Most local Catholic schools will go to remote learning until Jan. 19

The 42 elementary and secondary schools of the Diocese of Peoria will return to remote learning Monday. In-person instruction is expected to resume Tuesday, Jan. 19.

St. Bede Academy in Peru is not a Peoria diocese school, so it does not follow these guidelines.

Sharon Weiss, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Peoria, said in a letter the decision came after “a review of data and information regarding the escalation of positivity and exposure rates for COVID-19 in Illinois during the next few weeks.” It was approved by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky and Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka, who directed her to share the information.

The communication noted while the school buildings are closed, principals should make arrangements “to thoroughly disinfect and sanitize all areas within the schools.”

Principals and teachers may be in their offices and classrooms to facilitate remote-only learning during this time, but must observe all public health mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. That includes wearing masks, washing hands frequently, checking their temperatures throughout the day and maintaining social distancing of more than 6 feet while interacting with other teachers.

No students will be allowed to enter the school buildings.

“Principals will coordinate with their faculty and families and publish guidelines for the distribution of school computer laptops, grading, and assignments that must be picked up from and returned to the school,” according to the letter from the Office of Catholic Schools. The schools were asked to share their procedures and protocols with families as soon as possible.

The Diocese of Peoria’s 42 elementary schools, middle schools and high schools enroll 9,107 students.

When the school year began, families were offered the option of in-person instruction or remote learning, with both being for five days a week. A recent parent survey indicated about 9% of families chose remote learning for their students.

No extracurricular events

In addition, there are to be no sporting or extracurricular events scheduled at the school during the system-wide shutdown.

“These activities may resume on Jan. 19 ... following IESA (Illinois Elementary School Association) and IHSA (Illinois High School Association) guidelines as approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health via the Office of the Governor,” the letter said.

"The safety and health of our school personnel and students is first and foremost what ultimately factors into this most difficult of decisions."