Catholic school communities come together
COVID-19 has caused all of us to think a little differently. The Catholic schools in the Dayton area agree that we are all so blessed to be back for in-person instruction and activities for the 202021 school year. Every school has implemented social distancing protocols, masks, and, of course, cleaning routines, and have had a successful first semester back in school thus far.
Our schools chose different strategies in collaboration with our outstanding teachers and staff members to personalize instruction to meet students where they are and continue to support them in moving forward even in the midst of these very difficult times. It has been wonderful to see our school communities come together to keep our students and teachers safe and healthy while in the classroom.
A challenging impact of the pandemic on education in our schools has been the logistical differences in how we do things, while continuing to instill the sense of community for which our schools are known. Hallways and staircases are directional, Masses are held in smaller groups to ensure social distancing, and there are a variety of different locations to have lunch safely. The challenge of acclimating ourselves to gathering together in measured ways soon gives way to a spirit of overwhelming gratitude that permeates all of our schools daily. We are all very grateful to have the opportunity to be in school every day, and we feel very supported by our families and our communities.
We also know and recognize that school is not just the academic side of things. We have
supported student activities in new ways, including student sections for athletic events in our parking lots, drive-in movies,
and smaller events for students to safely gather as a class. Our experience last spring taught us that our students want to be together through the experiences of high school, and our teachers and parents want to be a part of that experience. School leadership, teachers, and staff have made in-person instruction and activities a priority, incorporating health and safety guidelines along the way. We are teaching our students important life lessons as adults address the challenges of this pandemic such as how to deal with adversity, how to see opportunities rather than challenges, and how to be there for one another.
Our goal for our Catholic schools together is always to be a bright light in the Dayton educational community. By continuing our tradition of academic excellence in a Christ centered environment, we hope to draw families to us who want great things for their children - what they witness in our prepared, purposeful and passionate approach to Catholic education.