Dear Bishop Chatard parent,
As we’ve communicated previously, Bishop Chatard High School’s administrative team is closely monitoring developments with COVID-19 and the impact that this coronavirus may have on daily school operations. Although there are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Bishop Chatard, the latest data and analysis from leading health officials tells us that it is not a matter of if the virus will surface, but when.
After extensive consultation among school leaders, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and local health experts, the decision has been made to transition learning at Bishop Chatard to an e-learning format. Educational programs and digital platforms now in place allow us to make this change with the confidence that a high level of learning will continue.
The Bishop Chatard campus will close immediately and will remain closed through Friday, April 10. E-learning will take place March 16 through March 26 and April 6 through April 10, with a pause in learning for Spring Break – March 27 through April 3. There will be no classes tomorrow (March 13), but students/parents may stop by the Bishop Chatard campus between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to pick up books, medications and other items. All students/parents should enter through Door 10. The senior retreat currently in session will conclude Friday evening as planned.
After Friday, March 13, no students or adults will be allowed on campus without approval from the principal or president. School leadership will continue to monitor the situation and a decision will be made as to the format learning will take after April 10. While our school building is closed, intensive cleaning will continue within our school facilities to help ensure a safe environment when students return.
All athletic and extracurricular activities scheduled to occur during this four-week period will be postponed or canceled. The delay or cancellation of student activities is understandably disappointing for students and their parents, and school leaders are working to minimize the impact of this schedule change on our Trojan community as much as possible. The safety of our students, faculty and staff remains the motivating factor in our decision-making process. More information will be conveyed to you as soon as it is available.
Classes will begin using the e-learning format on March 16. Following are expectations for students, teachers and parents on an eLearning Day. I ask that you review this information as soon as possible.
What will a student do on an eLearning Day?
- Students will utilize Canvas for class instructional material.
- Students are required to complete an attendance form for each class. Each teacher will post the attendance form on their Canvas page. Failure to do so will result in a student being marked unexcused for that particular class and work submitted will not receive credit.
- Students are required to complete and submit all coursework as defined by the teacher.
- Student work will be graded and recorded in PowerSchool. Work is due at the date/time defined by the teacher.
- All teachers will be available for student questions via a Canvas discussion board during office hours from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The preferred mode of communication for an immediate teacher response should be this discussion board. Students should expect a delayed response if they communicate with teachers via email. Teachers will do their best to respond to an email within 24 hours.
What will a teacher do on an eLearning Day?
- Teachers will have learning targets, course content and the attendance form posted by 9 a.m.
- Teachers will be available between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for student support. Teachers will make every effort to answer questions promptly.
- Teachers will grade student work and enter grades in PowerSchool in a timely fashion.
What should a parent/guardian do on an e-learning day?
- Ensure that your child logs in to Canvas each day and completes all assigned course work and the attendance form for each class.
- Monitor PowerSchool so that you are certain your child is keeping up with assignments. Teachers will be diligent in keeping PowerSchool up to date.
- If your child is ill, please call the Bishop Chatard attendance line to report the illness.
COVID-19 is an unpredictable virus known to be highly infectious, and this “pause” in on-campus school operations will help Bishop Chatard do its part in thwarting the transmission of this disease. Please know that the safety and security of your children and all of our faculty and staff is of utmost importance to us. Thank you for your understanding of our response to this challenging situation and, especially, for entrusting your children to us.
God bless you and your children during our time apart.
