Saratoga Central Catholic School taps Kilmade as new principal
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Saratoga Central Catholic School is starting out the unprecedented 2020-2021 school year under the leadership of a new principal.
Joe Kilmade has replaced former interim principal Michael Kondratowicz as the head administrator for the upcoming school year. A native of the Capital Region, Kilmade returns after most recently serving as administrator and principal in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for more than a decade.
“It is great to be back home in the Capital District, close to family and friends and serving the community at Saratoga Central Catholic School,” Kilmade said in a press release. “I hope to partner with families and teachers to build a program that meets the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of the students entrusted to our care.
“Through listening, planning, and creativity, the great tradition of success at SCC will continue while new programs and facility upgrades bring the school to a new and exciting place.”
Kilmade addressed the parents of Saratoga Central Catholic School at his first virtual parent meeting earlier this month. In his remarks, Kilmade commented on the school’s strong sense of community, referring to this as “the reason why the school will make it through these difficult times, helping one another.”
The new principal also reinforced the message that Saratoga Central Catholic School is committed to creating a learning environment that protects students’ and staff’s health, safety and privacy.
According to the school’s recently introduced reopening plan, while schools have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction, Saratoga Central Catholic School is also planning for remote/distance learning, as well as a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning.
Parents will always have the choice to remain in the remote learning model, Kilmade explained, noting that every five weeks, at progress reports and the end of each academic quarter, parents will be able to opt-in to the remote learning model. Families will be asked to formally state their intention for in-person or remote learning via a signed form by the parent.
Additionally, Kilmade outlined the safety protocol that will be taken by Saratoga Central Catholic School. Every day will begin with a health check for teachers, administrators and students before entering the building. An isolation room for anyone showing signs of COVID-like symptoms during the day has been designated on the middle floor of the building.
Teachers will take on additional roles within the school, which is investing in personal protective equipment that will be made available as needed throughout the day.
Regarding masks, the school’s reopening plan states that face coverings are strongly recommended to be worn by all students at all times indoors and outdoors, but required to be worn any time or place individuals cannot maintain appropriate social distancing. While masks will be required in hallways and bathrooms, students will be allowed to remove face coverings during meals, instruction and during short breaks, so long as they maintain social distance. Any person without a face mask will be provided one by the school.
Kilmade went on to discuss the deep cleaning of the school that will take place, sharing that local business KPM Restoration has generously donated a complete professional sanitizing of the building before it opens in September. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur on an ongoing basis, including more cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces.
Saratoga Central Catholic will utilize a cohort approach to building usage, which will keep students together in small groups and reduce exposure to additional students. Plans are in place to limit the number of students in each room over the course of a day and week.
New spaces will be created and utilized this school year including St. Peter’s Parish Center, which will serve as one of two separate student cafeterias.
Multiple entrances to the building will be used to limit high numbers of people entering and exiting at any one time.
No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on the school campus.
Throughout the facility, there will be directional arrows showing the flow of movement as well as markers for waiting areas in spaces where a line may form.
Signs will be posted around the building reminding students to socially distance. Within the classrooms, desks will be positioned six feet apart from each other and the school will follow direct guidance protocol from the state.
Air circulation will be enhanced by opening doors and windows, and the school will add window fans for increased air flow.
““It is great to be back home in the Capital District, close to family and friends and serving the community at Saratoga Central Catholic School. I hope to partner with families and teachers to build a program that meets the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of the students entrusted to our care.” — Joe Kilmade
Other changes will involve physical education classes, which will be held outside or in the gym or throughout several classrooms. These classes will be combined from 40 minutes twice a week to 80 minutes once every three or four days. School-issued uniforms will be required so there is no need to use the locker rooms.
A distance of 12 feet will be maintained between students when engaging in physical activity.
All school athletics are on hold until Sept. 21, at which time a decision will be made as to whether winter athletics will be played starting Jan. 4, 2021.
The majority of school work will be submitted digitally. Saratoga Central Catholic School will move to a single online learning platform, Google Education Suite, which will streamline file sharing and email communication. Classes will make use of either a Google Classroom or Schoology site associated with it to facilitate the sharing of materials and classroom interaction in a uniform way across the school.
The local public school districts will provide Saratoga Central Catholic School with bus transportation. However, buses will only be able to transport 25 percent of its usual volume of students. School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield. Transportation to and from the North Country and Amsterdam, which the school has provided in the past, is currently being assessed.
On the recent influx of interest in enrollment at Saratoga Central Catholic School, “Many new families in the Saratoga and surrounding areas are thoughtfully considering
Saratoga Central Catholic School as a safe educational choice,” Kilmade said in the release. “In light of COVID-19, many parents are looking for small educational settings and many are looking for a remote learning option.
“I believe that SCC has outlined a cohesive plan of reopening that allows parents freedom and versatility to change their learning method as situations change. We have taken the time to address student, faculty and administrative needs in great detail.”
Kilmade invites families to schedule a meeting with the school, stressing that their comfort level is of utmost importance.
The full reopening plan, submitted by Saratoga Central Catholic School to the New York State Education Department on Friday, Aug. 7, is posted on the school website at www.saratogacatholic.org.