WHEELING, W.Va. — Department of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has announced a reentry plan for the fall semester that includes a five-day in-person plan.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (DWC) said in a news release that based on the recommendations and guidelines from worldwide, federal, state, and local experts, that a five-day a week physically present strategy will be implemented.
“Principals from all 24 Catholic schools across the state have worked closely with their local health departments, school communities and my office to develop plans to allow for the reopening of schools that meet local, state and federal guidelines,” Catholic School Superintendent Mary Ann Deschaine said in a released statement.
Deschaine pointed to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “strongly” supports students returning to the school building. A recently released statement from the AAP notes, “All policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”
“This is completely in line with our position,” she said. “Because we are Christ-centered, every choice we make, and plans we develop are prayerfully made with our students’ success and wellbeing in mind. We are a strong Christian family guided by our faith. Our learning environment will always focus on the social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of each child.”
Deschaine said she is proud of how her school system handled the end of the previous school year when the COVID-19 pandemic first arrived.
“I know without a doubt that our principals, staff, and teachers performed outstanding,” she said.
“Our families saw that, and our students will always remember how they continued to be challenged academically, and moreover won’t forget how they felt knowing their teachers genuinely cared about their mindset.”
DWC officials said these recommendations will be subject to change with little notice as COVID-19 changes in the state. Any additional details or changes will be given directly to all families by the administration of their respective school.
For more information on the reopening plans for each school, visit wvcatholicschools.org or contact the Catholic Schools central office at 304-233-0880.