The home stretch of a school year that stretched efforts

With the Paschal Triduum and joyous celebration of the Resurrection comes the start of spring break in South Jersey Catholic Schools. When students, teachers and staff return on April 12, they will be in the home stretch of a school year that has been described as unique, unprecedented, challenging, rewarding, uplifting and, at the outset, even a little bit scary.

“Scary in the sense that no one else had done what we were about to do,” says Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Watson. “We tried to plan for every imaginable detail, with the reality that we would be moving forward one day at a time. Our goal was, and still is, to keep as many students as possible in school, safely, for as many days as possible.”

Watson said the 25 elementary and five diocesan high schools in the Diocese of Camden have had cases of COVID-19, as expected, but that nearly all cases have originated outside of school. Evidence of spread within the classroom is extremely rare.

“It’s a real testament to the commitment of our school communities to all those safety protocols — the masks, and handwashing, and social distancing and constant cleaning. It requires such diligence,” he said, noting that school leaders, teachers, staff, parents and students have all contributed to the success many people thought wasn’t possible. School leaders, he said, have continued to work closely with local health care officials to determine when quarantine is appropriate for individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. They also worked hard to help their faculty and staff get appointments for vaccines.

“The overwhelming majority of teachers and school staff members who sought it will be fully vaccinated by the time they return from spring break,” said Watson. “Vaccination provides an important layer of protection and confidence as they continue to put student needs first, teaching in person, just as they have every day since Sept. 8.”

Kristin Leftridge, who teaches at Holy Angels Catholic School in Woodbury, is due any day with a set of twins. Even without the vaccine (delayed until after the babies’ delivery) Leftridge said, “The kids come first. I couldn’t miss out. It’s what we do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Watson is currently working with schools to plan end-of-year events like proms and in-person graduations, which weren’t possible last year. Social distancing measures in line with current health department guidelines will still be in effect.

“We’ve made great strides,” said Watson. “Our teachers, staff, leaders and families are so close to that well-deserved summer break. It is more important than ever that we stay vigilant to our protocols. We want to keep our guard up to continue to protect each other as we near the home stretch.”