CHARLOTTE — Diocese of Charlotte schools are responding as the more contagious Delta strain of the coronavirus continues to surge, shifting some classes to remote or hybrid learning where needed to prevent virus spread.
Diocesan school leaders are relying on a system of specific metrics aligned with CDC guidance to navigate the changing conditions and decide if and when to shift to hybrid or fully remote learning for 7 to 14 days. So far, COVID-19 data have triggered shifts to some amount of virtual learning in at least four of 19 schools.
This system was used successfully last year, said Dr. Gregory Monroe, diocesan schools superintendent, and enables school leaders to use concrete data in determining their COVID-19 responses.
“The incidence of COVID-19 in our schools has been low and, as one of the largest school systems in North Carolina that provided in-person education five days a week last year, we gained a wealth of experience that has influenced what we’re doing today,” Monroe said.
The metrics vary slightly between the diocese’s 16 elementary/middle and three high schools because of their different characteristics, but all involve the percentage of students and teachers testing positive, the number of students on quarantine, the identification of clusters, and any evidence or potential for school spread.
For the diocese’s high schools, the decision is made to shift to hybrid instruction if 3-5 percent of the total in-person student population has tested positive, and shift to remote learning if that number reaches 5 percent or higher.
So far, school leaders say, the number of cases has not resulted in a significant shift away from in-person instruction – although some schools have shifted a class, multiple classes and, in one case, an entire school to virtual learning.
Three Mecklenburg Area Catholic elementary schools recently shifted a few classes to remote learning after positive cases were reported. All of the cases were traced to outside sources of infection, Monroe said.
Christ the King High School in Kernersville went virtual Sept. 1 for a week after 26 positive cases turned up in the school community – just at the 5 percent threshold metric.
The high school did not identify any “clusters” of infection (defined as five connected cases in one class) – since the 26 positive cases were dispersed among different classes and grades – yet “we believe it is prudent to proactively shift to remote learning to limit any potential virus spread at the school,” Dr. Carl Semmler, principal, told parents in an Aug. 31 letter.
Face coverings are now required indoors at nearly every school, under most circumstances, in line with local public health and government mandates. Each school has developed its own procedure for registering exemptions claimed by parents, as spelled out by local public health rules.
Concerns among some parents over mask exemptions at some MACS schools prompted Monroe to write in a Sept. 1 letter: “Although the face covering mandate adopted by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has raised some concerns, our Christian community has – and must continue to – come together to treat one another with compassion and respect. All Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools are observing the face covering mandate, with exemptions permitted as prescribed by the city-county proclamation. It is up to parents to decide whether an exemption is justified for their children, and we ask that anyone claiming an exemption register with their school office.
"We also ask that everyone respect the choices families make; we all want our children to be safe and rest assured that our schools will act upon any indication of virus spread.”
Schools are also continuing their focus on enhanced cleaning, frequent handwashing, symptom awareness and contact tracing.
— Catholic News Herald
Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 30 for the Fulford Athletic & Activity Complex at Christ the King High School in Huntersville. The 21,800-square-foot facility will enlarge the gymnasium, create locker rooms and provide a full-size stage for performances and assemblies. Participating in the ceremony (from left): Alicia and Adam Bowman, general co-chairs of the capital campaign committee; Dr. Carl Semmler, principal; Bishop Jugis; Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville and school chaplain; Father Timothy Reid, vicar of education for Catholic Schools, Dr. Gregory Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools; and Art and Georgette McMahon, general co-chairs of the capital campaign committee. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)HUNTERSVILLE — To the delight of hundreds of Christ the King High School students, diocesan and school officials joyfully turned the dirt Nov. 30 at Christ the King High School – kicking off a $6.6 million expansion project for a new athletic and performance facility.
The Fulford Athletic & Activity Complex is the second major expansion in the high school’s 10-year history. The 21,800-square-foot building will include a full-size court and two cross courts in the gymnasium, expanded seating for more than 720 spectators, men’s and women’s locker rooms for home and visiting teams, and athletic director and trainers’ offices.
The gymnasium will also be home to a full-size stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems for student performances and school-wide events.
Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, held outside the high school under Carolina blue skies with the whole school community in attendance.
“The work we are beginning today should enliven our faith and make us grateful,” Bishop Jugis said. “We know the familiar words of the psalm: ‘If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.’ Whenever we look to the interests of our neighbor or the community and serve them, we are in a sense God’s coworkers.”
Gratitude was also the theme of other speakers at the groundbreaking event.
“I am so grateful to all the people who have assisted us to reach this day,” said Dr. Gregory Monroe, Catholic Schools superintendent.
“I have no doubt that this new building, once erected, will be a reflection of the perfection student-athletes seek and will be training grounds for great victories in the years to come. But, more importantly, it will be about the virtue that is cultivated – and the formation that these student-athletes receive in fortitude, tenacity and courage, and in collegiality when they come together in teamwork.”
Christ the King’s principal, Dr. Carl Semmler, added, “This long-awaited project is representative of our CTK community in so many ways. The collaborative work and generosity of so many have led us to this moment.
“The 250 families who pledged and donated to this project include alumni, current and future families of CTK students. Their generosity has been overwhelming and humbling. We are truly blessed.”
A capital campaign, launched in May 2019, raised more than $3.96 million in local school community pledges. The project is supplemented by $2.64 million in Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools funding. Construction is expected to take 10-12 months.
“We are honored, humbled and grateful and look forward to seeing the impact this new space will have on generations of Crusaders to come,” Semmler said.
Bishop Jugis prayed before he blessed the site with holy water, “Let us pray for God’s help through this celebration, my brothers and sisters, that He will bring this construction to a successful completion and that His protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury.”
Christ the King High School serves families in the growing north Charlotte areas of Lake Norman and Huntersville. Established in 2011 with an inaugural class of 26 students, the school’s enrollment is now 364 students.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
