St Rose of Lima School students will return to in-school learning this September, with parents having the choice to opt for remote learning, according to the school.

Director of Mission Advancement Laura Moulder explained in a recent e-mail that the school is preparing to return to full-time in-school learning, five days a week, with a remote option available.

“Our goal is for a safe, strong, and sustaining school year,” said Principal Bardhyl Gjoka. “The health, safety, and education of students in preschool through eighth grade is our top priority. We have the faculty, resources, and safety measures in place to make this a productive year and will continue to follow the guidance of the state and diocese as the school year unfolds.”

According to Gjoka, safety procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Diocese of Bridgeport, and the State of Connecticut will be followed.

“The school has been thoroughly sanitized and cleared of unnecessary objects,” Moulder shared. “Classrooms are set up with social distancing in place. Traffic flow into and out of the school as well as in the hallways and classrooms is one way, with decals for direction. Teachers are taking state and diocesan professional development sessions to ensure they are up to date on all safety standards. They are putting a lot of energy into making their classrooms safe and welcoming for students so that learning is maximized. In the event that we need to return to full-time remote learning the school is ready and feels confident based on the positive results achieved last spring.”

According to Moulder, different grades at the school will begin the year on different days: Kindergarten to fourth grade students will begin on September 2; fifth to eighth grade students will begin on September 3; and preschool students will begin on September 8. An 11:30 am dismissal is scheduled for September 2, 3, and 4.

“We want parents to know we have done every known thing to have the school safe and welcoming for the kids,” Gjoka said in a recent phone interview. To the students, he added, “Their safety and well-being is the absolute top priority for us and we are eager to teach them so we can continue with learning.”

Gjoka said he is most looking forward to “some sort of normalcy, where everyone is really back in their learning mode.”

Since last school year, Gjoka said, the school has made advancements to its remote learning plan to ensure the same pacing for content regardless of how it is delivered.

Gjoka said she he is grateful a team worked throughout the summer to prepare for the fall opening, and the school will be ready if the need arises to switch to full remote learning.

“We’re eager, we’re ready, and we believe that the school will thrive,” said Gjoka.

According to the school’s reopening plan, “The school can accommodate the entire student body in the building for five full days. The number of seats in the classrooms have been calculated according to CDC regulations. Students in kindergarten to eighth grade will be seated according to social distance directives from the CDC facing the same direction. Preschool classrooms are set up to allow approximately 35 square feet per student. Teachers will meet with students in small groups if they can find the space to do so safely at the teacher’s instructional table, and/or requiring the students to wear masks.”

Also according to the plan, “Unnecessary furniture has been removed, as well as throw rugs, toys and games, and any other materials that cannot be easily sanitized. All students need to have their own supplies per the grade level supply list. Shared items (toys, etc.) will be disinfected regularly. Movement in the classroom by students will be limited. The number of adults interacting with the students will be limited. A procedure to document who has contact with the students in the classrooms has been established. Accommodations are in place to have art, music, foreign language, and innovation lab for all classes in addition to the required courses.”

Other accommodations outlined in the plan include marking hallways for traffic flow, limiting students in common areas, procedures for social distancing and sanitation for bathrooms, and plexiglass barriers for the reception counter, main office, and security desk.