July 2, 2020

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
RETURN TO SCHOOL TASK FORCE 2020

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is committed to educating the whole child. As we focus on our return in the Fall, it is essential that our planning encompasses not only the health and safety of our students, faculty, and families but also how to deliver a solid education utilizing the tools and resources available to our staff and students at any given time and in any given phase of re-opening. To accomplish this, we have, and will continue to, review the state and local guidelines for public safety as they pertain to schools. We have also collated the data from our school survey and feedback from teachers. Today, the Diocese of Orange released its guidelines which encompass directives from state and local government agencies as well as feedback from the Diocesan survey from June. This final input has provided the parameters that will allow us to begin the process of laying out a targeted and specific plan of action for moving forward.  

Our ideal scenario has us opening our classrooms fully in the Fall beginning on August 24. Five days of in-person instruction is highly desired amongst all stakeholders. The accomplishment of this goal will require collaboration, communication, and full support from all parties. To this end, we are launching a Return to School Task Force. The purpose of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Return to School Task Force is to harness the skills, knowledge, and resources of our community at large to build plans for the reopening of school on August 24. The Task Force will be comprised of five sub-committees, which will gather additional viewpoints from parents, teachers, staff, and parish representatives. These committees will report information back to school administrators and the Parent Advisory Board to create domain-specific flows of information to support effective decision making.

Sub-committees will include:
 
  • Logistics and Planning
  • Creating and Maintaining Community/Mental Health and Wellness
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Maintaining Catholic Identity in Virtual Spaces
  • Technology

Committees will meet during the month of July on a weekly basis beginning the week of July 13. Should you desire to participate or provide feedback to any of the sub-committees, please email taskforce2020@sfayl.org . Our collective efforts in the common goal of safely returning to school in August is what we need to be successful. At this time, a plan is also in place for those families who prefer to keep their students home until a vaccine is readily available. Together we are stronger!

In alignment with the Task Force’s sub-committee, Creating and Maintaining Community/Mental Health and Wellness, the school will provide weekly updates to families and employees regarding the discussions, decisions, and actions of the Return to School Task Force and Committees. All SFA staff members and families will be notified each Thursday when new updates are posted.

For updated information regarding our return to school plans, please visit: https://www.sfayl.org/apps/pages/covid-19_updates

Kindly keep us in your heartfelt prayers as we move forward to fulfill the mission of the Gospel.

Be safe and be hopeful,

Jeannette Lambert
Principal