06/04/20Updated Message from Fr. Marc

To Our Community –

First, we hope you and your families are well. These are certainly unprecedented and trying times for all of us and we want you to know we are thinking about you and praying for you daily. When the final bell rang on March 12^th we did not expect to be finishing the last week of classes from our own homes and away from our students. This week marks the final week of classes for the 2019-2020 school year. We are in awe of our students’ and teachers’ ability to adapt to this new way of learning; but we understand that nothing can replace the in person learning experience. Our teachers have worked hard to make this transition as seamless as possible for our students. We know how eager they are to get back into the classroom and in front of our students.

We have heard from Governor Baker that our “Stay-at-Home” order has progressed to a “Safer-at-Home” order. We have created a Reopening Task Force to develop and implement a “Safe-at-School” plan which will address the delivery of classroom instruction in a safe secure learning environment. Like you, we have been watching the news closely and have heard from various health organizations including the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local authorities and other leading organizations and experts to guide and advise us in developing and implementing a reopening plan. In addition, we have also looked at plans developed by local colleges/universities and at schools that are beginning to open around the world. We are utilizing every resource that is made available to work towards the safest and most effective plan for reopening in the fall.

The Reopening Task Force is meeting regularly, working towards a September reopening for the 2020-2021 academic year. Our top priorities are developing a plan that:

• Ensures the safety and health of our students/faculty. This includes configuring our buildings, spaces, and schedules to meet the state and federal requirements and recommendations for physical distancing and sanitation at the time of reopening. 
• Includes planning for and purchasing adequate supplies and materials such as masks, temperature scanners, technology, and cleaning supplies. We have renewed and increased our contract with Sanitrol Building Maintenance Corp., one of the best commercial cleaning companies in the state.
• Supports our students/families in the transition back to school and the “new normal”. We understand that this has been an extremely difficult time for our students and families. We are working to ensure that the proper support channels are made available for students to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Educates our children in the most effective way possible. 
• Can mobilize quickly and pivot as needed to navigate this fluid landscape.

The unknown can be daunting. Right now we have more questions than answers, but we will continue to dedicate ourselves to finding as many correct answers as possible. As we meet regularly, we will keep you abreast on progress made as we await further direction from federal and state leaders. If these times have taught us anything, it is to be flexible in trying to find the best solutions available.  The one thing that we know for certain is that next year will look different than in the past. We are committed to reopening in September, in whatever format that may be, for our students and families and are excited about the challenges ahead. 

Peace,

Fr. Marc Bishop, Pastor of Saint Agnes Parish

The Arlington Catholic and Saint Agnes School Administrative Team