The Diocese of Camden Office of Catholic Schools is actively engaged in reopening school buildings for the start of the 2020-21 school year. The Office of Catholic Schools has developed health and safety guidelines and an academic framework in consultation with elementary and high school principals, the diocesan Strategic Action Team, and public health officials, and using parent feedback and guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the NJ Department of Education. Plans are based on priorities to maintain the health and safety of students and teachers, sustain the Catholic communities that are so important to the success and development of our students, and continue to provide a rigorous academic program, and support families in these unprecedented times.
The questions and answers that follow provide key information about current plans for the 2020-2021 school year. The Office of Catholic Schools will continue to monitor public health information and recommendations to remain flexible to adjust plans if necessary. School-specific questions are best addressed by individual school leaders.
Health and Safety
Q. Are South Jersey Catholic Schools going to open in September?
A. Yes. All South Jersey Catholic Schools are planning to open so that all students have the opportunity to attend school in person safely every day. We will continue to monitor the progression of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey, especially in the six counties in the Diocese of Camden, as well as the health of all students and teachers in our schools. We will regularly reassess the status of each school based on data from that school, the region, and the state to determine whether we need to activate alternate plans.
Q. What safety measures will schools take to protect students, teachers, administrators and staff?
A. Each school is developing new procedures and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols intended to ensure the health and safety of all students, teachers, and staff. New procedures include adjusting arrival and departure times and routines to maximize social distance, limiting or adapting use of the cafeteria for food service, regular breaks for hand sanitizing and washing, increasing ventilation, and using social distance and physical barriers between students. Large spaces, such as gymnasiums and cafeterias, may be reconfigured to accommodate larger classes, and safe protocols will be created for recess, physical education classes, and outdoor academic experiences. Particularly in elementary schools, movement within the building and sharing materials and supplies will be limited to the extent possible so that students can remain with a set group, usually their homeroom class, stay in one desk, and responsibly manage their own personal items. New cleaning protocols include disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and frequently used objects at regular intervals throughout the day, and increasing the frequency of disinfection during regular nightly cleaning.
Q. Will schools be able to maintain social distance in classrooms?
A. Each school will ensure that students maintain a safe distance from each other while in their classrooms. How that is accomplished will depend on the school’s enrollment, classroom dimensions and other school-specific needs, but there are generally two options: 1) Space students 6 feet apart; or 2) Space students between 3 and 6 feet apart and use clear barriers at each desk or face shields for each student for added protection.
Q. Will my child have to wear a mask?
A. All students will be required to have a mask at school each day. They will be required to wear the mask when entering and exiting the school, when moving from room to room within the school, when using the restroom, when moving around in the classroom, and any other circumstance in which they are closer than six feet apart. Some schools may choose to allow students to remove their masks when seated at their desks if they are six feet apart, if desks are separated by a physical barrier, or if face shields are used as a barrier. All students will be encouraged to wear their masks as often as they can tolerate it while at their desks.
Q. When should I keep my child home from school?
A. The general rule is, “If you feel sick, stay home.” This is an important area for partnership between parents and schools. We expect all parents to take their child(ren)’s temperature and observe their overall health before sending them to school. If the child has a fever of 100.4° F or higher, or if the child shows any symptoms of COVID-19, he or she should not come to school and should visit a physician. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. All schools will also monitor visitors to the school, as well as faculty and staff, for these symptoms.
Q. What will happen if a student shows symptoms of COVID-19 in school?
A. If a student shows symptoms of COVID-19 while in school, he or she will be sent to the nurse’s office. While in the nurse’s office, the student will be asked to wear a mask and gloves, as will any adults assisting the student. The student’s parents or guardians will be called, and the student will leave school as soon as possible. The student’s desk, belongings, and any commonly used objects he or she may have touched (door knobs, pencil sharpener, etc.) will be disinfected. All schools will follow the guidance of their local public health officials regarding any additional steps or communication that need to occur. All members of the school community will be expected to respect the privacy of any student or staff member who may become sick during the school day.
Q. When can a student come back to school after being absent with COVID-19 symptoms?
A. All students who are absent from school because they show COVID-19 symptoms should visit a physician. It is expected that students will remain absent from school until they are fever free without fever reducing medication for 72 hours and other symptoms disappear. Students who are absent for two or more days for medical reasons will be required to have written clearance from a physician to return to school. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to return to school after following the guidance of their local public health department. Students with positive tests should expect to be absent for at least two weeks.
Q: What if a member of my household (who is not my child) tests positive for COVID-19?
A: Each school will follow the guidance of its local public health department, which may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. It is likely that you will be advised to keep your child home for at least 14 days. When your family member meets the public health and medical criteria for recovery from COVID-19, and if your child shows no COVID-19 symptoms for the 14-day period, your school may allow your child to return upon consultation with public health officials.
