Hi everyone,
Father Oswaldo and I wanted to share an update on COVID protocols with all of the families as we approach the first day of school. After last year, we were very optimistic about being able to start this school year with little mitigations. We have been anxiously awaiting guidance from both the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and the Archdiocesan School Office. Most recently, we've been closely monitoring the emergence of the Delta variant to ensure we are making the best decisions possible for our school community.
Earlier this week, JCDHE and the Archdiocesan School Offices shared an update and the Johnson County Catholic School Principals worked together to establish new COVID protocols for the upcoming school year. Together in unity with our other Johnson County Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, Holy Cross Catholic School will open with the following plans to begin the school year. Please note this is a very fluid situation and we are continuing to have daily conversations on this topic.
At this time, we are not requiring masks for any students or staff as we start the year. However, masks are recommended for all students and staff who are not fully vaccinated. All students and staff have the option to wear a mask if they desire. As a school, we are always evaluating the best way to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of our students. We have evaluated the recommendations of the CDC and JCDHE, both of which recommend that students or staff who are not vaccinated wear masks, as well as recommendations of healthcare professionals within the Archdiocese.
We do not know yet about quarantine and the exact protocol that will be required at Holy Cross Catholic School in the fall. At this time, we are still waiting on further guidance from JCDHE on what to do if and when certain individuals are exposed and what that may or may not look like. We will continue to monitor multiple health organizations and speak with the school office at the Archdiocese regularly in order to have the most current and updated information for you as school opening draws closer. Like last year, when these protocols change, so too will ours at Holy Cross.
We plan on having an as-normal-as-possible school experience with modified mitigations from last year. The plan is to have mitigations in place with the potential to lessen mitigations as we proceed through the year. We are hopeful to have parents and volunteers back in the school building, school assemblies, and All-School Mass on Thursday. We do not plan on offering any remote learning options for students, even for those who may be required to isolate or quarantine.
We know there will be questions related to COVID and other topics as we start this school year. We will continue to evaluate guidance from the County and the Archdiocesan School Office on a daily basis. We will thoughtfully and prayerfully consider all approaches to protocols and keep our community informed as new information undoubtedly changes.
Holy Cross Catholic School staff worked countless hours last year to ensure every student and staff member felt safe and we intend to do the same this year. The safety of our students and staff will always be our top priority. Ensuring that we protect the learning environment is also of great importance. These are tough decisions, but we know if we put our trust in God to be our strength and our shield, we can get through anything. As always, thank you for your tremendous support of our Catholic schools and for entrusting us with your children. We are #HCStrong!
Finally, please remember to pick up your school packet in the narthex of Holy Cross Catholic Church at the weekend Masses of July 24 and 25. We look forward to seeing you all at Sign Up Day on Monday, August 9th. We are blessed with such a faith-filled community!
