Crisis Plan Handbook
After three months of hard work, open communication, research, planning and sleepless nights, I am proud to share with you our plan for the safe return to school. The plan is entitled “Crisis Plan for a Pandemic” as it has a broader scope than just our current situation. It will be our guide should any pandemic engulf our world. This plan joins the other crisis plans we have in place at St. Dominic Catholic School. I wish to thank all of the school faculty and staff, the School Advisory Committee members, the medical professionals we consulted, the parish staff, and Pastoral Council for their support and guidance with the development of the plan. As our surrounding public school systems share how they will be returning to school, if they are returning to school, I feel that we are forging our own path in service to God and His people. I know that not everyone will be in 100% support of what we have developed. I am resigned to that. As you read the contents of the plan, please know that we are in support of parents as the primary educators of their children. Please connect with me if there is an aspect of the plan that you wish to discuss as it may run counter to your desires for your child. Civil discourse is how conflicts are resolved.
Our approach to the return to school has been one of simplicity, following guidelines, and limiting radical change. While our lives are changing, it doesn’t have to be disarming. The CDC maintains that the best way to return to school is emphasizing the wearing of facemasks when a school is unable to control for physical distancing, increasing the amount of hand washing/sanitizing, cleaning and disinfecting regularly the areas occupied by individuals. In order for us to stay in school for as long as possible, our whole community needs to be mindful of these practices. Wearing facemasks does take some getting used to so I wish to share an article on kids and facemasks from one of our parents who is a nurse at Children’s Hospital.
At this time, I am maintaining a full return to school for face-to-face instruction five days a week. The teachers and I are excited to welcome the Knights back to the castle, armed and ready for “battle” as Knights for Christ. God is good! All the time!