Catholic schools in Philadelphia are already planning for September with a special 27-person task force consisting of educational professionals, business leaders, and medical experts.

Last week we learned elementary and secondary schools within the green and yellow zones may resume in-person instruction (among other activities) on July 1, per Pennsylvania’s Education Department. In order to open, schools must adopt the necessary health and safety precautions that meet both state and federal guidelines.

The Office for Catholic Education has implemented a task force to assist our schools in ready themselves to open July 1. The taskforce includes subcommittees focusing on such topics as PPE, cleaning supplies, educational signs, leading with faith and Catholic identity, distance education, understanding and dealing with trauma, building operations, lunch, classroom set up for proper social distancing, communication and more to fully ensure schools are ready to reopen their doors. 

The subcommittees that make up this taskforce all have the common goal of safely bringing students back to the building. In addition to getting the schools ready for in-person instruction, the task force will also assist schools should we have to transition back to virtual, distance education. 

The last few months of the 2019-2020 school year were truly unprecedented. Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia demonstrated their ability to move to distance learning, but it was just not the same as being together in person. We prioritize educating each and every student enrolled in our schools, and with that comes prioritizing their safety. As we continue to navigate COVID-19 life, we will work to educate students, whether that be in-person at school or virtually. This task force will allow either to happen in a smooth transition.