A Message from the Principal
As we continue our preparation work toward reopening in the fall, I wanted to share several updates with you this week.
Staff Assignments for the 2020-2021 School Year
Staffing assignments have been projected for the 2020-2021 school year. To see the projected staffing list, please
click here.
Reopening Plan Updates
As a reminder our priority at Walla Walla Catholic Schools is to open with in-person instruction on the beginning
calendar date for the 2020-2021 school year, August 24, with regularly scheduled days, and as normal to regular instruction as possible.
Our initial development has focused on instruction in the classroom, safety and sanitization efforts, and technology and contingency planning.
We are confident at this time, particularly with the move of the 7th and 8th graders to DeSales, that capacity at both buildings will allow us to run all students through a normal school day without the need to split schedules. Depending on the final mandated guidelines for the classrooms, we may have to exercise some creativity with classroom space, but our staff has been working on efforts to make sure classrooms and plans are in place to accommodate a single schedule for the day.
Regarding our safety and sanitization efforts, the staff and maintenance personnel have been working with the CDC guidelines to ensure we meet and exceed the COVID standards for healthy and clean buildings. In addition to the guidelines and work with our local health department, we also enlisted advice from local medical professionals on practical steps we can take in our schools. We are also developing our plans for possible screening of students to ensure limited health risks and exposure to other students and staff.
The process for the reopening plans include continued input and clarification from, and through, the Diocese and our local health department. Our local health department has been working closely with WWCS and all area schools to assist in developing reopening plans. Our finalized plan will be presented to our local health department and then sent forward to be filed with the state.
We have already shared our summer athletic plan with our local health department. The plan follows the guidelines set by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and the National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS). These plans take into consideration where we are as a county in the state phases.
As a contingency, we are also including a plan with guidelines and expectations should we ever need to use at-home learning in the future.
We will continue to keep you updated on the specifics of the plan as it comes together over the next several weeks.
Continued best wishes to you and your family for a safe and relaxing summer!
-John Lesko, Principal