Dear Parents:
I am writing today to provide our weekly COVID-19 update and share our schedule through March 5.
This past week, we had one positive COVID-19 case reported to Bishop Chatard. Recently, Marion County was assigned the advisory level of “orange.” The “orange” designation means that Marion County now has a positivity rate between 10% and 14.9%. This number is trending downward and I urge you to continue to support us in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our community and reducing the positivity rate.
In early January we decided to operate in our hybrid model until further notice. We have made the decision to stay in our hybrid model through the month of February and the first week of March ending on Friday, March 5. We will continue to evaluate the data that we are presented with and strive toward our ultimate goal of full in-person instruction. Here is a link to our updated schedule.
February is often the busiest month in education, and this year it is no different. We have made a few unique adjustments to our schedule that I would like you to be aware of.
Friday, Feb. 12, will be an “all virtual” teacher office hours day from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Bishop Chatard campus will be closed to students; however, teachers will be holding office hours to meet with students. Students and teachers should use this time as an opportunity for face-to-face conferencing and as a “reset” for students to get caught up with coursework. On this day teachers will not assign any new content or material to students.
On February 18 and 19 we will be conducting the 2020-2021 ISTEP+ testing with all juniors. The Bishop Chatard school building will be closed to students in grades 9, 10 and 12 on both days. All students in grade 11 will be in the building all day. Students in grades 9, 10 and 12 will be instructed “all virtual” on both days, while all students in grade 11 take the ISTEP+ test. All staff will livestream instruction from their classroom both days. We will follow the regular BC daily schedule. A few important points for our current juniors:
- Juniors will be in the building for a full day from 7:50 a.m. to 3:16 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, and from 7:50 a.m. to 2:16 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19.
- Juniors will still be able to purchase a hot lunch, but may bring their lunch from home on these days.
As stated earlier, our hope is to return to full in-person learning as soon as possible, taking into consideration all of the circumstances beyond our control and doing all that is possible within our control to provide a safe environment for students, faculty and staff. We also remain steadfast in our desire to minimize the impact of close-contact exposures that require multiple-day quarantine. Our hybrid model continues to provide us with a safe space where students can be at school every other day and not run the risk of close-contact exposure. The hybrid model allows us to remain six feet apart at all times.
Thanks always for your support as we continue to work through the challenges that are presented to our community. Please continue to pray for the success and safety of Bishop Chatard High School.
God bless,
