We hope that you have taken the time to read Superintendent Plummer's letter regarding the Office of Catholic Schools' COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year. Prior to our August return to school, we specifically wanted to outline some of the protocols that we will follow at St. Pius X.
Rationale:
It is our belief that our students benefit from in-person learning; therefore, all established protocols consider in-person learning to be a priority in planning.
As COVID-19 and variants continue to be a factor in planning for the 2021-2022 school year, we have adjusted school protocols to reflect current knowledge and data as well as current CDC guidance.
As students and staff in our high schools have had the opportunity for vaccination, it is necessary to separate some protocols for elementary schools and high schools.
Currently, schools are still required to report positive cases to the local health department and weekly to the state. Schools are also required to contact-trace and notify those exposed to a positive case to quarantine as required.
While we look toward an increasingly "normalized" school year, we balance this goal with recommended health guidelines.
Current data regarding community and local transmission and current health. recommendations will provide guidance for adjusting protocols as the school year progresses.
Current CDC guidelines recommend:
Encourage individuals to stay home when ill
Encourage daily self-monitoring
Increase ventilation in indoor areas
Continue daily cleaning and disinfecting
Maintain increased hand-washing schedule or use of hand sanitizer
Masking:
Current federal and state regulations require that masks be worn on buses and school transportation vehicles (including private schools) regardless of vaccination status or school masking policy. This directive applies to high schools.
Per current Archdiocesan Human Resources policy, all unvaccinated employees must wear masks indoors. This directive applies to high school personnel.
Student masking is optional in high schools where individuals have currently had the opportunity for vaccination.
Quarantines and Reporting:
Schools must continue to report positive cases and contact trace those within six feet of a positive case.
Unvaccinated students within six feet of a positive case for a minimum of fifteen minutes must quarantine for ten days. Unvaccinated employees within six feet of a positive case must quarantine for fourteen days according to current Archdiocesan Human Resources policy.
Vaccinated students and staff who are identified as close contacts to a positive case do not need to quarantine unless they become symptomatic. You may upload a copy of your student's vaccination card to this link in order not to be quarantined.
Virtual learning for school-required quarantined students will be asynchronous. They will receive their assignments and directions on PSL. Teachers will be available for online tutoring during after school hours.
Visitors/Volunteers:
Currently, the CDC recommends that schools limit nonessential visitors.
Unvaccinated volunteers must wear masks at all times.
Again, we would like to reiterate what Mr. Plummer stated in his letter: this is intended as a careful balance between a positive "return-to-normal" approach, the reality of current health guidance, and our deep concern for the mental and physical well-being of every individual within our walls. Of course every individual has the choice to wear a mask, and we support that decision.
Let us all continue to pray for a speedy end to this pandemic and for a terrific school year.
