2020-2021 School Year

As the school year comes to a close, we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times with the intent of making informed decisions when determining next steps for the safety of our St. Patrick School community. While we remain prayerful that we will make a return this fall with our school family together once again, I understand that there may still be questions regarding alternative plans for the next school year in the event that we are unable to fully open our doors.

As the leader of the St. Patrick School, I want to always be transparent with you and I want you to know that I wish I could provide a clear and detailed plan for the upcoming school year. While I cannot share all the details at this time, it is important that I communicate what we do have in place for the 2020-2021 academic year. Currently, I have organized a task force to discern, analyze, and determine a detailed plan for reopening in the fall. We will continue seeking guidance from federal, state and local authorities, including the New Jersey Department of Health and the CDC, ensuring that all safety protocols will be met. To see some of the guidance that the CDC has given schools, please follow the link here. You can also see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics here.

For a quick summary of what we are developing, the Coronavirus Task Force, Education Council, Fr. Bob and I have been reviewing four scenarios that we see for St. Patrick School for the fall: A.) Open on schedule in September in a regular school mode; B.) Open on schedule with social distancing, PPE, necessary technological equipment for all students in grades PK3-8 to facilitate various modes of learning and modified schedules so that all students may be on campus for some — if not all — of each day; C.) Blended learning (live and in-person at school AND online classes with live instruction for students in grades PK3-8) with some type of alternate scheduling; D.) Remote learning until the state allows a transition to plan “C” above followed by a transition to “B” and, then, “A.” With all of these scenarios also comes the questions of whether or not we will be able to bring students together for large gatherings, including lunch, Morning Prayer and other assemblies, music classes and concerts, etc. Also, what will our Physical Education and competitive sports programs look like or will they happen at all? And, finally, what health, hygiene and cleaning protocols will our janitorial staff, nursing staff and/or teachers have to implement on a daily, weekly and monthly basis? I am aware that some of the private high schools have started to announce their plans. Please be mindful that our student population is not the same. Our students are not all independent and the expectations must be different. Just like all schools are not the same, the plans for September will not be the same.

While we are doing all of this, we are also working with the Diocese of Paterson Catholic Schools Office and the School District of the Chathams on busing plans. While our goal is to provide as much busing as possible to those who qualify for it in the Borough and the Township, we are currently consulting with our transportation provider in accordance with CDC guidelines regarding social distancing on school buses. It is possible that mitigation efforts involving social distancing will dramatically reduce the number of available seats on the buses for the 2020-2021 school year.

While none of these plans are final, we are working on the various scenarios above to ensure that no matter what of the ever-changing guidance we receive, St. Patrick School is prepared. I reiterate that the above is just a brief synopsis of what COULD be possible IF schools open with a strict adherence to the guidelines published to date. The extent to which the above may become reality will likely be determined at a state level. As we know more, information will be shared with our school community. I ask, again, for your patience and understanding as I can assure you that this will change multiple times in the days and weeks ahead. I also ask for you to be open-minded about what the reality of school will be like in the fall and understand that we will all have to adjust to the “new normal” and know that the “new normal” will in fact look very different than before.

Counseling Services

We know how stressful this time can be. If you feel that your child is in need of counseling, please find the resources below:

• TRAUMATIC LOSS COALITION CENTRAL OFFICE – 732-235-2810
• FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES MORRIS COUNTY 973–586-5243
• NEWBRIDGE CRISIS RESPONSE AND SUPPORT Crisis Counseling – 888-746-9333