A letter from the Superintendent, in the event we are required to go to NTI…
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we look ahead to the 2020-21 school year. Diocesan Schools are planning for contingencies that may occur due to COVID-19′ s continued impact. We also are considering how to best serve our families and teachers in the next school year as we deal with the ongoing uncertainty. At present, we hope to start the new school year as originally planned on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. unless mandated otherwise by the Governor. As a result, the Bishop and the Superintendent have approved the following for the 2020-2021 school year:
For students in our Preschool Programs:
- If Diocesan Preschools are directed by state or local government to close for 10 consecutive school days or more during the school year due to COVID-19. Preschool students will transition to distance learning immediately. All full-time Preschool students wi ll be transitioned to half-day for tuition purposes and will receive a credit for the difference in the tuition for the days that distance learning is occurring.
- Tuition credits will be processed on January 15, 2021 for distance learning days in the fall and June 15, 2021 for distance learning days in the spring.
For students needing After School Child Care Services:
- We hope to offer After School Child Care services for the 2020-2021 school year. We recognize the need of many of our Diocesan Schools families 10 have not only a consistent s day per week school schedule, but after school services as well. Our goal is to provide After School Child Care Services; however, the structure and implementation of such services will be determined as we learn guidelines and ratios that will be required of our certified programs.
- Those enrolled in After School Services will not be charged for services during extended government mandated school closures.
Through collaborative efforts of your Diocesan School Principals we made these decisions and changes to alleviate fears and concerns and to help parents and famil ies as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year. Oue to the sudden and unexpected closure of the 2019-20 school year, tuition credits and refunds were not a feasible financial option for Diocesan Schools in light of our other continuing financial obligations and commitments. In reaching these decisions, we recognize that, unlike weather-related school closures, any school-wide COVID-19 delays or closures will likely not occur for a single school day or week. We have given careful thought and consideration to the feedback provided by our parents, families, and teachers. These changes and decisions are made to best serve the needs of parents, families, teachers, and our schools. While we recognize the limitations of distance learning for many of the age groups we serve, we would like to applaud our faculties for their outstanding connection, intentional planning, and creative offerings throughout this shutdown. We can now make these changes for the 2020-21 school year based on our ability to plan for them.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, we are optimistically preparing for the 2020-21 school year. We are eager to see our families. children, and teachers back at our Diocesan Schools, and we hope none of these contingencies are necessary. We are grateful for the continued support of the families and parents in the Roman catholic Diocese of Lexington community.
Sincerely,
Thomas O. Brown
Superintendent of Schools, Roman Gatholic Diocese of Lexington