By Ana Rodriguez Soto - Florida Catholic newspaper
A masked Father Jose Alfaro, Blessed Trinity's pastor, poses with the school's principal, Susy Del Riego, on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Blessed Trinity School's athletic director and coach, Guy Lemonier, and teacher Lourdes Dominguez welcome students at the car line on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Notice the physical distancing markers on the sidewalk.
Father Jose Alfaro, Blessed Trinity's pastor, blesses virtual and on-campus students on the first day of a phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Freshmen at St. Brendan High School are ready for Algebra I class, following physical distancing procedures, on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Freshmen at St. Brendan High School finish their breakfast in the cafeteria on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Plexiglass barriers and social distance markers have been placed throughout campus for the safety of all students and staff.
A staffer takes a student's temperature as she arrives at Nativity School in Hollywood on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
First graders learn in the classroom and online (center rear television) at Nativity School in Hollywood on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
A seventh grade classroom at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Miami, on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Seventh grader Mia Triana sits at her desk at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Miami on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Principal Tom Halfaker welcomes seventh grader Sophia Rose to Our Lady of Lourdes School in Miami on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Cafeteria supervisor Anthony Hunt helps second grader Javier Concha during drop-off on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
Caroline Cooper is ready for first grade on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
Karla McElwayne poses with her second graders on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Mark School second grader Emilee Rivas has her temperature taken upon arrival at the Southwest Ranches school on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
First graders learn online and in the classroom on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches, Sept. 23, 2020.
A kindergarten class at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches does some physically distanced exercises on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Father Jimmy Acevedo, pastor of St. Mark in Southwest Ranches, speaks to first graders on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Pictured are Isabella Mandarino and Samuel Contreas-Matadeen.
First grader Stella Alvarez gives a thumbs-up on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches, Sept. 23, 2020.
Teacher Teri Trese imparts a lesson to her first graders, Matthew Hawkings, Vivian Scirghio, Noah Telisca, Allison Barker, Ryan Jeudy and Isabella Fiarello, on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at Little Flower School in Hollywood, Sept. 23, 2020.
Physically distanced students surround Kindergarten teacher Nicole Fiarello on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at Little Flower School in Hollywood, Sept. 23, 2020. The students are: Valentina Zanella, Jafari St. Claire, Kaiel Skupeika, Niyanla Exume and Capri Cavalcante.
A Cardinal Gibbons student undergoes the morning temperature check on the first day of the Fort Lauderdale school's phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 24, 2020.
Cardinal Gibbons students make use of Plexiglass dividers at lunch tables on their first day back for in-person instruction, Sept. 24, 2020.
One-way hallways and limited seating for social distancing are now features on the Cardinal Gibbons campus, where the phased return to in-person classes began Sept. 24, 2020.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy began its transition to hybrid learning Sept. 23, 2020 by welcoming freshmen with last names A-J. As part of the transition, half of each grade is coming to the school each day through Oct. 2, while virtual instruction is offered concurrently to other students.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy began its transition to hybrid learning Sept. 23, 2020 by welcoming freshmen with last names A-J. As part of the transition, half of each grade is coming to the school each day through Oct. 2, while virtual instruction is offered concurrently to other students.
The sign says it all as in-person classes resumed Sept. 23, 2020 at Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland.
Paw prints, spaced at six feet apart, lead the way back to school for the Panthers who once again roam Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland, on the first day of the phased return to classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Panthers return to Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland, on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Sanitizer's at the ready as teachers and staff at Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland welcomed students back to school on the first day of the phased return to classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
A student gets hand sanitizer on the way into Mother of Our Redeemer School in Miami on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020. All students get hand sanitizer on their way in and out of the school.
