St. John Parent Handbook 2020-2021

“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 8^th 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:

1. Sunday—Preschool children will be picked up at their classroom by one adult and asked to observe social distancing as they immediately vacate the building.  Masks should remain in place until they reach their vehicle. 

2. Wednesday—6:00-7:15 p.m.: parents will receive notification of which area you are to pick up your children. One of two entrances will be used for dismissal, the lower level and the Education wing entrance.  Parents are not to come into the parish to pick up your children.  If you need to come in, please observe social distancing and wearing of a mask until returning to your vehicles.  High school students will leave from lower level, following safe-distancing and wearing of masks until in vehicle. 

• Preschool Children (age 4 by September 14) will be brought to room 107 by one parent.  Please sanitize hands and have a mask on. 
• Preschool children will not be dismissed during Mass at this time.
• Masks are to be worn by everyone.  If your child is not used to wearing a mask now is a good time to begin practicing a little bit each day. 
• Any snacks will be prepackaged.
• Hand sanitizer are available in the room.  Hand washing when called for. 

• Children must be wearing a mask and sanitizing their hands as they enter the building. Masks will be provided if they do not have one.
• If a parent brings them in, the parent should be wearing a mask as well.
• If classes are held outside and safe distancing is observed masks can be removed at that time.   
• There will not be any snacks
• Children must be taken, or go, to their room immediately.  If a catechist is not yet present, we ask that the parents wait in the classroom with the student/s and observe safe distancing if others are present. 
• During this time, we will not have music, nor any large gatherings.  Once they arrive for classes they will remain in the classroom unless they move to the outside when the weather is favorable.  
• Dismissal: See “Dismissal of Classes” above.    

• Students must be wearing masks.  Masks will be provided if you do not have one.
• Students must sanitize hands when they enter the building.  Sanitizer will be present in all rooms.
• Upon entering the parish go directly to your classroom.  All families will receive notice of your child/children/youth’s room number prior to classes beginning.  This is to help prevent any congestion.  If parents come in the building for any reason, please wear a mask and observe safe distancing.    
• There will not be any large gatherings in the Church proper.  Once in their classrooms they remain in the classroom until class is dismissed at 7:15 p.m. unless they can meet outside.     
• There will not be any snacks.
• Dismissal of classes: each family will receive instructions on where to pick up your student/s.  Parents are asked not to come into the building to get their children at this time.  We will be utilizing the different levels and entrances for dismissal.  See “Dismissal of Classes” above.     

• High school students enter the building through the lower level. 
• All students must be wearing a mask. A mask will be provided if they do not have one. 
• All students are asked to sanitize their hands as they enter the building.
• Safe distancing and wearing of masks are to be practiced
• All snacks must be prepackaged as well as drinks.
• During this time of Covid-19 restrictions all high school activities will take place in the lower level unless able to be outside. 
• At dismissal, masks are to be kept on until in their vehicle and safe distancing is to be practiced. 

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.