Catholic Diocese of Greensburg unveils school reopening plans
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg intends to have its students return to the classrooms of its 12 parochial schools in four counties for the new school year, but those plans could change depending on government mandates.
The reopening plan, developed over the summer through a school safety task force, will be updated to reflect any changes in the government mandates for school, said Maureen Marsteller, superintendent of Catholic schools in Westmoreland, Fayette, Armstrong and Indiana counties. The plan complied with recommendations and mandates of the state education and health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“There could be changes in an hour. We will just really work with it,” Marsteller said.
Students will be able to take advantage of distance learning should the student or a family member become ill or exposed to covid-19 or if the family believes it is unsafe for the student to return to school .
Buildings will be sanitized and the diocese is working to acquire clear tri-fold desk shields called “hygiene” barriers for student desks or tables to improve safety. Some suppliers in the area have those barriers, Marsteller said.
“We recognize that some students may be apprehensive about returning to the brick-and-mortar school despite the efforts being taken to ensure a safe return for the school community. If this is the case, options for engaging in distance learning before transitioning back to on-site education may be discussed with a school administrator,” she said.
If someone in the school community is exposed to covid-19 or becomes ill, the procedures that will be followed will be detailed on the school websites, Marsteller said.
Starting dates for the 12 Catholic schools — 10 elementary and two junior-senior high schools — vary depending upon starting dates of the public schools, said Jerry Zufelt, a diocesan spokesman. Aquinas Academy in Greensburg will open first on Aug. 20, with the last school opening set for Sept. 1.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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