We're 2 weeks away from starting the new school year. As we work to finalize plans, we want to keep you looped in.

As you may know, the DeKalb School District has decided to go to Remote Learning for the foreseeable future. Last evening, the St. Mary School Committee and Father Russell met to review the Return to Learn Plan to address some areas of concern that were brought up.

As of right now, we will continue to move forward with our school’s plan for reopening in-person. This can always change if the Diocese, State, or local governmental agencies state otherwise. It is important for our students and staff to be able to meet in person as much as possible at the beginning of school to develop a teacher and student relationship. Plans can always change as the need arises, and then our school will adjust accordingly. This may mean a hybrid schedule or a full remote schedule. Currently, all schools in the Rockford Diocese are still planning on in-person instruction.

Below is a list of changes that will take place in the plan:

1. We will have a soft start to the school year by making August 19-21st half days of school. Dismissal will take place at 11:00 AM. The afternoons of these three days will be used to meet with faculty and staff for planning or revising protocol as needed.
2. On days when it will be 90 degrees or higher, E-Learning days for all students will be implemented. This is due to the heat in the building on these hot days. Teachers will be responsible for planning a minimum of 5 instructional hours for students. This is a state requirement for E-Learning days. Classes will have to meet live and assignments posted via the Google Classroom. Attendance will be taken on these days. The decision of what days will be E-Learning days will be made at the beginning of the week by reviewing the weekly forecast. This will be sent out via email, posted on our social media, and a call will be made to the numbers listed in School Speak.
3. The use of outside time is very important. Instruction can be planned around subjects or activities that don’t require the use of technology. Each class has consumables and access to manipulatives that can be taken outside of the classroom to conduct teaching outside of the classroom. This will also help with concerns of ventilation on warmer days. Tents are still being used for shade purposes.
4. Lunch plans will be changed. There will be 3 designated areas in the building for students to eat lunch. Two areas in the Cafeteria will be set up for lunch and one area in the foyer of the gym. Students will be spread out to follow social distancing measures while not wearing masks. On days that are nice outside, students will eat lunch outside. Due to this change, lunch supervision will be needed and teachers will have to help out with supervision on a rotating basis.
5. As of today, the school will continue to follow the IDPH and DeKalb County Health Department guidance of what is considered a “contact”. The current rule is that anyone around a person that tested positive for more than 15 minutes and less than 6 feet apart will have to quarantine and monitor for symptoms. If there are two positive cases at the school, then, the entire school will have to go to remote learning for a designated time period. This is the current practice that the DeKalb Health Department is requiring. IDPH has not given any further guidance on this matter.
6. If the school does go to remote learning for a designated time period (not because of positive cases in the building) due to the Diocese, State, or local government agency request, then, teachers will be expected to come into the building to conduct remote learning from their classrooms. With the state requirement of a minimum of 5 instructional hours, live teaching from the classrooms and/or video lessons made from teachers instructing will be required. The state is requiring classes to meet on a regular basis face to face to allow for social interactions. Schedules will be shared with families of when live teaching will take place.

This year’s changes are only temporary. We have to continue to trust in the Lord at all times; and, be ready to adapt to challenges that will continue to happen due to the pandemic. 2020 has truly been a roller coaster ride for all of us.

If you are not going to be sending your child to our school this year due to concerns, please let the office know so that we can plan accordingly. There are a lot of moving parts to the planning for this year.

​Thank you for understanding.

Continue to pray for one another; and, an end to the pandemic.
Ashley Davis, Principal
Please email me at adavis@stmaryschooldekalb.com with any questions or concerns.