RETURN-TO-SCHOOL PLAN

IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

"Catholic High, New Iberia ... dedicated to the development

of 4th – 12th grade students

through academic excellence and Christ-centered values

rooted in caring discipline, compassion, and zeal."

INTRODUCTION

We have created this plan to aid in navigating the reestablishment of an instructional environment where employees, students, and families feel safe and to reduce the impact of COVID-19 conditions upon returning to the school. The guidelines referenced in this plan are based on directives from the Diocese of Lafayette (DOL), with consideration given to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). Regular updates will be made to this plan as guidelines continue to evolve.

SECTION 1: SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS        3

DAILY PROTECTIVE MEASURES        3

SCREENING        3

HYGIENE PRACTICES        3

PHYSICAL DISTANCING        3

PROTOCOLS        4

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:        5

FACE MASKS:        5

PHYSICAL DISTANCING:        5

FACILITIES CLEANING        6

Shared Workspaces and Classrooms        6

Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol        6

VISITOR RESTRICTIONS        6

MASSES AND ASSEMBLIES        7

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS        7

PREVENTIVE MATERIAL INVENTORY        7

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING        7

COMMUNICATION METHODS        7

SECTION 2: INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY        7

LEVEL 1: Face-to-Face Instruction        8

LEVEL 2: Hybrid Instruction        8

LEVEL 3: Full-time Distance Learning        8

Due to Medical Necessity        8

Due to School Closure        9

Technology Assistance        9

SECTION 1: SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS

DAILY PROTECTIVE MEASURES

SCREENING

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure, we recommend that students and staff use the daily self-screen and stay home when exhibiting symptoms.

Contactless temperature scans will be conducted for students who develop symptoms during the school day. Symptomatic students will be required to leave campus.

HYGIENE PRACTICES

• Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds will be encouraged throughout the day.
• Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will be provided in classrooms and hallways.
• Hard surfaces will be sanitized at the end of each class.
• Gloves will be used as warranted.
• Water fountains will be disabled at this time. Students must bring their own clear, reusable water bottles.
• Social distancing of 3-6 feet will be practiced.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing is an effective way to prevent potential infection. Precautions include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining 3-6 ft of distancing.
• Controlling traffic flow and hallway congestion through the use of outside doors, green spaces, and staggered dismissals.
• Establishing maximum capacities for libraries, classrooms, restrooms, and locker rooms to maintain distancing as recommended by the appropriate agencies.
• Delivery of cafeteria lunches with disposable dishes and utensils.

PROTOCOLS

Catholic High continues to follow the guidance of the CDC, LDH, state of LA, and DOL in its administration of COVID precautions. The advice of physicians may be taken into account regarding quarantine measures, depending on individual circumstances.

In ANY case, please be sure to contact school administration should symptoms develop or exposure to a positive individual occur so that we can provide appropriate support and accurate guidance.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

Because there is an increased risk of post-quarantine transmission associated with options to shorten quarantine, individuals who had close contact with infection may not participate in any activities with a higher risk of spreading the virus (i.e., extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, including sports teams, P.E. classes, music instruction, field trips, etc.) or take part in any activity that cannot maintain a 6-foot physical distancing until 10 days from contact. After 10 days, students and staff members in quarantine may resume all activities provided by the school.

All school activities, including field trips and overnight travel, can be held if current CDC and LDH guidelines are followed.  Schools should post signs throughout campus indicating when face masking and physical distancing are in effect.

FACE MASKS:

There is no universal masking required in schools at this time.  Wearing a face mask continues to be optional in general for those not listed as requiring masking to return to school.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING:

Students should maintain at least 3-feet of physical distancing. Activities and classes that involve increased exhalation should continue to be held outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces, whenever possible. Buses may operate at 100% capacity if all passengers are masked, the windows open, and assigned seating charts are utilized and enforced.

FACILITIES CLEANING

Prior to reopening, our buildings have been completely cleaned and disinfected, and we will continue to adhere to all necessary safety precautions.

GENERAL DISINFECTION MEASURES

Employees are required to disinfect their own workspace multiple times throughout the day, giving special attention to commonly touched surfaces. Catholic High School has alcohol-based hand sanitizers in classrooms, offices, throughout the workplace, and in common areas. Cleaning sprays and wipes are also available to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards. The Catholic High School Custodial Team will clean all workspaces at their designated cleaning times during the day and in the afternoon.

Shared Workspaces and Classrooms 

Sharing of workspaces and classrooms will be minimized or eliminated to reduce exposure to risks. Capacity will be restricted in accordance with current CDC guidelines to allow for appropriate distancing. Signage indicating restrictions will be posted as needed. Frequently touched surfaces in shared workspaces and classrooms will be disinfected as groups or individuals exit.

Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol

Deep cleaning is triggered when an active employee or student is identified as positive for COVID-19 based on testing. Deep cleaning will be conducted by custodial staff using appropriate materials as advised by the appropriate agencies.

VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

The safety of our staff and students remains our primary concern. Once school begins, only personnel and students will be allowed on campus during the school day. Catholic High School will maintain a closed campus until further notice. Only essential personnel and students will be allowed. No volunteers and no parents will be allowed on campus without prior approval of administration. Approved visitors must participate in a health screen.

Car and bus lines will work in the same way as always. Beginning at 8:00am and lasting until dismissal, all three gates on de La Salle Drive will be closed and locked along with the bus loop entrance gate. All student check-outs and check-ins will be conducted through the main entrance at Bank and Admiral Doyle, including tardy students who arrive after gates have been closed.

MASSES AND ASSEMBLIES

Under current guidance and in order to maintain prescribed distancing, Masses will be held in a modified manner by upper (grades 9-12) and lower (grades 4-8) divisions on alternate weeks. When not in attendance in person, students will participate in the Mass via a live-stream link in their second period classrooms. Where feasible and allowed by health guidelines, events such as pep rallies may be held in outdoor spaces.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Catholic High School will continue to follow the guidelines of the Diocese of Lafayette regarding student and staff travel.

PREVENTIVE MATERIAL INVENTORY

The school shall maintain an adequate supply of the following materials for students and employees:

1. Soap, disinfection, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and tissues
2. Gloves and other protective gear
3. Contactless thermometers for on-site employee and student screening

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

The school will maintain online social-emotional well-being resources for parents, teachers, and students to access. The Guidance Counselor and Dean of Students will work with students and teachers individually or in small groups to address any well-being needs.

COMMUNICATION METHODS

To stay updated on the most up-to-date information:

1.  check email often.
2.  visit our school website.
3.  follow our social media platforms.
4.  access Google Classroom.

SECTION 2: INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY

Instruction for all subjects will be conducted throughout all levels of our instructional delivery plan. For grades 4-8, enrichment classes may be abbreviated during full distance learning. Attendance will be taken and students held accountable for truancy in all modes of delivery.

Distance learning instruction will be delivered via Google Classroom or Moodle. Students will receive direct instruction on the use of preferred digital tools and platforms from their teachers. To the extent possible, single sign-on (SSO) with Google will be used to prevent the need for remembering multiple user names and passwords.

Catholic High School will utilize the following levels of instructional delivery in accordance with diocesan guidelines dependent upon the recovery phase and respective protocols.  In all levels, COVID-19 PROTOCOLS MUST BE ADHERED TO. The determination of the school is subject to change as COVID-19 conditions, as well as local, state and federal regulations change. Parents and students will be notified of such developments as warranted.

LEVEL 1: Face-to-Face Instruction

• Catholic High will follow current guidance from the Diocese of Lafayette regarding group size.
• Static groups will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.

LEVEL 2: Hybrid Instruction

• Two student cohorts will be created school-wide. Students from the same household are kept in the same cohort.
• Cohort A and Cohort B will report to campus for face-to-face instruction on alternating days.
• When not in attendance on campus, instruction and assignments will be delivered virtually via Google Classroom or Moodle.

LEVEL 3: Full-time Distance Learning

• Our established Chromebook programs provide the foundational skills and knowledge to meet learning expectations in a distance learning  environment. Part of our return-to-school plan is the incorporation of direct instruction in and hands-on use of digital tools in the classroom to build capacity and confidence in students of all age levels.
• GoGuardian restrictions and notifications will be in place for monitoring and preventing access to inappropriate content. We know there may be unforeseen hardships and obstacles. Students must communicate with their teachers through email if there are any questions or concerns. 
• This category of instruction will only be utilized by Catholic High School in extreme cases as described below as deemed necessary by school administration or diocesan guidelines:

Due to Medical Necessity

This category applies to students who must remain home due to diagnosed medical needs OR because they are currently following quarantine protocol.

Instructional delivery will occur via live streamed or pre-recorded lessons from classrooms, mirroring the school’s regular schedule.

Due to School Closure

The second category applies to mandated school closure. Full distance learning protocol will be implemented in the event of a school closure. Instruction will be delivered via Google Classroom or Moodle using a variety of synchronous and asynchronous modes as well as tools students receive training on during face-to-face instruction.

Technology Assistance

During Distance Learning, all students will be required to log into previously established online platforms for each class, such as Google Classroom, Moodle, and RenWeb. These platforms can be accessed through any device with a browser, including Chromebooks, laptops, desktops, PlayStations, XBoxes, tablets, and smartphones. In addition, several Internet service providers are offering free and/or low cost Internet access. These include:

• https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html (Cox)
• https://internetessentials.com/ (Comcast)

Students in need of technical support can email it@chspanthers.com to create a help desk ticket for remote support items such as trouble logging in.