closed in favor of water hydration stations. Hand sanitizers are located throughout the school, including in every classroom and will be refilled on a regular basis.
  • Classroom desks will be cleaned at the start and finish of each class by students and faculty members.
  • Our maintenance staff will conduct regular cleaning throughout the day and regular announcements will be made throughout the day, reminding everyone of the need to follow sanitation protocols.
  • Students who are suspected of having COVID-19 will be moved to our COVID isolation space until a parent or guardian can pick them up and take them home. Any adult suspected of having COVID will be asked to leave the building immediately.
 
How the building will be different
 
  • Students have been split into an A/B hybrid schedule, with about half the student body attending on their scheduled day.
  • When students are at home, they will be learning in synchronization utilizing newly installed cameras.
  • 17 will be the maximum number of students that will be permitted in any classroom.
  • We will still run an 8-period day; classes periods will be 40 minutes long, with 10 minutes between classes. There will be no homerooms; the first period will be extended by 10 minutes.
  • Dismissal at the end of each class and at the end of the day will be staggered to prevent overcrowding in the hallways.
  • The hallways will be one direction, so students are not passing each other. Stairwells in each academic tower will be designed for up or down. Directional signage will be placed on floors, walls and ceilings. Elevators will be limited to two people at a time.
  • Social distancing spaces have been mapped out in the Library, Cafeteria, Auditorium and Chapel.
  • All cafeteria tables have been removed, replaced by student desks separated by six feet. Students will be assigned cafeteria seating.
  • Corner classrooms that will not be utilized will be transformed into office space for faculty members. Students will not be permitted in these rooms at any time.
 
Carroll will reopen in September, with the senior class reporting on the first day. Here is the schedule:
 
  • Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Seniors
  • Thursday, Sept. 10 – Juniors
  • Friday, Sept. 11 – Sophomores
  • Monday, Sept. 14 – Freshmen
 
The first day using the A/B Hybrid Schedule will be Tuesday, Sept. 15.

A fully virtual option is also available to students. To request full online instruction, please complete the form found here.

Archbishop Carroll will only stay open if we maintain a clean and healthy environment. Administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents must work together in order for our community to have a successful and safe 2020-2021 school year.

We ask that you direct all questions regarding reopening to Courtney Peters, director of Communications: cpeters@jcarroll.org. Mrs. Peters will respond accordingly.
 
We are looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming our newest students, both transfers and members of the Class of 2024, along with our returning sophomores, juniors and seniors and new faculty and staff members. Together we will focus on the health and well-being of everyone on campus while working diligently to fulfill their spiritual, academic, arts and athletic, and other needs.

You will soon receive a communication regarding Back to School FAQ's.
 
Please join us in September as we embark on a new era of learning at Carroll, #WhereSuccessBegins!
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Anchen Schulz, Principal
Mr. James Leary, President
#WhereSuccessBegins