SPECIAL EDITION: WWCS Reopening Plan

Dear Walla Walla Catholic School Community,

In the summer of 2006, I had the privilege of leading a pro-life pilgrimage from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. This 12-week journey involved extensive planning, ongoing support, and multiple pairs of shoes as I walked 20-25 miles per day and the group covered 60-80 miles per day. As you can imagine, a summer walk through the southern states can be a bit grueling. We had days and weeks in which the temperatures rose to over 100 degrees; passing Dallas, the humidity set in, making 80 degrees felt like 100 and making 100 completely unbearable. Shortly before entering Louisiana on July 5th, our RV was hit by a Jeep, totaling the RV. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries, but what was already a difficult journey became all the more daunting. But, by the grace of God, the work of our group, and the support of the community, we were able to continue on, ultimately finishing our pilgrimage on time, five weeks later.

We believe that all members of the WWCS community are companions on a pilgrimage to heaven. The school’s work in this pilgrimage is to form students to be disciples of Jesus Christ: strong in virtue, exceptional in learning, and generous in service. Like my pilgrimage to DC nearly 15 years ago, the pilgrimage of our school is never an easy one: it is full of challenges every year and even under normal conditions, the various “heats” that we experience can feel unbearable. Yet, this year, responding to the global pandemic is added on top of the school year's normal stressors.. Many of the normal “vehicles” which we would use on our journey have been impeded or are unavailable to us. Yet, as on my pilgrimage to Washington, DC, I believe that God is guiding us by His grace, in and through our community, as we continue together on our pilgrimage to heaven.

In the following pages, you will find our plan for re-opening. Recognizing that we learn best in person, the primary goal and intention of the school is to open and remain open for in-person instruction. To do this, we must operate within the structures established by both the state and the diocese. Despite this intention to be in-person this year, it is possible that the state may require us to move to a model of remote learning. Whichever learning model offered will present challenges to fulfilling our purpose. Our nature as companions on pilgrimage is impeded when things so natural as a handshake, hug, and even a smile are not readily available, and are all the more so if it becomes impossible to physically be in the same space. Yet, difficult does not mean impossible, and as we know, nothing is impossible for God. As such, during this time we must lean all the more deeply on our foundational principles if we are to continue in our shared purpose.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must unite today’s unique struggles all the more deeply to the cross of Christ. As disciples strong in virtue, we must make a conscious effort to cultivate habits of human excellence, in particular love, patience, and forgiveness. As disciples exceptional in learning, we must focus all the more carefully on the central objectives to be taught and learned. And, disciples generous in service, we must always look outside of ourselves and our own families to care for one another, making sure that, on this pilgrimage, no one is left behind.

-Father Curtis Seidel, president

Walla Walla Catholic Schools

Walla Walla Catholic Schools Reopening Plan

May Crowning

We invite you to join us this Friday, May 1, at 8:30 a.m., for the tradition of May Crowning in the Assumption parking lot.

We ask that you remain in your vehicles and tune into 90.7 to pray with us to honor Our Patroness, Mary, Assumed into Heaven.

Print the program or view it on your mobile device to join us in prayer.

Print the Program

Reopening Plan Community Meeting

Thursday, August 13, 2020

6:30 to 8 p.m.

Available via Zoom and Limited In-Person Seating

Please join us for an opportunity to hear from the school leadership and ask questions about the WWCS Reopening Plan.

Limited In-Person Attendance

The meeting will take place in the Aquinas Learning Center (DeSales Library). To attend the meeting in person, please sign up using the SignUp Genius Link.

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Spiritual Reopening Preparation

A weekly Holy Hour for all students, families and faculties, hosted by WWCS will begin this Wednesday, August 5, and continue on Wednesdays in the coming weeks to help us prepare for the coming school year.

The Holy Hour begins at 3:30 p.m. in the church.

Principles for Remote Learning

Should we need to transition to an online learning environment, Walla Walla Catholic Schools upholds the following Principles for Remote Learning:

Culture of Companionship

We learn at our best when we continually support each other. In a remote environment, this means continuing to build relationships and to support the spiritual, relational, emotional, and physical needs of students, parents, and teachers.

Culture of Clarity

Given the impediments inherent in remote learning, all instruction and learning will be focused around the very central and most essential standards which will allow students to continue their journey toward college and heaven.

Culture of Consistency and Correction

A consistent learning environment is one of the keys to fostering a healthy learning environment. However, consistency cannot become intransigence. Therefore, while the fundamental structures of remote learning will remain as consistent as possible, corrections within those structures will be made as we continue to learn how to best help students learn in extraordinary circumstances.

Culture of Communication

Balancing feedback from last semester, the WWCS is committed to keeping all families and community members informed of all important information, while striving not to overwhelm them through excessive or unclear communication.

Click here to view the WWCS COVID-19 webpage