NYC Catholic Schools Plan Full In-Class, 5-Day A Week Reopening

NEW YORK CITY — Thousands of Catholic school students across New York City will literally be “back to school” in the fall.

The Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn both recently announced plans to offer five-day-a-week, in-person classes for their students.

The schools, like their public school counterparts, closed their doors in the spring to slow the new coronavirus’ spread. Their recent announcements put them on track for fall opening that goes beyond the “blended learning” model New York City schools will undertake.

“We are pleased with the Governor’s recent announcement regarding the re-opening of schools. This is a great first step in the right direction to helping our children safely return to the classroom,” said Thomas Chadzutko, the Brooklyn diocese’s Superintendent of Schools, in a statement.

The Archdiocese of New York, which has schools in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, unveiled its plan online last week. It calls for five-day in-school instruction, provided the schools have enough space for social distancing.

“For some buildings or class sizes that cannot accommodate all students socially distant for a full 5 days, scheduled; plans will be created by the principal using alternating day/week cycle,” wrote Superintendent Michael Deegan to parents.

Similarly, the Brooklyn diocese submitted plans to the state that offer three options: 100 percent, in-person classes, a “hybrid” plan with both in-person and remote learning, and fully remote learning. The plans will apply to the diocese’s 66 schools across Brooklyn and Queens.

Read the Archdiocese of New York plan here.

Read an outline of the Diocese of Brooklyn plan here.