Dear CM Parents,
We are writing to you today to continue our regular updates of information regarding the coronavirus. As a school, we continue to stay up to date with information and engage with the appropriate agencies to guide our planning. Here at CM, the Coronavirus Task Force continues to meet regularly and is in contact with the Boston Public Health Commission, the Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Education. We are diligently following guidelines provided by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the
World Health Organization (WHO)
Currently, CM plans to continue its normal operations. Given the fluidity of the situation, we are assessing this daily. Since the coronavirus crisis began, we have been and will continue to prepare for any disruption to the regular operation of the school and we will communicate immediately any changes to the school’s normal routine.
As scheduled, CM will be closed for our faculty professional day on Friday. During the faculty professional day, teachers and administrators will continue to make preparations to continue coursework and student-learning online should a school closure become necessary. This weekend, we will provide another extended cleaning of our facilities.
For readiness purposes, we are going to ask that our students take all their books and needed materials home with them at the end of the day on Thursday. As we prepare for the possibility of a school closure, we do ask that families prepare their technology needs at home for any online learning. Students who do not have access to a computer should reach out to Mr. John Aversa immediately.
With Easter and April Vacation upcoming, we would also like to provide thoughts and guidance for planned travel in the next few weeks. Catholic Memorial is following guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education, the Department of Public Health, and Governor Baker, who recommend suspending any school-sanctioned international travel. These regulations are changing often as well.
In this moment, individual/family travel abroad should be guided by travel information directly from the CDC. The list of restricted/Level 3 countries and other travel guidelines is maintained
here
. Families choosing to travel to restricted/Level 3 countries will need to adhere to the quarantine recommendations established, which could result in the student missing days to weeks of school, depending upon the guidelines at the time of travel.
As the situation evolves, there is a real possibility that a school closure could occur. We are preparing for all possibilities, and will update you as this fluid situation evolves. We will continue to engage with our local and state partners to ensure best practices. As always, we will be forthcoming with new updates or changes.
For any members of our community who have concerns about chronic or compromised health conditions, please know that we plan to be as flexible and accommodating as possible with your needs in relation to attendance.
Please help us to maintain a healthy environment by following the school guidelines in terms of keeping your son home if he is sick. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
