Trojan Families:
At Bishop Chatard High School we have had no cases of COVID-19 in the last three weeks, and currently only two students are quarantined due to close contact exposure. The latest Marion County two-week COVID-19 positivity rate is at 3.64 percent, the lowest number in many months. Marion County is now at a blue advisory level. Equipped with this data and new guidelines from the Marion County Public Health Department, we have made the decision to return to full in-person instruction on Monday, March 8.
The Director of the Marion County Public Health Department, Dr. Virginia Caine, has approved Bishop Chatard to operate at full capacity as long as we can maintain three feet of social distance between students and wear masks. Previously we were required to maintain at least six feet of social distance between each student. This new flexibility allows us to welcome all Trojans back to campus!
We will honor the previously published Blue-White hybrid schedule until Friday, March 5. Beginning Monday, March 8, students may attend school full time in-person or full time from home. The hybrid model of instruction is no longer available. An updated daily schedule for the remainder of the year will be posted on the Bishop Chatard website.
Here are a few key points regarding our decision:
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Our hope and expectation is for most students to return to school in person on Monday, March 8. Bishop Chatard is at its best when students are at school and experience our school community five days a week.
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Virtual learning is reserved for students who are isolated, quarantined, awaiting test results or choose to opt-out of in-person instruction for personal reasons related to COVID-19. If you choose for your child to learn virtually, you must commit to do this either two weeks at a time or for the entire fourth quarter.
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Students are strongly discouraged from missing school for reasons that are not health related. With the emphasis on in-person instruction, the opportunity to engage in school virtually is no longer afforded to students that have not made a previous commitment to virtual learning.
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All requests for virtual learning must be pre-approved by school administration. All families that prefer their child to continue with virtual learning during quarter four or engage in virtual learning for the time period of March 8 to March 18 must complete this FORM by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5. A reminder that this commitment is for either a two-week period or for the entire fourth quarter. If you have any questions about virtual learning please contact Vice Principal of Academics, Mrs. Ann Taylor at ataylor@bishopchatard.org.
Throughout the pandemic, the Indiana Department of Health, as well as the Marion County Public Health Department, have defined a close contact exposure as someone who has been within six feet of a positive individual for fifteen minutes or longer. The Marion County Public Health Department has not adopted the Indiana Department of Health’s new guidelines and we are required to contact trace students within six feet, for fifteen minutes, of a COVID-19 positive individual.
Please understand that this return to school will not impact our commitment to maintaining a safe, clean environment. Student desks, high contact areas, and the entire school will be disinfected regularly. We are still not allowing access to student lockers in order to prevent students from congregating, and permanent seating charts will be maintained in each classroom to aid with contact-tracing efforts. Students will be required to remain six feet apart during lunch, and daily arrival and dismissal will be closely monitored.
We have finally arrived at a time when we can all return to our campus. I am confident that this is the right time to return and believe we are prepared to do this safely. I want to thank you for your patience as we have navigated the challenges of this pandemic. Your support continues to be felt, and I would ask that you continue to pray for the success and safety of Bishop Chatard High School.
God bless you always,
