Reopening Updates
Diocese of Rochester Catholic Schools
August 17, 2020
Families and Friends,
As summer winds down, we are working hard to prepare all of our school buildings for a safe and happy return to school this September. With just a few short weeks remaining until the beginning of the school year, we are writing to update you on our progress with the implementation of our reopening plan. In addition to these general updates, each school continues to prepare more details on the aspects of each plan that are specific to every
location.
Our journey together through the 2020-2021 school year will be a challenging one, but as always, we walk by faith. God continues to bless us in countless ways, and the gifts provided to our schools – to be able to serve our wonderful students and families – will continue to motivate our entire school team to give our best each and every day.
Thank you for your support and commitment to our schools. We are blessed to serve you!
Reopening Plans
As part of our reopening requirements, each of our schools has completed a reopening plan document specific to each location. The entire list of reopening plans can be viewed online at https://dorschools.org/reopening. In addition, these plans have been posted on each school’s website and social media pages as well.
Every school has scheduled informational meetings on reopening to share the details of their plan and address questions from each school community. Many schools have also prepared an FAQ document to help address common questions being raised about various aspects of reopening. In addition to these meetings, please know that principals are also meeting with school staff to ensure their questions and concerns are addressed as well.
Preparing for the Fall
In addition to the many physical preparations we have made to reopen our schools this September, preparing our hearts and minds for a return to school is another important area to consider. Our young students have many questions or concerns about what schools will be like in the fall, and as the summer dials down, we encourage you to take some time to prepare your family for a successful return to school.
As Catholic educators, we cherish the role of the family as the primary educator of our children. We are happy to support you in this effort, and as such, have provided some suggestions for speaking with your family about the return to school. We encourage every family to take some time together in the coming weeks to discuss how to set ourselves up for a successful school year.
Return to Routine. A return to early morning routines and shuffling off to school are difficult in any September, but this year will be especially difficult. For many of us, we have not been traveling physically to school since last March. In addition, morning routines have changed since last year, including new focus on habits like hand hygiene and mask wearing. Take time in the coming weeks to discuss what morning routines will look like.
- Discuss the arrival and dismissal procedures shared by your school;
- Address questions or concerns about temperature checks and face masks;
- Listen and respond honestly to any new procedures that may be causing stress or anxiety;
- Practice or verbally review morning routines – drive by the school, practice drop off, or make a morning checklist for supplies;
- Reassure your child(ren) that the school is working with your family to ensure that everyone is safe; empower your child(ren) to recognize that they can contribute to a safe program by following the safety precautions.
Address Fears and Anxieties. Just like adults, our children have many questions and concerns about returning to school. Sometimes these concerns can develop into fears or anxieties. Having open and honest discussions with your students about these topics can help ensure a healthy balance that allows them to function safely and happily at school.
- Take time to explain the reasoning for new safety protocol; for example, students should know that temperature screenings are not something that will get them into trouble, but rather are a safety measure to ensure that we are identifying someone who may be sick early so they can get help before becoming more sick or making others sick.
- Answer questions with age-appropriate facts and details;
- Talk through new routines and what concerns your child(ren) may have before starting the new year;
- Address the unknowns but remind students to focus on the present – help students identify what items are within and outside of their control to help them gain perspective on the big picture of our current reality.
Continue to Partner with Your School Community. Open and frequent communication between our families and their school will help us provide a smooth reopening this fall. Share your questions and concerns with your school staff and work together to find solutions that will ensure your family feels safe and confident returning to school in your selected learning option (in-person or online).
- Establish clear procedures for communication between the home and school;
- Make sure your child(ren) feels comfortable and safe with their teachers and other school staff;
- Model productive speaking and listening skills; teach our children how to effectively share a concern and seek help when they need support.
Holy Family School, Elmira
All Saints Academy, Corning
St. Louis School, Pittsford
In Thanksgiving
Each of our school principals has done an outstanding job in preparing their campus for a return to school this fall. Serving students both in-person and online has provided unprecedented challenges for our school communities, but their leadership and perseverance has made this process a reality. In addition, we must recognize the dedication and compassionate care of our teachers and school staff, who have risen to meet every challenge with deep faith and love for our children. We are thankful for our wonderful school teams!
Diocese of Rochester - Department of Catholic Schools
Website: dorschools.org
Location: 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210