Our Return-to-School Plan will be a hybrid model consisting of a rotating learning schedule—one week of in-person classes at BCHS and one week of remote, online learning at home. L.E.A.P. students, freshmen and sophomores will be in one group, and juniors and seniors will be in another group. Our rotating learning plan was developed in order to separate students as much as possible and provide for social distancing guidelines.

School will begin the week of August 31st, with the first two days of the week for teacher orientation and professional development. L.E.A.P. students and Grade 9 will report on Wednesday, September 2, Grades 10 and 11 will report on Thursday, September 3, and Grade 12 will report on Friday, September 4.

Our in-person schedule will consist of a seven-period day beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 2:10 p.m. The class schedule will rotate each day. Students will report to a brief advisory period each day where official attendance will be taken and our community can join together in prayer.

Remote learning will be carried out with a combination of student-directed assignments and live class sessions.

Students with a documented medical condition will be exempt from in-person classes.

Social distancing restrictions will be in place for both drop-off and pickup of students. School personnel will direct parents and students to the appropriate entrance and exits.

After school supervision will be provided. Students will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth. Gaiters and handkerchiefs are not acceptable. Masks must be purchased by the student. Mask breaks will be built into the schedule each day.

No, students will not be screened upon arrival. Parents are asked to screen their student before sending them to school. Screening information will be sent to parents prior to the start of the school year.

If a student develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school, the parent will be notified to pick up their child. The student will wait in an isolated area until the parent arrives.

As per state guidelines, social distancing will be maintained in classrooms by having smaller class sizes and separation of desks. Hallways will be marked with one-way signage, and students will be asked to adhere to social distancing restrictions. Passing times will be staggered to accommodate social distancing.

As you have heard by now, the MIAA has pushed the start of the season to September 14. That date does not guarantee that there will be a season; the MIAA is still working with the DPH and the governor’s office to decide what sports will play and when. Bishop Connolly Athletics is planning for all possible scenarios. Governor Baker and the MIAA are expected to make a decision on the fall season within the first or second week of August. As soon as we know the direction the season will take, we will inform everyone of the plan.

In order to maintain distancing requirements, students will eat lunch in their classrooms. We will also utilize outdoor space, weather permitting. There will be no food service at Bishop Connolly. Students will be responsible for bringing their own lunch to school. There will not be access to microwaves. Students will be allowed to bring their own bottled water as usual.

Extracurricular activities will take place as long as social distancing can be maintained.