At this time last year, we were making final preparations to welcome students back to Notre Dame Academy for in-person learning. We started our planning for just a few weeks at a time not knowing what each day would bring. However, together as a team of staff, students, and families, we not only met this crazy COVID challenge but succeeded in helping our students grow and learn in so many ways in person all year long!
Fortunately we will be able to return to some typical school activities this fall including middle school students traveling to their classes, activities and athletics resuming, younger students traveling to their specialists, and our school gathering together for Mass. We are also planning for an in person Grand Beginnings event at this time.
Although we can return to some normal school procedures, the pandemic is not over. Our number one commitment continues to be keeping students safe and healthy while learning in person. As required by MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, we have created a Safety Plan. NDA had hoped to announce a mask optional policy, but much new information has come before us the last couple weeks (more guidance from public health officials and medical organizations, increasing case numbers in Hennepin county, and neighboring school districts announcing their own mask mandate policies). In light of this new information, we recognize the need to be very thoughtful in our approach. We appreciate the input we have received (all viewpoints!) from parents, teachers/staff and neighboring Catholic school leaders.
We hope that with a strong safety plan for September, we will keep our community in person with no need to quarantine (except positive cases of COVID). This will allow all students to learn at school which we know gives students the greatest opportunity for success. We will continue to evaluate the data and recommendations and adjust our plans as necessary. Hopefully October will bring fewer restrictions, and the vaccine for children under 12 will be available soon.
We are so excited for our students to return to NDA in just a few short days! We know that through a multi-layered approach, we can successfully mitigate the risks associated with COVID. Although there is no guaranteed solution, we are confident that by remaining vigilant as a community, with each and every member doing their part to care for themselves and one another, we can once again create a safe and successful learning environment for our students.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Bonita Jungels Fr. John Bauer
Principal Canonical Administrator
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
SAFETY PLAN FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
Learning Model
All students will learn in-person, on-campus, each day. Students who are absent for any reason (illness, quarantine, lab-confirmed case of COVID, etc.) will follow normal procedures i.e. communicate with the teacher(s) to understand how their child can best make up work while absent. NDA will not be offering a distance learning option for students.
Masks
Wearing a mask will be required for all students K-8 and adults for the months of August and September regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be worn while eating or outside. Classes will be encouraged to spend time outdoors while the weather is still beautiful.
Masks on Buses
All individuals are required by an Order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wear face coverings while in public transportation hubs and on all public transportation conveyances (airplanes, public buses, etc.), including school buses, both public and private. This means that any student riding on any bus will be required to wear a mask while on the bus.
Isolation
Any student who tests positive for COVID will isolate according to MDH guidelines, and we will report cases to MDH per state law. If your student has a lab-confirmed case of COVID, they may not return to school or school-sponsored activities until the following are met:
It has been at least 10 days since they first felt sick or tested positive for
COVID-19
They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using fever-reducing medication
Families will be notified when an NDA student has a lab-confirmed case of COVID.
Quarantine
Per MDH, students and staff who are masked DO NOT need to stay home even if they have had recent close contact with a confirmed case as long as they do not have symptoms and the case is not within their household.
Stay Home When Sick
Last year, families cooperated in keeping their students home when sick. This will continue to be the expectation this year in order to keep our community safe. Parents will be expected to do a health check of their children each morning before sending them to school. Students must stay home if any of the following symptoms are present:
Temperature over 100.0 degrees
Vomiting
Excessive coughing
Chills
Severe headache
Sore throat
Severe muscle pain
Loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath
Ventilation
This year we will continue increased airflow that circulates fresh air into the classrooms. The HVAC was upgraded last year with an ionization system and the classrooms not connected to the HVAC system have portable air ionization systems.
Cleaning and Hygiene
We will continue cleaning and sanitizing spaces each day. Students will continue to be instructed on the importance of regularly washing hands and teachers will provide opportunities for students to wash hands throughout the day. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building.
Lunches
We will have additional lunch sessions to social distance our students during lunch. This year preschool students will again eat in their classrooms to allow for these extra lunch sessions.
Visitors
Only essential visitors and vendors will be allowed inside the academic spaces at this time. Recess and lunch volunteers will be the exception.
Extracurriculars
We are currently planning for all extracurricular activities and athletics to resume.
School Mass
All students will attend Mass together. We will start the school year with Masses on Wednesdays at 2:40pm without guests. Our first school Mass will be held outdoors.
Social Distancing
We will social distance 3-6 feet as much as possible while still maintaining optimal opportunities for learning.
We will share more information in a timely manner as updates occur. Thank you for your support in helping our students learn and grow in a safe and healthy environment.
