Health and Safety

Oct. 29,2020

Dear Parents:

In the last week, we have had five new cases of COVID-19 in the high school (four students and one coach). This brings our total number of active cases to six. We spent a great deal of time working with the Oakland County Health Department (OCHD) to contact trace and identify the source of the new cases. The uptick in cases led to concerns that we may be experiencing spread during the school day and there were discussions of a precautionary 14-day shutdown.

Ultimately, we were able to determine a link between three of the students that occurred at a small group, friend gathering. The fourth student and a coach were unrelated. It was determined that there is no outbreak at school and the school remains open. A few parents sent in notes asking why they did not get an immediate update. Please know that we must verify and investigate cases prior to notification and due to the rise of cases throughout the county, the process sometimes takes a few days. 

You can track the number of cases anytime on the school’s website with our regularly updated COVID-19 tracker here. The tracker will be our primary means of communicating new cases going forward, so feel free to check it as often as you like.

We have had many questions on protocol. The basic protocol is that students that test positive need to isolate for 10 days and those deemed to be in close contact of an infected individual (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) need to quarantine for 14 days. The extra time for quarantine is due to the incubation period of the virus. Individuals in contact with someone who has been placed in quarantine are not required to quarantine themselves but should monitor for symptoms.

Students that need to quarantine are contacted directly by either the school or the OCHD. If they are not contacted by the school or the OCHD, you have no need to worry.

During investigations into cases, it is important that you are honest with the health department when identifying individuals in close contact. Particularly, if there are students involved. It is not a perfect process, but it is the best way that we can implement protocols to ensure the safety of our students and teachers and to keep our school open for in-person instruction.

During this recent wave of the coronavirus it is always good to monitor your children for symptoms and keep them home from school if they are not feeling well. This time of year, many students are ill for many reasons and it is often not the coronavirus. When in doubt, it is good to get a test or keep your child home for at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms. If your child tests negative, they are free to return to school once they are symptom free, without the use of medication, for 24 hours. 

As we approach the Halloween weekend, we urge you to be vigilant with social distancing, mask wearing and social gatherings. The data shows that the school is relatively safe. When cases do occur, they are usually related to parents returning to work, family get-togethers and friend gatherings. These events are the primary reason that we have seen an increase in the number of students in quarantine.

Regards,

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

We understand that there are many concerns regarding the reopening of Notre Dame and all schools in Michigan. For this reason, we have decided to offer a synchronous learning option, where students with severe health risks or students whose immediate families have severe health risks, can attend classes virtually from home. For parents of lower school students in similar positions, we will offer an asynchronous learning option, where students can view lesson plans for the week, work on them at home with their parents, and check in with their teachers at scheduled times throughout the week.

The plan will continue to be fluid and we will do our best to make necessary adjustments throughout the school year. Our return-to-school task force has been in constant contact with other schools, our lead associations, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and local, state, and federal health agencies since mid-March. Our goal has been to share best practices and learn together, so that we can all return students to where they need to be: in school, with teachers that care and have the expertise to teach, role model and prepare them for both the academic and life challenges they will face in the future. 

Working together, with God’s will and Mary’s oversight, we will prevail against any challenge that comes our way.

Blessings and Peace,

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

2020-2021 Return to School Plan

The purpose of this communication is to keep you apprised of the latest developments regarding the reopening of school on August 19.

Governor’s Task Force

On June 30, Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council and Task Force on Education published the MI Safe Schools Roadmap. The roadmap outlines specific requirements and recommendations for schools to follow to return to face-to-face learning. The roadmap includes guidelines based on each phase of the Governor’s MI Safe Start Plan, which has been the basis for the reopening of the economy in Michigan. Oakland County is currently in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, which means that in-person learning is permitted with required safety protocols.

Click here to read the MI Safe Start Plan.

Click here to read the MI Return to Safe Schools Roadmap.

