Important COVID-19 Update: Virtual Learning Until Dec. 1, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today we received a report that a fourth student has tested positive for COVID-19. The student was last on campus on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Based on the information provided by the family and our own contact tracing we do not believe this case was related to the other three and each source of infection was due to an external contact. At this time, there is no evidence of internal spread of the virus.  
 
After consulting with the Allegheny County Health Department, Central Catholic will move to virtual learning for all students starting Monday, Nov. 16 through Tuesday, Nov. 24. Students will return to Central Catholic for in-person learning upon the conclusion of Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 unless otherwise noted. Effective immediately, all athletics and extra-curricular activities that cannot be conducted online are suspended while we are online-only.
 
Zoom links are posted on your sons’ Moodle for each class, and they are expected to check in for each class each day. The building will be open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16 for students who need to collect items from their lockers to complete online learning. If your student is in quarantine, parents should make arrangements to retrieve items. Students and parents should retrieve their items and exit the building immediately. 
 
The student has been advised to follow the Exclusion From and Return to School Requirements Form. We are working directly with the Allegheny County Health Department to determine close contacts. If your student is deemed a close contact, you will receive a phone call from our administration with further instructions.
 
Per the CDC, close contact is defined as any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. As part of the contact tracing protocol, anyone who has close contact with an infected person must self-quarantine for 14 days from the time of last exposure.
 
We encourage you to review the Health and Safety Plan to Reopen Central Catholic regularly to familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 protocols and procedures.

Consistent with CDC and health department guidelines, symptoms of COVID-19 may include, but are not limited to, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, or new loss of taste or smell. We recommend that you review the guidelines from the CDC and contact your health care professional with questions or if your child shows signs of any symptoms listed above.

As a part of our COVID-19 high school safety protocol, each student is required to pass a health screen and temperature check each day.  The safety of our community is our top priority. Common areas, classrooms, restrooms and the dining hall are cleaned and sanitized throughout the day and again each night. We are following the safety requirements as put forth by the CDC and the PA State Department of Health.

We will continue to keep our community informed in these ever-changing times.
 
If you have any questions, contact me at abaginski@centralcatholichs.com.
 
Fraternally,

Brother Tony Baginski, FSC
Principal