How religious schools are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to safety concerns surrounding the reopening of schools during the pandemic, the religious community has taken steps to ensure that religious schools continue to serve the interests of young learners.

Here are some of the ways religious schools are coping with the pandemic.

Extra safety precautions

To protect the safety of students and teaching staff, many religious schools have downsized classes, allowing only 12 to 20 students in each classroom while observing distancing restrictions, depending on class size and school population.
Catholic schools, in particular, typically have fewer students than non-religious public schools, allowing administrators to better facilitate social distancing.

Some schools review and accept teacher-exemption requests on a case-to-case basis while others are recruiting new teaching staff in case of shortfalls.

Other safety precautions, such as the installation of plexiglass shields in strategic areas to protect children and staff from infection as well as the addition of extra air filters and purifiers in each classroom to ensure proper ventilation.

Standard safety protocols like regular temperature checks and the wearing of masks are being observed to protect the well-being of those entering school buildings.

Distance learning

Many religious schools are offering a mix of remote learning and in-person classes to serve the needs of their student population. In some schools, cameras have been installed in classrooms to allow students to view live classes and presentations from home. This helps administrators limit the number of in-person attendees without disenfranchising other students.

Home-school religious education

There are online schools that offer a structured religious curriculum that can benefit children from a home-school arrangement. These online schools typically put families in contact with an educational consultant who can work with each child as they sign up.

Religious schools that have not previously offered home-schooling have expressed interest in making home a cooperative with assistance from the parish.

Although many parish leaders do not want to add a home-school religious education to parents’ plates, as many are already juggling their children’s online school learning with work, chores, bills, or unemployment, it is a viable option for those who have the time and resources to do so.

It is a wonderful way for parents to grow in spirituality with their children. It also gives parents the opportunity to get to know their children better as spiritual beings.

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