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St. Joseph Catholic School, rooted in Gospel values and centered on the Eucharist, celebrates the uniqueness of each child by providing a safe, nurturing environment, promoting academic excellence, encouraging service to others, and cultivating artistic self-expression.
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DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NOTIFICATION
Update from the Office of Catholic Schools
July 8, 2020
As we approach August and the start of the 2020-21 school year, there are many questions about what the new school year will hold. I am grateful to the task force of seven principals who worked for a number of weeks creating our Re-entry Plan for the return to school. It is the intention of the task force to have students back in the classroom come August 10, 2020 (some start dates vary in our five-county diocese.) The one-page summary of the plan is attached and the full plan is available on the website at www.diocesePBSchools.org .
The task force reviewed much of the science provided by epidemiologists, pediatricians, state and local health departments, the CDC and others. We also used the parent survey results from early June, which indicated that more than 74% percent of our parents wanted students to return to their classrooms. Ultimately, this became the goal of the task force: return students to the classrooms, where learning is maximized through teacher and student interaction. On July 6, 2020, Richard Corcoran, State Commissioner for Education, issued an order indicating that all schools would re-open in August for face to face instruction, five days a week. Our re-entry plan is in compliance with this order.
Strategic Social Distancing and Mandatory Facial Coverings
Students will be spread out as much as possible within our classrooms, but in most cases, the distance between desks will be less than 6 feet. For this reason, facial coverings will be mandatory, and we will follow the experts’ guidance on appropriate ages (currently 2 years old and above.) Strategic social distancing will be utilized. For example, elementary students will stay together in one group for most of the day and interaction with other students will be limited. In the event that someone within one classroom tests positive or is exposed to COVID-19, it would limit exposure to other groups of students within the school.
Some other key points include:
• Appropriate sanitation and disinfection through enhanced cleaning protocols are in place.
• Everyone coming on to campus should use the Self-Screening Checklist and will have their temperature taken upon arrival.
• Large gatherings and assemblies, including all-school Mass, are not recommended during the first quarter of the school year and until deemed safe. Gathering for Mass should follow diocesan protocols.
• Schools and centers will not allow normal visitation on campuses until further notice.
• If a student or household member is in a high-risk group, the parent may request at-home learning for their child. The format for this will vary from school to school. The principal must approve the request.
Over the next few weeks, the public schools will reveal their Re-Entry Plans. As some of our families have students in both our diocesan schools and public schools, we may have to adjust our plans to best accommodate these families. The course of the COVID-19 virus is also somewhat unpredictable, and we will also comply with any state, county or local ordinance or guidance that would include our schools.
Our intention is to follow this Re-entry Plan, but it could be that at any moment we may have to pivot to adapt to an ever-fluid situation. Before the start of the school year, each of our schools will have in place a Return to School Plan to reopen our school facilities and an Instructional Continuity Plan in the event that our school campuses are forced to return to at-home learning for all students. I am confident that we are prepared for the coming year.
We are grateful to you for your continued support and involvement in Catholic schools in our diocese. Our schools have responded admirably to this pandemic. It has been an extraordinary effort the last several months by our priests, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents to make the very best of a difficult situation. I have been inspired by the perspective of many of our students as they wrote about their experiences this past year. For example, on July 1, we launched a new initiative titled: Have Faith, Our Future is in Good Hands, which showcases student profiles and direct quotes from those in our schools regarding their experience transitioning to virtual learning. To view these profiles, visit our social media sites or www.DiocesePBSchools.org . Here are three examples:
“After speaking with friends and family that attend local public school during this time, I am really able to appreciate how much more private schools offer and, specifically, St. John Paul II Academy’s effort to make the virtual experience straightforward and valuable. They are still teaching the regular course material that we would have been doing in class and I am learning new material regularly. Still, I miss being in school because of the SJPII community.”
Emaliese Caicedo, Saint John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton, FL
“There are many benefits to a Catholic education. Growing up in a Catholic family, I became accustomed to living my life through my faith. In addition to the faith I have received at home, going to school with the similar, if not the same environment, really showed me how important it is to incorporate your faith in all that you do. Without my faith, I would feel lost and astray from my life aspirations. In times like this, faith, especially comes into effect. With the outbreak of COVID-19 apparent worldwide, my faith aids in giving me assurance that all will be alright and fall into place with God’s will. As it has also had an effect on my education, this time in my life has shown me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Catherine Owens, Cardinal Newman High School
“During these challenging times, I have remained positive and cannot wait for this to pass. Although I do not see that happening anytime in the near future, I have faith that this is coming soon. I am so truly blessed to be a part of the John Carroll family and I’ve realized how grateful I am to be part of a community so full of faith, love and support.”
Ella Basile, John Carroll Catholic High School
Let us remain strengthened and united through our prayers as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. We are planning for another great year in our Catholic schools! As Catherine said above, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Gary Gelo
Superintendent of Schools
Dear St Joseph School, Thank you for the great water bottle. It is blue, one of my favorite colors! It was my honor and pleasure to Adopt A Class at your school. I hope I will be able to do it again. Thanks again! (Luke & Sofia Dujic’s Aunt)
You are most welcome! We thank you for your support and we love Luke and Sofia!!!! Blessings!
We can’t wait to be back in the classroom this fall with our Little Lambs and VPK Classes! So much fun, so much growing and so much learning!
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #DofPBSchools
Our sports teams bring their A-Game every time! We offer multiple sports opportunities, where students learn teamwork and sportsmanship, along with a drive to always be at their best!
