Catholic schools will continue remote learning

In a joint Zoom call April 29 to elementary and high school leaders, Dr. RaeNell Houston, archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, said concrete plans on school year closure, possible summer learning opportunities, summer camps and the start of the 2020-21 year will be given to parents in coming weeks. These plans will be in compliance with official guidelines put forth by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
            

Houston reiterated that no decision can be made about reopening school until clear guidelines are established by the state in reopening businesses and other entities. 
 

Opening in phases
 

Currently, Phase I of the plan, which would begin loosening stay-at-home orders, was set to begin May 15. If safety criteria established by the government is met by that date, essential businesses and entities such as churches could reopen to 25% of their former capacities. Everyone would be required to wear face masks.
            

“So, in theory, end-of-year programs (Masses or prayer services) could happen to create closure for students, teachers and faculty for the 2019-20 school year, but it would have to meet capacity guidelines,” Houston said. “It will be up to individual schools and pastors on how they bring their school year to a close.”
            

She said schools and daycares cannot reopen until Phase II, whose opening date has not been determined. Reopening depends on data gathered from Phase I regarding how the coronavirus is affecting the population. Any reopening would have capacity guidelines.
            

Houston said she has discussed with superintendents across the country about how to hold closing ceremonies or host summer school, remediation boot camps for students who have fallen behind or summer camps. Due to safety concerns, Houston has recommended summer school programs to be online. Learning on campus, in any form, doesn’t look like it could happen until late July.
             

If they are allowed to open, summer camps likely would fall under the Phase II guidelines, Houston said. She advised schools taking registration for camp to inform parents of the uncertainty of a start date, saying it has to comply with the state’s limit on the number of people gathered and social distancing.
            

“Our communications to parents moving forward are that we are planning to start our school year in August as we normally do,” Houston said. “The only thing that would prevent us from doing this is a mandate from the governor saying we cannot (due to the pandemic). We have received no information that we will not be able to start the school year. … However, we are hearing from scientists that there will be a second wave of coronavirus in the fall sometime. Some are predicting it could start in September.” 
 

Not knowing what will happen in the fall, the OCS is preparing now for the possibility of in-home learning being implemented again so that education could continue in a seamless way.
 

“We’re in a time of uncertainty,” Houston said. “We are asking parents to prepare for another round of remote learning.” 
 

Helping parents
            

Due to parents losing their jobs or suffering reduced hours because of the coronavirus-sparked, economic downturn, the OCS continues to work with families for financial relief. The COVID-19 Tuition Assistance Fund has been established for any family who has suffered losses due to COVID-19, and individual schools are working with parents on tuition assistance to complete this year and for the 2020-21 school year. 
 

COVID Relief Fund applications must be submitted to Ingrid Fields, associate superintendent at OCS ( [email protected]), by May 15.
 

“Schools are working with families on an individual basis,” Houston said.
 

An additional conference exclusively for high school leaders followed the Zoom call for elementary school principals. Previously mentioned concerns – such as grading, summer credit recovery (if a student didn’t pass any part of a course during the year), how students and faculty could retrieve items left at school, proms, graduation options and more – were discussed in more detail.
 

There were suggestions for schools to hold “virtual” graduations now and then have official ceremonies later after the social distancing guidelines are loosened. Other principals suggested students picking up diplomas at allotted times, a school car drive-by where students would be handed diplomas and outdoor ceremonies with limited capacity.
The proposals centered on keeping seniors safe, she said, and what was best to satisfy the needs of each school community.
            

The consensus among the 22 Catholic high schools was that they wanted to hold a formal graduation ceremony at some point, with dates possibly as soon as late July.
 

“A virtual graduation was discussed, but I think all of our school leaders prefer postponing graduation and having something in person in lieu of doing a virtual option,” Houston said. 
 

The superintendent praised students and teachers for being troupers during the pandemic. She also thanked elementary and high school principals and presidents for their leadership during the crisis.
 

“I know you are working tirelessly, and I thank you for all you do,” Houston told the local school leaders. 
 

Heard from president
 

In addition, Houston participated April 25 in a call to President Trump with other Catholic school superintendents and Catholic educational leaders from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Catholic school leaders thanked Trump for his support of Catholic schools and for including them in the CARES Act to alleviate budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 crisis.
 

Houston said the leaders also expressed their concern for the need of additional funding after the pandemic fades for online learning, teacher training related to remote and online learning and creating sanitized facilities in guidance with CDC and Office of Health and Safety guidelines.
            

“Mostly, the president listened and said he would bring the concerns back to congressional leaders for their consideration, as they continue to bring the country back,” Houston said. 
            

To end the April 29 Zoom meeting, Houston read 2nd Corinthians 5:14-15: “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves, instead, they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them.” 
 

She said this Scripture causes Christians to pause and consider their behavior and reactions.
 

“What controls us? When we become followers of Jesus, it’s God’s love that should be the guiding force in our lives,” Houston said. “Let us remember, to let go and let God. Allow him to take control, especially the areas in which we struggle.”
            

Christine Bordelon can be reached at [email protected].