Thousands of Catholic primary and secondary schools opened their doors last month for a new school year with various safety precautions in place.
Thomas Carroll, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Boston, coordinated with principals after Governor Charlie Baker said schools could reopen in-person in August.
“We’re open for in-person classroom instruction, and we’re hoping that lasts as long as possible, because there’s no substitute for a teacher and a classroom of kids all in the same place learning together,” Carroll told The Boston Pilot. “Our approach is, we want to be there for the families.”
Students in Catholic schools across the country are resuming in person instruction amidst the new normal that COVID-19 brings. While new rules including mandatory masks, social distancing, and grab-and-go lunches are in effect, students are enjoying time spent reunited with teachers, friends, and classroom learning.
“I have enjoyed being back at school, because it not only is an excuse to get out of bed, but I also enjoy seeing my friends and teachers,” Lily Bell, a junior at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida, said. “They make this unprecedented time meaningful because of their caring nature and positive attitudes, which helps bring light into this unfortunate time.”
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, while intending to start the semester in-person, has to begin the new school year virtually due to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s July 17 order. This injunction forces public, private, and religious schools to remain closed until their counties are off the state coronavirus monitoring list.
“We are disappointed that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has not been transparent with the public about the metrics they are using to determine when schools will reopen. All we have been told is we have to wait 6 to 8 weeks, or ‘after the election’ before they will consider reopening schools for our youngest students in elementary schools… in-person instruction is fundamental to learning, particularly for faith formation, for children,” Paul Escala, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said. “Learning is not simply a function of academic content acquisition.”
Though the vast majority of Catholic universities across the nation have started the academic year on campus with restrictions, Georgetown University has opted for an almost entirely remote semester. Only students approved through the Housing Stability Application process, those who need to be on campus to fulfill academic requirements, and individuals in the class of 2024 who are F1 visa holders are permitted to live on Georgetown’s campus.
“Over these past few weeks, we have been carefully monitoring the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our Fall 2020 plans,” Georgetown University stated in their ‘Fall 2020 Plan for Reopen DC’. “Based on current public health conditions, we have determined that courses for all students for the Fall semester will begin in virtual mode. We hope to introduce in-person course elements as soon as public health conditions permit.”
Boston College started in-person instruction on August 31 with classes consisting of in-person, hybrid, and online formats.
“It has definitely been difficult getting used to BC’s new restrictions as a result of COVID. While it’s nice to still have club meetings and classes, they’re just not the same over Zoom. The dining hall experience has completely changed as well,” Emma Story, MCAS ’23, said. “However, I know lots of us are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the spread of COVID and be able to stay at BC, even if it means having an abnormal semester like this one.”
Masses at Boston College now include socially-distanced seating and masks, but students are excited to return to the Eucharist in familiar settings.
“I’m happier than I thought I would be to have in-person classes and Mass, even at a limited capacity. There’s something special about seeing other people in three-dimensions and hearing their actual voices,” Harris Craycraft, MCAS ’22, said. “Certainly as part of BC’s ‘Cura Personalis’, the college experience demands seeing and interacting physically, and not just virtually.”
Max Montana is a senior studying philosophy and theology. When not writing for The Torch, he enjoys reading more about the Catholic faith and philosophy, serving the unborn and mothers in need, and hanging out with friends. Max is honored to hail from the state with many gators and the bishop of the moon: Florida.
- Pray, Pray, Pray - April 27, 2023
- Rest a While - March 26, 2023
- God, Evil, and Us - February 23, 2023