The St. Cloud-area Catholic Community Schools announced March 15 that all nine member schools will temporarily close effective March 16, according to a post on their Facebook page.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz authorized the closing of public and charter K-12 schools beginning March 18 through March 27, in order to help “flatten the curve” to make the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) manageable for our community, the post said.
Cathedral High School students will begin online classes March 18, with most elementary schools starting distance-learning March 23. St. Francis Xavier School in Sartell will begin March 30, after spring break.
All CCS school activities are canceled. Aftercare programs will be closed but will remain open for children of health care workers and first responders, as Walz requested in a press conference March 15.
“We continue to pray for the safety of our students, families, nation and world during this difficult time,” the CCS post said.
Catholic Community Schools include Cathedral High School, All Saints Academy, St. Katharine Drexel and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton schools in St. Cloud; St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Joseph; Holy Cross School, Pearl Lake/Marty; St. Francis Xavier School, Sartell; St. Mary Help of Christians School, St. Augusta; and St. Wendelin School, Luxemburg.