FAQs - Return to School - St. Louis Catholic School

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions we have received regarding St. Louis School's re-opening plan. Check back often as this page will be updated as we continue on this journey together. If you have a question that is not listed below, please send it to Mrs. Dyke ([email protected]) Chances are, you are not the only family with that question, and we will do our best to address it as soon as possible.

2020-21 Enrollment

My child is enrolled in the hybrid instruction. How do a I know which days are considered Blue or White for in-person instruction?

"Blue" and "White" days are noted on the school calendar up until Christmas break. The color of the day indicates which group of students is expected to attend school for in-person instruction on that day; students on the team color not listed will attend virtually that day. For example, September 8 is a "White" day. Students on the White team will attend in-person while students on the Blue team will attend virtually. Students enrolled 5 days in-person or on a fixed 2- or 3-day schedule are not placed on a Blue or White team and should plan to attend in-person on their respective days.

(Note: To simply view the Hybrid Schedule alone on the school calendar, make sure only the "Hybrid Schedule" box is checked under the calendar grid.)

Why is there an additional COVID fee for the 2020-21 school year?

I am not happy with my child's placement for the school year. Can I request a change?

When do I need to submit my enrollment form and indicate which option I choose for my child?

An Enrollment Form for each student currently registered at St. Louis Catholic School for the 2020-21 school year must be received by July 28, 2020. The link to the Enrollment Form was sent to current families via Constant Contact. If you are a prospective family visiting our site, please contact [email protected] for information about the admissions process. At this time, enrollment is being held at current numbers until all registered school families have been placed.

What enrollment options are available for the 2020-21 school year?

Students will have the option of attending in-person instruction 5 days a week, a hybrid model with 2 or 3 days in-person instruction with the remaining days completed virtually, or full virtual instruction. Priority will be given to children of essential workers for the 5-day in-person instruction. A virtual instructional model for those students considered at risk or vulnerable due to the COVID-19 virus or whose families feel more comfortable at home will be offered through Zoom video conferencing and a specialized schedule to allow for more synchronous instruction.

If I choose to disenroll my child from St. Louis Catholic School, what do I need to do?

If I disenroll my child for this school year, can you hold their spot for the following year?

Will there be any adjustments made to tuition for the hybrid or virtual instruction options?

No, the tuition at St. Louis School covers our operating expenses including the safety and sanitizing measures to maintain the facility in new ways during this COVID-19 period as well as the technology equipment necessary to offer hybrid and virtual instruction options. Approximately 85-90% of annual tuition is directed toward employee salaries leaving the remaining operating and school improvements to be covered by student services like EDC as well as the PTO and our Annual Fund. Should your family experience an extreme financial hardship due to this pandemic crisis, please let Fr. O’Hare and Mrs. Dyke know so we can meet with you.

Can I request that my children be on different schedules?

Does this re-opening plan include St. Louis Preschool?

Orientation Week

Do all students attend orientation every day the week of August 31st?

Students (not parents) will attend orientation only on the designated day for their group (see below). These small group orientations throughout the week of August 31 will allow for a better opportunity for students to get to know some of the early procedures and process changes as well as allow us time to work through some potential glitches with the new drop off and pick up procedures.

Monday, Aug. 31, 9-11:30am -- 5 Days In-person Students
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 9-11:30am -- 2 or 3 Days fixed In-Person Students
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9-11:30am -- All Virtual Only Students
Thursday, Sept. 3, 9-11:30am -- Blue Team
Friday, Sept. 4, 9-11:30am -- White Team

Are the student orientation sessions in-person or virtual?

Do students need to wear their uniforms to orientation?

What should students bring to orientation?

What about orientation for parents of Kindergarteners and new 1st-8th grade students?

When do all students begin regular full instruction?

Regular full instruction begins Tuesday, Sept. 8 which is a "White" day for in-person instruction. Students on the White team, 5-day in-person students, and students on a fixed Tuesday schedule will attend in-person while all other students will attend virtually. The school day is 8am-3:10pm. EDC will be available. Please see the school calendar for dates of the "Blue" and "White" days.

Virtual Learning

What is the daily virtual schedule for students?

Virtual students days will follow the general school footprint of 8:45am-3:00pm with breaks throughout the day. Families wanted synchronous instruction—it is not an easy task for K-8. Currently, the intention is to set the schedule that the beginning of each content area would provide synchronous direct instruction for approximately 20 minutes. Students will then be able to take a “break” to do independent work.

Will virtual students attend class in real time with their in-person classmates?

Students at home will participate with their classmates in the building via Zoom. A link will be provided for the class for the entire day that students will drop in and out of for appropriate content instruction—there is a “coffee break feature” that can be utilized by students so as not to be on camera or online while completing independent work. Classroom teachers will be teaching in real time. Classes will not be recorded.

