August 22, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians in our Catholic Schools:

Please know of my prayers for you and your children as we open the 2022-23 academic year!

It’s remarkable to note that we are entering the fourth consecutive school year with Covid. The Covid landscape is continually shifting, and, after multiple conversations with our re-opening committee and consulting with other dioceses, I am writing to inform you of our current approach. This approach is predicated on what we have learned about Covid, and on the current impact of Covid in our schools and area.

We will continue to prioritize in-person learning, and seek to minimize interruptions to school schedules and to learning. We have certainly learned that this approach is best not only for student growth in faith and academics, but also for students’ social-emotional health and overall well-being.

Students have the option to wear face masks, of course, but they are not required.

We will continue to emphasize handwashing, and also emphasize ventilation in the classroom setting.

If a student tests positive for Covid, that student will need to isolate at home for five days. Symptoms must be resolving before return to school. Parents/guardians are asked to report to the school positive Covid cases among students, and among the household members of students.

The appropriate families will be informed when a student, in proximity to their own child, has contracted Covid, so that families can make an informed decision on next steps. Quarantines will not be required, and vaccination status will not be a consideration.

We will continue to have our schools submit data on Covid cases, and we will revisit our approach during the year as needed.

While there will always be additional considerations, this outline provides the overall approach for the start of the school year.

Thank you for your trust in our Catholic schools! God bless you and your family. Blessings,

Daniel Breen

Secretary for Education Superintendent of Catholic Schools