July 24, 2020 - Reopening Committee Update
Dear SCCS parents and community members,

As committee chairs for the SCCS Building Reopening Committee, we are humbled by this opportunity to join dedicated committee members in taking guidelines provided by the Archdiocese and making a plan for SCCS to reopen the school building this fall. As a community, we will be engaging in several mitigation strategies to help keep students, staff, and visitors healthy while in the school building. 

Below, you’ll see a snapshot of what we know so far and the pieces we will be working on over the next week. To provide a quicker read, we are providing two bulleted lists:
 
  1. Health & Safety Decisions Made to Date 
  2. Currently Under Review

Please note, these bulleted lists are just highlights; not comprehensive lists. Should you have questions not answered in this or previous communications, please note the opportunity to send us questions via a Google Form link at the end of this update.

In Christ,

Cindi Rutten, co-chair
Jennifer Smith, co-chair


Health & Safety Decisions Made to Date

At this time, SCCS will follow the regular school calendar with in-person learning five days a week with options for home learning due to health concerns of a student or family member. 

If you have not already contacted SCCS regarding a student needing home learning, please send an email to Denise Faust at [email protected] by July 31.

Screening   
  • Parents will be asked to screen their child(ren)’s temperature and check for symptoms at home each morning prior to school. 
  • Families will be asked to follow guidance of MDH regarding symptoms, quarantining, etc., in collaboration with their health care provider. It is our understanding that MDH is currently reviewing the guidelines which they have previously developed.
  • Visitors will be by appointment only and screened upon arrival.  

Health Room & Health Aide
  • SCCS will have a .5 health aide onsite via District 834 resources. In addition, we are seeking an additional health aide (and back-ups) to ensure a consistent health aide presence in the building.
  • Our current health room will be scrapes, bumps, diabetic needs, etc. In addition, a separate health room will be available for students exhibiting COVID symptoms. SCCS will provide all proper protective equipment (PPE) for staff using this new space.

Hand Hygiene
  • Classroom handwashing schedules will be set up to include, but not necessarily limited to arrival, before and after eating, after bathroom use, after recess, and prior to dismissal. 
  • In addition to bathroom sinks, hand washing will be in classrooms where a sink is available. 
  • Hands-free paper towel dispensers are being installed in bathrooms and by classroom sinks. 
  • While hand washing is considered the primary method for hand hygiene, hand sanitizer will also be available.

Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • Specific cleaning and disinfecting requirements will be added throughout the school day as well as to evening cleaning routines. High touch surfaces have been identified.
  • Cleaning logs and monitoring of spaces will be completed daily. 
  • Additional supplies are being ordered. 
  • Supply checks and restocking procedures will be in place.
  • An additional person has been hired to assist with the increased cleaning and disinfecting requirements.

Lunch Program and Water
  • The lunch program will continue with at least one option provided. 
  • Menus will be sent out and lunches will be pre-ordered and delivered to the classrooms. 
  • Students will eat at their desk or outside when the option is available.
  • Additional water bottle filling stations are being installed.

Currently Under Review
  • We recognize that physical distancing is one of the most important pieces of a successful return to the building. We are continuing to look at classroom spaces and physical distancing opportunities. 
  • Adaptations to specialist classes such as music, PE, art, and computers will be made in order to allow for the continuation of these classes.
  • Outdoor spaces will be optimized to allow increased time to be outside as weather allows during the school day. 
  • Evaluations of building engineering controls are in-progress. 
  • Opportunities for Mass and continuation of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program are being discussed.
  • School arrival and dismissal procedures will be reviewed and adjusted to optimize safety and infection prevention. 
  • SCCS has been in regular meetings with District 834. We are still waiting on District 834 for updates on busing and special education. The Archdiocese is advocating across the area for busing to continue as normal.
  • Mapping of how students move/flow through the building is being developed.
  • The Catholic Athletic Association is meeting on July 27th, no determinations to date.
  • Orchestra and Band programs are being discussed.
  • Before and After School Care availability is under review.
  • As we are sure you have heard on the news, Governor Tim Walz signed an Executive Order on July 22 requiring a face covering in private and public indoor spaces. The Archdiocese is working to better understand the specific application of the Executive Order for Catholic schools. 

Governor Walz is expected to make an announcement on July 30 regarding bringing children back into school buildings. If there is anything that is announced that affects our plans, we will follow guidance from the Archdiocese and inform the SCCS community as soon as possible.

As you may realize, the plan is multifaceted and fluid. We will be working diligently to get procedures in place and continue to adapt as needed.

Please use this Google Form to ask any questions you may have regarding the reopening of the building. One of us, or another committee member, will respond as soon as possible. 

Finally, the July 20 Archdiocesan letter included in the July 23 FYI was inadvertently provided in Spanish only; the English version is available at www.StCroixCatholic.org> Plan for Reopening Our School Building.

May God richly bless each of our SCCS families as preparation for the upcoming school year continues.