Reopening letter
Action Alert from the USCCB
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PLEASE READ AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
July 10, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I pray you’re having a restful and safe summer. We are currently making plans for the opening of our academy on September 9, 2020. At that time, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy will be open to all students.
However, if you so wish, we are giving the option to those parents who would like to continue with Distance/Virtual Instruction at home to have their child remain at home and receive instruction through Distance/Virtual Instruction as has been done in the past few months.
Otherwise, we will begin classes with 12-15 students in each class depending on classroom footage, 6 ft apart, and we will be following all social distancing guidelines. Masks will be required to be worn by students while in the school building and, therefore, masks that accommodate your child should be sent in with your child daily.
All teachers, teacher aides, custodians, and staff members will also wear masks. We will have hand sanitizers in each room, and disinfection of everything in the classroom and halls, etc. every day and sanitizing during the day will occur. According to CDC regulations, students will remain in the same classroom all day to allow for the least amount of contact to others. Teachers will shift from class to class.
Because we are not permitted to gather them together, they will also have lunch in the classrooms.
All those entering the building will be screened for fever every morning. Therefore, it is a must that if your child does not feel well, they should remain at home. An isolation room for parents to pick their child will be set up near the nurse’s office in the event your child becomes ill during the day and must be removed from the classroom. All CDC precautions and requirements will be adhered to at our academy. It is of the utmost importance to keep everyone safe. Limited visitors will be in the building, and all visitors must follow the same safety precautions such as coming with masks on while in the building.
If you choose to have your child remain at home for instruction, please send an email informing me of this decision to ddibrino@olphca.org to let us know if your child will continue with remote learning. If we do not hear from you, then I will count your child as being instructed in our classrooms at school.
This information allows me to judge accurately the number of students we will be expecting to be home or in our building. More specific information will be provided to you if the CDC adds additional requirements.
May God bless you and watch over you,
Mrs. Frances DeLuca
Principal
Breaking News from our Principal
July 9, 2020
Dear Parent or Guardian:
It is with deep sadness we must announce the permanent closing of six of our Catholic academies, within the Diocese of Brooklyn, effective August 31, 2020, due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis on enrollment and finances – an issue faced by many Catholic schools in the region and across the nation.
This communication is to assure you that Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, our school, is NOT included in this announcement and is planning to reopen in September 2020, when New York City and New York State determine it is safe to do so.
We want to share our commitment that the tradition of Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens will continue. We are committed to giving all children an opportunity to receive a Catholic education.
The extended family of Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn must come together to mourn the losses suffered, pray for the future, and support our children, as many of them will need to transfer to a new Catholic Academy in the midst of very uncertain times.
Our smaller and caring community of Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have many advantages, as witnessed by how quickly we adapted to remote learning, to ensure and maintain our high standard of education. Our children knew that even though they were separated, they were not alone. Our devoted teachers and staff supported every child with the tools they needed to continue their education.
Planning is currently under way to serve all our students and school communities in the best way possible for the upcoming academic year, following state and health department requirements. More information about the reopening plan for your Catholic Academy or Parish School will be shared later in the summer, as guidance from the state and health officials evolves.
We look forward to continuing to care for and educate children with faith and knowledge in God’s plan for all of us.
Let us pray for every family, child, teacher, and school staff member at this time.
(from our Superintendent’s Letter to parents)
Sincerely,
Frances DeLuca
Principal