We continue to pack a lot of information into our weekly newsletter, all intended to help your family finish the year well. I hope that along with all that information that our various “profiles series” are also providing a generous serving of encouragement. The joyful perseverance of fellow students, the dedication of teachers, and the successes of “Old Crusaders” (alumni) are weekly conveyed in words and pictures, and together they remind us of what makes our school community so special.
At the same time, we admit that it is difficult to truly replicate remotely all the good that takes place when we are on campus together. It is instructive to reflect on the events of the past few months that led to us close our campus. In the face of all the unknowns that attended the initial spread of COVID-19, it was appropriate that the health and safety of Atonement community members outweigh all other considerations. Indeed, governmental directives would have compelled a campus closure even if, locally, we had come to another conclusion. As we get over the initial shock and begin to look to the future, however, many nonprofit organizations, businesses, and schools—including ours—are adopting a more balanced approach. This approach combines a “new normal” of upgraded sanitation and medical awareness with a prearranged remote option able to be activated in case of a sudden surge in infections.
Looking ahead to next year, I recognize that our decision to start the 2020-2021 year on campus is not uncontroversial. Therefore, we want to make sure we are being as transparent as possible about how we are moving forward and the principles that will guide us. Before we break for summer in a little over two weeks, we will share with you the general contours of what we are calling our “Safe Return Plan.” Administration and key staff are meeting regularly to develop this strategy and will continue to refine it over the summer as we assess emerging conditions. In the coming weeks, we will also be sending out a questionnaire to families so that your experience with remote learning this spring can help inform any revisions.
Stay steady, Crusaders. Our Lady of The Atonement—pray for us!