ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Archdiocese of St. Louis will allow in-person classes to resume in August. But the Archdiocese says that could change later "contingent upon any new information disseminated over the next few weeks."
The school system that stretches across 11 St. Louis-area counties says students and staff will return to school but will follow social distancing guidelines.
"As school re-opening guidelines from the CDC and local county health departments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are updated on a regular basis, the Office of Catholic Education and Formation has been closely monitoring the information to ensure all health and safety guidelines are being communicated and addressed for the 2020-2021 school year," the Archdiocese stated. "At this time, students, faculty and staff of more than 100 Archdiocese of St. Louis Schools—spanning 11 city/county jurisdictions—intend to return to campus buildings at the beginning of this upcoming school year contingent upon any new information disseminated over the next few weeks.
"Schools will only return to campus buildings after executing thorough planning in order to deliver instructional, co-curricular, and faith formation programs within the context of social distancing/health/safety procedures, educational best practices, and mission-fulfillment. Each individual school will continue to follow the directives and guidelines of its local government and county health department regarding opening/closing of school buildings as well as social distancing, health, and safety procedures and protocols.
"All schools are developing individualized plans based on location, enrollment numbers, facility size and design, constituents served, and information from local authorities. The administration of each school will communicate specific plans with their school and parish communities."
Monday is the day most local school districts in the St. Louis will announce their plans for resuming classes for the fall semester. But those plans are subject to change, according to Education Plus CEO Dr. Paul Ziegler, the group that includes 59 area superintendents and principals.
As KMOX told you last week, most districts will propose a hybrid schedule, here some students go to school Monday and Wednesday, others go Tuesday and Thursday, the days they're not in class they'll learn online.