Mother of Our Redeemer first graders take part in a physically distanced P.E. class with athletic director Joseph Paolercio on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Mother of Our Redeemer School's third graders, taught by Celia Tolentino, moved their learning to the cafeteria in order to comply with physical distancing. The picture was taken on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Mother of Our Redeemer fifth graders learn with Nathalia Moncayo while the rest of the class learns virtually from home, on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
An Archbishop Carroll High freshman steps up to the touchless temperature screening as IT specialist Sean Kunkel watches on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
An Archbishop Carroll High freshman listens to teacher Emma Rodriguez as she gives instructions on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Archbishop Carroll High teacher Carmen De Ara conducts her English class in-person and through Zoom on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Archie the Bulldog, Archbishop Carroll High's mascot, stands ready to welcome students back to in-person class Sept. 23, 2020, about six months after the March 2020 shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Ambrose School's library teacher, Colleen Dougherty, poses with Salvatorian Father Dariusz Zarebski, the church's pastor, as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Ambrose School first graders learn inside "bubbles" in their social distanced classroom as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Second graders engage in socially distanced P.E. at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Ensconced in his "bubble," a third grader learns at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Teacher Colleen Dougherty helps a Kindergartner with his lesson at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Andrew students Athena and Ciera Sansone, in grades 2 and Kindergarten respectively, pose in front of the sign welcoming them back to in-person school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Msgr. Michael Souckar, St. Andrew's pastor, gets his temperature checked by the school's principal, Kristen Hughes, before visiting the classrooms on the first day back to in-person school. No one gets away without getting their temperature checked when coming onto school grounds.
St. Andrew School eighth-graders are ready to hit the books on their first day back during the COVID-19 pandemic,
Blessed Trinity School's athletic director and coach, Guy Lemonier, and teacher Lourdes Dominguez welcome students at the car line on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Notice the physical distancing markers on the sidewalk.
Father Jose Alfaro, Blessed Trinity's pastor, blesses virtual and on-campus students on the first day of a phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Freshmen at St. Brendan High School are ready for Algebra I class, following physical distancing procedures, on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Freshmen at St. Brendan High School finish their breakfast in the cafeteria on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Plexiglass barriers and social distance markers have been placed throughout campus for the safety of all students and staff.
A staffer takes a student's temperature as she arrives at Nativity School in Hollywood on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
First graders learn in the classroom and online (center rear television) at Nativity School in Hollywood on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
A seventh grade classroom at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Miami, on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Seventh grader Mia Triana sits at her desk at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Miami on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Principal Tom Halfaker welcomes seventh grader Sophia Rose to Our Lady of Lourdes School in Miami on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Cafeteria supervisor Anthony Hunt helps second grader Javier Concha during drop-off on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
Caroline Cooper is ready for first grade on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
Karla McElwayne poses with her second graders on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Gregory School in Plantation, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Mark School second grader Emilee Rivas has her temperature taken upon arrival at the Southwest Ranches school on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
First graders learn online and in the classroom on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches, Sept. 23, 2020.
A kindergarten class at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches does some physically distanced exercises on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020.
Father Jimmy Acevedo, pastor of St. Mark in Southwest Ranches, speaks to first graders on the first day of the phased-in return to in-person classes, Sept. 23, 2020. Pictured are Isabella Mandarino and Samuel Contreas-Matadeen.
First grader Stella Alvarez gives a thumbs-up on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches, Sept. 23, 2020.
Teacher Teri Trese imparts a lesson to her first graders, Matthew Hawkings, Vivian Scirghio, Noah Telisca, Allison Barker, Ryan Jeudy and Isabella Fiarello, on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at Little Flower School in Hollywood, Sept. 23, 2020.
Physically distanced students surround Kindergarten teacher Nicole Fiarello on the first day of the phased return to in-person classes at Little Flower School in Hollywood, Sept. 23, 2020. The students are: Valentina Zanella, Jafari St. Claire, Kaiel Skupeika, Niyanla Exume and Capri Cavalcante.
A Cardinal Gibbons student undergoes the morning temperature check on the first day of the Fort Lauderdale school's phased return to in-person classes, Sept. 24, 2020.
Cardinal Gibbons students make use of Plexiglass dividers at lunch tables on their first day back for in-person instruction, Sept. 24, 2020.
One-way hallways and limited seating for social distancing are now features on the Cardinal Gibbons campus, where the phased return to in-person classes began Sept. 24, 2020.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy began its transition to hybrid learning Sept. 23, 2020 by welcoming freshmen with last names A-J. As part of the transition, half of each grade is coming to the school each day through Oct. 2, while virtual instruction is offered concurrently to other students.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy began its transition to hybrid learning Sept. 23, 2020 by welcoming freshmen with last names A-J. As part of the transition, half of each grade is coming to the school each day through Oct. 2, while virtual instruction is offered concurrently to other students.
The sign says it all as in-person classes resumed Sept. 23, 2020 at Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland.
Paw prints, spaced at six feet apart, lead the way back to school for the Panthers who once again roam Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland, on the first day of the phased return to classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Panthers return to Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland, on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Sanitizer's at the ready as teachers and staff at Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland welcomed students back to school on the first day of the phased return to classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
A student gets hand sanitizer on the way into Mother of Our Redeemer School in Miami on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020. All students get hand sanitizer on their way in and out of the school.
