Blueprint for Reopening the School Year

We will reopen school on August 10, 2020. Reopening will be complicated and involve moments of change depending on the advice of health officials. At this point we cannot say if it will be a hybrid version of our new school model or long distance learning. Either way, we promise to provide a Catholic education that boldly faces the “new normal” that is needed for the community of Watts now more than ever. We promise to keep you informed. 

Given these unprecedented times our goal is to protect the health of your child. The four pillars of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are hygiene measures, screening, physical distancing and masks. Nothing is perfect. However, when taken together and taken seriously, they prevent the spread of the virus. 

Safety Protocols 

1. Surface transmission: A way to catch COVID-19 is when you touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on. You may touch a countertop or doorknob that’s contaminated, and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Note: The CDC stated that the coronavirus “does not spread easily” on surfaces or objects. 

Should we use a hybrid model in August, we are working to implement the best practices on facility cleaning. Surface transmission preventatives will include: 

● Using hand sanitizer when entering and exiting rooms/spaces on campus 

● Frequent washing of hands 

● Requiring masks on campus 

● Using UV lighting 

● Spot cleaning continuously throughout the day 

● Cleaning in depth each evening 

● Utilizing outdoor spaces as much as possible 

2. Droplets/aerosolized transmission: When an infected person sneezes, coughs, talks or breathes, droplets and aerosolized particles with the virus fly into the air. Anyone who is within the radius of the droplet or aerosolized cloud can breathe those droplets into their lungs. We will use appropriate distancing, ventilation, outdoor spaces (to the extent that we can) and the wearing of masks to do as much as we can to protect your child. We will have a personalized set of masks for each child. Each night the masks will be washed and ready for use the next day. 

For “on-campus learning,” we are addressing: 

● Flexible scheduling of classes 

● Efficient moving around campus 

● Creating cohorts of students 

● Creating specialized teachers for subjects 

● Identifying the use of indoor and outdoor space 

Aerosolized particles carrying the coronavirus can remain in the air for a period of time in closed areas with little ventilation. It can dissipate rapidly in well-ventilated areas and outdoors. Open windows and use of air conditioning will be the primary ways that we address this issue in closed areas. 

We will use the following to screen individuals who visit campus: 

● Checking temperatures 

● Health questionnaires 

As David Nabarro from the World Health Organization wrote, “The coronavirus is not going to go away, so we must learn to live with it.” In our efforts to provide a “bold new approach” to Catholic education, we want to assure you that we will not jeopardize the health of your child. We will rely upon the standards and recommendations by local, state and national officials to determine what is best for your child. 

Know that you remain in our prayers as we partner together as a Catholic community. We look forward to “zooming” with you next Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Take care, and God bless, 

Fr. Matthew G. Elshoff, OFM Cap., Ms. Alicia Camacho, Pastor Principal