Catholic schools in the Diocese of Allentown also will have virtual learning as an option when schools reopen this year.
Diocesan schools announced recently that they will reopen for in-person learning in late August.
Every school will offer a virtual learning option, as outlined in each school’s Health and Safety Plan, recently approved by the diocesan Department of Education. The details may vary from school to school, and will be communicated to parents by the school. Plans will be posted on each school’s website.
“We recognize that some families will feel better if their student can attend school virtually at first, until they become more comfortable with returning in-person,” said Dr. Brooke Tesché, Chancellor of Catholic Education.
“We consider ourselves partners with parents in the education of their child, and we always try to be as responsive as possible to their feedback,” she said.
Dr. Tesché wrote to all school parents in the Diocese this week to provide more details on the virtual learning option, and on the steps schools are taking to create a healthy and safe environment for students, faculty and staff.
These steps include face coverings; social distancing; rigorous sanitization; daily health screenings for students, faculty, and staff; and restrictions on visitors.
The back-to-school plans are based on the expectation that Pennsylvania will remain in the Green Phase of the Coronavirus response. Diocesan schools also have drawn up contingency plans in the event the state moves back into the Yellow or Red phases.
“We will be monitoring conditions and health and safety guidance, and will be flexible as needed, while continuing to provide our students with quality, faith-based education,” Dr. Tesché said.
The Diocese’s Catholic schools serve 9,700 students in seven high schools, 27 elementary schools and three special learning centers in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
