Denver Catholic

BY AARON LAMBERT H aving endured a rather challenging last few months of the school year, parents of Catholic school students can now rest easy with the knowledge that Catholic schools will be open this fall. In a letter issued May 29, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Denver Catholic Schools Superintendent Elias Moo announced plans to reopen Catholic schools for in-school learning for the 2020-21 school year. At the forefront of these plans is the health and safety of students and faculty. "We will carry out in-person instruction with increased health proto- cols and processes to ensure that our schools are going above and beyond to protect the health of every member of our Catholic school community, especially our most high-risk members," said Archbishop Aquila and Moo in their letter. "We are confident our schools' protocols and processes will keep our school environments as healthy and as safe as possible for all members of our communities." To help ensure healthy school environments are maintained, a task force composed of school leaders, nurse practitioners, doctors and a virologist has been assembled. This group is working with schools to identify the best health measures and policies in preparation for the coming school year. For those parents who may not feel comfortable sending their children to school for any in-school learning, the archdiocese and Office of Catholic Schools are also formulating a virtual distance-learning option. Families 16 DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE 13-26, 2020 Catholic schools plan to reopen for in-school learning this fall Around the Archdiocese Our Catholic schools are a critical part of the educational ecosystem and fabric of our state, and we remain committed to working in a spirit of cooperation with our local and state officials when possible as we all seek to advance the common good of our communities." ELIAS MOO Denver Catholic Schools Superintendent "

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