Prince of Peace Catholic Schools and Coronavirus

If you have any questions contact the school.

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(Madison, Ind.) - We want to give you an update on the discussion and planning that we are having in regard to Shawe Memorial and Pope John and the current COVID-19 or Coronavirus issues that we are seeing worldwide. Please know that we are educating ourselves and we are in communication with different agencies preparing for what may occur in the future. We know that there are different views on the seriousness of the virus, but as schools and a community, we want to be prepared for any steps that we will need to take.

We have been in communication with KDH, the Jefferson County Health Department, as well as utilizing the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as our information sources. Our staff and custodians and maintenance are doing extra cleaning in all areas of the buildings and that will continue through spring break and the end of the year. We previously emailed you recommendations and precautions, which we highly encourage you to follow such as: stay calm, wash hands regularly, cover your cough, stay home if you are sick and regularly clean all areas at home, work and school. We ask that you pay close attention to the CDC website and if you or your family members are feeling sick, call your physician. Calling your doctor first follows the direct guidance of the CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html At this time, we have no need to close the schools and ask that you continue to support your children's education.

The Principals and staff have prepared a plan to educate our students if we have to close the schools for an extended period of time. Shawe will be ready for "Virtual Learning" at home using the current Chromebooks that they have in place. Pope John will be prepared as well by either using your own home computer devices or school-provided devices if the student doesn't have a computer at home. Please note: More information on how Virtual Learning will be rolled out will be shared if needed. We will also keep preschool families up to date on the plan with the younger students.

We are also reviewing the restriction or cancellation of all events or travel associated with school functions and will keep you up to date as those decisions are made. The Archdiocese has advised us to be informed of where students, families, faculty, and staff are traveling so that we can make a decision on whether someone should stay home under self-quarantine before returning to school. Please keep us informed so that we can help make the best decisions for our entire school family. Please understand that this situation is changing daily and there may be a need for more restrictions. Students will not be penalized in any way academically due to this pandemic.

We realize that Spring Break is major travel time, but please consider rescheduling any travel that isn't deemed crucial. The end goal is to keep our families and schools as safe as possible.

I have attached some links to information that have given us a broader perspective as well as some attachments with some common-sense actions that can help us as a school and you as a family.

Coronavirus and School Closures

Keep up to date with the coronavirus here

Thank you for all that you do! Feel free to call and ask any questions. Please pray that this pandemic will end soon. Let us work together to keep our community safe.