Q: What happens if another student in my child’s class tests positive for COVID-19?
A: Your school will make all parents aware that a member of the school community has tested positive for COVID-19. Because each situation is different, the school will consult with its local public health department to determine next steps. Students who share a classroom or who may have had contact with the student who tested positive will be monitored closely for COVID-19 symptoms, according to the recommendations of the local health department. Some students may be asked to stay home from school for approximately 14 days. If this occurs, students will be allowed to complete work virtually while the class is away from school.
Q: What happens if my child’s teacher tests positive for COVID-19?
A: Should any employee have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, schools will follow the same protocols used for students (see above). If a teacher who teaches your child becomes sick and is unable to work, your school will provide a substitute teacher.
Q. Could my child’s school building be closed down due to COVID-19 this year?
A: All schools are working diligently to ensure a safe and healthy environment in the coming year. However, if there are multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a school, the school may determine, in consultation with public health officials and the Office of Catholic Schools, that it is advisable to temporarily close to control further spread of the virus. In addition, all schools may be subject to an order to close due to substantial progression of the virus in the region or state. If these circumstances occur, school buildings will be deep cleaned and disinfected, and students will transition to remote learning (see below).
Q. How will schools ensure safe, high-quality learning for preschool and Kindergarten students?
A. A subcommittee of preschool and Kindergarten teachers, in collaboration with the elementary principals task force and the Office of Catholic Schools, will determine the best ways to apply health and safety requirements to the unique learning environments of preschool and Kindergarten. We anticipate that the application of new protocols may look different in each school, depending on the size of its classrooms, the number of students in its preschool and Kindergarten classes, its preschool schedule, and other factors. We are confident that each school will be able to maximize the health of the children while ensuring that each child grows socially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Q: How will I know the specific plans and new procedures for my child(ren)’s school?
A: The Office of Catholic Schools has provided guidelines to all South Jersey Catholic Schools for the 2020-2021 school year. These guidelines were developed in consultation with elementary and high school principals, the Strategic Action Team, and public health officials, and using guidelines established by the CDC and the NJ Department of Education. Each school has a task force comprised of local community members who have expertise in the specific areas related to opening the school. Each school has been providing ongoing updates to its community as plans emerge and will communicate plans and protocols for the 2020-2021 school year to parents and students when they are finalized.
Q. What if my family travels out of state before school begins?
A. Families should consider the timing of their out-of-state travel plans carefully. Families that travel out of state before school begins should check the NJ travel advisory list before doing so. If you travel to a state on the advisory list, please notify your school. Your school may ask you to wait for 14 days before sending your children to school.
Q: What if I do not feel safe sending my child back to school?
A: Each school is implementing new protocols to ensure the safety of all students. However, we understand that some families still may not wish to return. If your child or a family member is at increased risk for COVID-19, we encourage you to speak to your physician. Ultimately you should decide whether it is safe for your child to attend school. There may also be other reasons to prefer an option other than in-school learning. The diocese is working collaboratively with the principals of each school to develop a remote learning option for families in this situation. Students who learn remotely will learn the same curriculum and keep pace with their peers as though they were in the classroom. Please contact the principal of your child’s school if this is an option you are seriously considering.
Programming and Academics
Q. Will there be bus transportation to school?
A. Busing is either provided by or arranged through public school districts or, in some cases, contracted directly with a bus company. It is possible that school districts may discontinue bus routes for non-public school students so that they can run more routes for district students to meet requirements for fewer students on each bus. If this occurs, you will be notified by your local school district by August 1. If the state budget is passed with the same transportation aid for nonpublic schools as in the past, you will be eligible for aid in lieu of transportation in the amount of $1,000 per eligible child. Principals at each school are monitoring the situation closely to ensure that there is as little disruption to transportation as possible. We encourage all families who use bus transportation to begin considering alternate transportation options if routes are cancelled.
Q: Will extended care (before and after care) be available at elementary schools this year?
A: Yes. Schools may continue to offer extended care. Specific standards for health and safety to limit interactions between students from different classrooms will be followed by each school. Students will be grouped with family members and/or classmates to the maximum extent possible to maintain the separation in place during the school day. Social distancing, masks, and adherence to cleaning protocols will be applied to before and after care programs.
Q. Will the academic program be different this year?
A. All schools will continue to offer the rigorous academic program our students deserve and that parents expect. This year, teachers will take additional time at the beginning of the school year to assess student skills to determine their needs after last year’s absence from in-school learning. The elementary curriculum may be adjusted in specific grades and schools, as determined by the principal, to prioritize English/Language Arts, Math, and Religion, if assessments indicate that it is necessary. In addition, instructional time for each class may be adjusted to accommodate the additional time that some health and safety measures may require. In elementary schools, all major subjects will continue to be taught. There may be some adjustments to minor subjects as determined by the principal and planning teams at each school.