Will there be one grade level teacher for in-person instruction, and one grade level teacher for virtual instruction?

Financially, we cannot hire a separate set of teachers for virtual instruction. Classes will be taught by grade level teachers who will be working together and partnering on pacing and planning. Students who learn virtually or remotely will be taught in real time with students in-person. There will be additional “co-teachers” to assist the classroom teacher. These instructional assistants or other St. Louis instructional staff will provide some small group meetings with students to expand or reinforce instruction. Small groups will happen 2-3 times per week.

How much time will virtual students spend in front of the computer "attending class" and how much time will be spent offline working independently?

What are virtual students expected to do during breaks?

Do virtual students have recess and PE breaks? Will there be suggestions on what they do, or is it free time?

Health, Safety and Mental Health

Will there be temperature checks or health screenings for students and staff before they enter the school building each day?

Daily health screenings will be required for all faculty, staff and students prior to arrival through the use of SchoolPass, the school’s new online security, safety and paperless platform which integrates with PowerSchool, our SIS portal, to maintain the confidentiality of student and staff information. Students, staff and visitors will utilize the SchoolPass app to complete the COVID-19 related screening process prior to entering the building. Anyone who does not meet the health standards set in the screening is asked to call the school and speak to the nurse for follow-up before coming to school. The nurse will provide guidance on whether attendance is possible.

If there is a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the school building, what will happen?

Will the use of masks be required? And if so, are there any guidelines?

Faculty, staff, and students will be asked to wear masks while in the building, walking in the hallways, while using the restrooms, or when appropriate social distancing of 6 feet is not possible. Face shields will be provided by the school as an option for additional use in the classroom setting. Students will provide their own masks to wear. As we understand students need to be comfortable with their mask, we ask that each family send in two additional cloth face masks for their child to be left in the classroom in case one becomes soiled or lost. All masks should be a solid color, no logos or designs, and in the surgical mask style per CDC guidance. Neck gators and masks with valves are not acceptable. Masks for children will not be worn during mealtimes or nap time. Extra disposable masks will be provided and stored in the classroom and the clinic if a student needs a replacement or if a student is observed displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Several popular vacation destination states are popping up as "hot spots." Will families visiting those states prior to the start of school or anytime during the school year be required to quarantine 14 days upon return before being able to attend school in-person?

If a staff member or St. Louis School family travels outside of the DC metro region, St. Louis School will enforce the Virginia Department of Health’s guideline for self-isolation for 14 days before being allowed to return to school. St. Louis School reserves the right to impose its own quarantine guidelines based upon CDC guidelines and current restrictions set by surrounding states (i.e. Maryland and Washington, D.C.). Families will be asked to provide travel plans to the school office so we can partner with them to ensure the safe return to the school building.

How often will the school facilities be cleaned and in what manner?

St. Louis Parish has hired 2 janitors to have on site during the school day for enhanced cleaning and sanitizing. In addition, we will continue our contract with PMM cleaning company for nightly janitorial services. St. Louis School will follow the guidelines from the CDC on how to clean and disinfect various surfaces. PMM’s cleaning routines ensure that the school is clean from many different viruses and other germs, to keep our students, visitors and staff healthy. Their well-trained maintenance crew uses a systematized cleaning and disinfection routine, with the use of OSHA-approved sanitizing equipment, cleaning materials and disinfection products.

What restrictions will be in place for water fountain and restroom use?

How will classrooms be configured for social distancing?

If my child is enrolled in virtual instruction, do we still need to provide health forms and immunization records to the school?

Meals

Will hot lunch be available to students?

Where will students be eating lunch?

Can my child bring his/her lunch in a lunch box, or must we use a disposable bag?

The CDC recommends to reduce/minimize the amount of back and forth of items between home and school wherever possible. Brown bag lunches with all disposables meets that recommendation and is highly encouraged. However, students who wish to bring lunch in a cloth or fabric lunch box that is insulated will be allowed. Please make sure your child's name is clearly marked on any lunch box (or anything else they bring to school). Any items left at the end of the day will be thrown out. We will not be keeping lost and found items during the pandemic.

Volunteers & Visitors

Can parents volunteer in the classroom?

Can parents enter the school building to drop off or pick up their child?

Uniforms

Do students need to wear their school uniform when attending class virtually?

Students who are participating in the online virtual program must dress in either the uniform polo shirt, the jumper and blouse or the PE shirt (if it is a PE day for their class) and follow St. Louis School's grooming policies outlined in the school handbook in order to maintain the learning environment virtually. Those students who do not adhere to this policy will meet with the school administration and be issued consequences.

Must face masks match the school uniform?

Can my child use a lanyard to hold his/her mask when not in use?

This year a new PE t-shirt was introduced. Can the light blue t-shirt still be worn?

Extracurricular Activities

Will extracurricular activities be offered?

Will there be CYO sports?

Will band instruction be offered?