St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School Reopening Plan

LAST UPDATED: August 10, 2020.

Overview

We are opening!   We are offering 5 days/week, in-person educational programs for all children ages 3 through Grade 5.  

We relied on guidance from the CDC, the NYS Dept of Education, the NYS Dept of Health, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany (RCDA) Catholic Schools Office, and the Schenectady County Dept of Health to establish the following health and safety protocols for our students and staff.

We will continue to joyfully nurture knowledge and faith in a safe and caring environment. 

Introduction

On Monday, July 13, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York can follow plans to reopen for in-person schooling in September if COVID-19 infection rates stay at 5% or lower in a given region.  

Determinations will be made by regions about opening and closing schools as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. If a region is in Phase 4 and has a daily infection rate of 5% or lower over a 14-day average, schools in that region could hold in-person instruction. If daily infection rates exceed 9% over a seven-day average, however, schools in that region would not reopen. Similarly, should a region see such an average after reopening, schools in that region would also be directed to close.

While schools have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School is also planning for remote/distance learning, as well as a for a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning.

The plan outlined here is for the reopening of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School for the 2020-21 school year, following the building closure related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to the school campus. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the New York State Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and  New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Tosha Grimmer, Principal, will serve as the school’s COVID-19 Coordinator. Mrs. Grimmer will work closely with the Schenectady County Health Department and will be responsible for monitoring of updates of health and educational regulations as well as communication among staff, families, and the RCDA Catholic Schools Office.  She will serve as a central contact for stakeholders, families, staff and other school community members and will ensure the school is in compliance and following the best practices per state and federal guidelines.