“Covid-19 is a health problem with the potential to bring about devastating results to people of all ages.” In view of Covid-19 pandemic, it is our goal at St. John, to ensure that every student, catechist, staff person, and parent is protected the best we can while attending on-site faith formation sessions. We want to encourage everyone to look beyond the self as we care for one another and keep everyone safe.
The following guidelines for the school year reflect what we know from the Archdiocese of Dubuque, St. John parish, the CDC, and Mt. Vernon and Lisbon school polices for 2020-2021.
Screening Process:
Masks: All students, catechists, parents, staff are asked to wear facial masks, for their protection and for the protection of those they encounter. Masks must cover both the mouth and the nose and are to be worn during the time spent in the parish. If you do not come with a mask, there will be some available for use. All Catechists/Aides/Hall Monitors/Staff must be wearing masks or a shield and mask, always. If there is a health reason a mask cannot be worn, please provide an excuse from your Doctor. If a mask cannot be worn, check into wearing a face shield or consider signing up for homeschooling.
Taking Temperatures: If you have a child who is running a fever or is feeling ill, please keep them home. If preschool thru 8th grade student miss a faith formation class, they will be able to make it up by utilizing Pflaum online resources. This year we have switched all grades from Preschool to Eighth Grade over to Pflaum. Pflaum materials can easily be accessed both digitally for those who home school and the on-site learning sessions. Very user friendly! High school students will contact De Wagner.
Restrooms: Restroom doors will remain open with one student allowed restroom use at a time.
Classes held outside: If classes are held outside and social distancing is observed masks can be removed during that time.
Class Sizes: Each classroom will have from ten to twelve students, depending on location of room. Some grades will be meeting in larger groups in rooms that will provide safe-distancing and safety protocol that is in place for Covid-19. High school will meet in lower level and has substantial room for all.
Dismissal of classes:
Homeschool:
Homeschooling family packets will be available for pick-up on the following dates: September 08, October 27, December 31, March 2 for grades preschool thru eighth grade. Packets will be in the gathering space.
Packets will contain: all lessons for the period for your student/s grade.
The Director of Faith Formation will meet with individual families, preschool thru eighth grade via zoom monthly. Times will be provided once all families have registered and the director of faith formation has visited with you.
Homeschool - High School:
De Wagner, YM, will be in contact with each homeschooling family with high school students to plan. Zoom meetings will be part of the curriculum.
Bibles: If your family does not have a Catholic Bible, we will provide one.
Pflaum access: Once I have family names, I will begin sending you the access information you need to access Pflaum digitally.
Doors to rooms will remain open during class time to allow for better air circulation. This includes restroom doors. Tower or window fans will not be allowed. Windows can be opened if weather permits.