Mother of Our Redeemer first graders take part in a physically distanced P.E. class with athletic director Joseph Paolercio on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Mother of Our Redeemer School's third graders, taught by Celia Tolentino, moved their learning to the cafeteria in order to comply with physical distancing. The picture was taken on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Mother of Our Redeemer fifth graders learn with Nathalia Moncayo while the rest of the class learns virtually from home, on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
An Archbishop Carroll High freshman steps up to the touchless temperature screening as IT specialist Sean Kunkel watches on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
An Archbishop Carroll High freshman listens to teacher Emma Rodriguez as she gives instructions on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Archbishop Carroll High teacher Carmen De Ara conducts her English class in-person and through Zoom on the first day of in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Archie the Bulldog, Archbishop Carroll High's mascot, stands ready to welcome students back to in-person class Sept. 23, 2020, about six months after the March 2020 shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Ambrose School's library teacher, Colleen Dougherty, poses with Salvatorian Father Dariusz Zarebski, the church's pastor, as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Ambrose School first graders learn inside "bubbles" in their social distanced classroom as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Second graders engage in socially distanced P.E. at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Ensconced in his "bubble," a third grader learns at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
Teacher Colleen Dougherty helps a Kindergartner with his lesson at St. Ambrose School in Deerfield Beach as in-person classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept. 23, 2020.
St. Andrew students Athena and Ciera Sansone, in grades 2 and Kindergarten respectively, pose in front of the sign welcoming them back to in-person school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Msgr. Michael Souckar, St. Andrew's pastor, gets his temperature checked by the school's principal, Kristen Hughes, before visiting the classrooms on the first day back to in-person school. No one gets away without getting their temperature checked when coming onto school grounds.
St. Andrew School eighth-graders are ready to hit the books on their first day back during the COVID-19 pandemic,
Photography: COURTESY
MIAMI | Daily health checks, temperature-taking, physical distancing and mask-wearing: That's how Archdiocese of Miami schools are living the "new normal" of in-person back-to-school.
In keeping with Archbishop Thomas Wenski's statement, issued Sept. 16, 2020, students in Miami-Dade and Broward County Catholic schools began a phased return to class Sept. 23, 2020. The dates and ways of returning have been left to each individual school as long as all students who choose to do so are back in the classroom by Friday, Oct. 2.
Most schools are phasing students back grade by grade, adding more grades in subsequent days. Students in pre-school — grades pre-K2, pre-K3 and pre-K4 —returned to in-person instruction Aug. 19. So did all those attending the Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West.
Parents still have the option of keeping their children home. Teachers will continue to teach in their classrooms and those students who remain at home will continue to view their lessons online, at the same time as their in-school classmates.
Below is a sampling of the phase-in plans of some archdiocesan schools, as well as the percentage of parents in those schools whose children will continue learning from home.
Less than a handful of schools will pursue a hybrid model, where students come to school and stay home on alternate days. For the majority of students, in-school learning will take place five days a week.
Above is a gallery of the first day of in-person classes at some of the archdiocese's Catholic schools. Below is a video from Msgr. Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens outlining some of their safety protocols, many of which are being implemented in all archdiocesan schools. And check out these creative videos from St. Hugh School in Coconut Grove.
This story will be updated in the next few days, as more pictures and information arrive.
Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School, Miami
- Freshmen (grade 9) returned Sept. 23; sophomores (grade 10) will do so Monday, Sept. 28; juniors (grade 11) will do so Wednesday, Sept. 30; and seniors (grade 12) will return Oct. 2.
- About 40% of Archbishop Carroll's parents have chosen to continue online-only learning.
- All students who choose on-campus learning will be doing so five days a week.
Blessed Trinity School, Virginia Gardens
- Grades K-2 returned Sept. 23; grades 3-5 will do so Sept. 28; and grades 6-8 on Sept. 30.
- About 25% of Blessed Trinity's parents have opted for online learning.
Little Flower School, Hollywood
- Grades K-2 started Sept. 23, grades 3-5 will begin Sept. 28, and grades 6-8 will begin Sept. 30.
- The school will be celebrating the feast of its patron saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, Oct. 1 with a livestream Mass, with St. Therese "herself" visiting the school during the Mass.
