Dear Parents,
In an effort to curb the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Andy Beshear has advised schools in Kentucky to stop in-person classes for at least two weeks beginning Monday, March 16. The Diocese of Covington reiterated those same guidelines yesterday.
Notre Dame Academy is making every effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and will therefore transition to remote learning beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 27.
There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, March 16 and Monday, March 23 for professional development. Faculty and staff members will use these days to prepare for remote learning during each of those weeks.
Our faculty and staff have been diligently preparing for this transition. This afternoon we will meet with students in order to provide specific information they need to be successful throughout this period of remote learning.
Here are some important points to remember throughout the next two weeks:
- There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, March 16 and Monday, March 23 for professional development. Faculty and staff members will use these days to prepare.
- NDA students will begin remote learning on Tuesday, March 17.
- Remote learning from March 17 through March 27 will follow a “D” schedule beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:01 p.m. Each day students will attend classes in the order of a Wednesday schedule.
- There is an attendance expectation for students on remote learning days. Students will be instructed on how attendance will be taken.
- Faculty will provide lessons in a variety of ways throughout the next two weeks and students will be expected to complete homework as assigned by their teachers.
- Faculty and staff will have access to the school building throughout the next two weeks however, students, parents and community members will NOT be permitted on campus. If a student has a need to be on campus, please contact Mr. VonHandorf or Mrs. Grayson. If you need to contact school personnel, you can do so by phone or email during regular business hours.
- All extracurricular activities will be suspended from March 14 – March 29. Administration will reschedule events as possible. This information will be shared at a later time.
- As per KHSAA guidelines, all sports and sport-activities, regardless of the season, are declared to be in a dead period through April 12.
We hope to have our faculty and students back at NDA as soon as possible, therefore we encourage students to practice optimal hygiene and take all necessary precautions to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 over the next two weeks. The following recommendations come from the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the CDC:
- Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
- Do NOT go out if you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Postpone all gatherings and community events, and meet virtually as much as possible.
- Avoid crowds and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. If you must go out, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from those around you.
We understand that a remote learning strategy may be difficult for students who do not have internet access at home or who may be required to care for younger siblings. If you find yourself in either of these circumstances or in a situation where it may be difficult for your daughter to participate in remote learning, please contact NDA Assistant Principal Mrs. Amber Grayson (graysona@ndapandas.org) or Mr. Jack VonHandorf (vonhandorfj@ndapandas.org).
We also understand that the next two weeks may be a difficult adjustment for your daughter both academically and socially. Please contact one of our counselors if you need support during this time. You can find the contact information for our counselors HERE.
Notre Dame Academy’s goal is to protect the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff while continuing to meet our responsibility to educate our students. We will continue to keep you updated with any additional information as needed. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for partnering with us in your daughter’s Catholic education. Together we can make a difference in the world.
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura Koehl Mr. Jack VonHandorf