To Mask or Not to Mask? - This is not the only question.
Due to the pandemic, last year was filled with many aspects not usually associated with schools. We were all hopeful that it would pass quickly once a vaccine was readily available revealing a fully engaging 21-22 school year. Though many of us have been able to become fully vaccinated, we are still in the pandemic and continue to require precautions in order to function safely. We are offering in-person classes only unless an entire class or the school is quarantined or we have a school closure due to other unexpected situations. At that time, eLearning will take place. With recommendations from the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, The Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and The Marion County Health Department, we are confident that we can continue to provide an effective yet safe environment for your child. As more data is revealed, changes will be made throughout the year.
Face Covering (Mask)
At this time, face coverings are required for all staff and students while inside the school building regardless of vaccination. There are exceptions to this requirement. Face coverings can be removed at teacher request for short periods of time during specific instruction activities such as phonemic awareness and other speech related activities. At such times, students will be socially distant. Face coverings will also be removed during the consumption of food and drinks as in the past. Face coverings will not be required outside the school building during recess, outdoor classroom use, while in the garden, or any other outdoor activities. Your child is welcome to continue to wear a face covering while outside and during all classroom activities. Please let your child’s teacher know of your desire to be masked at all times so she/he can support your decision.
Social Distancing
Social distancing throughout the building will still be implemented. Our focus is on maximizing the spacing within the classrooms, organizing the timing with the use of community spaces such as restrooms and the cafeteria, and orienting students within the classes to face a similar direction. We will resume the use of small group instruction within the classroom while remaining masked.
Cleaning
We will keep up our cleaning and sanitizing routines for the restrooms, common high touch areas, and the cafeteria. Encouragement of regular hand washing and sanitizing will continue as well. Many of our students will be permitted to eat lunch in the cafeteria this year. This comes with spacing and cleaning challenges so we will be integrating it with caution and a lot of pre-planning.
We are adding the use of the cafeteria and small group table instruction within the classroom. Our surface sanitizing wipes, year supply of hand sanitizer, and hand soap have all arrived and are ready for use. Though on back order, we are awaiting the arrival and installation of our air filter systems to assist in improved classroom air quality. Our goal is to reintroduce study trips during the second semester. I know our bus driver would like it!
Encouraging
We continue to encourage: Vaccinating those that qualify, using outdoor learning spaces regularly, and monitoring personal health daily. We recognize that each school has a different approach to creating a safe learning environment for the children. We believe that our approach provides a safe environment with some flexibility for teachers and students when necessary. We will continue to monitor our situation and make changes as we are able based on our data. Hopefully this year, those that are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear face coverings. A process for being exempt from wearing face coverings is being evaluated but implementation will no take place until our community is ready and able to safely do so.
Volunteering
We will begin allowing volunteers back into the building once the community is at a stable rate and our community demonstrates a committment to a health educational environment. We are looking forward to this time together.
Please remember that we are all working at different comfort levels and we need to respect each other. The plan incorporates research as well as the understanding of our community and human variables. If you would like to discuss this plan in more detail, please contact me through email to set up a time to meet. Our goal is to continue to keep everyone safe while providing the most effective Faith, Family, Academic, and Service oriented education possible. With your support, this will be a more engaging year filled with activities that provide reinforcement and excitement for learning and growing in faith.
Eric Schommer
Principal
St. Monica Catholic School