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July 3, 2020

Diocesan Catholic schools plan for full-time reopening

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

 

Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph Cecelia Haier, administrator of St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee and diocesan superintendent Daniel Baillargeon check social distancing in the school’s library. (iObserve photo/courtesy of Joshua Agnew)

 

SPRINGFIELD – There will be full-time, in class instruction this fall in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Springfield, according to Daniel Baillargeon, superintendent of schools. In an interview July 2 with Catholic Communications, Baillargeon said he and Joshua Agnew, assistant superintendent of schools for the diocese, have been traveling to each school in the diocese meeting with administrators to assess each building meets health and safety requirements due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have enough space to accommodate our current enrollment and we have limited space to accept new students,” said Baillargeon, as he finished an assessment of St. Stanislaus Elementary School in Chicopee Thursday morning. “Our schools can provide full-time care for students at this time which is really important for families.”

Students in the 12 elementary and two Catholic high school in the diocese have been learning remotely since mid-March when the state of Massachusetts mandated that all schools be closed due to the pandemic.

Baillargeon said all of the diocesan run schools are equipped to serve students in person and a plan is in place to do so safely.

“We know in person, teacher to student instruction is the most effective way for students to learn,” said the superintendent. “That’s why in observing all the social distancing requirements we have, we are designing all our schools in such a way to maximize this kind of instruction.”

Baillargeon also noted that the faith component of a Catholic education can best be transmitted in person.

“By having the teachers and students physically together, we’re best able to transmit the Catholic teaching to our students that they are loved by God and loved by the people around them,” he said.

Joshua Agnew, diocesan assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, checking out the gym at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee. (iObserve photo/courtesy of Daniel Baillargeon)

Each school in the diocese will begin the 2020-2021 academic year in conjunction with their local public school district, with most starting the week before Labor Day.

Plans in place in each elementary school and at St. Mary High School in Westfield include:

  • Desks in classrooms will be placed six feet apart.
  • Students and teachers will wear personal protective equipment based on age and need.
  • Buildings will be regularly cleaned and sanitized following local public health guidelines.
  • Frequent hand-washing and hand sanitizing will be provided and encouraged.
  • Time outdoors will be encouraged and increased.
  • School personnel will follow diocesan guidelines for safety.
  • All schools will follow the diocesan directives for liturgy and students will be encouraged to attend Mass as part of their program.

Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield is an independently operated Catholic school. Officials there have received the diocesan guidelines and are developing their own plan, said Baillargeon.

Baillargeon said that the diocese is fortunate that each school is large enough for students and staff to be able to properly social distance and that all school programs, including gym and music classes will be held.

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