Q. Will my child’s classroom look different?
A. Schools will spread out desks and tables in classrooms as much as possible to achieve safe social distancing. In order to maximize floor space, non-essential furniture and other items will be removed. Desks and tables will also be arranged so that they face the front of the room to the extent possible. These steps are being taken to minimize risk of any infection in the classroom.
Q. Will students share school supplies?
A. No. We are asking schools to ensure that students not share school supplies (e.g., books, crayons, technology, etc.), including for such subjects as art and music. Exceptions may be made for activities outdoors (such as outdoor physical education classes). If it is impossible to avoid sharing supplies, such as computers, such supplies must be cleaned after every use.
Q. Will learning in the classroom look different this year?
A. The implementation of social distancing protocols and other health and safety safeguards will require some adjustments to student movement within and between classrooms. Schools will also be integrating technology into classrooms more fully. A consistent Learning Management System (LMS), such as G-Suite or Google Classroom, will be identified and implemented by each school. In elementary schools, consistent online instructional and practice tools will be identified and implemented. This will allow a greater amount of personalization to meet the needs of all students. It will also allow students who are absent for an extended period of time and those whose parents have chosen a full-time remote learning option to stay engaged with the classroom. Teachers, as always, will use their expertise to determine the best techniques for the content and skills being taught.
Q. How will the academic program continue if school buildings are closed again?
A. Each school’s plan for full time remote learning for all students if buildings are closed temporarily is responsive to the feedback provided on the recent parent survey. Students will continue to use the technology and programs used in the classroom so that the transition is as smooth as possible. Clear, consistent expectations for student attendance, work, and assignments will be communicated to all students and parents. Guidelines have been provided to all schools for increased live interaction with teachers, with the length and type of interaction (e.g., whole group vs. small group) determined by the age/grade of the students. The intent is to have a remote learning experience, if necessary, that more closely resembles the structure, interactions, and work of in-school learning.
Q. Will there be school Masses in the Fall?
A. Parishes are open for Sunday Mass with specific capacity and social distancing requirements in place. Each school principal will coordinate closely with the local pastor to determine whether and how Mass may be celebrated with the school community. High schools will collaborate with the Office of Catholic Schools to determine the best ways to offer the Sacraments to their students within social distancing and health protocols in place.
Q. Will there be sports programs this Fall?
A. High schools currently follow the guidelines established by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), which recently announced that the fall sports seasons are expected to begin in October. Summer workouts following strict social distancing and sanitization protocols were allowed to start Monday, July 13 and may continue until August 28, followed by a two-week period when teams will be able to hold virtual meetings for in-season sports only. Official practices may begin September 14. We will continue to monitor recommendations from the NJSIAA and consult with public health officials about any changes that may occur for Fall programs and to determine whether and how Winter and Spring sports may proceed. Elementary school sports program guidance will follow the NJSIAA guidance closely, with additional input from public health officials.
Q. Will there be other extracurricular activities at school this Fall?
A. We are currently working with the organizations that provide band programs to elementary schools to determine the safest way to continue in the 2020-2021 school year. Band, choir, and dance programs at high schools are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis at each school. Other activities, such as honor societies, clubs, student council, and others in which small groups of students participate may proceed on a case by case basis if health and safety guidelines are followed. School plays and other performances, such as Christmas shows, should be conducted virtually or postponed tentatively until the Spring.
Tuition and Fees
Q. Will there be any changes to tuition this year due to adaptations to the learning environment?
A. Tuition will remain as posted by each school for the full year. The tuition and fees that families pay typically cover about 70% of an elementary school’s budget and 90% of a high school’s budget. Tuition is able to be kept at this level because of income from fundraising and financial contributions, such as donations and grants, and in the case of elementary schools, parish support. Income from each of these sources is critical to paying teachers’ salaries and benefits and to implementing all parts of the programs that each school delivers. Even though schools, classrooms, and learning may look different this year, the expenses of providing a rigorous Catholic education remain the same as they always have been. In fact, the program overall may cost more this year due to costs for increased technology, training, and cleaning protocols. Sustained income from all sources is even more important than ever this year.
Q. Will fees be changed this year?
A. Each school sets its own fees based on the programs it offers. Fees may be adjusted if a program or activity is cancelled or experiences a change that results in a lower cost. For example, if a fee is collected for a particular field trip, it is likely that the fee will not be collected this year if the field trip is cancelled.
Q. The pandemic has affected my family’s income. Is there financial assistance available?
A. Each school provides as much financial assistance as it can afford within its budget. If your income has been affected by the pandemic, please be in touch with your school’s principal to discuss the possibility of financial assistance or an alternate payment plan. Your school will do its very best to work with you.