Schools briefly return to remote learning

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press 

Central Catholic schools in the diocese are to do all remote learning before and after the Christmas vacation, to give teachers a break. Parish and regional schools also have the option of remote learning at the suggestion of Bishop McManus.

From Dec. 21-23 and Jan. 4-8, there will be just remote learning for the diocese’s two central Catholic schools – St. Paul Diocesan Catholic Junior/Senior High and St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary, both in Worcester – said David Perda, superintendent. They are to return to in-person learning Jan. 11. 

The other Catholic schools in the diocese, some of which have a slightly different vacation schedule, are being encouraged to make the transition too – if their leaders feel that is best for them - the superintendent said.  

He said he sent a letter on Dec. 13 to the principals of all the schools his office works with. In the letter he explained that he recommended this transition to Bishop McManus.  

“I support Dr. Perda’s recommendation,” Bishop McManus said in a letter which the superintendent said was sent to staff and families from the two central Catholic schools on Dec. 14. “We are announcing the plan this week to give parents as much notice as possible to arrange work schedules if needed,” the bishop wrote. 

Addressing principals in parish and regional schools in his letter, the superintendent said, “Bishop McManus asked me to request that you bring this communication to your pastor’s attention as we would like for you to also consider a temporary shift to remote learning at your school during this period.  … The circumstances of each school are unique … You should be comfortable making a decision that is best for your school.” 

Superintendent Perda told The Catholic Free Press that a conversation with teachers and a video of a teacher teaching triggered his recommendation to the bishop. 

Last week he had one of his occasional listening sessions via Zoom with some of the central Catholic school teachers, he said. During this session he wanted to hear from them about how the “new reality” of teaching during the pandemic is working, he said.  

St. Paul’s has been using hybrid learning (different students attend school on different days) and St. Peter’s has in-person learning each day for all students attending school, he said. Both schools have some students who’ve chosen to do all their learning remotely, so teachers have to provide instruction for students who are present as well as those learning remotely. 

And some teachers have had to teach remotely temporarily. 

Superintendent Perda showed The Catholic Free Press a video that Meg Kursonis, St. Peter’s principal, sent him last month. It showed Alicia Marculitis, a teacher there, interacting with her students from a screen in the classroom. The students were at their desks, but she was quarantined at home because of “close contact” with the coronavirus. 

“It brought a tear to my eye – the work that teachers are putting forth” to educate students, the superintendent said. “I don’t get all the stories. This is just one little nugget, and it really blew me away.”   

Some teachers are really worried about their safety and the safety of their loved ones, but “they’ve continued to do what it takes to educate children,” he said. “They are first responders – society needs them. Now, more than ever, we need teachers. … I think teachers have done a remarkable job adjusting their instructional approaches so as to most effectively reach children.” They’ve also had to enforce new rules. 

“One thing that dawned on me in that call last week … it’s taken a toll on our teachers,” the superintendent said. “So it was that conversation … that led me to have a subsequent conversation with Bishop McManus.” 

Superintendent Perda said he presented to the bishop the idea of switching to totally remote learning the week Christmas vacation starts and the week after it ends. 

“I left this particular call (with teachers) concerned about the well-being of our teachers and the extent to which their efforts will be sustainable through the end of the year,” the superintendent said in his letter. “It is my hope that a temporary shift to a single mode of learning … will reduce some of the pressure on teachers so that they are able to return rejuvenated to continue in-person education again. … 

“I wish to emphasize that this decision is being made out of concern for our teachers and not because of the increasing COVID incidence and/or positivity rates that some of us have observed in our communities over the last few weeks.”  

The superintendent’s letter said Catholic schools are still expected to rely on direction from state and local boards of health in “making decisions about health and safety-related reasons” for changing school learning modes. 

“There is general agreement from everyone, including students and their parents, teachers, staff, and educational experts, that in-person learning is significantly more effective than online learning,” Bishop McManus said in his letter. 

He expressed thanks to teachers and staff for “their dedication and commitment,” saying they’ve made in-person learning possible since the beginning of the school year. Many parents have shown their appreciation, he said.  

“The Catholic Schools Office has confirmed that, thanks to everyone’s diligence … we have not seen signs of in-school transmission of the virus,” the bishop said. “Our experience is consistent with the position the Commonwealth has taken that schools are a comparatively safe place for children … 

“I recognize that … the dedication to in-person learning is taking its toll on everyone,” the bishop continued. “Trying to teach students in the classroom and those who must be home at the same time is demanding. … 

“With the Christmas holiday nearly upon us, we need to give everyone a break ... and use one method of teaching …  

“It is my fervent wish that our entire school community will pause and celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth in a meaningful way. I invite you to take the time to reflect on the fact that our Savior shared our sufferings from the moment he was born … May you offer your fears and anxieties to God this Christmas and pray for the graces he is always seeking to bestow on us that we may find hope to endure this most unsettling time.”  

Schools other than the two central Catholic schools are to decide whether or not to do remote learning before and after the Christmas break.

Nancy Pierce, principal of St. Leo Elementary in Leominster, said she met with the teachers and pastor, Father William E. Champlin, Tuesday, and read them the letter from Superintendent Perda that said the central Catholic schools are going remote and sugesting they consider doing the same.
“Our staff unanimously requested to remain in person,” she said. “We know the mental illness affects” on students who are isolated, from observations made last spring when schools were forced to do all-remote learning. “We give a full two weeks (Dec. 19-Jan. 3) for Christmas break,” she said.
“I don’t have any intention at this time to go remote before or after Christmas,” Josie Citta, principal of Trinity Catholic Academy in Southbridge, said Tuesday. “I don’t have anybody to do the remote,” and can’t expect teachers to do it in addition to teaching in person. Trinity’s education has to be either all in-person or all remote, and “we’re all in-person”; students cannot choose to stay home to learn.
 All Saints Academy in Webster is planning remote learning from Dec. 17-22 and Jan. 4-8, Joan Matys, principal, said Tuesday. She said they would start Dec. 17.