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Catholic Schools located in the eleven (11) counties encompassed by the Diocese of Madison have been planning carefully for students’ safe return to school this fall in-person where possible. Classes will look different as schools incorporate current recommendations from: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Public instruction (DPI), the state Department of Health Services and local county health departments.

In addition to these recommendations, each school has considered the needs of its local community as voiced in surveys and discussions with parents, faculty and staff, and the school community.

Given the varying needs and resources of each school, as well as the continually changing ebb and flow of COVID cases in communities across the Diocese, re-opening plans will vary from school-to-school. All plans are based on CDC, DHS and DPI recommendations and will contain elements of:

• Distancing
• Use of barriers (ie. Masks, plexiglass, face shields etc.)
• Practicing and teaching personal hygiene including frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer
• Regular cleaning of the building and frequent disinfection of high touch and shared surfaces

While individual school plans are much more detailed, all will contain the key elements listed above.

As the American Academy of Pediatrics stated, children receive tremendous academic, social, emotional, and physical benefits from being physically in school. The CDC, DHS, DPI and local health departments have provided guidance aimed at allowing students to safely return to school.

As Catholic schools, we are committed to using this guidance and working with parents to provide a safe learning environment that challenges, nurtures and helps our students grow academically, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

On July 23, 2020, the CDC released new guidance for re-opening schools. Below are some quotations:
 

• The unique and critical role that schools play makes them a priority for opening and remaining open, enabling students to receive both academic instruction and support as well as critical services.
• Children appear to be at lower risk for contracting COVID-19 compared to adults. While some children have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up nearly 95% of reported COVID-19 cases. Early reports suggest children are less likely to get COVID-19 than adults, and when they do get COVID-19, they generally have a less serious illness. As of July 21, 2020, 6.6% of reported COVID-19 cases and less than 0.1% of COVID-19-related deaths are among children and adolescents less than 18 years of age in the United States.
• While opening schools – like opening any building or facility—does pose a risk for the spread of COVID-19, there are many reasons why opening schools in the fall of 2020 for in-person instruction is important.
  • Schools play a critical role in the wellbeing of communities.
  • Schools provide critical instruction and academic support that benefit students and communities in both the short- and long-term.
• Schools play a critical role in supporting the whole child, not just the academic achievement of students.
  • Social and emotional health of students can be enhanced through schools.
  • Resuming in-person instruction can support students’ social and emotional wellbeing.
  • Schools are an important venue for students to receive emotional and psychological support from friends, teachers, and other staff members.

The new guidance also includes a great deal of information about taking measures to mitigate the spread of COVID and keep all students and staff safe. By and large, this aligns with all the guidance you have been receiving since May. All schools will have:

• A hygiene policy
• A cleaning and disinfecting policy
•  protective measures policy
• A policy and protocol for dealing with sick individuals
• A process for addressing a case of COVID in the school (This should be formed in conjunction with your local health department.)

We have seen that the both the Wisconsin DHS and local county health departments rely heavily on CDC guidance. Therefore, it is extremely likely that this most recent CDC guidance will be reflected in any updates or revisions to state and local guidance. That said, please remember that the governing rules for your school’s response to COVID will be the guidance and requirements published by your local municipal or county health department.