A Parent Guide for Reopening

A Parent Guide for Reopening Maine Catholic Schools (updated 8/25/20)

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT THIS YEAR

In late July, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland developed “Reopening Our Schools: A Planning Framework for the 2020-21 School Year”. This plan, updated on August 25, 2020, is designed to help schools and parents successfully and safely reopen our school buildings to students this fall. The plan also reflects important guidance from the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our Maine Catholic schools have a long history of providing high quality Catholic education. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the school year to come.

ALL STUDENT IN-PERSON LEARNING

Our plan allows us to welcome back all students for full-day instruction, five days a week, in our school buildings.

COHORT MODEL

Students in Pre-K through 8th grade will be assigned to a “cohort”, a specified group. Students within a cohort should remain physically distant - 6 feet apart. To contain any illness, cohorts will not interact with each other during the day. If children attend before or aftercare, they will be placed in a cohort combining grades (e.g., PK1, 2-4, 5-8), due to numbers.

BUILDING LAYOUT

In order to keep cohorts intact, schools are evaluating pick-up and drop-off procedures, routes within the school building, etc. Signage and tape on the floors will be used to assist clarity in traffic flow.

FACE COVERINGS (updated 8/25/20)

All individuals over the age of 5 will be required to wear a cloth face mask when they arrive at school. Face coverings may only be removed during designated times and activities (such as while eating, at recess, and during designated outdoor classes, activities, and breaks), if students remain physically distant, six feet away from each other. Students with specialized needs may have the option for alternative appropriate face coverings with prior approval.

TEMPERATURE CHECKS

Parents will be required to take the temperatures of their children daily, prior to dropping them off at school. Temperature checks may also occur as students enter the school building and as needed throughout the day.

INFECTION PROTOCOLS

Our plan provides for clear guidance on how to address individuals with COVID-19 symptoms and/or positive COVID-19 tests.

REMOTE LEARNING OPTION

Families who choose not to have their children return to school in person will have a remote learning option through their child’s school.