Our Lady Of Las Vegas
Catholic School
Be it known to all who enter here, that Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen, but ever present teacher in the classrooms, the model of its faculty, and the inspiration of its students.
Angel Note: July 19, 2020
Greetings!
These times are extremely challenging knowing that the decisions being made greatly impact students, teachers, and families. As the principal at Cristo Rey St. Viator I was able to launch the online learning platform in less than 72 hours this past spring, honing in on best practices through professional development and support from the Cristo Rey Network. Creating a seamless plan, which included coaching teachers and it's successful execution, was my number one priority. Being flexible and having to make changes based on data allowed us to continue education remotely for our students and families, helping fit their needs. With the amazing work of my teachers, our students were able to grow academically. In mathematics, they doubled the expected academic growth for the year and more than doubled the expected academic growth in English and Reading, even though a third of the school year took place in a virtual learning platform.
As you know, as we approach the opening of Our Lady of Las Vegas in August we do so with great confidence and guidance both locally and nationally. The online learning program I created at Cristo Rey St. Viator was so successful that the Cristo Rey National Network, based in Chicago, invited me to take part in their COVID-19 National Task Force. I was able to collaborate with professionals in the education, business, and health care fields through the months of May and June, to help create a plan to include best practices for all 39 Cristo Rey schools across the United States.
While developing a plan for Our Lady of Las Vegas to reopen safely in August there are specific requirements that schools must meet in order to reopen. Schools must complete a “Return To School Plan” and submit it to the Diocesan Restoration Council for review. Once reviewed and approved, the plan is sent to the Nevada Department of Education for further review and final approval. All plans must be submitted 20 days prior to the first day of the school year. Only with such approval will a school be permitted to reopen.
My number one priority is the safety of our students. Being able to integrate expectations for distance learning into the classroom as we start school in August will help our teachers, students, and families prepare for the worst-case scenario. With the guidance of the Diocesan Restoration Advisory Council and my previous experience with the Cristo Rey National Taskforce, I will develop high standards of learning, clear expectations, and procedures, and will we be able to create the best educational experience in person or remote amidst COVID-19.
I will do my best to answer questions on a weekly basis via Angel Notes to ensure families, students, and teachers feel as comfortable as possible, under the circumstances, as we return to school in August. Please see the most commonly asked questions below.
Thank you for trusting me with your children,
Mrs. Marisa Bello, M.Ed
Principal
Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School
Q&A- Opening School Safely!
What are the requirements for wellness checks prior to entering the classroom?
- A temperature check will be completed for all students and staff prior to entry each day. Those registering a fever of 100.4 will be sent home. A short cooling off period and re-test is permitted if the heat of the day may be interfering with an accurate temperature reading. If exhibiting any of the other COVID-19 symptoms such as a sore throat, coughing, or nausea, all are asked to remain at home.
How are you going to ensure social distancing is taking place?
Employees, students, parents, and visitors will follow the CDC recommended 6 feet of distance from others and eliminate contact with others whenever possible.
Traffic Flow Maps will be established with taped lines/signage marking the walking direction throughout the campus in order to maintain the social distancing requirements.
Students will receive training on the required social distancing protocols and health/hygiene practices. Students will not share supplies or work together in small groups (distancing will remain throughout the day).
Classrooms have been configured to maintain the necessary distancing with students grouped by class in order to limit contact between classes during the school day and minimize the potential spread of any illness from group to group. Teachers and specialists will be rotating from class to class and classrooms and Bevin Hall/Gym/Kenny Room will be reassigned to accommodate the number of students at each grade level. For example, 4th Grade will be split into three cohorts to adhere to social distancing and will be split into having class in three separate locations. All middle school classes (6th, 7th, and 8th) have been broken up into three classes to minimize the number of students in the classroom and teachers will rotate between classes. Official room assignments will be communicated at the beginning of August.
Lunch and recess will be staggered by grade levels to ensure social distancing and Cohorts will stay together during these times.
Arrival/Dismissal: We will use various entrances and exits to minimize contact between student groups. Parents are asked to refrain from gathering in close proximity/near school doors (following social distancing protocols).
How do Cohorts help stop the spread of Covid-19?
The purpose of Cohorts is the minimize exposure should a student be a carrier or fall ill. This will allow school to continue within other cohorts should a cohort have to go remote until students have been cleared.
What extra steps are you taking to ensure the school is clean and hygiene is being practiced?
Frequent sanitation of classrooms will occur throughout the school day using products recommended for use during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bathrooms will be cleaned at least every hour.
There will be sinks in as many classrooms as possible.
Are masks required for EVERY student?
The current guidance from “The American Academy of Pediatrics” indicates the need for all children to wear face coverings “when harms do not outweigh benefits (potential COVID-19 risk reduction).” For those who will struggle with this, we would be permitting the use of face shields. "eg. increased hand-mouth/nose contact"
If OLLV is required to go to virtual learning in the future will it look the same as it did this past year?
- No- teachers will be using Google Classroom to deliver instruction, in conjunction with pear-deck, Edpuzzle and other online resources.
- Best practices with online learning include both synchronous and asynchronous learning.
- Consistent platforms across grade levels and content area's is imperative to ensure academic success.
- Leadership oversight, professional development and student mentoring is necessary to support students in a virtual environment.
- In case we are forced to closed, we will be prepared, and it will be communicated at the start of the school year.
- This is just being prepared- we are still opening in person 5 days a week.
My child and/or another member of my household is in an at-risk group for COVID-19. Should I send my child to school?
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has defined conditions in which certain people may be more at risk for severe illness through COVID-19. If your child or another member of your household is in an at-risk group, we encourage you to speak to your doctor. Ultimately you should decide whether it is safe for your child to attend school. Our schools will work to accommodate the essential needs of our families. Please feel free to contact me to further address your family's needs.
Additional Shoe Choices For Next Year
All Other Days: In addition to white tennis shoes students may wear Black or dark brown penny loafers, mary janes, or laced dress shoes. Big or chunky heels, decorative buckles or bows are not permitted. Vans, Toms, Sketchers, tennis shoes, sneakers, ballet-type slip on do not meet this uniform criteria.
Students must still wear white crew socks with their shoes.
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion Rehearsal/Second Reconciliation
- 2A- Wednesday, August 12 (Confirmed Date)
- 2B- Thursday, August 13 (Confirmed Date)
First Holy Communion- Saturday August 15 (Confirmed Date)
- 2A- 11:00 AM
- 2B- 1:00 PM
See Details In Previous Angel Note
Next Week Angel Note: New Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School
Email: mbello@ollv.org
Website: https://www.ollvschool.org/
Location: 3046 Alta Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89107, USA
Phone: (702) 802-2323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurLadyofLVSchool
Twitter: @OurLadyLVSchool