An Independent School

Notre Dame is a private, independent Catholic School. That means that we have a great deal of autonomy in the areas of our mission, governance, admissions, discipline, religion and the delivery of our academic experience. This freedom allows us to set expectations for students high and allows us to help students achieve these expectations, both academically and morally.

This freedom does not preclude us from adhering to the state’s mandatory requirements for reopening schools, which currently includes face coverings (i.e., cloth masks or clear face shields) for most faculty, staff and students. This requirement could go away if we move to Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan prior to the start of school.

Notre Dame Task Force

The Notre Dame reopening task force, consisting of several key administrators from all three divisions, is continuing to review all aspects of school operations, including sanitation, disinfection and health-screening procedures, social-distancing practices, hygiene education, sick protocols, and the overall emotional well-being of our student body.

We know that the return to school will be different from years past, but we are confident that we can make it work for the health, safety and emotional well-being of our students.

Notre Dame has always been a place where students feel safe and welcome. It is our intent to keep it that way when we return to school in August. 

Blessings and peace,

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

Dear Notre Dame Families:

The purpose of this letter is to keep you posted on school reopening plans.

Philosophy

A Notre Dame education is best delivered in person. Our teachers are both educators and role models of Christian values. Students learn better in school with teachers. They also benefit socially and emotionally from the interactions with their friends and fellow students. We are looking forward to seeing all the students when we return to school on August 19.

Reopening Task Force 

A cross-functional task force of school administrators has been meeting for several months to manage school operations and to plan. This past week, we have seen the return of lower school students to summer camp and a limited return to athletics. We were also able to successfully host an ACT exam.  In July, we expect more academic and athletic camps to open, following state guidelines for social distancing.

The task force has been considering multiple educational scenarios with a sharp eye toward what will work in our environment. We have some advantages in the fact that we are a mid-sized school, on a spacious campus with small class sizes.

Currently, we are planning for a full return, virtual learning (enhanced with best practices and parent feedback) as a back-up plan, and hybrid options for students who become ill during the school year.

Health and Wellness

The health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff at Notre Dame is the most important consideration. To that extent, we will follow state, county, and local guidelines to ensure we have a safe environment for all. Increased sanitation, disinfection, social distancing, limited access to school grounds, and education of students on proper hygiene will all be part of our plans. We are examining all issues with a sense of practicality and balance. Social distancing is difficult for students and expectations will vary by age. Our goal is to make sure that students, faculty, and staff are both safe and comfortable during the school day.

Communications

You can expect to receive regular updates from the school throughout the summer as more information becomes available. As of today, the news regarding the pandemic looks positive for Michigan.  Patience, flexibility, rationality, and empathy will be key in the months ahead.

May God bless your family, our students, and the whole Notre Dame community.

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

Academics

Many schools and districts have struggled to transition to a virtual learning platform. We are proud that our teachers were able to transition quickly and have been delivering meaningful educational content to students for over a month. Philosophically, we believe that virtual learning will never fully replace face-to-face learning. The Notre Dame experience reaches beyond delivery of content. The daily social interaction, role modeling, discipline and faith formation are integral to the Notre Dame experience. It remains our strong desire to return to that environment as soon as we are able. We will continue virtual learning through the end of the semester and look forward to a full return to campus in the fall.

Events

Due to the statewide order to close school buildings, the expected timeline and process for removing “stay-at-home” orders, the amount of planning required, and the uncertainty of outside facility availabilities, we have made the decision to cancel or reschedule the following events:

Canceled

• Junior prom 
• Senior all-night party (SANP)
• Big Band Dinner Dance
• High school band trip to Mackinac
• 5th grade trip to Mackinac
• Concert on the Hill
• Middle school field trip to Cedar Point 

Rescheduled

• High school Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation 
• 8th grade Mass and Graduation 
• 5th grade farewell 
• Senior prom 
• Booster Club Golf Outing 
• Fashion Show Online Auction

Parents will have the option to receive a full refund, to allocate funds to next year or to donate any pre-paid fees back to the school.