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #dofpbschools
Our Little Lambs (3 years) and VPK classes are like no other! We begin promoting academic excellence in a loving and nurturing family environment, from the moment our littlest Chargers begin their school journey! ❤️
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #dofpbschools
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Latest at SJCS
DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NOTIFICATION
Update from the Office of Catholic Schools
July 8, 2020
As we approach August and the start of the 2020-21 school year, there are many questions about what the new school year will hold. I am grateful to the task force of seven principals who worked for a number of weeks creating our Re-entry Plan for the return to school. It is the intention of the task force to have students back in the classroom come August 10, 2020 (some start dates vary in our five-county diocese.) The one-page summary of the plan is attached and the full plan is available on the website at www.diocesePBSchools.org .
The task force reviewed much of the science provided by epidemiologists, pediatricians, state and local health departments, the CDC and others. We also used the parent survey results from early June, which indicated that more than 74% percent of our parents wanted students to return to their classrooms. Ultimately, this became the goal of the task force: return students to the classrooms, where learning is maximized through teacher and student interaction. On July 6, 2020, Richard Corcoran, State Commissioner for Education, issued an order indicating that all schools would re-open in August for face to face instruction, five days a week. Our re-entry plan is in compliance with this order.
Strategic Social Distancing and Mandatory Facial Coverings
Students will be spread out as much as possible within our classrooms, but in most cases, the distance between desks will be less than 6 feet. For this reason, facial coverings will be mandatory, and we will follow the experts’ guidance on appropriate ages (currently 2 years old and above.) Strategic social distancing will be utilized. For example, elementary students will stay together in one group for most of the day and interaction with other students will be limited. In the event that someone within one classroom tests positive or is exposed to COVID-19, it would limit exposure to other groups of students within the school.
Some other key points include:
• Appropriate sanitation and disinfection through enhanced cleaning protocols are in place.
• Everyone coming on to campus should use the Self-Screening Checklist and will have their temperature taken upon arrival.
• Large gatherings and assemblies, including all-school Mass, are not recommended during the first quarter of the school year and until deemed safe. Gathering for Mass should follow diocesan protocols.
• Schools and centers will not allow normal visitation on campuses until further notice.
• If a student or household member is in a high-risk group, the parent may request at-home learning for their child. The format for this will vary from school to school. The principal must approve the request.
Over the next few weeks, the public schools will reveal their Re-Entry Plans. As some of our families have students in both our diocesan schools and public schools, we may have to adjust our plans to best accommodate these families. The course of the COVID-19 virus is also somewhat unpredictable, and we will also comply with any state, county or local ordinance or guidance that would include our schools.
Our intention is to follow this Re-entry Plan, but it could be that at any moment we may have to pivot to adapt to an ever-fluid situation. Before the start of the school year, each of our schools will have in place a Return to School Plan to reopen our school facilities and an Instructional Continuity Plan in the event that our school campuses are forced to return to at-home learning for all students. I am confident that we are prepared for the coming year.
We are grateful to you for your continued support and involvement in Catholic schools in our diocese. Our schools have responded admirably to this pandemic. It has been an extraordinary effort the last several months by our priests, administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents to make the very best of a difficult situation. I have been inspired by the perspective of many of our students as they wrote about their experiences this past year. For example, on July 1, we launched a new initiative titled: Have Faith, Our Future is in Good Hands, which showcases student profiles and direct quotes from those in our schools regarding their experience transitioning to virtual learning. To view these profiles, visit our social media sites or www.DiocesePBSchools.org . Here are three examples:
“After speaking with friends and family that attend local public school during this time, I am really able to appreciate how much more private schools offer and, specifically, St. John Paul II Academy’s effort to make the virtual experience straightforward and valuable. They are still teaching the regular course material that we would have been doing in class and I am learning new material regularly. Still, I miss being in school because of the SJPII community.”
Emaliese Caicedo, Saint John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton, FL
“There are many benefits to a Catholic education. Growing up in a Catholic family, I became accustomed to living my life through my faith. In addition to the faith I have received at home, going to school with the similar, if not the same environment, really showed me how important it is to incorporate your faith in all that you do. Without my faith, I would feel lost and astray from my life aspirations. In times like this, faith, especially comes into effect. With the outbreak of COVID-19 apparent worldwide, my faith aids in giving me assurance that all will be alright and fall into place with God’s will. As it has also had an effect on my education, this time in my life has shown me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Catherine Owens, Cardinal Newman High School
“During these challenging times, I have remained positive and cannot wait for this to pass. Although I do not see that happening anytime in the near future, I have faith that this is coming soon. I am so truly blessed to be a part of the John Carroll family and I’ve realized how grateful I am to be part of a community so full of faith, love and support.”
Ella Basile, John Carroll Catholic High School
Let us remain strengthened and united through our prayers as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. We are planning for another great year in our Catholic schools! As Catherine said above, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Gary Gelo
Superintendent of Schools
Dear St Joseph School, Thank you for the great water bottle. It is blue, one of my favorite colors! It was my honor and pleasure to Adopt A Class at your school. I hope I will be able to do it again. Thanks again! (Luke & Sofia Dujic’s Aunt)
You are most welcome! We thank you for your support and we love Luke and Sofia!!!! Blessings!
We can’t wait to be back in the classroom this fall with our Little Lambs and VPK Classes! So much fun, so much growing and so much learning!
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #DofPBSchools
Our sports teams bring their A-Game every time! We offer multiple sports opportunities, where students learn teamwork and sportsmanship, along with a drive to always be at their best!
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #dofpbschools
Our Little Lambs (3 years) and VPK classes are like no other! We begin promoting academic excellence in a loving and nurturing family environment, from the moment our littlest Chargers begin their school journey! ❤️
Enrolling now for the 2020-2021 School Year! Limited spots are available, so make sure to schedule your tour ASAP! Tours are available weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact us at admissions@sjscf.org or 772-287-6975 to reserve your spot!
#SomethingGreater #dofpbschools
