The St. Cloud-area Catholic Community Schools have announced that they will continue with in-person classes even as the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase and other local schools move to distance learning.
“Despite the recent climb in COVID-19 cases in Stearns and Benton County, we have seen very few cases in our Catholic Community Schools, and the students who have been in close contact with those isolated cases and have quarantined for the required 14 days have remained healthy,” said Scott Warzecha, CCS president.
CCS, a consolidated Catholic school system in the St. Cloud metro area, includes All Saints Academy, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Cathedral High School, all in St. Cloud; Holy Cross in Pearl Lake/Marty; St. Francis Xavier in Sartell; St. Joseph in St. Joseph; St. Mary Help of Christians in St. Augusta; and St. Wendelin in Luxemburg.
While distance-learning could prove to be necessary in the future, Warzecha said, CCS leaders recognize that there is no substitute for in-person instruction, and so far, the precautions taken seem to be working.
“In consultation with St. Cloud Diocese Superintendent David Fremo, and with guidance from the local health department and Minnesota Department of Health, we have made the informed decision to stay the course,” Warzecha said. “Catholic Community Schools will remain in-person for now as we continue to monitor, assess and improve safety measures and precautions. If we deem it is necessary in the weeks and months to come, we will adjust our learning model.”
Catholic Community Schools credits its families, students, staff and faculty for taking the precautions and safety guidelines seriously in their success at keeping COVID-19 cases at a minimum.
For more information about Catholic Community Schools, visit www.catholiccommunityschools.org.