- About 70% of Little Flower's parents will be sending their students to campus. Parents were given the choice between brick-and-mortar and online instruction five days a week.
Mary Help of Christians, Parkland
- Grades K-2 returned Sept. 23; grades 3-5 will do so Sept. 28; and grades 6-8 on Sept. 30.
- Approximately 75% of students will be on campus and 25% will be learning online.
Nativity School, Hollywood
- Grades K-2 started Sept. 23; grades 3-5 will start Sept. 28; and grades 6-8 on Oct 1.
- About 30% of parents have chosen to remain with virtual instruction, 70% on site.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Miami
- Freshmen with last names A-J returned Sept. 23. As part of the transition, half of each grade is coming to the school each day through Oct. 2, while virtual instruction is offered concurrently to other students.
- When fully implemented Oct. 5, this hybrid learning model will mean the school is divided into two cohorts. Because Our Lady of Lourdes works on a rotating block schedule, the Blue cohort (last names A-J) will report to school on Mondays and Tuesdays, while the other students learn virtually (and concurrently) from home. The White Cohort (last names K-Z) will report to school on Thursdays and Fridays, while other students learn virtually (and concurrently) from home. All students will engage in virtual instruction on Wednesdays.
Our Lady of Lourdes School, Miami
- The school is phasing in one team at a time, oldest to youngest. Each group comes to school for a half day, so that parents, staff and students can practice the new arrival/dismissal procedures and so the students can familiarize themselves with the safety guidelines. While each group is on campus, the other groups continue to follow a fully virtual class schedule.
- Grades 6-8 started Sept. 23; grades 3-5 return Thursday, Sept. 24; and grades K-2 return Sept. 28, with all grades back on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
- About 67% of parents have chosen in campus instruction, and 23% online. All students who have opted to return to campus will attend school five days a week.
Our Lady of the Lakes School, Miami Lakes
- Grades K-2 started Sept. 23, grades 3-5 on Sept. 28, and grades 6-8 on Oct. 1.
- About 80% of parents selected on campus learning, and 20% online.
St. Andrew School, Coral Springs
- St. Andrew welcomed students back in two phases, first grades K- 4 on Sept. 24 then grades 5-8 on Sept. 30. "It is great to see our kids again, to see how they have grown, how they have changed and to see their excitement when they saw their friends face to face and their teachers," said the school's guidance counselor, Francheska Greene.
St. Brendan High School, Miami
- Freshmen (grade 9) are returning to campus Sept. 23-Sept. 25. On Sept. 23, only students with last names A-L reported to school. On Sept. 24, it will be M-Z and on Sept. 25, it will be A-L again, while the rest of the grade levels continue with virtual learning.
- On Sept. 28, all students (grades 9-12) with last names ending in A-L will return. On Sept. 29, all students with last names ending in M-Z will return.
- All students will alternate blended learning, one day virtual and one day physical. Those students that selected to only participate in virtual learning will continue to learn from home.
- St. Brendan is using this hybrid or blended model in order to adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
- About a quarter of the students have opted to continue with online-only learning.
St. Gregory, Plantation
- Grades K-2 returned Sept. 23; grades 3 and 4 will do so Sept. 28; grades 5 and 6 will return Sept. 30; and grades 7 and 8 will return Oct. 2.
- About 30% of St. Gregory's students have opted to continue learning from home.
- The school's K-8 classrooms have been equipped with the latest technology. We have updated our Internet cabling has been updated and electrical outlets have been installed in order to ceiling-mount state-of-the-art Poly Studio X50 all-in-one video bars. These video cameras allow the students at home to see and hear their teacher in the classroom. Teachers will be able to broadcast their Clear Touch board to their students, allowing them to visually engage in lessons as they would physically in the classroom.
St. Mark School, Southwest Ranches
- Grades K–2 returned Sept. 23; grades 3–5 return Sept. 28; and grades 6–8 return Sept. 30.
- About 55% of students will be on-campus Monday through Friday and 45% will continue learning from home.
St. Mary's Cathedral School, Miami
- Grades K-2 are back Sept. 23; grades 3-5 return Sept. 28; and grades 6-8 on Thursday, Oct. 1.
- About 39% of St. Mary's Cathedral School students will continue with virtual instruction.
- The students participating via virtual learning will be following the same schedule as the on-campus students with some opportunity for independent learning where appropriate. The school is using Google Meet as its virtual conferencing platform since it uses the G-Suite for Education including Google Classroom, Email, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Jamboard.
