Hello, I’m Frank O’Linn Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Cleveland.
The current school year is coming to a close, and our schools are celebrating our graduates in most innovative ways. The class of 2020 has been asked to make great sacrifices in the battle against this pandemic. We mark the end of their academic journey now as classes end, and we know that celebrating their milestones will continue well into the future.
At the Diocese of Cleveland our educators are working hard to prepare for next year with the goal of being able to welcome back all students in person this August. We intend to be open safely, and to do that, we know we must have robust protection and the best measures for detection in accordance with health authority directives, and so we continue to collaborate and advocate for our schools' and parents' needs while guidelines are currently being formulated.
The office of Catholic Education has convened a task force to support its schools in creating their own local plans, which will involve stakeholders from each school's community as well as consultation with health authorities.
We have learned a great deal from the sudden foray into remote learning. And while everyone did their best with what they had, the lessons from our experience will be used this summer to strengthen all facets of our educational offerings and our communication with parents, our partners as the first and most important educators of their children.
Our vision is to be open safely, for all students together, but we know that many factors are beyond our control. Therefore, schools will need to provide opportunities for simultaneous learning, if needed, in the event that some students cannot be present in person. And, while we hope and pray for continued emergence from the "safe at home" order, we know that our schools will be better prepared in the event we need to be fully remote for any stretch of time. In short, we will be prepared for any scenario.
Our Catholic schools’ mission guides all that we do. In that, we continue to be both Catholic with a capital C: forming young people in the faith by witnessing to the Gospel; and catholic with a lowercase c: universal, welcoming, and available to all who seek us. We know that the schools we return to will look and feel different from the environments we last occupied in March, and school leaders are working hard to ensure that we are ready to be both safe and secure, as well as warm and welcoming.
At Pentecost we recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including wisdom, counsel, and fortitude, all of which we need to rely upon for the task of continuing our ministry during the pandemic.
Thank you for trusting Catholic schools for the education of your children. We look forward to seeing you safely in person soon. Until then, thank you, and God bless.