Summer Camps

Summer sports and academic camps are a big part of children’s development and we believe that children will need activities to grow and learn during the summer. 

We remain hopeful that social distancing and restrictions on group gatherings will be eased to a point that we can safely hold these camps for children. If this is not possible, parents will receive a full refund.

Schedule

We have been discussing several alternatives to our year-end calendar, including the possibility of shortening the school year. Our primary objective is to continue to prepare our students for future academic success. If we can do that with a slightly shorter schedule, we will. We expect to make a final decision on the year-end calendar no later than April 30.

Fundraising

Fundraising remains an important function for Notre Dame. We are receiving many requests for additional aid due to the coronavirus and uncertain economic times makes the decision for prospective families that much more difficult. Notre Dame will be participating in the global Giving Tuesday Now on May 5 to bolster our Notre Dame Fund so that we can maintain our exceptional academic programming, retain current families, and make a Notre Dame education accessible for new families. Please consider what you can do to participate in this important fundraising initiative.

Virtual Masses

Sunday liturgies will continue to be offered via livestream on the school’s Facebook page and via recording on the school website and YouTube until stay-at-home orders are lifted such that families can return to their parishes for worship. It is good to see that we have had between 1,200 and 1,800 views of these liturgies.

Closing

We understand that there are still many questions for parents. The two biggest questions are “when will we return to normal” and “what will ‘normal’ look like for us”.  While none of us can predict the future, most experts believe that we will have a graduated approach in re-establishing activities that will take place over several weeks or months. To that end, we are already planning now for next school year and will be prepared to address all issues that may affect the health and well-being of our students and our teachers. It is our intent that Notre Dame emerges from this pandemic stronger than ever.

We pray for Mary’s continued blessings on our Catholic community as we welcome the students back from break and push forward to the end of the school year. 

Kindly,

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

We know that there are many questions and concerns from parents, students, faculty and staff. We are also working to be predictive in anticipating likely scenarios, including preparing for the possibility that school may be shut down longer than anticipated. 

Today, we made the following decisions:

• Online learning will officially begin tomorrow, March 17. Lessons and assignments will be posted on PowerSchool by 9 a.m. each day.
• The school building will be closed to students and visitors from today, March 16, at 2 p.m. through April 19.
  • Remote learning will continue through April 8.
  • School will be closed from Holy Thursday – Easter Sunday (April 9-12) in observance of the Easter holiday.
  • Spring break will take place as previously scheduled (April 13-17).
  • Normal in-school classes (or offline learning) will resume on April 20.

Good practical advice for your students is to encourage them to get into a regular routine of checking for assignments, keeping up with coursework, practicing good hygiene and getting proper rest. We will need your help to make sure that your students regularly check their email for updates from their teachers. It is also good to manage expectations. Remote learning is not a perfect educational scenario and will take some time for faculty and students to adjust. IT support will be available to students during all normal school hours at itsupport@ndpma.org.

Patience, flexibility and empathy by all will be critical during this period.  A FAQ document is being prepared and should be available to parents within the coming days.

This also is an ideal time to discuss with your children the importance of the greater humanitarian good that is taking place while we all work together to address the coronavirus. It is part of our mission to work with God to form good Christian people, upright citizens and academic scholars. 

Below is an excellent prayer from St. Francis de Sales to share with your children:

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow.

The same loving Father who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.

Kindly,

Andrew J. Guest
Head of School

Coronavirus Fact Sheet

Hand-Washing Instructions

How-To: A Guide to Stopping the Spread of Germs

Clean and Healthy Schools

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus

Coronavirus Information (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

Coronavirus Q&A (World Health Organization)

Travel Advisories (U.S. Department of State)

Coronavirus Updates in Michigan (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)

Explaining Coronavirus to Kids (NPR)

Coronavirus Resource Center (Johns Hopkins University)

Resources for parents with young children (Children's National)